Action Jackson: Chargers receiver making his mark

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Sunday, August 26, 2007 11:03 PM PDT ∞

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The debate over whether the Chargers have playoff-caliber receivers won't be settled in August. The probing analysis and inspection will continue regardless of whether the team's wideouts are tired of hearing about it.

Third-year receiver Vincent Jackson, however, took strides toward diminishing the volume of concern in Saturday's 33-31 preseason victory over the Arizona Cardinals with a big-time performance. Jackson caught four passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns in just 2 1/2 quarters of action.

A few regular-season showings like that, and Jackson might erase the knock that the Chargers lack a bona fide No. 1 wide receiver.

"There's no doubt in our minds and inside our building as far as that part of the game," said Jackson, addressing the subject after the game. "People are going to question it because you have standout players at just about every other offensive position.

"But we've got guys that can be consistent and make plays and do what we need to go down the field."

Jackson stretched the field impressively, with three of his catches going for 33, 29 and 24 yards. The 33-yard catch in the second quarter was for a touchdown.

Jackson added a 6-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. He has three of the team's five receiving TDs this preseason.

"Vincent has that in him," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "We've been saying that all along. He's going to keep doing those sort of things. He made a lot of big plays.

"To me, the biggest play of the night was the third quarter. He went over the middle, and I threw it behind him kind of intentionally. But, at the same time, what an unbelievable catch he made.

"This is big for him. I know it's the preseason. But still, the more catches he makes, the more plays he makes, the more confidence he gets."

Jackson has dealt with injuries to a lower leg and a hand this preseason, and has occasionally missed practices.

But leading up to the game against the Cardinals, coach Norv Turner thought things were about to come together for Jackson. So he wasn't stunned by the stellar performance.

"Vincent Jackson did what I expect him to do," Turner said. "He had his best week of practice. He got over some of those training-camp nagging injuries. He's playing fast and he's getting himself ready to have a great year."

Jackson said he agreed with Turner's assessment.

"Absolutely," Jackson said. "Camp is camp, and I'm starting to feel like I got my legs back under me. We felt good. Offensively, we're clicking pretty well."

Jackson surfaced as a receiving threat over last season's second half. He had just seven receptions after nine games but had three or more receptions in six of the Chargers' last seven regular-season contests.

He averaged a team-high 16.8 yards per reception and was second on the squad with six touchdowns catches.

The organization hopes he emerges as a top-level receiver.

Rivers went through a similar phase last year. He made the transition from a backup quarterback with limited experience to being among the AFC's top quarterbacks.

"The more throws I made, the more confident I got," Rivers said. "I think that's everybody as a player. That was big for him to get in there and have a good game."

Chargers notes

The only injury of note was the high ankle sprain suffered by RB Michael Turner. Andrew Pinnock received the bulk of the rushing workload and had 60 yards on 15 carries. ... The Chargers rolled up 506 yards of offense without RB LaDainian Tomlinson, but coach Norv Turner was distressed over two turnovers: lost fumbles by Michael Turner and Lorenzo Neal. "Obviously, we turned the football over too much," Turner said. "We had two fumbles. I expect us to lead the league in fewest turnovers or be in the top three or four." ... The Chargers close the exhibition season at home on Thursday against San Francisco.

-- Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.

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