Jackson's revenge coming?

<p>SANTA CLARA — Nearly two years into his career, Philadelphia big-play artist DeSean Jackson is making a lot of teams rethink their evaluation of him in the 2008 draft.</p><p>Eagles coach Andy Reid said he thought Jackson would be selected in the first round. But even his future team passed on Jackson with their first selection. Philadelphia went with defensive tackle Trevor Laws of Notre Dame with the 47th pick before choosing Jackson two slots later.</p><p>“He was clearly the best player on our board at that pick,” Reid said.</p><p>The 49ers had two opportunities to select Jackson but instead opted for defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer with the No. 29 selection and guard Chilo Rachal at No. 39. Faced with a must-win game Sunday in Philadelphia, the 49ers will have to prevent Jackson from exacting revenge.</p><p>Jackson, who played three seasons at Cal, has emerged as one of the NFL’s top game-breakers. He demonstrated his dynamic skills a week ago in a key NFC East victory over the New York Giants with a 72-yard punt-return touchdown, a 60-yard touchdown reception and 261 total yards.</p><p>His list of accomplishments is growing:</p><p>He has been name NFC special-teams player of the week twice, and NFC offensive player of the week once. He is the first player in franchise history with three such weekly awards in the same season.</p><p> His two 50-yard touchdowns Sunday give him eight such scores this season, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch (1951) and Chicago’s Devin Hester (2007) for the most in a single season.</p><p> He leads the NFL with 18.9 yards per reception (50 catches for 947 yards and seven touchdowns).</p><p> His 17.8 average on punt returns is also the best in the NFL. He has two touchdowns on punt returns, sharing the league lead with Dallas’ Patrick Crayton.</p><p>“He has the talent and continues to get better,” Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said. “And he has the mentality of team-first. It’s a tribute to hard work and attitude, because he’s obviously so talented. He still wants to get better. That’s always a good thing.”</p><p>Entering the 2008 draft, there were questions about Jackson’s durability and attitude. Listed at 5-foot-10, 169 pounds, Jackson was plagued by injuries throughout his career in Berkeley.</p><p>There were also questions about his character that scared teams away, league sources said. But Reid has roots in Los Angeles, and he did plenty of homework. He was acquainted with many people in youth sports who had known Jackson for a long time.</p><p>Reid had plenty to consider because, as he said, Cal coach Jeff Tedord “shot me straight about the kid.” Reid made the effort to meet Jackson before the draft and came away comfortable with investing a pick in the middle of the second round on him.</p><p>“I brought him around the draft, and I like the kid,” Reid said.</p><p>“You have to have a little swagger about you,” McNabb said. “Confidence is something I don’t think can be coached. You have to have that. He definitely has that quality.</p><p>“If you control it, then it can’t become a problem. He’s done a great job of not letting his confidence and his swagger not be a distraction (to what) we’re setting out to do over here.”</p><p>The Eagles lead the NFC East with a 9-4 record. Reid, who carries a few extra pounds on his ample frame, was seen on the sideline performing a mid-air bump with Jackson after a Philadelphia touchdown last week.</p><p>Reid has reason to jump for joy that Jackson is on his team.</p><h3>EXTRA POINTS</h3> <p>* Niners coach Mike Singletary announced that Joe Staley will return to the starting lineup at left tackle in Sunday’s game after missing six starts with a knee injury. Veteran Barry Sims, who is questionable with a knee injury, did a fine job of filling in for Staley.</p><p>“Outstanding,” Singletary answered when asked about Sims’ performance. “I don’t think anyone really knew what to expect. Last year, he played some right tackle and did a good job, but I think this year he exceeded that by far. He held up and just did a really nice job.”</p><p>* Arnaz Battle will return punts, Singletary said. Battle has fumbled five times this season. His two lost fumbles led to quick touchdowns in defeats at Houston and Seattle.</p><p>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at matt.maiocco@press</p><p>democrat.com.</p>