Vick confident he'll have DeSean back

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Will Michael Vick have DeSean Jackson to throw to next year? Hes optimistic, although he just smiles when asked why.

Jacksons contract expires after the Eagles-Redskins game, and unless the Eagles sign Jackson to a long-term deal or slap the franchise tag on him, hell become an unrestricted free agent in March, free to sign with any team in the league.

Jacksons touchdown and big-play numbers are down this year, but hes one of the top 10 receivers in the NFL since entering the league in 2008.

I think itll all work itself out, Vick said at his locker Friday, after the Eagles final practice of the year. We were just out at practice, and you could just see the glow and the sparkle in his eyes as far as him being out on the field with the guys, having fun, dominating.

Despite a training camp holdout, a one-game suspension after he missed a mandatory meeting and five dropped touchdown passes, Jackson leads the Eagles with 875 receiving yards on 54 receptions.

With 125 yards against the Redskins Sunday, Jackson would join Mike Quick (1983-85) as only the second Eagle with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Im just excited and happy for DeSean for the way hes handled himself and conducted himself throughout everything, so I think itll all take care of itself, Vick said. Im hoping. Thats all I can do. I dont make any decisions, but I hope everything will work itself out.

Since the start of the 2008 season, Jackson ranks 10th in the NFL in receiving yards (4,010 yards). Hes already sixth in franchise history in receiving yards.

The front office might not like this, but offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Thursday that Jacksons value goes beyond his stats.

His presence on the field and when he goes deep helps our offensive football team, whether he gets the ball or not, he said. Done.

Mornhinweg said hes proud of the way Jackson handled the season, playing for the NFL fourth-year minimum of 600,000 while a non-impact veteran receiver like Steve Smith earned nearly four times that amount.

His hard work and preparation and the emphasis on the team, Mornhinweg said. Only a select few have been through what hes been through, and he battled through it, and he came out the other end pretty well.

He had some thoughts there that are hard for a professional football player in that situation, so Im proud of him, the way hes playing.

In the last 30 years, the Eagles have had just three players make two Pro Bowls before their 25th birthdayKeith Jackson and Jeremiah Trotter. Both left as free agents, Jackson to the Dolphins and Trotter to the Redskins.

Will history repeat?

We love DeSean around here, Vick said. Coach Andy Reid loves DeSean. Everybody loves DeSean. Hes our guy. Hes our little brother. Hes my little brother. We depend on him and rely on him as much as he relies on us and depends on us.

E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com

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