The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' former second round draft pick, Dexter Jackson, has reportedly signed with the UFL team the Virginia Destroyers. The Bucs took Jackson 58th overall in the 2008, hoping the Appalachian State standout could become a legit kick returner, but released him shorter after the season. In his one NFL season, Jackson averaged 23.4 yards per kick return and 4.9 yards per punt return, while while fumbling once and never catching a pass.
↵The UFL continues its snatching of football talent this off season, looking to shore up the league's talent depth in what is certainly a do-or-die year. The UFL (United Football League) is now entering its third season, having already lost millions of dollars and arguably best franchise (the Florida Tuskers which moved this off season from Orlando to Virginia).
↵However, the NFL lockout has given new life to the league with modest aspirations. From the beginning, the UFL has positioned itself to become a feeder league for the NFL -- a veritable minor league system. Detractors wrongly suppose college football provides the proper feeder system, but college football has severe limitations: Players have very limited windows to succeed (four years at most); teams do employ NFL-style schemes (inflating and deflating the stats of many players); and the academic necessities of the college disqualify all-brawn athletes who might otherwise excel in the NFL.
↵Hopefully, both Dexter Jackson and the UFL will find their big break in 2011.