Listening to the local Houston sports station it is very obvious how many Texan 'fans' just hate the 2010 1st round draft pick Kareem Jackson. Any time people lay out their solution they all include cutting Kareem Jackson just coming off a much improved second year. These 'fans' give up on this 1st round talent pick out of Alabama and already start to call him a bust, if you have that opinion of Kareem then let me point out a few things on why i have faith in Kareem and also a big fan of.
Coming in the Combine scouts would call Kareem a very aggressive corner that has speed and quick feet, everyone also agreed the guy could hit in the back field and disrupt passes pretty well but could use improvement in watching for the ball and go for the pick. When Houston drafted him many fans where really uncertain about Kareem and did not really know of him well. They decided since the success of Rick Smith in the 2006 draft fans had faith in Rick and not so much Kareem. The 2010 rookie season was far from pretty. It was obvious teams would target the rookie starting corner and burn him every game at least once or twice on big plays. Everyone agrees on that, but what i do not understand is why don't fans ask the question 'why was Kareem immune to being benched?'. It seemed obvious and understandable Kareem would lose confidence after getting lit up so much he would start to just try stay with the receiver and tackle him than look to try disrupt the pass or go for a interception. Kareem has the potential and true fans who look at him understand that and true scouts and coaches know that. The problem was he never got groomed up and slowly let into the games he was expected to start day one. It's beyond me why he was not just coached more and used later once he looked ready and caught up to NFL speed. Well after his rookie season Rick Smith brought in Jonathan Joseph to help the 2010 NFL's 32 ranked pass defense, and help be a vet and coach up Kareem. The 2011 Kareem saw much improvement and if you disagree then you where probably not watching the 2011 season and where accidentally watching 2010 reruns.
Kareem had some very solid moments in 2011 and sparks of light that made me feel so happy and proud of him, a way of him telling the 'fans' and media "forget the haters". Kareem had a great pick in the Atlanta game as well as having a game clinching pass defended in the end zone. Kareem looked totally different and more confident, when addressing some media that actually took notice he told them "i got my swagger back". Kareem Jackson's 2011 season was much improved after a year under his belt and thanks to the coaching of Wade Philips and Vance Joseph, along with the added vet help of Jonathan Joseph. His improvement in the secondary help keep the Texans throughout the season as a top 5 defense in the NFL.
In the end Kareem still has a little improvement he needs to do but hey thats what a full offseason with Wade Philips is for. Give every rookie four years to show their best idea for their max potential Kareem is now going into his fourth, so before you call him a bust you have to slow down and take a look and see he is improving and will develop more because trust me there is plenty more of potential Kareem has to offer. Keep a eye on him in training camp this year and don't be afraid to be impressed. Plus a true fan would cheer him on and hope he works out for the best and take him in and make him feel wanted here in Houston, not just bash him all day on the radio crying that he is the reason we lose a game. If you want to free up cap space for Mario dump Jason Allen he won't be needed anymore with Kareem and Brandon Harris taking over plus he is going to want starter money anyways, thats what a smart fan would really say to make a effort to keep Mario.
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