DeSean Jackson was still a year away from being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles when Jimmy Rollins famously proclaimed the Phillies were the team to beat baseball’s NL East. No doubt, the Pro Bowl wide receiver heard the tale once or twice during his time with the Birds.
Ten years ago, a little-known assistant coach from New Hampshire telephoned Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti with a request. Could he come watch Bellotti and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton install their spread offense during spring practice?
“We’d been beg-borrow-and-stealing from everybody in the nation,” Bellotti said. “So I said, ‘Sure.