Two of the best big-play receivers in the NFL this year hail from Long Beach, as Jordan’s John Ross and Long Beach Poly’s DeSean Jackson are at the top of the leaderboard after one week.
Ross had his breakout game for the Bengals after two years of waiting, posting seven catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns, second-most receiving yards of any player in the NFL.
Not to be outdone, Jackson had eight catches for 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jackson got an extended standing ovation from the fans in Philadelphia in his first game back with the Eagles, the team who drafted him. Both of his touchdowns were more than 50 yards long, moving him into second all-time in the NFL’s list of career touchdown receptions of 50+ yards.
Ross and Jackson not only come from the same city and league–as Jordan and Poly alums they also attended school on the same street. The duo also both hosted free football camps for kids in Long Beach this year at Veterans Memorial Stadium, the same place they train in the offseason with Gary Cablayan, the speed trainer who has worked with both Ross and Jackson for several years.
Long Beach Poly
Marcedes Lewis officially began his 14th NFL season on Thursday Night Football last week, in a narrow win for his Packers. JuJu Smith-Schuster’s Steelers opened with a tough loss to the Patriots on national television Sunday night on NBC, but Smith-Schuster had a decent game with six catches for 78 yards.
Jurrell Casey and Jayon Brown’s Titans got a big win over the Browns, 43-13, combining for three tackles. Jamize Olawale’s Cowboys got a 35-17 win over the Giants. Iman “Biggie” Marshall is on injured reserve for the Ravens and Quinton Bell is still on the Raiders’ practice squad.
Wilson
Joel Bitonio’s Browns are the AFC North favorites this year, but they got off to a tough start with a big loss to the Titans.
Lakewood
Matt Pryor was inactive with the Eagles for 15 of last season’s 16 games and was inactive to start the season again on Sunday. Ryan Pope is still on the 49ers’ practice squad.
Compton
Compton alum Datone Jones is still looking for a home in his seventh season after being released on cut day by the Jaguars.
