Vincent Jackson is flattered to be wanted.
After NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that the Buccaneers "are getting a ton of calls" on the wideout, Jackson on Thursday said he appreciates the interest but would rather help turn Tampa into a winner.
"In this business, those kind of things get talked about quite often. Each and every year, there's going to be guys moved around to different teams," Jackson said, per the Tampa Bay Times. "I'm not surprised by it. Obviously I appreciate teams' interest, but I'm happy here in Tampa. I've heard nothing here that would suggest I'm going anywhere. I'm going to let that pass on and keep doing my job."
Making $10 million this season as part of a contract that runs through 2016, Jackson looms as a logical target for playoff-hungry teams looking to amp up the passing game. He's a tall, physical wideout with big-play skills, one that fellow Around the NFL scribe Kevin Patra sees as an ideal fit for the Cowboys.
Having missed the playoffs every season since his 2009 stint with the Chargers, Jackson still believes his next postseason trip will come with the currently disastrous Bucs.
"That's exactly what I want to do here," Jackson said. "Bringing Lovie (Smith) in and the staff that he's brought, his mentality and his goals are aligned with mine and a lot of guys in this locker room. I hope for us to start the tradition here of winning football in Tampa Bay and to stay in this uniform and this jersey and help bring that here."
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