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Washington • The contrast couldn't have been greater for DeSean Jackson.
In a matter of days, he went from unwanted to wanted, from fired to hired, from discarded by the Philadelphia Eagles with reputation tarnished to rock star treatment and a new fat contract from the Washington Redskins.
Concerns about work ethic, attitude and reports about gang activity seemed miles away when he was being wooed by Robert Griffin III or enjoying his recruiting-style evening out with cornerback DeAngelo Hall, receiver Pierre Garcon and rapper Wale.
On Wednesday, Jackson closed the deal, signing a three-year, $24 million contract that includes $16 million guaranteed. The terms were disclosed by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Redskins did not announce the financial details.
"I feel they embraced me," Jackson said. "RG3, DeAngelo Hall reached out to me and made it feel like it was home. After everything that was going on the past couple of days, and the last week, that's a big step. ... I think the biggest thing about this move is finding a place where I can be happy and go out there and just be myself."
Adding Jackson to an offense that includes Griffin, Garcon, Andre Roberts, Jordan Reed and Alfred Morris should make the Redskins fun to watch again. Adding him to a locker room culture undergoing yet another overhaul might be the greater challenge.
The Redskins are getting a three-time Pro Bowl receiver with speed, someone who singlehandedly can change a defense's approach. He set career highs with 82 catches for 1,332 yards last year for the NFC East champion Eagles. And Jackson, who led the NFL in punt return average in 2009, can give a badly needed boost to Washington's special teams, although his production in the return game has waned over the last three years.
"It's an exciting time to be a Redskins fan and a part of this team because of the firepower that we have," Griffin said in a statement to reporters. "Everyone needs to understand that we haven't won anything yet, and these next few months will be about building those bonds and chemistry so that we can."
The Redskins are also getting a player not afraid to speak his mind who isn't shy about his talents. He had a history of off-the-field issues in his six seasons with the Eagles. Among the lowlights: In 2011, he was deactivated for a game for being late for a team meeting and dropped more passes than usual, part of a season-long spillover from his unfulfilled desire for a new contract that led to an 11-day training camp holdout.
Last year, in Chip Kelly's first season, Jackson fumed at members of the coaching staff on the sideline during a game and had to be restrained by two teammates, upset because he didn't get the ball when he was wide open. He later lobbied for yet another new contract — just two years after getting a five-year, $48.2 million deal that included a $10 million signing bonus.
The Eagles decided enough was enough and tried unsuccessfully to trade Jackson. They released him last week, which Jackson called "a humbling experience."
Regarding his reputation in the locker room, he said: "I'm not really here to address that. I feel the people that really know me and know what type of player I am, they respect me and know I'm a team guy."
The day the Eagles let him go, Jackson issued a statement quashing another off-the-field report, denying involvement in gang activity near his hometown in Southern California.
"I just felt that was the right thing to do at the right time, and eventually I think people will understand and see the real DeSean Jackson and not see the painted picture that was put out on me," Jackson said Wednesday.
On his conference call with reporters, Jackson went out of his way to point out some of his positive endeavors. He cited his foundation that raises money for research into pancreatic cancer, which claimed his father's life in 2009. He also mentioned his book, "No Bullies in the Huddle."
One serious matter to resolve — at least in the eyes of the fans — is whether Jackson will wear No. 10, as he did with the Eagles. Griffin already has that number in Washington.
"We talked about it a little bit," Jackson said. "That's a decision that hasn't been made yet so far. ... But maybe RG3 will wear No. 3."
The Redskins are coming off a 3-13 season overwhelmed by bad chemistry between coach Mike Shanahan and franchise player Griffin. Shanahan was fired and replaced by Jay Gruden, who will be trying to set a new tone in the locker room.
The Redskins have weighed the risk-reward of talent-with-baggage before, with mixed results. Hall was known as much for his temperament as his talent when he arrived midseason in 2008, but he's emerged as a team leader, made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and was re-signed last month.
But there was also Albert Haynesworth, who signed a massive contract in 2009 and gave the team one headache after another over two seasons.
The Redskins are losing one of their veteran leaders, linebacker London Fletcher, who has announced plans to retire. Fletcher's replacement, leadership-wise, might be safety Ryan Clark, who agreed to terms earlier this week and signed his deal Wednesday.
Around the league
Steelers • Pittsburgh and free agent receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey have agreed to terms on a 1-year contract.
Heyward-Bey caught 29 passes for 307 yards and a touchdown in 11 games last season with Indianapolis. He spent the first four seasons of his career in Oakland, catching 140 passes for 2,071 yards and 11 touchdowns in 56 games with the Raiders before being released last spring.
The 27-year-old Heyward-Bey gives the Steelers the deep threat they lacked last season after Mike Wallace left via free agency for Miami. Heyward-Bey is the second wide receiver signed by the Steelers since free agency began. Pittsburgh and former New Orleans wideout Lance Moore agreed to a two-year deal last month.
Giants • New York has signed former Denver Broncos defensive end Robert Ayers.
Ayers' addition Wednesday makes him the 13th veteran the team has signed since free agency started.
Ayers had a career-high 5.5 sacks last season for the AFC champion Broncos. A 2009 first-round draft choice out of Tennessee and a New Jersey native, he is the fourth participant from February's Super Bowl, and the third from the Broncos, to join the Giants. The others are cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and return specialist Trindon Holliday. Cornerback Walter Thurmond left Seattle to join the Giants.
The Giants lost defensive captain Justin Tuck to Oakland in free agency, leaving Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka and second-year pro Damontre Moore. Pierre-Paul was limited by injuries last season.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for me, coming to a great organization like this," Ayers said. "They hate losing and they're always about getting better and preparing, and I've heard nothing but good things about the general manager and the owners, the coaches. Everyone speaks highly of them across the league. They're a blue-collar organization."
Ayers played in 72 regular-season games with 27 starts for the Broncos and had 141 tackles (101 solo), 12 sacks and three forced fumbles.
The Giants have been the NFL's most active team in free agency. Along with Rodgers-Cromartie, Thurmond and Holliday, they have signed offensive linemen Geoff Schwartz, J.D. Walton, John Jerry and Charles Brown; defensive backs Zack Bowman and Quinton Demps; wide receiver Mario Manningham; linebacker Jameel McClain; and running back Rashad Jennings.
The Giants have also retained 10 of their own free agents - linebackers Jon Beason, Spencer Paysinger and Mark Herzlich; cornerback Trumaine McBride; safety Stevie Brown; kicker Josh Brown; quarterback Curtis Painter; running back Peyton Hillis; fullback Henry Hynoski; and defensive tackle Mike Patterson.
Dolphins • Former Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Jason Fox signed a one-year contract Wednesday with the Miami Dolphins, and he's confident he can fill one of their vacancies up front.
A Texas native, Fox chose Miami after four injury-hampered seasons for the Detroit Lions.
"I'm very comfortable with South Florida," he said. "I consider it a second home. But the main reason was the Miami Dolphins. I'm so excited to be here. Their offensive line presents a great opportunity for me to come in and compete."
The 6-foot-6, 314-pound Fox is expected to contend for playing time at either guard position or right tackle. The Dolphins will likely have new starters at all three spots as they revamp their offensive line, which endured a dismal 2013 season both on and off the field.
The unit became the focus of the team's bullying scandal.
"Every athlete wants to be a starter," Fox said. "There are some openings in this offensive line, and I came here to give it everything I have and earn a starting job."
At a minimum, the Dolphins anticipate Fox will give them some much-needed depth.
"Jason has been a quality player," general manager Dennis Hickey said. "He's a guy who brings passion, commitment to the game and toughness."
Fox made only three starts with the Lions, all last year at right tackle. He played in eight games in 2013 and was slowed by groin and knee injuries. He had a foot injury in 2011 and didn't play all season.
"I started 47 straight games at Miami," Fox said. "I had some bad luck early in my NFL career, but that's over. I feel 100 percent healthy."
Fox was a fourth-round draft pick by the Lions in 2010.
Titans • Tennessee has agreed to terms with offensive lineman Chris Spencer on a one-year contract.
Spencer played in all 16 games for the Titans last season and made one start at center on Dec. 1 against the Indianapolis Colts.
The 32-year-old Spencer has played 121 games in his nine-year career. He's made 63 starts at center and 27 starts at guard.
Spencer previously played for the Seattle Seahawks (2005-10) and Chicago Bears (2011-12). The Seahawks selected Spencer in the first round of the 2005 draft out of Mississippi.