Raiders players join fans in courting DeSean Jackson

On Friday, the Philadelphia Eagles released wide receiver DeSean Jackson. In an effort to lure the three-time Pro Bowler to Oakland, both the Raiders' players and fans have united.

Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt Schaub recently expressed his interest in adding DeSean Jackson to the team.

"I'd love to see DeSean Jackson out there. He's a phenomenal talent, a great player," Schaub told Sirius XM NFL Radio. "The times I've been around him, a great guy. I think he can add a lot to any team, especially ours in Oakland and (sic) really think he can be a big help to what we're trying to build and I'd love to have him at my disposal as a receiver."

Schaub is not the only player on the Raiders that wants Jackson. Both Charles Woodson and Marcel Reece have publicly voiced their opinions on the controversial wide receiver.

Woodson told ESPN radio affiliate 95.7 The Game on Friday that Jackson would be welcomed in Oakland.

"Bring him in, I think he would look good in the silver and black," Woodson said. "Of course I know the business side of it, but I've watched this guy and what he is, is a dynamic football player. What they're talking [about] as far as off-the-field stuff, I have no clue about. The team would have to do their homework as far as that's concerned."

"But when you talk about bringing in a guy as talented as he is, and you have that opportunity, I think you take a shot at it. And I think where we are as a team, we need all the playmakers we can have, and adding that guy would definitely help take us to the next level."

While Reggie McKenzie has hesitated to pull the trigger, Woodson thinks that Al Davis would have immediately signed Jackson.

"There is no question in my mind that this is the type of player that Al would bring in. You hear about the off-field stuff but I don't think Al would concern himself with that too much. I think Al would do his homework. But I think he would take a serious hard look, and if there was an opportunity I think he would bring that guy in.

"DeSean can stretch the field, and we know how much Al loved having guys that can stretch the field. So I don't think there is any question he would bring him in."

Marcel Reece joined in on the persuasion when he took to Twitter to defend Jackson.

Unbelievable to try and pin a negative rap on someone just because you may not like them...don't believe the negativity! @DeseanJackson10

— Marcel Reece (@CelReece45) March 29, 2014

Ok...I just couldn't allow my boy @DeseanJackson10 get trashed without saying anything. Back in hiding I go for the rest of the day!

— Marcel Reece (@CelReece45) March 29, 2014

Tv is speculating I'm speaking from experience known @DeseanJackson10 a long time and he's always been the same

— Marcel Reece (@CelReece45) March 29, 2014

Even Maurice Jones-Drew added his two cents in telling Oakland sports radio station 95.7 that "If he decides to come here, he would be an asset for us. I will do some research and try and have a couple of my buddies text him and see if we can get him on in here to the Raiders."

By the time the players began making their opinions known, the fans had already been pushing hard with their #DJaxToOakland campaign. Raider Nation has an incredible influence and played a major role in the signings of Philip Wheeler in 2012 and Charles Woodson last off-season.

Two years ago when the fans heard Philip Wheeler might sign, Raider fans bombarded him with tweets. Last year, hundreds of Raider fans camped outside the facility to welcome Charles Woodson. Woodson signed that day. Both players credited the fans as a major selling point in their signings. The fans are hoping they can do it again.

Both the players and fans are uniting for a single cause -- to reel in DeSean Jackson.