"In the world of sports, when it comes to the pairings of players and coaches, there are all sorts of marriages. There's the proverbial shotgun wedding, that awkward connection in which clashing styles and incompatible substance are force-fed by circumstances beyond anyone's control.

Think Bill Parcells and Terrell Owens. Think Duane Thomas and Tom Landry.

But every once in a while, style and substance blend in perfect harmony and a coach and player are a match made in football heaven.

Think Steven Jackson and Jeff Fisher.

Ever since the day he got the news that Fisher had been hired as the Rams' coach, Jackson, the Rams bruising tank of a running back, has been doing a lot of smiling. This is player-coach relationship that should be a perfect fit.

"I have played against his teams a lot and they all come with that attitude and a certain level of play," Jackson said. "They have that 'it.' It's hard to explain what that 'it' is to a ... fan. But it's just something about (the way they play) when they go between those lines. Coach Fisher's teams have a certain something that's hard to put a finger on. But I have to assume it's (his) leadership."

Listen to Jackson long enough and you begin to understand that he believes the football gods intended for this running back and this coach to find their way together."