Untitled Page

Steven Jackson News & Rumors

A superb fit for Steven Jackson
January 25
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Bryan Burwell
"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"
Jackson keeps on churning
December 26
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"No matter what the score, what the situation, one thing is certain from Steven Jackson. He always gives his best. Saturday was no different. In the midst of another dreary loss in another miserable season, Jackson kept churning, kept pushing, kept running against Pittsburgh — all the way to an impressive NFL milestone. Think it's easy to run for 1,000 yards? Try doing it for seven consecutive seasons. Only six others have done so previously in the history of the NFL, and it's a star-studded list: Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Curtis Martin, Thurman Thomas, LaDainian Tomlinson, Eric Dickerson. And now, Jackson. "If the levels of admiration are 1-to-10, I'm at a 15," coach Steve Spagnuolo"
Jackson closer to 1,000-yard milestone
December 22
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Steven Jackson's next milestone is achingly close: Just 34 yards separates him from his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season. Achieving the goal against the Steelers could be especially sweet. Saturday also marks Jackson's first career appearance in Pittsburgh, a city that has had revered running backs such as Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis. "2003 was the last time we've been there. Arlen Harris: three touchdowns," said Jackson, ever the Rams' historian, on Harris' signature moment in his brief Rams' career, in a 33-21 Rams' victory. "I'm actually really excited about playing in that stadium. This team historically is one of the elite. Year in and year out, they seem to always put a team"
Jackson closing in on 1,000 yards again
December 16
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"With 105 yards rushing Sunday against visiting Cincinnati, Steven Jackson would reach 1,000 yards for the season. At first, Jackson tried to downplay the feat at his regular Thursday media session. "It'll be nice to eclipse that," Jackson said. "But first things first. We've got to make sure that we execute the offense and get us in the flow of things. I'm pretty sure they'll be determined to stop the run." But reaching 1,000 yards in 2011 isn't really the story of what Jackson could accomplish against the Bengals. It's the fact that it would make it seven consecutive 1,000 yard seasons for Jackson. When that milestone was mentioned, Jackson went from somewhat disinterested to NFL"
Rams use Jackson sparingly in red zone
December 14
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"In two red zone possessions Monday night at CenturyLink Field, the Rams ran eight plays from the Seattle 1-yard line. Running back Steven Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowler and still the best player on the team, touched the ball only twice in those eight plays. Sam Bradford, sore left ankle and all, got it as many times as Jackson did from the 1, getting called for intentional grounding on the naked bootleg call in the third quarter, and getting stopped for no gain on a quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter. On the other plays from the 1, Cadillac Williams carried for no gain, and Bradford threw three incomplete passes — two intended for Danario Alexander and one for Brandon Lloyd. Why not"
Rams are still Steven Jackson's team
November 20
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"With the free-agent signings of Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood, the plan was to give Steven Jackson a blow every now and then during games. Keep him fresh. Avoid wear-and-tear on the eight-year pro. In some corners, at least, new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was portrayed as a pass-happy sort, which was another reason why Jackson might get fewer touches this season for the Rams. Make no mistake, Williams carried the load in the first three games when Jackson was dealing with a quadriceps injury. But take a look at what's transpired in the six games since Jackson returned to the starting lineup: • Jackson: 154 touches (on 134 carries and 20 receptions). • Williams: 14 touches"
Ailing Browns defense preparing for Rams' Jackson
November 11
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"The Browns' defense gave an extra inch last week. It only felt like the Houston Texans ran for a mile. With that miserable performance behind them, the Browns' run defense will again be tested Sunday by the St. Louis Rams and tailback Steven Jackson. It's fair to say they won't deploy the same scheme they tried against the Texans. In order to combat the Texans' unique zone-blocking schemes, Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron backed his linemen off the line of scrimmage slightly in order to give them more time to analyze the blocks. It sounded good in theory, but the Texans gashed the Browns for a season-worst 261 rushing yards. While some of the Browns' defensive statistics have"
Jackson expects more from Browns' weak run defense
November 11
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Put two and two together, and you'd think Steven Jackson would be anticipating a huge day Sunday, when the Rams face the Browns in Cleveland. First, Jackson is coming off his best performances of the season: 159 yards in a victory over the Saints on Oct. 30, 130 yards in the loss to Arizona last week. Second, the Rams will face the rushing defense ranked 30th in the NFL, allowing 144 yards a game. Jackson, though, doesn't put much stock in the rankings, especially since Browns coach Pat Shurmur knows Jackson all too well from his days as Rams' offensive coordinator. "When certain teams come to town, certain players come to town, statistically those things really don't matter," he said."
Cowboys' No. 1 run defense grounds St. Louis RB Steven Jackson
October 24
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Cowboys defense allowed its second rushing touchdown of the season Sunday against St. Louis, but standout running back Steven Jackson didn't have a big day. The Cowboys came into the game leading the NFL in run defense at 69.6 yards allowed per game and live up to their average. The Rams rushed for 70 yards on 21 carries. Jackson finished with 70 rushing yards on 18 carries."
Rams' Jackson says he's back to '100 percent'
October 14
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Steven Jackson took the handoff from Sam Bradford, dashed off left tackle behind excellent blocking and didn't stop until he had crossed the goal line 47 yards later untouched. Touchdown, Rams. What a way to start the season. The opening day crowd responded with more than just loud applause. There was that tingly sort of electricity in the air, something rarely felt in the Edward Jones Dome in recent years. After the near miss for a playoff berth in 2010, a frenetic free agency period and an unbeaten preseason, Jackson's lightning bolt against Philadelphia heralded the dawning of a new era of Rams football. The dark cloud that had hovered over Rams Park for years was finally lifted. Or"
Jackson gives Rams a pep talk
October 5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Occasionally, a head coach might stop things in the middle of practice to address the team. But a player? It was an odd sight, something you might not see in hundreds of practices at Rams Park. But about 20 minutes into Tuesday's bye week practice session, running back Steven Jackson called the entire offense together for what sounded like part lecture and part pep talk. It lasted maybe a couple of minutes, then practice resumed. With the Rams listing badly at 0-4, coach Steve Spagnuolo appreciates all the help he can get, particularly from one of his team captains. Jackson's message? "Just some determination," Spagnuolo said. "Some will to succeed, some drive for excellence. Just"
Rams deficit ends up hurting Jackson
October 3
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"For the first time since injuring a quad muscle on the Rams' first play from scrimmage this season, Steven Jackson returned to his rightful spot as the focal point of the St. Louis offense Sunday. For a while, at least. Jackson did not re-injure himself in the Rams' 17-10 loss to Washington on Sunday afternoon at the Edward Jones Dome, but his effectiveness was limited as the Rams once again played from behind. Jackson, whose number was called on each of the Rams' first five plays from scrimmage, rushed 17 times for 45 yards and hauled in four passes for 19 yards, including a 15-yarder for the Rams' lone touchdown. "I knew he was ready," coach Steve Spagnuolo said. "He said, 'I'm going to"
Rams' Jackson to play vs. Washington; Amendola out again
October 2
NFL.com
 
"As expected, St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson will play Sunday against the Washington Redskins. Jackson, who has battled a quadriceps injury since the Rams' Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, was listed as probable Friday despite being a limited participant during practice. Rams wideout Danny Amendola is inactive for the third straight week. Amendola dislocated his elbow against the Eagles. Rams running back Cadillac Williams (hamstring) will play."
Steven Jackson says he's playing Sunday
September 30
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Steven Jackson has had some good moments against Washington over the years, including a pair of 100-yard rushing games, a 100-yard receiving game and three touchdowns. And there have been times in those games when the Redskins defense didn't look too anxious to tackle him. The Pro Bowl running back would like to add a few more memories into his Redskins 'scrapbook" this Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome. Although still listed as limited participation on the Rams' official injury report, Jackson said there's no mystery to his playing status this week. He's playing, and he's hoping for a bigger workload. "Absolutely," Jackson said after practice Thursday. "I'm definitely hoping that last week"
Bradford, Jackson practice for Rams
September 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The St. Louis Rams reported to practice relatively healthy, including Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson. Bradford suffered a sprained toe in the Rams' loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday but shrugged off the injury after practice. "It's fine. It's no big deal. I really have no idea why anything even got said about my toe, to be honest with you," Bradford said. Coach Steve Spagnuolo reported that Jackson, who suffered a thigh injury on the opening TD run of the season, was limited but did more work today than last week. "You don't see him out here a lot on Wednesdays," Bradford said. "Anytime he's out here Wednesday practicing, especially the way he looked today -- he looked"
Rams' Jackson returns from quad injury, active vs. Ravens
September 25
NFL.com
 
"St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson will be active against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, the team announced. Jackson has been out since injuring his quad on a touchdown run in the Rams' Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He almost played Monday night against the New York Giants but was declared inactive before the game."
Jackson tests thigh, remains questionable
September 23
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"For the first time since suffering the injury Sept. 11 against Philadelphia, Pro Bowl running back Steven Jackson tested his right thigh in practice Thursday. But he didn't get much work in, being officially listed as limited participation, and remains questionable to doubtful for Sunday's St. Louis Rams home game against Baltimore. "I was able to get out there today, practice a little bit, get a few reps in," Jackson said. "I'm starting to familiarize myself with the game plan and knowing what Baltimore does. So mentally, I'm right on key with the team. I just have to continue over the next few days to see how the quad reacts to me actually doing physical work that's football related.""
Spagnuolo: Jackson's status a game-time decision for Rams
September 19
NFL.com
 
"St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said running back Steven Jackson (quad) will be a true game-time decision Monday night against the New York Giants. "We'll do a workout pregame to see where he is and then make a decision," Spagnuolo said Sunday night at the team hotel. "He didn't do anything during the week. We knew the only shot he had was to rest it all the way through. It'll be a tough call."
Sam Bradford probable, Steven Jackson game-time decision
September 18
Pro Football Talk
 
"As the Rams prepare to face the Giants in a game which may have more injured players than points scored, the Rams have given their fans some good news. First, St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford officially is listed as probable with a finger injury that created significant consternation last Sunday, with concerns regarding possible nerve damae. Second, Rams running back Steven Jackson has yet to be scratched. He's technically questionable with a strained quad, despite not practicing all week. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said that Jackson's availability will be determined at game time."
Jackson has outside chance of playing, Amendola Update
September 16
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The oversized stage of Monday night football awaits. But Rams running back Steven Jackson isn't sure that he'll be able to command his share of the spotlight. "It's all predicated on how I feel on Monday," Jackson said Thursday after missing a second day of practice with a strained thigh. "We're definitely shooting to have an outside chance to be able to go. We all know this kind of injury; the rest is the thing that's going to be the key. Luckily we buy an extra day with the Monday night game." Jackson was hurt Sunday while dashing 47 yards to the end zone on the Rams' first play from scrimmage this season. He came out after a 9-yard carry on the first snap of the Rams' next series"
Rams take stock of injuries
September 13
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"As if Sunday's 31-13 loss to Philadelphia wasn't tough enough for coach Steve Spagnuolo and the Rams, along came Monday's injury report. "I've been whacked with all kinds of news today," Spagnuolo said. "So I'm dusting off and getting ready to go forward." A voluminous report included good news on Sam Bradford and Jason Smith, so-so news on Steven Jackson and Danny Amendola and surprisingly bad news on Ron Bartell. After concern about the possibility of nerve damage after Bradford's throwing hand was slammed into by the hand of a Philadelphia pass rusher, there was a sigh of relief at Rams Park when it was learned that Bradford merely has a bruised right index finger. The Rams"
Williams is solid in Jackson's absence
September 12
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Since his high school days back in Attalla, Ala., Carnell Williams has been known as Cadillac because of his smooth running style. Still, if you referred to him as a Chevy now, Williams wouldn't be insulted. "You know, a Chevy is not bad," he said, laughing. "A Chevy is a dependable car." When the Rams called on him Sunday after running back Steven Jackson left early with a thigh injury, Williams proved to be dependable. And then some. "That's not easy, to come in early in a game like that when Jack does down and (Williams is) asked to play as many snaps as he did," quarterback Sam Bradford said. "But I thought he did a great job. He ran hard, he had a great presence in the huddle, and I"
Steven Jackson leaves game with quad injury
September 11
Pro Football Talk
 
"Steven Jackson's season got off to a great start: He took his first carry 47 yards for a touchdown against an over-pursuing Eagles defense. Things quickly took a turn for the worse. Jackson left Sunday's game in the first quarter with a strained quad. His return is uncertain; Cadillac Williams is taking the carries for St. Louis. Jackson is on the sidelines with his helmet off."
Rams name three team captains
September 8
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The St. Louis Rams have named running back Steven Jackson, defensive end James Hall, and place-kicker Josh Brown their team's captains for the 2011 season. Voting was done by players and coaches."
Steven Jackson had unusually busy night in KC
August 28
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson generally hasn't seen much action in preseason games, the better to keep him fresh for the regular season. But Jackson had 16 touches - 15 carries and a reception - Saturday night in the 14-10 victory at Kansas City. That was by design, coach Steve Spagnuolo explained Saturday. "We talked extensively during the week about the two issues we thought we had in the Tennessee game, which were we didn't run the ball effectively and we didn't stop the run very well," he said. "So we wanted to have a mind-set of being able to do that. Steven was all for it. And I thought he looked really good last night."
Jackson is seeing more action
August 28
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Ever since he became a full-time starter in 2005, Steven Jackson has been one of the busiest running backs in the NFL, averaging 342 touches a season. (With a touch defined as either a catch or a carry.) Preseasons have been a different matter. Except for his first two seasons, Jackson has barely broken a sweat in exhibition play, something that's not unusual for upper-echelon backs throughout the league. In 2007, for example, Jackson didn't get a single carry in preseason play, and had just two catches. He missed the entire '08 preseason because of a contract holdout. Even last preseason, he had only nine carries and no receptions. All of which made what happened Friday at Arrowhead"
Rams offense clicks in win over Chiefs
August 27
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"If he didn't have some roster spots to decide, and a few starting jobs still up in the air, coach Steve Spagnuolo might just want to call it a preseason and advance to September and the real deal. That's because the Rams opened Friday's Governor's Cup game against Kansas City about as sharp as can be. Sam Bradford said during the practice week that he wanted to produce some consistent drives Friday, six- to 10-play drives, he said. And so it was. The Rams opened with a 12-play, 73-yard touchdown drive, and after a three-and-out series by their defense, followed that with a 10-play, 60-yard TD drive. Coupled with some equally strong defensive play in the first half, the Rams took an early"
Jackson sees first preseason action
August 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Even with the preseason debut of Pro Bowler Steven Jackson, a Rams running game that looked so efficient last week was stuck in neutral most of the night against Tennessee's physical defense. St. Louis had only 31 yards rushing at halftime, and just 36 entering the fourth quarter of Saturday's preseason contest at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams held Jackson out of last week's exhibition opener against Indianapolis, which is not unusual. In the week leading up to the Tennessee game, his practice time was limited because of a sore hip. Jackson played into the second quarter Saturday, but found the going rough. He carried six times for 10 yards, an average of just 1.7 yards a carry. In the"
Jackson ready to see some game action
August 20
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Rams running back Steven Jackson missed a couple of days of practice this week with a sore hip that he injured "getting out of bed." OK, Jackson was only joking. He doesn't really how he hurt the hip, but he assured that it's no big deal. "We just took the approach of being probably a little over cautious than we probably should have," he said. "But it's better to go that route than allow something small like this to become nagging. So we just decided to ... let it calm down." Jackson was back on the practice field Thursday and although he didn't participate in Friday's walk-through, he intends to play in tonight's preseason contest against Tennessee at the Edward Jones Dome. "I'm not"
Jackson, Faulk overcame early friction
August 1
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The new kid on the block was fresh, confident and at times brash. The reigning champ was seasoned, proud and ripe with experience. Some degree of friction was inevitable between young Steven Jackson and veteran Marshall Faulk in 2004 and '05. "Of course, you saw two great runners," Jackson said. "One toward the end of his career; one starting his career. And I think the friction people may have assumed was there - was competitive spirit. One not really wanting or knowing how to let go; and one not being humble enough to let him go out gracefully." And now, seemingly in the blink of an eye, Faulk is on the doorstep of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Perhaps the greatest all-purpose back in"
Vacations, offseason workouts prepare Steven Jackson for season
July 18
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Bryan Burwell
"It is Friday afternoon and this is a rare, offseason Steven Jackson sighting. He has just completed a fierce workout at the Central Institute for Human Performance, a sports medicine and sports training facility in Kirkwood, and after five consecutive years of trying to catch up with the man during the offseason (and failing every time), I have at long last landed my prey. We play this game every offseason because I have heard stories about his fascinating vacations and legendary offseason workouts. I have been trying for years to catch up with him in the offseason, and this is the first time I have actually caught up with the Rams star running back before he showed up at training camp. It"
Steven Jackson makes team-sponsored appearance
March 23
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"With rock music reverberating in the rafters and a screaming crowd on its feet, Steven Jackson charged down the aisle Tuesday, fists pumping overhead. "It felt like September, not March," he said. Instead of taking the field at the Edward Jones Dome, though, Jackson stormed the altar at Assumption Catholic Church. The crowd, 468 strong, consisted of students of the parish school, and Jackson was there to salute them for finishing first in the Reading with the Rams contest, sponsored by the team and the Post-Dispatch Newspapers in Education program. The program included more than 200 schools and 21,000 students, who earned points for reading books, magazines and newspaper articles."
Rams explore options for backup to Jackson
January 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Another offseason, another search for a change-of-pace back behind Pro Bowler Steven Jackson. "Isn't it amazing?" Rams general manager Billy Devaney said earlier this month. "We've had the toughest luck filling that. We'd like a game-changer there. Or a change-of-pace back." For what the Rams asked of Kenneth Darby, Devaney said, "I thought Darby did a really good job. But any time that you can add a third-down back type of guy, change-of-pace, who can score from way out. Absolutely. That hasn't changed." Keep in mind, too, that new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has a history of using more than one back. So maybe this is the year the Rams actually fill that need at running back. If"
Josh McDaniels talks up Bradford and Jackson
January 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"New Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels says he plans to build the St. Louis offense around quarterback Sam Bradford AND running back Steven Jackson. "We'll hope to build around those two guys and do the best we can going forward with our offensive system," McDaniels said. McDaniels had a pass-happy reputation in Denver, with the Broncos running the ball only 39 percent of the time this season. "I'm looking forward certainly to working with everybody there," McDaniels told the Post-Dispatch on Tuesday evening. "Sam's an extremely talented player....He's a very accurate guy. Does a lot of things in the pocket well. Does things out of the pocket well. We'll hope to take the things that"
Team awards to Jackson, Bradford, Atogwe, Fletcher
January 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Running back Steven Jackson, quarterback Sam Bradford, safety Oshiomogho Atogwe and cornerback Bradley Fletcher have been voted by their teammates as winners of the team awards for this season. Jackson received the Daniel F. Reeves Memorial Award as the Rams' most valuable player for the third time. Jackson, who also was selected to his third Pro Bowl, finished as the NFL's eighth-leading rusher (third in the NFC), with 1,241 yards -- the sixth consecutive season he's topped 1,000, a franchise record. He also caught 46 passes for 383 yards. Jackson's previous Reeves awards were in 2006 and 2009. Bradford received the Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award as the Rams' rookie of the year. The"
Jackson says he'll play in Pro Bowl
January 4
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Rams running back Steven Jackson all but committed to playing in the Pro Bowl, Jan. 30 in Hawaii, by saying that pins in his left ring finger will be removed after the game. "We just want to make sure of no setbacks," said Jackson, selected to the Pro Bowl for the third time. "The x-rays look good from last night. We just want to protect it one more game, then we'll take it out as soon as I get back from Hawaii." Jackson had just 45 yards on only 11 carries Sunday, when the Rams fell to Seattle 16-6. Again Monday, he refused to criticize what many Rams felt was his minimal role against the Seahawks."
Jackson saw little action vs. Seahawks
January 3
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"So where was Steven Jackson? With a playoff berth on the line in the biggest game of the year, one would think the team's only Pro Bowl player would be a central part of the game plan. But that wasn't the case. Jackson entered the game ranked fourth in the NFC with 1,196 rushing yards, and after 15 games had more touches than anyone in the league with 361 carries and receptions. But he finished with just 11 carries for 45 yards in Sunday's 16-6 loss to Seattle, even though it was a one-score game until the last of Olindo Mare's three field goals with 1 minute, 37 seconds left to play. On only one occasion has Jackson had fewer carries this year, and that came in Game 3 against Washington"
Jackson makes 3rd Pro Bowl
December 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Neither injury, nor stacked defensive fronts could keep Steven Jackson from another Pro Bowl berth. The veteran running back was the only Rams player selected to the Pro Bowl this season, earning his third berth overall and his second in a row. "It's well-deserved," coach Steve Spagnuolo said Tuesday night. " I think I speak for the whole team in saying how proud I am of Steven. It's a reflection not only of his hard work, but also the work of his teammates and coaches." Jackson has 1,196 yards rushing this season, adding to his franchise record with his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard campaign. He passed Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson earlier this season to become the franchise's career leader"
Jackson wants to carry the load Sunday for Rams
December 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"In 2004, when rookie Steven Jackson was backing up Marshall Faulk, the Rams earned a wild-card spot in the playoffs. Jackson, then a 21-year-old running back from Oregon State, figured that was just the beginning of several such postseason journeys. "My first year, going to the second round of the playoffs, I thought it would be a year-in and year-out deal," Jackson said. "And it hasn't been so." It certainly hasn't. Only once since then have the Rams even sniffed the playoffs. That was in 2006, when they finished 8-8. Had several things gone their way on the final weekend, they could've sneaked in. The club's other records during that span were 6-10 in 2005, 3-13 in '07, 2-14 in '08 and"
St. Louis, KC have tough running backs
December 16
Kansas City Star
 
"The Chiefs and St. Louis are spending plenty of time this week preparing for terrific running backs, the centerpieces of both offenses. On Wednesday, Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said the idea of stopping Chiefs rushers Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles has given him "a lot of nightmares," and he said the league's top rush offense has gotten his staff's attention this week as the teams prepare to meet Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. "We'll just try to get back to the basic things about defensive football," Spagnuolo said. "It's reactionary and playing fast." He said the Rams have to shut down the areas near both sidelines, considering Charles and Jones have cutback ability and —"
Disappointed Jackson tops 1,000 yards
December 13
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Steven Jackson reached another milestone Sunday, but the timing could have been better, much better. Jackson reached 1,000 yards rushing for the sixth consecutive season, adding to a franchise record he already owned. But the achievement came in a disappointing 31-13 loss to a Saints team that the Rams had played much tougher a year ago. And on the play in which Jackson actually went over 1,000 yards for the season — a 20-yard gain in the first quarter — he fumbled for the first time this season. New Orleans recovered at its 39 and marched 61 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead. "It's a huge accomplishment," Jackson said. "I share this with the offensive line and the receivers, who have"
Broncos took a lot of shots at Jackson
December 3
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"He's not accusing Denver of cheap-shot tactics, but Rams running back Steven Jackson said the Broncos roughed him up more than any other defense he has faced lately. "They played a lot of old New England-style of football," Jackson said. "I don't know about the receivers, but they banged me around a lot in the flats or just checking me over the ball. They were making sure to get a body on me." (Visions of the Patriots all but tackling Marshall Faulk on every play in Super Bowl XXXVI — whether he got the ball or not — come to mind.) "It was actually a game that I learned a lot from because I haven't played that physical kind of a defense in a while," Jackson said. "So it woke me up to get"
Jackson hopes for more carries
November 27
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"If ever a game plan called for a busy workload for Rams running back Steven Jackson, it would seem to be Sunday's contest at Denver. Only the lowly Buffalo Bills have yielded more yards on the ground than the Broncos. Denver has been particularly vulnerable recently: In three of its last four games, it's been gashed by a 100-plus-yard rusher. On Monday night, San Diego journeyman Mike Tolbert rambled for a career-high 111 yards in a 35-14 Chargers victory that dropped the Broncos to 3-7. If that weren't reason enough, there also is this: Jackson is itching for action after getting just 11 carries in last Sunday's 34-17 loss to Atlanta. "I shouldn't feel this fresh," Jackson said. "I think"
Bailey: Broncos' mission is to stop Rams' Jackson
November 27
Denver Post
 
"There's one opposing player who has Champ Bailey's attention this week, and for once, it isn't the opposing quarterback. Bailey, the Broncos captain and star cornerback, said the defense's biggest issue on Sunday will be stopping St. Louis running back Steven Jackson, the Rams' do-it-all running back. "He's a beast. If there's one guy that we definitely have to know where he is at all times, that's him," Bailey said today. "We can't let him get going. If we let him get going, we're in for a long day." Jackson has 811 rushing yards through 10 days and hasn't had a 100-yard rushing day since he went for 110 yards against Tampa Bay in Week 7. The Broncos run defense is allowing an average of"
Rams' Jackson will get full attention of Broncos' defense
November 26
Denver Post
 
"You'll have to pardon Broncos defensive coordinator Don Martindale if he gets a little jumpy when folks talk about running backs these days. Just look at the list the Broncos have faced this season: Maurice Jones-Drew. Chris Johnson. Ray Rice. LaDainian Tomlinson. Darren McFadden. Frank Gore. Jamaal Charles. Just for the record, Jones-Drew, Johnson, Charles and Gore are among the league's top 10 in rushing at the moment. McFadden is 12th, Rice is 14th and Tomlinson 16th despite splitting carries with Shonn Greene. It doesn't get any easier for the Broncos' 31st-ranked run defense Sunday. Next in line is the Rams' Steven Jackson. Jackson is tied for eighth in the league in rushing -"
Jackson looks to outgain opponent's RB each game
November 20
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"On Sundays, Rams running back Steven Jackson likes to play a game within the game. He makes it a point to try to outgain the opposition's top ball-carrier. "I take great pride in trying to win the rushing battle against whoever I'm going against," Jackson said. Usually, he does. Jackson has been successful in seven outings this season. Only twice having opposing backs collected more yardage: Oakland's Darren McFadden (145 yards to 75 for Jackson) on Sept. 19 and San Francisco's Frank Gore (87-81) last week. Those aren't exactly embarrassing losses for Jackson: Gore is fifth in the NFL in rushing, and McFadden is tied for seventh - with Jackson. Another strong challenge looms this week for"
Steven Jackson looks to keep Rams' wheels moving
November 13
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The last time the Rams were in first place this late in a season, running back Steven Jackson was piling up yards for the Oregon State Beavers. That was in 2003, when a 30-27 overtime victory at Arizona boosted the Rams to 8-3 and into first place in the NFC West. That also was the last Rams team to win a division title. The current Rams, tied with Seattle atop the NFC West at 4-4, could take a big step Sunday toward becoming the next to do so by knocking off the 49ers in San Francisco. Both clubs are coming off their bye week. Jackson, the club's first-round draft pick in 2004, relishes the prospect of a meaningful November contest. "To have a big game, to learn how to win as the stakes"
Dickerson: Steven Jackson owes him
November 10
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"From one Rams running back to another, Eric Dickerson has a message for Steven Jackson: You owe me a jersey. "I've always liked Steven," Dickerson said in a recent phone interview. "The first time I met him he was coming into the league. He just happened to get drafted by the Rams. I didn't know he was going to get drafted by my old team." They got to talking, and as Dickerson tells the story, Jackson asked him about the NFL rookie rushing record he set in 1983 with the Los Angeles Rams: Jackson: "What was your rookie record?" Dickerson: "You can't get that rookie record — 1,808 yards and 20 touchdowns." Jackson: "I want to get that." Dickerson: "I tell you what, if you get it, I'll give"
Jackson heads home for much-needed rest
November 4
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Seeking some rest and relaxation during the Rams' bye week, running back Steven Jackson was headed for his hometown of Las Vegas after practice Wednesday. "I will spend a little time with family and friends, and just enjoy the next four days off," Jackson said. He can use the break. Jackson has fought through two substantial injuries this year, a groin pull and a broken finger that required surgery. Still, he hasn't missed a start and with 676 yards, stands sixth in the NFL in rushing. "That guy's tough," quarterback Sam Bradford said after Sunday's 20-10 victory over Carolina. "For him to be out there today was huge for us." Jackson also persevered during most of the second half of the"