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I have never been a big fan of Steven Jackson. (OK, so maybe at certain times.)
I remember a day four years ago-probably this very week-when I visited Rams training camp in Macomb, IL. I was so excited to meet Steven Jackson. He was the Rams new first round pick and the predecessor to eventual Hall-of-Famer Marshall Faulk. Could you blame an 11 year old kid for really wanting his autograph? On draft day I religiously watched until the Rams picked. Running backs had not gone in the early first round and it looked like a very good back was going to drop down for St.Louis. Jackson was that very back. The analysts raved about his potential. I knew I was watching the next Rams star when he was interviewed by ESPN. It gave me the usual draft day excitement. Yet, when I first waited in line for autographs... Steven did not sign. He did not even walk by the fans. Instead he rode a golf cart with a couple of other players straight into the Rams facility. This really made me mad but I kept hope that he would sign the next day- my last at training camp. Yet even as Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Marc Bulger, and other veterans signed, Steven was nowhere to be found. I left camp disappointed and thinking that Steven Jackson was a selfish person.
Then came his rookie season. It was Opening Day and my family had tickets to the game. I could not wait to see Jackson run the ball. (It was probably the first time I ever wished the Rams would take out Marshall Faulk.) On the first drive he got his first carry. He did rush for a great gain but the next play the inevitable happened, and he fumbled the ball. Nothing makes me more angry than fumbles. Once you get to the Pro level there is no excuse for not being able to hold on to the football. But I was still hoping for the best. I remember being the know-it-all kid and telling my mom that Steven Jackson was going to be the next Marshall Faulk and then he fumbled. I must have looked pretty stupid. Even with the fumble Jackson did run for 50 yards that game a pretty good number for a first game. He continued to improve throughout the season and his potential seemed out of this world.
In 2006 Jackson became the featured back for the St. Louis Rams. I was again at opening day and I was again excited for Jackson. That excitement soon faded. Jackson- by my standards- had a terrible game. He ran the ball 19 times and only got 60 yards. I obviously don't remember the exact stats, but I do remember wondering, "Why in the world does he keep dancing?" Steven was supposed to be a power back, but he had obviously fallen in love with the finesse moves. My best friend was at the game and I remember us looking at each and other not saying a word after some handoffs. I finally questioned, "Why does he keep dancing?" I was getting really frustrated. This guy was big enough to intimidate a linebacker, yet he was fine and dandy with trying to outjuke guys behind the line of scrimmage. I had had enough. It was one of those times when you want to rip your #39 jersey into shreds. This dancing bologna continued throughout the season. Although I do remember a few games where Jackson actually put his shoulder down and chopped his feet to run over guys. Jackson's first featured season left me unsatisfied and looking for more.
Even though I was looking to write him off in the season the off-season brought me back to terms. He was starting to get national attention which meant he had to breakout, right? Jackson made me a believer after the first couple games where he smashed through opponents on his way to 100 yard games. All was calm in Rams Nation them. But then like always something bad happened. This time it was an 8 game slump. No 100 yd gains and only three wins. And you can guess who got blamed for that. Yes it was Steven Jackson and the offensive line. It's always the same in St.Louis football. Then out of nowhere Jackson burst onto the scene with huge performances in the final weeks. He gained huge attention from all of the national pundits and order was restored in St.Louis. The fans loved Jackson again and everything was back to normal. Plus his late season surge left the Rams with hope that next year would be the year where the Rams returned to the Super Bowl.
I think all Rams fans can remember last year. Jackson performed terribly. He only had two games with over 100 yards and he made one mistake that he should have avoided: he called out the Rams' faithful. A move that has left me with a sour taste ever since. His exact comments, "It's a joke as simple as that...." He was referring to the fact that Rams home games had turned into Rams road games. You know what? He was right. The Rams fans did bail on them. But does he realize how much tickets cost? My family has season tickets that cost at least 65 dollars a pop. As you can tell his comments made me livid. I was sick and tired of seeing the Rams losing. Essentially Jackson and I shared the same frustration, but he should have kept his mouth shut. Ever since then his image to me has fallen. I am reminded of when he stiffed Rams fans for autographs every time I hear him rip the fan base. Does he not realize that the fans are the reason he makes money? But for me the story gets worst. Now Jackson is holding out for a bigger contract. This especially frustrates me. Has Steven Jackson earned a 20 million dollar contract for one good season? I don't think so. Not when millions of Americans are struggling to meet their house payments. But luckily for me I have a new hope for the Rams.
His name is Chris Long. The whole draft season I prayed that the Rams would take him. I am so excited to see his first game and his jersey is on my birthday wish list. I can't wait until opening da........oh great, here we go again.
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