Steven Jackson Looking for a Bounce Back Season
September 11, 2009 – 8:30 am by Lance Zimmerman
For Steven Jackson and the Rams, a rebound season would be one in where S Jack stays healthy for all 16 games. The past two seasons, Jackson has been limited to only 12 games. His stats, while still respectable, are nowhere near what he proved he was capable of in 2006 when he rushed for over 1500 yards and 13 touchdowns. Unfortunately for Jackson, that’s the only season his entire five year career that he’s played in every game.
With his semi-bruising rushing style, Jackson is almost a lock to be injured at some point every year. He’s not as big as Brandon Jacobs, but he runs with if not the same reckless abandonment, than at least the same intensity. He’s also doing it behind what might be the worst offensive line in football. The Rams used a high first round pick this year on left tackle prospect Jason Smith, only to have him buried on the depth chart as second string right tackle as of today. Looks like Jackson won’t find many wide open rushing lanes this year either.
Steven Jackson joined The Scott Van Pelt Show to discuss the chances of a Rams rebound in 09.
On how tough it was last season:
“It’s really hard. That’s actually the time where you’re tested as a professional. If you continue to work hard, continue to work at your craft and still be the best that you can be, although things may not be going the way that you want them to as a team, you still have to come in day-in and day-out and prepare yourself as a professional.”
Jackson was asked if he felt his teammates gave the same professional effort he did last season:
“I really felt that guys were giving it their all. I really feel like I didn’t see any guy loafing or coming in to collect checks. I really feel like it was just a couple of bad years for us and hopefully we can turn this thing around with the new direction that we’re headed.”
On how new Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo has changed things in the locker room:
“He brings that reputation right off the bat of being a defensive guy and expecting the most out of his defense. Just like the last question refers back to questioning our defense or questioning our intensity, I think he’s going to change that. I think he’s going to hold young guys to be accountable just like veterans. So we’re not really going to have any learning curves. We don’t have time for it. We’re a young team that’s rebuilding, but as you’ve seen in the years previous if everyone is on the same page you can win. All you have to do is get a couple in a row and you can start a frenzy.”
Jackson was asked if he has any number in terms of rushing yards that he’s striving for this year:
“No I don’t actually. If any number that I would want to throw out there it would be sixteen. That being all sixteen games. If I pay in all sixteen games I give my team definitely a boost on offense. I feel like we’re able to move the ball when I’m out there on the field and just my presence out there can keep a defense honest. I’m just really working hard to be a leader this year, set an example for the young guys and continue to move the ball and run with the intensity that I have over the past years.”
Listen to Steven Jackson on The Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN Radio
Tags: football interviews, NFC West, St. Louis Rams, Steve Spagnuolo, Steven Jackson
