By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Sunday, May. 11 2008
With about $1.7 million due him this season, Steven Jackson ranks as a major
bargain among NFL running backs. But if the Rams want to keep him beyond 2008,
it's going to cost the team.
Jackson is entering the final season of the original five-year, $7 million deal
he signed in July 2004 after the Rams made him their first-round draft choice
(No. 24 overall) that year. His next deal, whether it's here or elsewhere, will
be far more lucrative.
"I think I've been a good person on and off the field," Jackson said Saturday
at minicamp, "so I expect to be rewarded."
Jackson said his agent, Gary Uberstine, and the Rams' front office have yet to
begin extension talks. "It's been a pretty big offseason around here, with the
coaching changes and Ms. Georgia (Frontiere) passing," Jackson said. "I'm
pretty sure that we'll get something done."
He made it clear that his first choice is to remain in St. Louis. "This is
definitely where I want to be," he said.
Jackson's salary this year includes nearly $900,000 in incentives: $250,000 for
each of his three 1,000-yard rushing seasons and $125,000 for making the 2006
Pro Bowl.
A monster season would push Jackson, 24, even further up the potential-earnings
chart, and he's counting on putting up big numbers. "Well, we all know what
happens in a contract year: you ball out," he said with a laugh. "So, I expect
to."
Still, he isn't setting any personal goals just yet. Last June, he announced he
was shooting for 2,500 total yards from scrimmage. He wound up with about half
that, rushing for 1,002 yards and adding 271 receiving yards in 12 games. He
missed four games with injuries, and the Rams tumbled to 3-13 and last place in
the NFC West.
"My goal right now until (training camp in) July is to (learn) this offense, so
I can play fast," Jackson said. "When I'm playing fast, I know what I'm doing."
The three-day minicamp at Rams Park, which concludes Sunday, is the first
on-field primer in adjusting to the scheme brought in by new offensive
coordinator Al Saunders.
"It's exciting to have Al; he's a big-name guy and he's proven himself around
the league with different teams," Jackson said. "But what I'm more excited
about is my offensive line coming back. That's really what I missed."
The line was decimated by injuries last year, and Jackson didn't come close to
replicating his 2006 numbers — a league-leading 2,334 total yards.
If the unit can remain healthy and intact this season, Jackson figures he can
rebuild his stats as well as reach the playoffs for the first time since his
rookie season.
"You can effect a quick turnaround in this league," he said. "The Pittsburgh
Steelers three years ago, and now with the
Giants (winning the Super Bowl) ... all we have to do is get in. That's what
our focus is on, hopefully winning the NFC West and getting a bid in the
playoffs.
"From there, it's all a new season."
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Sunday, May. 11 2008
With about $1.7 million due him this season, Steven Jackson ranks as a major
bargain among NFL running backs. But if the Rams want to keep him beyond 2008,
it's going to cost the team.
Jackson is entering the final season of the original five-year, $7 million deal
he signed in July 2004 after the Rams made him their first-round draft choice
(No. 24 overall) that year. His next deal, whether it's here or elsewhere, will
be far more lucrative.
"I think I've been a good person on and off the field," Jackson said Saturday
at minicamp, "so I expect to be rewarded."
Jackson said his agent, Gary Uberstine, and the Rams' front office have yet to
begin extension talks. "It's been a pretty big offseason around here, with the
coaching changes and Ms. Georgia (Frontiere) passing," Jackson said. "I'm
pretty sure that we'll get something done."
He made it clear that his first choice is to remain in St. Louis. "This is
definitely where I want to be," he said.
Jackson's salary this year includes nearly $900,000 in incentives: $250,000 for
each of his three 1,000-yard rushing seasons and $125,000 for making the 2006
Pro Bowl.
A monster season would push Jackson, 24, even further up the potential-earnings
chart, and he's counting on putting up big numbers. "Well, we all know what
happens in a contract year: you ball out," he said with a laugh. "So, I expect
to."
Still, he isn't setting any personal goals just yet. Last June, he announced he
was shooting for 2,500 total yards from scrimmage. He wound up with about half
that, rushing for 1,002 yards and adding 271 receiving yards in 12 games. He
missed four games with injuries, and the Rams tumbled to 3-13 and last place in
the NFC West.
"My goal right now until (training camp in) July is to (learn) this offense, so
I can play fast," Jackson said. "When I'm playing fast, I know what I'm doing."
The three-day minicamp at Rams Park, which concludes Sunday, is the first
on-field primer in adjusting to the scheme brought in by new offensive
coordinator Al Saunders.
"It's exciting to have Al; he's a big-name guy and he's proven himself around
the league with different teams," Jackson said. "But what I'm more excited
about is my offensive line coming back. That's really what I missed."
The line was decimated by injuries last year, and Jackson didn't come close to
replicating his 2006 numbers — a league-leading 2,334 total yards.
If the unit can remain healthy and intact this season, Jackson figures he can
rebuild his stats as well as reach the playoffs for the first time since his
rookie season.
"You can effect a quick turnaround in this league," he said. "The Pittsburgh
Steelers three years ago, and now with the
Giants (winning the Super Bowl) ... all we have to do is get in. That's what
our focus is on, hopefully winning the NFC West and getting a bid in the
playoffs.
"From there, it's all a new season."