Today I read an article on Steven Jackson hinting at a possible retirement after this season. Here is the link on NFL.com http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000117789/article/steven-jackson-hints-he-could-retire-from-nfl-at-age-29.
I would recommend reading this article by Marc Sessler. I especially enjoyed Steven Jackson's remark about going out like Barry Sanders, with people wanting more. As opposed to going out too late as so many athletes have. Although only the individual knows when they are ready to put up their cleats.
I just wanted to take a moment to discuss a truly amazing athlete who carried a team through hard times, and then into a rebuilding era. He was the face of his franchise when there were no other star players in St. Louis.
As long as Steven can carry the ball for 10 yards this week, that will make for his 8th 1000 yard season in a row. This is a remarkable feat in itself, especially in the pass-oriented league we watch today. He has over 10,000 yards in his career, along with 56 touchdowns over the last nine years. Add in another 3000+ yards in receiving and you have a running back that was deadly in all facets of the game. Aside from his ability with the ball, Steven is an excellent blocker out of the backfield. He always seemed to be able to pick up the blitz, or assist a lineman with a blown block. A true team player who took abuse for 9 years between the tackles.
I think Steven Jackson's effect on this team will continue even if his career is fated to end this off season. He has been effective enough in the run game to allow his young and talented quarterback, Sam Bradford, the ability to get the ball to his wide receivers. When you played the Rams, you stacked 8 men in the box. You had to, or #39 was gonna have the highlight reel.
Some may argue that the Rams haven't really been a threat since Steven Jackson has been there. While I would be hard pressed to try to argue that, can you imagine the Rams without him the last nine years. Where would that offense have been? How about the beginning of Sam Bradford's career, how much tougher would he have had it without Steven drawing the defenses attention away.
As a fan of the game in general, I truly enjoyed watching Steven Jackson play for the last nine years. I would love to watch him play for a few more, but if it is his time to walk away, I just want to say thank you Steven.
A thankful fan,
Kyle Gilmore
It's been great watching him play. I think he'll catch on with a good team with a playoff chance. I don't think we've seen the last of Steven Jackson. He's a free agent after this year because he and the Rams negotiated a mutual annulment of the remaining years on his contract. He may speak of retirement, but I don't believe he's ready to hang them up just yet!
ReplyDeleteMy opinion as well. If not, well its been an amazing career to watch.
ReplyDeleteJust days after saying he may retire, Steven says he's "definitely coming back next year." I can almost guarantee it will not be with Rams. He should draw at least some medium interest from better teams that may need a change of pace back.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I could see a team like Green Bay snagging him. A team like that having a consistant run game could be scary. Probably a long shot, but even going to the Colts to take some pressure off Luck. Although I feel Steven would be less likely to go to the Colts because he's already done that dance for the last few years with Bradford.
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