Randall Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 Rams' Jackson wants 'touches' By Bill Coats ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH Thursday, Mar. 30 2006 Steven Jackson's first season as the Rams' primary running back wasn't at all what he expected. And he said part of the reason was that he spent much of the year in former coach Mike Martz's doghouse. "For whatever reason it was, I don't know. But at times, it did feel that way," Jackson said Wednesday at Rams Park. "I wasn't getting the amount of touches that I wanted to get and I wasn't being used in the way I wanted to be used. ... "You don't want to be in the doghouse with your head coach. No matter what you say about him or how you feel about him, that's the guy calling the plays, especially here. He was calling the plays. So, you don't want to be in the doghouse with a guy like Coach Martz." Reached by telephone Wednesday in San Diego, Martz said Jackson "never was in my doghouse. There's an intensity and a focus we wanted out of him because he's a special athlete. We were always trying to apply that pressure and keep him motoring." Despite nagging injuries to his sternum and hip, Jackson rushed 254 times for 1,046 yards and caught 43 passes for 320 yards. That works out to an average of 19.8 "touches" - carries and catches - per game. Injuries kept him out of the season finale at Dallas. With Martz and later Steve Fairchild calling the plays, the Rams passed 62.9 percent of the time last season, when they finished 6-10. Martz was sidelined for the final 10 games because of a heart-valve infection. Joe Vitt took over as interim head coach, and Fairchild, the offensive coordinator, assumed the play-calling duties. Martz was fired in early January. About a month later, New Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli hired him as his offensive coordinator. Martz's successor with the Rams, Scott Linehan, was the offensive coordinator and play caller last season in Miami. The Dolphins, who went 9-7, were more balanced - 56.7 percent passes and 43.3 percent runs. The Dolphins' leading backs, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, combined for 424 touches and 1,975 yards. Jackson, the Rams' first-round draft choice in 2004, said that with Linehan calling the plays for the Rams, "I'm expecting a lot more touches than the last couple of years. I'm expecting more balance and a different approach of attacking. But still an explosive offense. ... "It seems like everyone is making me the focal point, which two years ago when I was drafted, that's what the plan was. We knew that eventually the team was going to be more geared and built around me, and now it seems like it's starting to come to the forefront." Jackson said he thought that would happen last season, when he moved ahead of veteran Marshall Faulk on the depth chart. But Jackson said he wasn't given that chance. Martz said part of the reason Jackson wasn't used more was due to health issues. In addition to the hip and sternum injuries last season, knee problems hobbled him for part of his rookie year. "If you're going to be the centerpiece back, you've got to be able to stay in the game," Martz said. "But I'm sure the number of touches he has will escalate. He's a terrific back, and I think he has great things ahead of him." Jackson got as many as 20 carries just three times: 20 for 97 yards vs. New Orleans, 25 for 110 vs. Houston and 25 for 179 vs. Jacksonville. The Rams were 2-1 in those games. He had 12 carries or fewer four times; the Rams went 1-3 in those contests. A few days after carrying 11 times (for 24 yards) in a 24-9 loss to Washington, a frustrated Jackson - through reporters - implored Fairchild to "give me the ball." He taped a headline with those words in it over his locker stall at Rams Park. Jackson said he'd discussed his displeasure with Martz, to little avail. "At times we did sit down and discuss what the problem is and were able to move on," he said. "But in the heat of the battle in games, it just seemed like I wasn't getting my touches." But, Jackson emphasized, that's part of the past, as, he hopes, are his injuries. "The hip is fine, the sternum is fine. All those little minor things that I had at the end of the season have healed up pretty well ... no surgeries," he said, laughing. And he said he's confident that Linehan will help him scratch the itch that he has for more work. "I'm approaching it like, 'This is me getting a new beginning.' I feel like I've got a chance to start my career over," Jackson said. "If he's going to use me in the way that he used Ronnie and Ricky, I feel like this can be my breakout year." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarryTheRock Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 That is good news! I took him in a Dynasty league in the 3rd round earlier this month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 That is good news! I took him in a Dynasty league in the 3rd round earlier this month 1395363[/snapback] you cant be serious he is a 1st rounder in dynasty leagues a 2nd round pick in a dynasty league at worst i would love to see that draft(not ragging on you just really would like to see it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 30, 2006 Author Share Posted March 30, 2006 you cant be serious he is a 1st rounder in dynasty leaguesa 2nd round pick in a dynasty league at worst i would love to see that draft(not ragging on you just really would like to see it) 1395431[/snapback] I would too. I took Rudi and him back to back in my keeper 1.12-2.01. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecerwin Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Steven Jackson is awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hosler427 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Yeah...Jackson is definitely a 1st rounder or early second rounder in all leagues in my opinion. In a 16 team keeper last year I took him at 1.15...You got a steal getting him in the 3rd. Just wondering how he got by you in the second Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKF Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 ....wondering how he got by you in the second 1396751[/snapback] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 31, 2006 Author Share Posted March 31, 2006 Yeah...Jackson is definitely a 1st rounder or early second rounder in all leagues in my opinion. In a 16 team keeper last year I took him at 1.15...You got a steal getting him in the 3rd. Just wondering how he got by you in the second 1396751[/snapback] Please post the 1st 3 rounds of that draft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hosler427 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Please post the 1st 3 rounds of that draft. 1397178[/snapback] It it a 30 man roster IDP league. Looking back there were some bad picks. I got held up in the keeper aspect of it and took Jackson when I should have taken Barber and went for Jackson on the way back around. 1.01 1 Orlando Predators Tomlinson, Ladainian SDC RB 1.02 2 Miami Barracudas Alexander, Shaun SEA RB 1.03 3 San Antonio Vaqueros Jones, Julius DAL RB Thu 1.04 4 Oakland InVaders McGahee, Willis BUF RB 1.05 5 New Jersey Boyz Holmes, Priest KCC RB 1.06 6 San Diego Chargers James, Edgerrin ARI RB 1.07 7 Austin Wranglers Lewis, Jamal BAL RB 1.08 8 Buffalo Tailgaters Manning, Peyton IND QB 1.09 9 Las Vegas Gamblers Davis, Domanick HOU RB 1.10 10 Philadelphia Stallions Jones, Kevin DET RB 1.11 11 Canton Bulldogs Portis, Clinton WAS RB Thu 1.12 12 Philadelphia Goons McAllister, Deuce NOS RB 1.13 13 Alliance Aviators Culpepper, Daunte MIA QB 1.14 14 Seattle Sharks Dillon, Corey NEP RB 1.15 15 Indianapolis Inferno Jackson, Steven STL RB 1.16 16 Cincinnati Explorers Johnson, Rudi CIN RB 2.01 17 Cincinnati Explorers Westbrook, Brian PHI RB 2.02 18 Indianapolis Inferno Moss, Randy OAK WR 2.03 19 Seattle Sharks Barber, Tiki NYG RB 2.04 20 Alliance Aviators Green, Ahman GBP RB 2.05 21 Philadelphia Goons McNabb, Donovan PHI QB 2.06 22 Canton Bulldogs Henry, Travis TEN RB 2.07 23 Philadelphia Stallions Arrington, J.J. ARI RB 2.08 24 Las Vegas Gamblers Jordan, Lamont OAK RB 2.09 25 Buffalo Tailgaters Williams, Carnell TBB RB 2.10 26 Oakland InVaders Bell, Tatum DEN RB 2.11 27 San Diego Chargers Holt, Torry STL WR 2.12 28 New Jersey Boyz Benson, Cedric CHI RB 2.13 29 Austin Wranglers Vick, Michael ATL QB 2.14 30 San Antonio Vaqueros Johnson, Chad CIN WR 2.15 31 Miami Barracudas Brown, Ronnie MIA RB 2.16 32 Orlando Predators Walker, Javon GBP WR 3.01 33 Orlando Predators Gates, Antonio SDC TE 3.02 34 Miami Barracudas Brady, Tom NEP QB 3.03 35 San Antonio Vaqueros Gonzalez, Tony KCC TE 3.04 36 Austin Wranglers Johnson, Andre HOU WR 3.05 37 New Jersey Boyz Foster, De'shaun CAR RB 3.06 38 San Diego Chargers Reed, Edward BAL S 3.07 39 Oakland InVaders Harrison, Marvin IND WR 3.08 40 Buffalo Tailgaters Williams, Roy DET WR 3.09 41 Las Vegas Gamblers Collins, Kerry FA QB Sa 3.10 42 Philadelphia Stallions Palmer, Carson CIN QB 3.11 43 Canton Bulldogs Burleson, Nate MIN WR 3.12 44 Philadelphia Goons Owens, Terrell DAL WR 3.13 45 Alliance Aviators Wayne, Reggie IND WR 3.14 46 Seattle Sharks Horn, Joe NOS WR 3.15 47 Indianapolis Inferno Manning, Eli NYG QB 3.16 48 Cincinnati Explorers Heap, Todd BAL TE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 I wanted to trade for him, but after the period where he had a cracked sternum....I was scared....but he had his best game with that cracked sternum, which is crazy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 It it a 30 man roster IDP league. Looking back there were some bad picks. I got held up in the keeper aspect of it and took Jackson when I should have taken Barber and went for Jackson on the way back around. 1397222[/snapback] i think randall was talking about the draft that sjax went in round 3 i know thats the one i want to see sjax in round 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 31, 2006 Author Share Posted March 31, 2006 i think randall was talking about the draft that sjax went in round 3 i know thats the one i want to see sjax in round 3 1397374[/snapback] Yes! And I'd like to see who Carrytherock picked in round 2 when he passed on SJax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hosler427 Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 (edited) i think randall was talking about the draft that sjax went in round 3 i know thats the one i want to see sjax in round 3 1397374[/snapback] DOH!!! I had a momentary lapse of reason...which has lasted for about 5 years now lol. I thought it was the person that got SJax in round three that was asking. I guess I should start paying attention to those little screen names Edited March 31, 2006 by hosler427 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted April 1, 2006 Author Share Posted April 1, 2006 DOH!!! I had a momentary lapse of reason...which has lasted for about 5 years now lol. I thought it was the person that got SJax in round three that was asking. I guess I should start paying attention to those little screen names 1397564[/snapback] No my fault for replying to your post instead of carrytherock's. Could just be a weird league he was in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hosler427 Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 No my fault for replying to your post instead of carrytherock's. Could just be a weird league he was in. 1397656[/snapback] Yeah...if it is some strange scoring who knows. Receptions league??? Still Jax should be in the first two rounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebartender Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 It it a 30 man roster IDP league. Looking back there were some bad picks. I got held up in the keeper aspect of it and took Jackson when I should have taken Barber and went for Jackson on the way back around. 1.01 1 Orlando Predators Tomlinson, Ladainian SDC RB 1.02 2 Miami Barracudas Alexander, Shaun SEA RB 1.03 3 San Antonio Vaqueros Jones, Julius DAL RB Thu 1.04 4 Oakland InVaders McGahee, Willis BUF RB 1.05 5 New Jersey Boyz Holmes, Priest KCC RB 1.06 6 San Diego Chargers James, Edgerrin ARI RB 1.07 7 Austin Wranglers Lewis, Jamal BAL RB 1.08 8 Buffalo Tailgaters Manning, Peyton IND QB 1.09 9 Las Vegas Gamblers Davis, Domanick HOU RB 1.10 10 Philadelphia Stallions Jones, Kevin DET RB 1.11 11 Canton Bulldogs Portis, Clinton WAS RB Thu 1.12 12 Philadelphia Goons McAllister, Deuce NOS RB 1.13 13 Alliance Aviators Culpepper, Daunte MIA QB 1.14 14 Seattle Sharks Dillon, Corey NEP RB 1.15 15 Indianapolis Inferno Jackson, Steven STL RB 1.16 16 Cincinnati Explorers Johnson, Rudi CIN RB 2.01 17 Cincinnati Explorers Westbrook, Brian PHI RB 2.02 18 Indianapolis Inferno Moss, Randy OAK WR 2.03 19 Seattle Sharks Barber, Tiki NYG RB 2.04 20 Alliance Aviators Green, Ahman GBP RB 2.05 21 Philadelphia Goons McNabb, Donovan PHI QB 2.06 22 Canton Bulldogs Henry, Travis TEN RB 2.07 23 Philadelphia Stallions Arrington, J.J. ARI RB 2.08 24 Las Vegas Gamblers Jordan, Lamont OAK RB 2.09 25 Buffalo Tailgaters Williams, Carnell TBB RB 2.10 26 Oakland InVaders Bell, Tatum DEN RB 2.11 27 San Diego Chargers Holt, Torry STL WR 2.12 28 New Jersey Boyz Benson, Cedric CHI RB 2.13 29 Austin Wranglers Vick, Michael ATL QB 2.14 30 San Antonio Vaqueros Johnson, Chad CIN WR 2.15 31 Miami Barracudas Brown, Ronnie MIA RB 2.16 32 Orlando Predators Walker, Javon GBP WR 3.01 33 Orlando Predators Gates, Antonio SDC TE 3.02 34 Miami Barracudas Brady, Tom NEP QB 3.03 35 San Antonio Vaqueros Gonzalez, Tony KCC TE 3.04 36 Austin Wranglers Johnson, Andre HOU WR 3.05 37 New Jersey Boyz Foster, De'shaun CAR RB 3.06 38 San Diego Chargers Reed, Edward BAL S 3.07 39 Oakland InVaders Harrison, Marvin IND WR 3.08 40 Buffalo Tailgaters Williams, Roy DET WR 3.09 41 Las Vegas Gamblers Collins, Kerry FA QB Sa 3.10 42 Philadelphia Stallions Palmer, Carson CIN QB 3.11 43 Canton Bulldogs Burleson, Nate MIN WR 3.12 44 Philadelphia Goons Owens, Terrell DAL WR 3.13 45 Alliance Aviators Wayne, Reggie IND WR 3.14 46 Seattle Sharks Horn, Joe NOS WR 3.15 47 Indianapolis Inferno Manning, Eli NYG QB 3.16 48 Cincinnati Explorers Heap, Todd BAL TE 1397222[/snapback] Where was Larry Johnson picked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleW64 Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 Where was Larry Johnson picked? 1397770[/snapback] My thoughts exactly. I guess a bum like that you can pick up on the WW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGrunt Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 Where was Larry Johnson picked? 1397770[/snapback] Naw... Jones, Julius is OBVIOUSLY going to score way more points than LJ will ever get close to. Seriously though.... when does Larry Johnson get picked? ...and why did Julius Jones get picked before many of the way more talanted players? Like, Steven J for example!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hosler427 Posted April 1, 2006 Share Posted April 1, 2006 Where was Larry Johnson picked? 1397770[/snapback] This draft was done last summer. Priest was the starter and LJ was drafted in round 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted April 1, 2006 Author Share Posted April 1, 2006 This draft was done last summer. Priest was the starter and LJ was drafted in round 4. 1398209[/snapback] I was able to see that. Last year Julius, , Kevin, Priest and Deuce went a lot higher than they would now. LJ, Tiki and Cadillac are first rounders now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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