imported_JRIB

Jackson happy to shoulder big load


Coming off the Rams' bye week, running back Steven Jackson is feeling frisky. "My legs are there, and I'm not aching anywhere," he said. "But we have a long stretch ahead of us — 10 games in a row."

Starting with a stiff test Sunday in San Diego. The Chargers have the NFL's stingiest overall defense, yielding just 241.2 yards per game. They're fifth vs. the run, at 82.0 yards per game.

"Big challenge," Jackson said. "They run a 3-4 scheme — something that we haven't seen much of all year — and they run it well. It'll allow us to measure where we are as an offense overall."

Two of the league's top backs, statistically at least, will be on display at Qualcomm Stadium. Jackson is No. 3 in yards from scrimmage (745 yards); San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson is No. 8 (719). Jackson is sixth in rushing (521); Tomlinson is 14th (473).


Tomlinson has the edge in receiving, with 246 yards to Jackson's 224. Still, Jackson is more than satisfied with his increased production as a pass-catcher. He's on pace to pile up almost 600 receiving yards, which would nearly double his total of last season (320), his first as a full-time starter.

"It shows the diversity of my game and how Coach (Scott Linehan) allows me to be (effective) in the passing game," Jackson said. "Either way, yardage is being made around here, and it feels good to be able to contribute."

The Rams, though, have gotten little from their reserve backs. They've added only 68 yards to Jackson's total, and the Rams rank just 22nd in the league in rushing, with an average of 98.2 yards per game.

So, Linehan might have to lean on his passing game, which is fifth in the league. And that means Jackson also will be challenged as a blocker. "It's very important for us to give Marc a good pocket," he said. "We've got to help on guys sometimes, and as running backs, when the blitz does come, we have to be pretty stout."

Tougher foes

At 2-1, the Rams are one of only seven NFC teams with a winning road record. But their wins came at Arizona and Green Bay, which have a combined 3-10 mark. The Chargers (4-2), who are 2-0 at home, represent the Rams' toughest road test so far, Linehan conceded.

"I would say on paper it is, just based on the team we're playing, and where they're at, and their record," he said. "But I think every game on the road in this league is extremely tough regardless."

Sunday's game kicks off a four-game stretch in which the Rams will face teams with an aggregate record of 15-10. Linehan's concern, though, is lasered on San Diego, calling it "the most important game of the year."

"We're playing one of the best teams in the league with probably some of the best personnel in the league; you can't find really a true weakness," he said. "We're going to have to play our best game."



Coming off the Rams' bye week, running back Steven Jackson is feeling frisky. "My legs are there, and I'm not aching anywhere," he said. "But we have a long stretch ahead of us — 10 games in a row."

Starting with a stiff test Sunday in San Diego. The Chargers have the NFL's stingiest overall defense, yielding just 241.2 yards per game. They're fifth vs. the run, at 82.0 yards per game.

"Big challenge," Jackson said. "They run a 3-4 scheme — something that we haven't seen much of all year — and they run it well. It'll allow us to measure where we are as an offense overall."

Two of the league's top backs, statistically at least, will be on display at Qualcomm Stadium. Jackson is No. 3 in yards from scrimmage (745 yards); San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson is No. 8 (719). Jackson is sixth in rushing (521); Tomlinson is 14th (473).

Tomlinson has the edge in receiving, with 246 yards to Jackson's 224. Still, Jackson is more than satisfied with his increased production as a pass-catcher. He's on pace to pile up almost 600 receiving yards, which would nearly double his total of last season (320), his first as a full-time starter.

"It shows the diversity of my game and how Coach (Scott Linehan) allows me to be (effective) in the passing game," Jackson said. "Either way, yardage is being made around here, and it feels good to be able to contribute."

The Rams, though, have gotten little from their reserve backs. They've added only 68 yards to Jackson's total, and the Rams rank just 22nd in the league in rushing, with an average of 98.2 yards per game.

So, Linehan might have to lean on his passing game, which is fifth in the league. And that means Jackson also will be challenged as a blocker. "It's very important for us to give Marc a good pocket," he said. "We've got to help on guys sometimes, and as running backs, when the blitz does come, we have to be pretty stout."

Tougher foes

At 2-1, the Rams are one of only seven NFC teams with a winning road record. But their wins came at Arizona and Green Bay, which have a combined 3-10 mark. The Chargers (4-2), who are 2-0 at home, represent the Rams' toughest road test so far, Linehan conceded.

"I would say on paper it is, just based on the team we're playing, and where they're at, and their record," he said. "But I think every game on the road in this league is extremely tough regardless."

Sunday's game kicks off a four-game stretch in which the Rams will face teams with an aggregate record of 15-10. Linehan's concern, though, is lasered on San Diego, calling it "the most important game of the year."

"We're playing one of the best teams in the league with probably some of the best personnel in the league; you can't find really a true weakness," he said. "We're going to have to play our best game."

__________________