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Rams Notebook: Jackson is more than ready to run
Dissatisfied with what he felt was a light workload last season, running back Steven Jackson plaintively expressed his frustration by taping a newspaper headline over his locker. It read, "Give me the ball."
How things have changed at Rams Park since then. Pass-happy coach Mike Martz is gone, Marshall Faulk is working for the NFL Network, and new coach Scott Linehan has promised to grant the 6-foot-2, 231-pound Jackson his wish.
Their relationship is blossoming, Jackson said, and at just the right time: The Rams open the regular season Sunday against Denver at the Edward Jones Dome.
"He's asking me ... what I'm comfortable with in the run calls," said Jackson, the Rams' first-round draft choice in 2004. "He's not just going to call it one way and make me do just the things that he wants to do. We're able to communicate. I think it's great, how we're bonding."
The 2005 season was bittersweet for Jackson. Although he topped the 1,000-yard mark for the first time, his total of 1,046 ranked him 14th in the NFL. His average of 4.1 yards a carry was 17th best, and he struggled with injuries to his hip and sternum, prompting questions about his sturdiness.
Linehan, who has vowed to apply balance to the offense, has expressed no doubts about Jackson, though. "His time has come," Linehan said. "He's going to be a workhorse."
Balance, Jackson said, "is the key to us winning, I think, and we have the talent to do so in both passing and running. We have to keep the defense guessing and not allow them to make us guess."
With an increased presence comes greater expectations, especially after his pleas for more work, Jackson acknowledged. Still, he bristled at the suggestion that he's facing added pressure.
"There's no pressure ... no pressure. We're making a big deal out of nothing," Jackson said. "I was a 1,000-yard back, I'm going to continue to be a 1,000-yard back. The things that we're going to do up front is key. I'm not a guy that can make 11 guys miss; that's not what I do. What I do is, I control the ballgame and I move the chains."
The Broncos should provide a barometer of sorts for Jackson; they finished second in the league against the run in '05. RAMS-BRONCOS
"It's a key challenge for me personally," he said. "I'm facing a defense that was in the AFC championship (game) last year, with some Pro Bowlers on that side of the ball. I get to use my measuring stick right away. ...
"I think it's a great way to start off, because there's a lot of uncertainty over what our team is going to do. If we come out with a 'W,' it's no more, 'Are the Rams for real?' We are for real."
McDonald will return punts, Reed kickoffs
Although little doubt remained, Linehan made it official Thursday: Shaun McDonald will be the primary punt return man and J.R. Reed will be the No. 1 kick returner Sunday.
"We'll still have Kevin (Curtis) available and we've worked a little bit with a couple of other guys," Linehan said. "That's kind of how we're going to start, and we'll go from there."
Rams get more time to avoid local blackout
The Rams received approval from the NFL to push back the deadline for a sellout of Sunday's game 24 hours, until noon today. Fewer than 500 tickets remained as of Thursday night. In their request, the team cited the Labor Day holiday for slowing sales. Only sold-out games can be televised locally.
Ram-blings
The Rams' first injury report of the season listed no one -- all players practiced Wednesday and Thursday. ... Reed is wearing No. 32. Cornerback Ron Bartell, who had 32, has switched to 24.
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Jackson is more than ready to run
Cuz im a bum too!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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