Steven Jackson say Rams wanted him to take a reduced role

Running back Steven Jackson has voided the final year of his contract with the Rams, which would have paid him $7 million.  But as he looks for the first time in his career for a new team, he says it’s not about the money.
Of course, that usually means it is.  In Jackson’s case, however, we’re inclined to believe him.
“I’ve been able to have a successful career, especially dealing with some hard times as an individual,” Jackson told SiriusXM NFL Radio.  “But it’s more at this point of my career [I] want to be a part of something, chasing a Lombardi Trophy.  I want to be a part of something special.  And at this point where I’m at, and where the Rams are right now, we had a very open discussion, very heart-to-heart, about what my role would be going forward from now.  And that’s where the disagreement comes in.  It wasn’t about salary.”
In other words, it was about the money for the Rams.  After all, they allowed Jackson to void the final year of his deal, even though he didn’t reach the triggers necessary to make it go away.  If Jackson hadn’t voided the last year of the deal, chances are the Rams wouldn’t have wanted to pay Jackson $7 million for a reduced role.
“It would be more of a running back by committee kind of agreement [with the Rams] going forward,” Jackson said.  “I embrace the fact that I took in Daryl [Richardson] and Isaiah Pead and taught them a lot and hopefully they’ll go on to not only excel, but be very good athletes and good professionals in this league.  But for where I’m at going into year 10, I’m not ready to step back and just become a primary backup or reduced role guy, to be a part of a running back by committee.  I still have a lot left in my tank.  I still have a lot to offer a team.  We’re not talking about someone that is in year 12 or 13.  But I understand.  I understand the business side of it.  I still have a great relationship with the organization and one day I’ll be going back there.”
Moving forward, Jackson hopes to be another team’s primary option at tailback.
“I’ve opted out of my position of being with the team and being comfortable because I want to continue to still be the bell cow,” Jackson said.  “So that’s how I want teams to look at me.  That’s how I’m going to shop myself and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there if that’s not the feedback that we’re receiving.”
Surely, someone will be giving Jackson a shot at being at the top of the depth chart, even if it’s only for a year or two.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Mike Florio
Dilip Vishwanat Getty Images

Steven Jackson to void final year of contract, test free agency

It has long been assumed that St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson would opt out of the final year of his contract and enter free agency. Despite not hitting the necessary statistical plateaus to trigger the ability to void the final year of his deal, the Rams elected to allow Jackson the ability to do so anyway.
Now Jackson appears to be exercising that option.
According to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Jackson will void the final year of his contract and elect to test the free agent market. By choosing to void his deal, Jackson is leaving $7 million on the table he was scheduled to make next season. However, it was unlikely the Rams were going to be able to keep him on the roster at that price.
Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has expressed a desire to keep Jackson in St. Louis and that discussions have gone well so far with Jackson’s agent. Jackson said in December he was “very optimistic” he’d finish his NFL career with the Rams.
But Jackson will still hit free agency for the first time in his nine-year NFL career on March 12. The Rams career rushing leader has rushed for over 1,000 yards in eight of his nine seasons and rushed for 10,135 yards and 56 touchdowns for his career.

Source: PFT.com
Author: Curtis Crabtree
Dilip Vishwanat Getty Images

Rams HC Jeff Fisher Shoots Down Steven Jackson Trade Rumors

St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has squashed rumors circulating that the club was shopping veteran running back Steven Jackson, reports Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"We talk about the potential ways of improving the roster, but his name has not been floated out there and I don't know where it's coming from," Fisher said Wednesday. "There were some rumors back when we did the trade with the Redskins that Sam (Bradford)'s name was floated out there. People were just trying to create some excitement."

Over the last eight seasons, Jackson has rushed for franchise record 9,093 yards and 52 touchdowns, six behind Faulk's franchise mark, and is working on a streak of seven consecutive 1,000 rushing yard seasons. Jackson has added 369 receptions for 3,003 yards and eight touchdowns out of the backfield and is signed through the 2013 season with base salaries of $7 million each season.

"Steven is here. He's in the off-season program," Fisher added. "He's upstairs (with the coaches) every other day. He's doing great, having fun learning the offense. No discussion, conversation, or anything along that sort to my knowledge."
The Rams have been linked to Alabama running back Trent Richardson,before being selected in last night's draft.


source:  Mac's Football Blog
author:  Brian McIntyre
photo:  Dilip Vishwanat Getty Images