Steven Jackson the WR and the backup RB situation

by VanRam on Jun 5, 2009 8:55 AM CDT in 2009 Off-Season Comment 16 comments

For June, there's actually a ton of Rams stuff to talk about, so let's jump right in with some thoughts on Steven Jackson.

In his report from Rams Park, ESPN's Mike Sando checks in with the centerpiece of the Rams offense, RB Steven Jackson. Based on observations of the Rams practice and precedent in similar offensive systems the report predicts that Jackson will again rack up significant receiving totals. Here's Jackson's take:

"I have said that in the past, but this year I am able to really work out with the receivers and make sure I'm a good route-runner. It's different than catching 4- and 5-yard checkdowns. I'm flanking out wide with the receivers and learning to run routes."

Jackson can accumlate yards after the catch, what the West Coast system is predicated on, with his ability. He's had some long catches, two fifty yarders in consecutive weeks last season. It will be interesting to see him running routes more, getting the ball on patterns other than the expected seam or slant routes.

And speaking of those checkdowns, that opens up a point I've been mulling over for a few weeks now about the backup running backs. Kenneth Darby looks to be a guy who can do some pass blocking, catch those dump offs/checkdowns, and run the occasional short route. This year's seventh round draft pick, Chris Ogbonnaya, is a converted WR who accumlated better receiving stats than rushing stats as the main RB in one of the nation's top spread offenses. Do you see a pattern here? Think about how many two RB sets the Rams could use this year with one of these guys and Jackson. Defenders have to respect Jackson when he's on the field, which should help leave open the second running back in those formations to catch those ugly checkdowns and move the chains forward. Or in those situations they can get a handoff and move the chains a little bit too. Those aren'thte only two guys on the roster behind Jackson. What will Pittman do this summer, and what about Gado? It would also surprise nobody to see the Rams add a more traditional runner to the group before the start of the season. However, the use of guys like Darby and Ogbonnaya sheds some light on the backup RB situation in the Rams new West Coast offense.

0 recs | Comment 16 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Now we are using the ol' noggin!

This should serve as a heads-up to anybody thinking we need a good WR. The Eagles never had one until T.O. and they were very successful. The Giants never had one (Plaxico is NOT a good WR. I’m from Hampton Roads Virginia, and trust me he’s not that good.) and they were successful. We don’t need a big name WR to get things done. If Jackson can mimic Westbrook and Bulger and can some plays like McNabb, who says we won’t be in the NFC Championship game in a couple of years?

On this team, we are all united in a common goal: to keep my job.
-- Lou Holtz

by RamsMan83 on Jun 5, 2009 10:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Jackson might be able to mimic Westbrook,

but Bulger probably cannot make plays like McNabb. McNabb is much more athletic and could use his feet to create plays. Unless Bulger is standing safely in the pocket, he cannot do much.

by JoeyBombs on Jun 5, 2009 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

never in a million years..

did i think one day we’d be talking about how we should be more like the Eagles.

by mooseknuckles41 on Jun 5, 2009 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll take the Eagles' gameplan any day...

Except for third-and-short, and goal-to-go, where they pretty much suck balls because they insist on running cutesy screens and fades instead of muscling up. Otherwise, they’re a very high-caliber offense.

1909-2008: A Century of Suck

by taiko on Jun 5, 2009 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you're gameplanning against the Rams, you have to "spy" Jackson

That’s a good thing for us. Devoting one player, plus helper players (thanks to Jackson’s ability to break arm tackles) to any one man on our offense should free up opportunities around the field. Plus, outside of Seattle’s LB corps, the rest of our division should have a hard time matching up player to player in terms of athleticism and speed.

1909-2008: A Century of Suck

by taiko on Jun 5, 2009 11:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

optimistic

I agree but the giants are a bad example…Plaxico was a beast w/ them for most of the time. Take the gmen last year for example. Killing everyone (exception browns) until Plax gets injured, then they can barely win a game. Plus they had Toomer opposite of him which he was better than mediocre. Its like sayin the colts haven’t had any good wr to work with manning.

by sj39 on Jun 5, 2009 11:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

JACKSON WR?

It’s nice to have “options” in the passing game but let’s get real here…this team is going to be all about 3 yds. and a cloud of dust…with an occassional shot down the field to keep defenses honest. Let’s not get too excited until we see the finished product on the field, guys.

by ramswinn on Jun 5, 2009 1:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i don't think you'll see SJ

on any deep posts or anything like that, but more receiver routes sounds for him seem to be a feature of the playbook.

Turf Show Times

by VanRam on Jun 5, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mike Vick

I saw on the NFL Network that the Rams wanted to talk with Vick did anyone else see this story , I know we need a shot in the arm but not Vick.

by 39jackson on Jun 5, 2009 2:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Now he might be able to make plays like McNabb.

(referring to first comment on thread)

by JoeyBombs on Jun 5, 2009 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

link?

by PCarn on Jun 5, 2009 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

rumor

it’s been kicking around for awhile…doesn’t seem to want to die, which has more to do with the media needing something to talk about. The Rams have been pretty emphatic in their denial.

Turf Show Times

by VanRam on Jun 5, 2009 3:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sounds nice

Steven looks like he could be similar to Marshall out of the backfield

by DekaJ on Jun 5, 2009 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

BUT... What about the RB "Backup" position?

McNabb is 6’2’, 240 lbs whereas Bulger, who’s just one inch taller at 6’3", is only 204 lbs. How can you compare the two of them at all? Bulger, who has no maneuverability can be brought down easily with no trouble and McNabb, who has some maneuverability and at his weight, is hard to bring down. (Just ask yourself, how many times has McNabb been sacked? Yep, that’s my point).

However, back to VanRam’s post, he mentions four differant running backs (aside from Action-Jackson) currently on the Rams team. So how many of them do you think will end up making the 53-man roster.

Go Rams!

"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now." --- Bruce Coslett, New York Jets Head Coach circa 1990s

by Nbr1RamFan on Jun 6, 2009 11:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

since 2003

Bulger has been sacked 228 times, McNabb 182 times. I’m not saying McNabb isn’t more agile than Bulger, but I’d wager most of those 46 sacks can be attributed to the horrendous offense line he’s been playing behind the last few years.

From 2003 through 2005, when there was better line play in St. Louis, Bulger was only sacked 10 more times than McNabb.

by adiueordie on Jun 6, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs