Steven Jackson Rallies The St. Louis Rams

by Ryan Van Bibber on Oct 4, 2011 4:47 PM CDT in 2011 NFL regular season

Steven Jackson took some time with his fellow members of the St. Louis Rams offense in practice today.

Fans wanting veteran leaders to stand up and take charge of the St. Louis Rams got their wish today. Running back Steven Jackson called the offense together and delivered a spirited exhortation to his teammates. What exactly was said remains between Jackson and the players around him, but by all accounts it led to a more urgent, vibrant practice from the Rams.

We'll know more about its lasting impact when the Rams travel to Green Bay in week six. For now, it comes as welcome news for a team in a tailspin and a distraught fanbase.

Speaking of Jackson, he was, obviously, a full participant at practice today. With the pass protection struggling, I suspect the Rams will ask more of Jackson and Cadillac Williams in week six.

Sam Bradford was on the practice field today, no worse for wear after suffering a hip bruise in last week's game against Washington. Michael Hoomanawanui did not practice, and Darell Scott, Austin Pettis and Danny Amendola joined him on the sidelines. Pettis twisted his ankle on those brutal punt returns where he neglected to call for a fair catch.

Following the Rams' fourth loss of season, you could have wrung the frustration out of Jackson's comments following last week's game. Jackson spoke specifically about the need for accountability. I'm chastened enough to know that I don't expect a single pep talk to change the course of a team, but events like this rarely happen in a vacuum. I suspect that Jackson's pep talk was just one visible outburst of a sea change at Rams Park. We'll know soon enough.

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For the love of all that is good in this world, I hope someone starts getting these guys going.

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:00 PM CDT reply actions

Green Bay who

Can u imagine being the first to beat the raining SB champs this year after going 0-4 Talk about light a fire underneath the team. Swag.

Twitter: @JonHatesMilk

by JonHatesMilk on Oct 4, 2011 5:13 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Oh my....

A man can dream.

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

yea and a 99.9% chance thats all it will be

a dream…

#1 - The MuthaF'in St. Louis Rams: The Rams are better than every team on Earth. End of discussion. Have a nice day, batches. (Connect with us on Facebook!) - 3k

by weekend_warrior55 on Oct 4, 2011 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions

yea it would probably be the biggest upset of all time.

I don’t see it happening in this reality haha

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions

no the biggest sport upset of all time

is the 1980 US men hockey team beating the Russians

Follow @brandonbirkhead

by Brick Top on Oct 4, 2011 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Truth.

Maybe the biggest NFL upset of all time? The Giants beating the Pats in the superbowl is pretty tough to top though.

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 7:37 PM CDT up reply actions

no it was the pats

Cheating their way by us in 2001!

Wolf. Wolfgang Wolf

by dbcouver on Oct 5, 2011 1:18 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I refuse to recognize that Superbowl haha

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 5, 2011 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions

I love it

They needed, maybe they’ll start playing with a sense of urgency and passion.

Sam Bradford + Alshon Jeffery = All other teams are screwed!!

by RG31 on Oct 4, 2011 5:04 PM CDT reply actions

Looking at the photo above...

…did the Rams sign Busta Rhymes?!

by Boofer on Oct 4, 2011 5:05 PM CDT reply actions

GIMME SOME MO!

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:09 PM CDT up reply actions

about freaking time

About time someone stepped up and actually started to “lead” …I remember reading all the articles after the Rams lost to the Seahawks last year there was a real sense of passion being so close to the playoffs and we have yet to see that same drive this year from the players yet. Hopefully after this bye week we can see a turn around now before its actually too late.

Twitter: @JonHatesMilk

by JonHatesMilk on Oct 4, 2011 5:09 PM CDT via iPhone app reply actions

look at this point

im happy with the team making some points and showing they wanna play…even if we lose i just wanna see them have some heart

by RamTX on Oct 4, 2011 5:15 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed. Watching them play how they have been hurts to watch.

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions

i know man

ive started bradford for my fantasy team 4 weeks straight he hasnt passed 20 points!!! only against the giants…i guess we just jynxed the team with the hype WE gave them.
By the way i blame 90% on Billy D and 9% spags 1%others for this team…

by RamTX on Oct 4, 2011 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions

where's the heart at!!

I’m tired of being the one at the bar with my on jersey that everyone feels sorry for!! Lol

Twitter: @JonHatesMilk

by JonHatesMilk on Oct 4, 2011 5:23 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Seriously

Everyone at my work knows I don’t shave until the Rams win and they just feel sorry for me….. This beard of shame must go!

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions

dude im from texas!!

lol!!! texans and cowboys aint doing too bad..how do u think im doing…i cant cut my hair till rams win…and i gotta eat goose eggs if rams lose agains cowboys haha….

by RamTX on Oct 4, 2011 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions

pfff, I live in the Bay area of Cali

I have to hear it from the 9ers fans ALL YEAR LONG, especially if they manage to beat us in both games, which might happen this year….. I lose a $200 bet if the 9ers win the division….. GOD I HATE THEM!

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions

makes 2 0f us,,well im sure the whole TST does

i thought i had it bad..u got rivals…i just hate these “americas team” fans overrated

@JBarznas

by RamTX on Oct 4, 2011 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions

yea, I hate the cowboys too.

There’s a lot of cowboys fans in cali too, including some of my “friends” hahaha

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

My brother-in-law is a huge Niners fan

So I get some hurtful text messages every Sunday. If there’s any team I want us to beat, it’s the Niners, especially if we beat’em both times.

My thoughts...

1. Rams need legitimate receiver[s].
2. It annoys the hell out of me when I see Spags clapping after bad plays.
3. Billy Bajema and Justin King need to get the boot.
4. Hoom is injury prone. Hist talent means nothing if he's not on the field. Needs to be replaced.
More to come...

by Horcrux7 on Oct 4, 2011 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

You know it’s bad when even the redskins fans at the bar are patting you on the back after the loss. Lol

Twitter: @JonHatesMilk

by JonHatesMilk on Oct 4, 2011 5:30 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions

I've been dealing with that for the past 6 years...

by Boofer on Oct 5, 2011 3:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Steven Jackson Needs to be our next head coach

They should hire him when he retires, Just because i think he would make everyone work hard and would accept a 0 and 4 start. Would need OC and DC though. Probably wont happen but at least RB coach.

@thebenlloyd

by gsot21 on Oct 4, 2011 5:26 PM CDT reply actions

hiring ex-players does not always work out

Look no further than Singletary and the 9ers. I do think we should try to get Bruce and Faulk to come coach for us, they are some of the smartest players to walk on a football field.

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah but just the fact sjax

works way to hard, you would have to start him our at RB coach to see if he is any good first. Singletary is a great Defensive coridntaor but a terrible head coach. i just think the coaches demanor has a lot to do with how players play. spags ohh it will get better if we work out growing pain vs what rex ryan said to his offense after there bad game

@thebenlloyd

by gsot21 on Oct 4, 2011 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think Singletary has ever been a DC.

He was linebackers coach for 9ers, then straight to HC, now back to LBs coach at whatever team he’s coaching for…. Vikings? I can’t remember.

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions

i think you might be right there

Cant lie though i think Sjax would be terrific RB coach

@thebenlloyd

by gsot21 on Oct 4, 2011 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions

i think bruce

we need a wrs coach..im more than sure he will be good..cause he plays with brains….singletary was more agression and physicality…bruce was all skills and basics..thats all u need for a wideout especialyl ours

by RamTX on Oct 4, 2011 5:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Faulk’s wayy to comfy in his nice little chair at NFL Network lol he even said so when he was commentating that MNF game

Twitter: @JonHatesMilk

by JonHatesMilk on Oct 4, 2011 5:32 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Yeah i dont think anyone in there right mind would leave that job

one of the easiest ever

@thebenlloyd

by gsot21 on Oct 4, 2011 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions

no doubt.

and talk about job security. How long has Al Michaels been around? lol

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions

foreal

and half of them have no clue wtf there talking about and they still make bank smh

@thebenlloyd

by gsot21 on Oct 4, 2011 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions

kinda like us huh? lol

but they got fancy suits and come out on tv!!

@JBarznas

by RamTX on Oct 4, 2011 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions

id like to think we know more than them

and plus the money

@thebenlloyd

by gsot21 on Oct 4, 2011 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions

agreed

@JBarznas

by RamTX on Oct 4, 2011 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions

It's hard to know less.

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions

What is the sea of change you’re predicting Van? Are you saying a change in the player’s attitude or personnel changes (ie. coaching)? I think both are in order right now.

by Jim Everett on Oct 4, 2011 5:29 PM CDT reply actions

Ha @ the possibility of us beating the Packers in their own home

I’ll be happy if we don’t get embarrassed… again. A man CAN dream, but let’s not be foolish ;]

My thoughts...

by Horcrux7 on Oct 4, 2011 5:41 PM CDT reply actions

very true

if clay mathews get no sacks that is probably worth more than a win

@thebenlloyd

by gsot21 on Oct 4, 2011 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

If they did pull off an upset I’ll being buying the bar a round lol

Twitter: @JonHatesMilk

by JonHatesMilk on Oct 5, 2011 1:08 AM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions

It's probably foolish to dream of being a millionaire with bikini clad bitches

but I’m gonna keep doing that too lol

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions

by the way...

anyone for andrew luck? cause im not

@JBarznas

by RamTX on Oct 4, 2011 5:43 PM CDT reply actions

I'm tired of hearing about it.

Bradford is not the QB this O line and WRs are making him look like. If we get him help, he will lead this offense to victory. Luck will be a good QB for whatever team he goes to, but if we end up with the 1st overall pick, we had better fucking trade down and grab some more picks. We need WRs, OLs, DTs, OLBs, CBs, Safeties, TEs…… we need way too much help to hold on to the #1 pick.

Two things about me will never change. I will always root for the Rams, and I will always root against the Niners.

by DuhhhRams! on Oct 4, 2011 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions

good!!

Agree completely….I’m tired of hearing “best prospect since peyton manning”…I’m like what?!! Last time I checked Ryan Leaf was a better prospect than Manning we all know how that turned out?…its dumb when people choose Luck over Bradford…IMO

@JBarznas

by RamTX on Oct 4, 2011 8:35 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Way to go, SJ39!!!

Glad someone is stepping up, and it doesn’t surprise me that it is Steven! It does make me feel better…not quite so hopeless! Here’s to better days in STL!

Go Rams...go Sammy B!!!

by sb8ramsfan on Oct 4, 2011 5:49 PM CDT reply actions

I'm too lazy to do this myself

Can we get a poll going that will show us who is more preferred between Blackmon and Jeffery?

My thoughts...

by Horcrux7 on Oct 4, 2011 6:02 PM CDT reply actions

NFL teams can practice more than once in pads during week once per season

Am i the only one who thinks they should use it now?

@thebenlloyd

by gsot21 on Oct 4, 2011 6:05 PM CDT reply actions

Blackmon's quicker and seperates better. But Alshon is undefeatable in one on one.

Blackmon can score from anywhere on the field, like Dez Bryant.
But Alshon will pull a Calvin Johnson/Fitzgerald on you in the Red Zone.
Rams need a Breakaway, Big, Strong, Fast, WR, who can score from anywhere on the field. I love Alshon, but I would draft Justin Blackmon, for his ability to breakaway and score from anywhere, And beat you in a one-on-one jump ball in the End Zone.

by look closer on Oct 4, 2011 7:21 PM CDT reply actions

Honestly either way we'll be fine

I’d prefer Alshon just for the points you just mentioned, he’s bigger and he could be a big redzone target for Sam and by next year I expect Pettis to take over the #2 spot so should be good..

Sam Bradford + Alshon Jeffery = All other teams are screwed!!

by RG31 on Oct 4, 2011 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions

And this is the guy some of you want to trade for random draft pick and or random vet

thanks but no thanks, we need more Steven jacksons in the locker room not less

by albinoninja on Oct 4, 2011 9:20 PM CDT reply actions

No one better to do this than Jackson

He has the most to lose if we continue regressing. Before these losses, I think it could have been possible to reach the post season and possibly SB before Jackson retires. He probably sees it that way too. If I were him I’d be thinking, ’It’s either now, next year, or I better find another team to get to the super bowl with.’

Plus I’m pretty sure he could kick any ones ass on the team.

Wolf. Wolfgang Wolf

by dbcouver on Oct 5, 2011 3:30 AM CDT reply actions