Aug. 23, 2008

Steven Jackson

After ending his 27-day holdout and signing a new six-year contract that team sources tell us will earn him up to $44 million with a little more than $20 million in guaranteed money, the hot topic at Rams Park immediately switched to Steven Jackson’s degree of readiness for the fast-approaching regular season. The Rams’ offensive centerpiece, who we hear looks to be in pretty good shape, says he thinks he will be able to handle 25-30 carries in Week One, but our sources maintain that it could be at least Week Three before Jackson is back to full strength. Said one longtime team insider: “Last year, Larry Johnson came into the Chiefs’ camp at almost the exact same time as Jackson, and it wasn’t until Week Three that he got more than 20 touches. Now Jackson does have very fresh legs, and he’s only 25 years old, so maybe he can be ready, but they have to be very careful with him.” Our sources also said that Jackson has indeed opened himself up to closer scrutiny by a fan base that he criticized last season for not being supportive enough. “He’s very aware of the expectations, and was quick to offer an apology to the fans (for his past comments),” the insider said. “If he produces right away, he shouldn’t have a problem. But if he pulls a hammy right away or looks bad early, he could be facing a pretty rocky road.”