Falcons RB Steven Jackson ‘looks rejuvenated’ early in camp
By Mike Dyce
The Atlanta Falcons brought in former St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson to bolster their ground game. The 2013 season didn’t go as planned for the Falcons and they struggled through the season and missed the playoffs.
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While projecting the roster for the 2014 Falcons, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com made an interesting observation about Jackson.
"Jackson, who just turned 31, still has a good year left in him if he remains healthy. He looks rejuvenated. Freeman, a rookie fourth-round pick, will get a chance to push for touches and has been impressive to start training camp. Rodgers can’t be forgotten because of his elusiveness. Smith is a valuable special-teamer, as is Josh Vaughan, who could sneak in."
Now Jackson didn’t play the entire 2013 season because of injuries appearing in only 12 games. He carried the ball 157 times for 543 yards and a 3.5 yards per carry. That 3.5 YPC mark is the lowest of his career, and it is also the first time since his rookie season in 2004 that Jackson hasn’t rushed for 1,000 yards.
A rejuvenated Jackson rushing for 1,000 yards would be exactly what the Falcons need to boster their ground game, which ranked 32nd — dead last — in the NFL with 77.8 yards per game.