When to Panic: Steven Jackson
At what point do we start to re-evaluate Steven Jackson because of his holdout? There is disagreement about whether the two sides are talking, and no agreement is imminent.
People are freaking out in St. Louis, but our rankings show I haven't panicked yet. My loose cut-off is next weekend. If Jackson is back before then, he has two weeks to get ready. Perhaps he'll start a bit slower than normal, but this is a well conditioned athlete.
Rams training camp, and it's two-a-days are ending. Expect discussions to pick up shortly and for a deal to be hammered out. If we aren't getting close to a deal by this time next week, then I'll start to worry.
Are you guys moving him on your cheat sheets?
Comments
At the start of the year I was willing to take him at #2, but since this holdout Im not sure Im going to be reaching for him anymore.
Posted by: Matt | August 13, 2008 03:06 PM
jackson is a really talented RB but he never lives up to his hype. although, to his credit, his hype is so far out there that he'd have to have a perfect injury free season to come close to expectations. I'm not buying. he's a complete back and love it if he were on my team but people just expect too much.
Posted by: mark o. | August 13, 2008 03:15 PM
I'm not sure I would take him above westbrook or addai anymore. I was already uncertain about their suspect offense. I'm not convinced Al Saunders will bring him much more success if they don't add talent. What happens to him if Bulger goes down again as well. I'm also not entirely certain he is prepared to stay healthy all season either, and the fact that his original agent left him, makes me wonder how ridiculous his contract demands really are. In fact I might even take Marshawn lynch ahead of him, but that is only because of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyh67zTNFqg
Posted by: John | August 13, 2008 03:19 PM
I think the holdout combined with the nagging groin injury SJax had at the end of last season means I will be staying away from him on draft day. Unless he becomes a real value pick.
Al Saunders may help the offense somewhat, but the lack of a WR threat opposite Holt might leave teams keying on SJax as well.
Posted by: CdnFan | August 13, 2008 03:46 PM
Greg- I do not understand the Marshawn Lynch prediciton in the onlin guide of 26 catches? heck he caught 28 last year and missed what? 4 games to injury? and NOW he WILL be the 3rd down back and be more heavily involved in the passing game. That seems like a big error to have him with only 26 catches - seems to me he should be up around 50 if he plays a full season.
Posted by: Scott L. | August 13, 2008 03:59 PM
Wrong Scott... Lynch caught 18 passes last year, not 28.
Good luck going from 18 to 50.
Posted by: Stephen | August 13, 2008 04:09 PM
I'm not panicking but I have dropped him below Addai and Westbrook. I just think they are safer picks overall and have just as much upside as Jackson. Number 5 overall is about right for Jackson at this point.
Posted by: Adam | August 13, 2008 04:28 PM