December 23, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Rams reworked Steven Jackson’s contract last year to give him the option to void the final year of his deal this offseason.  It has long been speculated since the move was announced that Jackson would exercise that option and be out of St. Louis via free agency.  Well Steven Jackson has announced his intention to exercise that option and test the free agent waters.  The St. Louis Rams were unlikely to pay him the $7 million dollar salary he was due for the 2013 season anyway, so the option to void his contract just meant the Rams wouldn’t have to release him.

Jackson has hit the media circuit this week discussing his future in the NFL, and the reasons behind his decision to void his contract.  In what some people may consider a surprise statement, Jackson has stated his decision to void the final year of his contract wasn’t about the money but his future role with the team.  Jackson still believes that he can be an every down feature back, while the Rams are hoping to give their young running backs Pead and Richardson the lions share of the work in 2013.  While there is nothing I would like to see more than SJ39 finish his career with the Rams, I don’t know if I could stand to see such a fierce competitor and leader relegated to a support/mentor role.

The Rams spent a 2nd and a 7th round choice on potential replacements for Steven Jackson.  Daryl Richardson, the 7th rounder, surprised many by getting the bulk of the carries in relief of Jackson.  Pead had a disappointing season, even though he did flash some of his game breaking ability, he wasn’t able to get onto the field consistently.  From some of the rumors that have trickled out of St. Louis since the end of the season it seems Pead saw limited action because of his lack of professionalism and not his playing ability.  Not making it to meetings and practices on time is a sure fire way to end up in the Jeff Fisher doghouse.  The good news is that Snead and Fisher have both been on record stating they believe Pead can be the go-to guy for the Rams in the future.  The question for the Rams and their young backs is whether or not they have a short yardage power option.  Perhaps that is why they kept Ganaway on the roster this season even though he never saw the field, he could provide the short yardage and blitz pickup capabilities that Pead and Richardson may not be suited for.

With Sam Bradford entering his 4th NFL season and finally having the same offensive system and coordinator, the Rams seem ready to move on from the SJ39 era and put the reigns into the talented young franchise quarterbacks hands.  Of course the Rams will need to upgrade their offensive line and continue to develop their receiving options to fully extract Bradford’s potential.  With young and talented players such as Austin Pettis, Chris Givens, Lance Kendricks, and Brian Quick the future could be very bright.  The Rams were forced to provide extra protection for Bradford with Kendricks and Jackson on most of the obvious passing downs last season to help mask deficiencies on the offensive line, if the Rams can upgrade the offensive line they may already have the weapons to be an above average offensive team.

Steven Jackson has been the lone bright spot on some pretty poor football teams throughout his career, and is a large part of why countless Rams fans continued to follow the team.  Jackson is one of those players that everyone is pulling for, his reputation as fierce warrior and leader has earned him the respect of opponents and fans across the country.  If SJ39 does end up leaving the Rams in free agency I for one wish him the best.  He deserves a shot at playing on a winning team, to be the workhorse back for a Super Bowl contender.    The first article that I ever wrote for Ramblin’ Fan was about Steven Jackson. http://ramblinfan.com/2012/08/22/steven-jackson-and-the-future-of-rams-running-backs/  Steven Jackson is my favorite player in the NFL and will continue to be regardless of whether he is in a Rams uniform or not, I will wear my #39 jersey with pride.

Oct 21, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Isaiah Pead (24) returns the ball against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Edward Jones Dome. The Packers defeated the Rams 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kane-USA TODAY Sports

Rams’ fans across the world have heard the news of their all-time leading rusher voiding the final year of his contract, but that was to be expected. In all fairness, this doesn’t mean his return to St. Louis is improbable, it simply means he will test the waters of free agency.

Recent reports have linked the all-pro to Super Bowl contenders such as the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots and New York Giants. His name was also connected to the Detroit Lions to provide a boost to a weak running back group and to reunite him with his former coach, Scott Linehan. If Jackson departs—and I still think St. Louis is the number one suitor—the Rams’ will undoubtedly lose leadership, productivity, intellect and toughness.

But I won’t be the least bit surprised if he doesn’t take another carry in St. Louis.

Last off season,  the Rams made a drastic overhaul by wiping out wasted draft picks and underachieving free agents that led to them becoming the youngest team in the NFL (age average 25.32). This was neither a mistake nor coincidence, I see the Rams continuing this trend.

Jackson turns 30 in July, the death sentence for running backs in this day and age. For a team that is looking to add explosiveness to their offense, the aging Jackson may have already lost his burst. Last season, The Rams were one of only two teams that failed to have a touchdown run longer than 10 yards.

According to ProFootballFocus, Jackson’s breakaway percentage, which defines as runs of 15+ yards, was 20.4 last season. He ranked 19th among running backs that played 50 percent of the snaps. This resulted in Jackson ranking 33rd among running backs that played at least 25 percent of their team’s downs.

Though the Rams are scouring the combine and free agency for playmakers on offense, they may not necessarily look to address the RB position. Seventh round draft pick Daryl Richardson was one of the big surprises for St. Louis as he beat out 2nd-rounder Isaiah Pead and spelled Jackson.

Besides the preseason finale ( 11 car. 52 yds) , Pead was a no-show. He repeatedly took every run to the outside and failed to find a crease in the hole. He also saw limited action in the regular season finale against the Seahawks rushing for 21 yards on five carries.

But at the NFL combine, Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said Pead was drafted not just to be a change-of-pace back spelling Jackson, but to be The Guy.

Here are three different scouting reports on Pead coming out of the University of Cincinnati:

CBSSPORTS:

Inside: North-south runner with quick feet to feel his way through creases. Makes small, quick cuts through creases and side-steps defenders in or past the hole to find room to get into his stride. Does not run over defenders often, but keeps legs moving near the goal line to make his way in. Holds the ball low at times, but has generally good ball security (no fumbles in 2009, two in 2010). Does not always show a burst in the box, anticipates contact. Quick draws make him run with shoulders not square to the line. Outside: Excellent straight-line speed makes him a legitimate breakaway threat anytime he finds open field. Lowers his pads to create contact at the second level when seeing defenders coming straight-on. Usually switches the ball to his outside hand when cutting to his left side. Inconsistent power in his cuts, stops on a dime at times to allow defenders to run him by but will round on stretch plays or take a couple of steps to change directions.

PROFOOTBALLWEEKLY:

Quick, competitive, creative back with terrific open-field ability and good hands who would be best utilized complementing a power back — should be effective running stretches, draws and screens. Concerns regarding his character, maturity, dependability and football aptitude could affect his draft status.

FOOTBALNATION:

A 400-meter champion in high school, Pead’s north-south style of running and threat to burn rubber in the open field may have had people whispering his name in the first place. However, it’s his intangibles and well-rounded contributions to the offense that are allowing him to climb draft boards once again. Pead is an willing blocker that will stand up against oncoming defenders in the pocket, or he will lay out to extend to the opposite flow of the pass rush. His fair hands help him secure screen passes in traffic, and he can shake off the linebacker as he executes his route. Whether he is struggling for a few extra yards or has been ripped out of the play, his legs keep churning and he continues to spin, stiff-arm, and fight on every down…Many of Pead’s shortcomings are swiftly followed by a “yeah, but”. He holds the ball too low – yeah, but he rarely fumbled during his collegiate career. He doesn’t run over defenders – yeah, but his balance and constant moving of his legs let him brush through one-arm tackles and barrel past the goal line. He lacks elite strength, and he’s missing initial burst in the box as he’s tripped up on first anticipated contact – yeah, but his determination and natural quickness could prevail when teamed with higher-up coaching. Pead’s only major concern is the lengthy amount of time it takes for outside stretch runs or actual changes of direction to develop, considering his ascertainable speed and presented possibilities once he reaches the second level.

When I assess Pead’s strengths and weaknesses, they remind of 2011 Hall of Fame inductee and catalysts on the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” era, Marshall Faulk

SPORTSILLUSTRATED Scouting Report on Marshall Faulk:

Positives: Athletically gifted skill player that produced whenever he handled the football … Incredibly elusive with the ability to make several defenders miss in the course of a single run and create yardage when seemingly nothing was available … Possessed enough speed to beat defenders into the open field and then run to daylight … Exceptional pass catcher out of the backfield and a true receiving threat in the underneath coverage or down the field … Played smart, tough football, showing great instincts on the field besides getting quality results when called upon to block.

Negatives: Not a pounder inside or very effective in short yardage situations … Was never a running back that could consistently handle 20 carries a game.

Now, I’m not saying Pead is the reincarnation of the Rams’ legend, but I can’t ignore the alarming comparisons. With his elusiveness, vision, instincts and catching ability out of the backfield, it’s difficult to deny Pead’s talent. St. Louis even deployed a Pead-Package when they would flex him out wide. The jury is still out on Pead. He didn’t show a whiff of Faulk-like-skills on the field, but with the success of the Rams’ 2012 draft class, it’s hard for me to argue against the minds of Fisher and Rams’ GM Les Snead.

December 23, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) huddles up with the offense against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

To simply put it, the Rams need this win.

The Rams brief noise of playoff hope was silenced by the Vikings’ stunning victory over the Texans, but a win against a red-hot Seattle team who has averaged 50 points a game the last three weeks would give this team a tremendous boost of confidence and provide another step in the right direction headed into the off-season.

St. Louis has a lot to play for as they hope to post a winning record of 8-7-1, go undefeated in the NFC West with the record of 5-0-1 and put everything on the line as this could be Steven Jackson‘s final game in a Rams’ uniform. Jackson is also 10 yards away from his historic eight consecutive 1,000 yard season.

If the Rams manage to play the role of spoiler inside the harsh confines of CenturyLink Field, it will show how the Rams perform under high expectations set by head coach Jeff Fisher.

I don’t believe in moral victories, but for a franchise that has gone 15-65 the previous five seasons and the mark of 2-14  last season shouldn’t be discouraged if they finish with the record of 7-8-1.

This tall order won’t be a walk in the park as they face the NFL’s fourth-ranked defense and the league’s second-ranked rushing attack. With a record of 10-5,  the Seattle Seahawks are on board to make the playoffs with still an outside chance of winning the division. They have an unblemished record at home  (7-0) where they are outscoring their opponents 223-82. The Seahawks are also sending four players to the highly scrutinized Pro Bowl: starters Russell Okung and Max Unger, the second leading rusher in the NFL Marshawn Lynch, followed by S Earl Thomas and KR Leon Washington.

However, winning four of their last five games, St. Louis have become road warriors as three of those four victories have come on the opponents’ home field. St. Louis went the entire first half of the season without coming away with a win on the road. In fact, this is the longest road winning streak in nine seasons for the NFL’s youngest team.

The Rams are much improved from last year, but this young team squandered many opportunities to come away with a few more victory throughout out the season.  Fisher knew he was entering a rebuilding process as he took over the reigns of the Rams head coach. You can tell by the tenacious and never quitting attitude that he has implemented in his team that he was aiming to play football in January.

St. Louis will look to add more talent through the draft and free agency to compete for the NFC West crown next year, but in the meantime knocking off Seattle is the only objective on the Rams’ mind.