Post by Guvmintcheeze on Oct 17, 2014 15:23:34 GMT
Steven Jackson mindful of milestones as he nears 11,000 rushing yards
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson would take a win over any individual accomplishment, but he is mindful of new milestones.
With Jackson just 56 yards away from 11,000 rushing yards, he reflected on some of the other marks he has reached during his illustrious, 11-year career.
Like when he set the St. Louis Rams' all-time rushing record back in 2010 with 7,246 yards.
"It was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa," Jackson recalled. "I do not remember the specific play, but it was like a 3-yard run off right tackle."
Or when Jackson reached 10,000 yards in 2012 during his final home game with the Rams.
"It happened against the Minnesota Vikings in a home game in St. Louis," Jackson reflected. "Once again, it was true to my form: tough yardage, tough run, nothing flashy, not a 50-yard run. It was just the nit and grit of who I am and what embodies my career. And I'm sure 11,000 will come in the same fashion."
Jackson had to think a moment to remember the first 100-yard rushing game of his career as a rookie in 2004. But he figured it out.
"I want to say San Francisco 49ers (26 carries, 119 yards)," Jackson said. "It was a game that kind of solidified to myself that I could play in the National Football League. ... That was many moons ago."
Although the 31-year-old Jackson has yet to rush for 56 yards in a game this season, maybe Sunday against the Ravens will be a game when the Falcons truly get back to running the ball a bit more. Jackson never expected 25 carries a game this season with having to share the load with three other backs. He's averaging 11.5 carries a game and had a season-low six carries in last Sunday's loss to the Bears.
Contending with the Ravens and their seventh-ranked rushing defense won't be easy, but Jackson is used to picking up tough yards.
"I always re-emphasize to guys no matter how long a run is or how good or how bad a game you have had, it all, brick by brick, leads to something," he said.
If Jackson reaches 11,000 on Sunday, he will become the 19th NFL player in NFL history to accomplish the feat, joining the likes of Hall-of-Famers Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, and Barry Sanders.
"It's an amazing feat," Jackson said. "Whenever I do eclipse the 11,000-yard mark, it will mean a lot to me. But like football, I’ve done it with the success of a lot of my teammates over the years. Good games, bad games, they all compile to this milestone. I relish in it, but at the same time, keep it going."
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson would take a win over any individual accomplishment, but he is mindful of new milestones.
With Jackson just 56 yards away from 11,000 rushing yards, he reflected on some of the other marks he has reached during his illustrious, 11-year career.
Like when he set the St. Louis Rams' all-time rushing record back in 2010 with 7,246 yards.
"It was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa," Jackson recalled. "I do not remember the specific play, but it was like a 3-yard run off right tackle."
Or when Jackson reached 10,000 yards in 2012 during his final home game with the Rams.
"It happened against the Minnesota Vikings in a home game in St. Louis," Jackson reflected. "Once again, it was true to my form: tough yardage, tough run, nothing flashy, not a 50-yard run. It was just the nit and grit of who I am and what embodies my career. And I'm sure 11,000 will come in the same fashion."
Jackson had to think a moment to remember the first 100-yard rushing game of his career as a rookie in 2004. But he figured it out.
"I want to say San Francisco 49ers (26 carries, 119 yards)," Jackson said. "It was a game that kind of solidified to myself that I could play in the National Football League. ... That was many moons ago."
Although the 31-year-old Jackson has yet to rush for 56 yards in a game this season, maybe Sunday against the Ravens will be a game when the Falcons truly get back to running the ball a bit more. Jackson never expected 25 carries a game this season with having to share the load with three other backs. He's averaging 11.5 carries a game and had a season-low six carries in last Sunday's loss to the Bears.
Contending with the Ravens and their seventh-ranked rushing defense won't be easy, but Jackson is used to picking up tough yards.
"I always re-emphasize to guys no matter how long a run is or how good or how bad a game you have had, it all, brick by brick, leads to something," he said.
If Jackson reaches 11,000 on Sunday, he will become the 19th NFL player in NFL history to accomplish the feat, joining the likes of Hall-of-Famers Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, and Barry Sanders.
"It's an amazing feat," Jackson said. "Whenever I do eclipse the 11,000-yard mark, it will mean a lot to me. But like football, I’ve done it with the success of a lot of my teammates over the years. Good games, bad games, they all compile to this milestone. I relish in it, but at the same time, keep it going."