ST. LOUIS (AP) -Posting on his Twitter account Sunday night, SJ39, Steven Jackson said aches and pains from a big day against the Detroit Lions were ``starting to get to me.''
You should see the other guys.
The 235-pound running back was at his bruising best in the St. Louis Rams' slump-busting victory at Detroit, dragging tacklers while piling up 149 yards on 22 carries and breaking free for the winning score. He can hit the hole, he can create his own holes and he can put a team on his back, too.
The Lions certainly got their fill and then some from the unique hybrid, a runner who can get the tough yards but with wheels to match. On a contender, he'd probably be one of the NFL's top stars.
``Man,'' said Detroit defensive end Dewayne White, ``he's a big guy.''
Jackson was so determined to put a halt to the Rams' 17-game losing streak, he accidentally ran over an official on one of his rambles. For that, he apologized on Twitter.
No need to revisit anything else in that game, or virtually his entire season for that matter. Jackson has consistently produced despite a lack of playmakers around him in the NFL's worst offense; the Rams have scored just 77 points.
``When he's determined to get somewhere, it's going to take four or five large people to stop him,'' Rams kicker Josh Brown said. ``When he's an angry person, you have to get out of his way.''
For better or worse, Jackson has been the face of the franchise for years.
Last season, he staged a 27-day training camp holdout that reflected a me-first attitude, and then missed four starts and most of a fifth due to injuries - all losses. Consistently he's been the most outspoken Ram, whether it's criticizing music choices and a general drab setting at home games, chafing as Marshall Faulk's understudy as a rookie in 2004, or voicing lofty goals.
During rookie coach Steve Spagnuolo's often painful rebuilding effort this fall, though, the 26-year-old Jackson has found patience. He's consistently taken the high road, embraced leadership.
``That's me knowing what kind of makes me go and what kind of makes me tick is really not helpful for a young team,'' Jackson said. ``My determination and I guess my competitive spirit sometimes can be overwhelming, and it can kind of take guys aback.
``I don't want to go there anymore.''
That attitude adjustment, along with the return of a booming, infectious laugh that reminds people he really is a nice guy, has helped win back a disenchanted fan base. The production has always been there, with a half-season to go after this week's bye and Jackson only 216 yards from being the first player in franchise history with five straight 1,000-yard seasons.
``I think they've had a chance to get to know me and I've had a chance to get to know them, so some of the things I may say might not take them aback as much as it would in the past,'' Jackson said. ``I'm also growing up.
``I'm just going to continue to let my play do the talking and continue to play hard, and if you don't like me at this point, you just don't like me.''
Even before Spagnuolo knew Jackson well, he was familiar enough with his talent to make him the centerpiece of offense that's spent money on the line instead of on receivers. For years, Spagnuolo game-planned against Jackson as defensive coordinator of the Giants and defensive assistant with the Eagles.
``I remember playing against him and there were murmurs always,'' Spagnuolo said. ``Guys really didn't want to go in there and tackle him.''
Jackson frequently predicts that given enough carries he'll wear down the opposition. It's happening this year despite a nondescript cast of pass catchers and quarterback Marc Bulger's tendency to settle for short patterns, allowing opponents to jam the line of scrimmage.
A marked man, and yet unstoppable.
Jackson has 784 yards rushing with a 4.8-yard average, tied with the Vikings' Adrian Peterson for the NFC rushing lead. He has 970 yards from scrimmage, only 3 yards behind Peterson's NFL-leading total.
It was no coincidence that Jackson's long-awaited first TD was the go-ahead score in the Rams' first victory. St. Louis has been awful in the red zone, so Jackson did most of the work, willing himself forward for 17 yards on the previous play before busting loose on a 25-yarder for the lead with 1:38 to play.
Before the go-ahead drive, center Jason Brown recalls Bulger delivering a little pep talk.
``He said, 'Hey guys, you've got the best running back in the league. You all do your job, he's definitely going to do his job,''' Brown said. Then Jackson, still haunted by an overtime loss at Jacksonville two weeks earlier when the Rams faded after taking the lead late in regulation, took his turn.
``I just challenged each guy in the huddle,'' Jackson said. ``Don't be afraid to win this game. This is our moment and our time to shine.''
