By Brad Evans. I found this on Yahoo sports. It is geared towards the fantasy football world, but I thought it would make all of you smile.
Within the fantasy community St. Louis’
Steven Jackson is unequivocally the virtual sport’s most polarizing figure. Despite steady contributions over five consecutive seasons, fanatics either adore or deplore him. Due to his hefty Round 1 price tag there really isn’t any middle ground. Essentially, he’s
Terrell Owens(notes) with a pinch of Kobe Bryant rolled in Tim Lincecum’s favorite ‘airplane’ paper puffed by Glenn Beck.
Division over his true worth (or lackthereof) is an unfair and undeserved consequence.
Poring over Jackson’s historical record it’s hard to discredit his on-field accomplishments. His per year average since 2005 is unmistakably RB1 material – 52 receptions, 1,627 total yards and nine touchdowns. His sterling skill set, relentlessness and bullnose toughness have routinely steamrolled opponents. Without question no rusher works and plays harder. If
Darren McFadden(notes) owned one-sixteenth the determination and zeal of Jackson, he would be a perennial first-round fantasy selection.
Uncontrollable circumstances, not a lack of talent, are responsible for the Jackson schism.
St. Louis’ humiliating play over the past several seasons has greatly hindered the two-time All-Pro’s reputation as a dependable roster cornerstone. When upright and adequately protected, which was rare,
Marc Bulger(notes) was able to keep defenses occasionally honest. However, when the signal caller was sidelined disastrous stopgaps
Gus Frerotte(notes),
Brock Berlin(notes),
Keith Null(notes) and
Kyle Boller(notes) did little to prevent stacked boxes. The passing game remained stagnant, generating few red zone opportunities for the bulldozing back. Last year, Jackson totaled only one more attempt inside the 10 than
Darren Sproles(notes) and the same number of touchdowns as fossilized
Fred Taylor(notes) (4).
Despite the obstacles, Jackson has courageously trucked along, consistently racking up yards. The brutish Ram really is the Rasputin of RBs. No matter how many times he's beaten, shot, stabbed or drowned he finds a way to eclipse 100 total yards every single week. His steady play in the face of constant adversity is truly remarkable. The man has earned a Purple Heart.
Unfortunately, owners still willfully refuse to give him a pass. Based on data compiled by
Mock Draft Central, his ADP over the past two weeks has declined by 12.6 percent. No longer a sure-fire first rounder except in PPR formats, he’s often slipped into the early second. Critics argue offseason back surgery, a history of nicks – he’s played just one full season in his career – and a rookie quarterback behind center are reasons to avoid him completely. Though Jackson claims he’s “
prepared to endure,” many pundits,
including fellow Arcadian Andy Behrens, vehemently...
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