With Michael Turner out of the picture, the Atlanta Falcons brought in Steven Jackson to add another level to the struggling ground game. The team was hopeful the successful veteran could be the offensive stabilizer the Falcons needed to reach the Super Bowl after coming up short just two seasons ago. However, Jackson's first year in Atlanta failed to go as planned and with two younger backs behind him on the depth chart, will he get another chance to prove himself?
With Jackson on the roster, the Falcons mustered up a 4-12 season just a season after making it to the NFC Championship Game. The team was supposed to contend for a Super Bowl and instead settled for the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft. Jackson certainly failed to help the effort, putting up one of his worst seasons of his career while spending a good portion of it injured. Blaming himself for last season, Jackson is hoping 2014 yields different results.
"There were quite a few of the years in St. Louis when I shouldered a large burden, and I knew going into every season what I was going into," Jackson said, via Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "When I came here last year, I kind of believed my own hype. The team was so close to going to the Super Bowl, and I thought I was going to be the missing link. Then reality slaps you. It's still a team sport. This year I know I don't have to shoulder the burden of carrying the franchise. I'm not the missing piece, I'm just one piece. I feel comfortable knowing that I can still compete at a high level. But all of the unnecessary stress is gone."
Jackson saw his streak of eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons come to an end as he rushed for just 543 yards in five games. While the Falcons have high hopes Jackson can bounce back, they have a Plan B and C if the veteran is simply not rising to the occasion like the team needs him to. Jacquizz Rodgers returns as a running back poised to make some noise. With Atlanta's re-tooled offensive line, Rodgers could easily become the Darren Sproles for the Atlanta Falcons. The team also has newly drafted Devonta Freeman who is earning high praise from the coaching staff. Head coach Mike Smith still has faith in Jackson.
"We saw in the last couple of games the kind of running back Steven is before he got injured," Smith said. "I like the other guys as well, and we're going to have multiplicity with our packages. But I'm very confident Steven Jackson is still an elite running back in the NFL."
Getting Jackson to be productive is a necessity for the Falcons. With Tony Gonzalez off in retirement land, the running back will be a crucial part of the offense. Julio Jones and Roddy White return healthy which takes care of the passing game, but if Jackson cannot regain his old form, the Falcons will be in trouble.
