Preseason breather doesn't pay off for Rams' Jackson

By Michael Rushton Sep 11, 2007, 21:29 GMT

- Hopefully, Steven Jackson doesn't plan on taking it easy in next year's preseason as well.

The St. Louis Rams decided not to use their stud back at all in non-meaningful games this year, then watched Jackson stumble to just 58 yards on 18 carries in the team's regular-season opener this past weekend. He also fumbled the ball away on consecutive carries in the second half as St. Louis lost to the Carolina Panthers, 27-13.

'It was a rough one. Tests come, tests go -- you just have to be able to withstand the storm,' said Jackson. 'You can't give a testimony without going through a test. I didn't intend for my season to start off like this, but since it did I will not back down.'

By comparison, Jackson ran for 121 yards in St. Louis' opening-day victory over the Denver Broncos in 2006 en route to a 1,528-yard season. The Oregon State product also hauled in 90 passes for another 806 yards last year, but made just one catch for three yards on Sunday.

Jackson's rust, almost certainly a product of not playing in the preseason, wasn't alarming so much in his yardage total, but in the fact he put the ball on the ground twice. The 231-pound running back had just four fumbles all of last season.

His first turnover was the most back-breaking, as it came with the Rams up 13-7 early in the third quarter and in Panthers territory. Just two plays later, Carolina's Jake Delhomme hit Steve Smith for a 68-yard touchdown pass that put the Panthers in front.

'We had it. We felt like we were playing well,' rookie defensive tackle Adam Carriker said. 'It was close on the scoreboard. Both teams were playing well, but we felt like we could put them away and he (Smith) made a heck of play. You have to give him credit.'

Jackson then fumbled on his next carry as well, but St. Louis got the ball back after forcing the ball out of DeShaun Foster's hands on Carolina's resulting drive.

INJURY UPDATE: CHANGE OF PACE

Whether the Rams will admit it or not, the loss of Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Pace may have played a role in Jackson's limited impact on the ground.

Pace left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Adam Goldberg. Further examination of the shoulder on Monday revealed a torn labrum and rotator cuff, meaning Pace is done for the season.

Pace suffered the shoulder injury with just under two minutes to play in the first half, and immediately left the game and headed right to the locker room.

'It was a difference. I think Goldberg came in and did a great job for the most part,' Jackson said. 'We doubled (teamed), we chipped with the backs protection-wise, it's just the way the ball bounced. Towards the third quarter things started to go downhill for us.'

The Rams will now have to alter their offensive line. With backup tackle Todd Steussie released with an injury settlement after breaking his foot in preseason, the club could move right tackle Alex Barron to the left spot and use Goldberg on the right side.

Widely regarded as one of the best left tackles in football, Pace tore his left triceps in Week 10 of last year and missed the rest of the season due to the injury. The Rams lost that week to Seattle, then dropped three of their final seven games to finish the year at 8-8.

There is little doubt that not having Pace in the lineup changes how St. Louis runs its offense, a point wide receiver Issac Bruce commented on after Sunday's loss.

'He's a big part of it (the offense),' said Bruce. 'He's the catalyst on the offensive line and a big guy we like to run behind. It has to change. The guy's a seven or eight time All-Pro, and if he's not in there it changes things a little.'

In other injury news, guard Richie Incognito was unable to go on Sunday due to an ankle injury and was replaced by Milford Brown as a starter. Also, Drew Bennett was unable to make his St. Louis debut at wideout because of a thigh ailment.

FIRST-ROUND PICK DEBUTS

Carriker played in Sunday's game, his first in the NFL, and totaled two tackles.

'It was definitely exciting to get out there and have a chance to play. Playing a real NFL game is a dream come true,' said Carriker, the Rams' first- round pick in 2007.

The Rams' second-round pick, running back Brian Leonard, also played but did not get his hands on the ball.

Veteran tight end Randy McMichael also played his first game with the Rams, hauling in two catches for 24 yards, while wideout Dante Hall had arguably the biggest impact of any first-year Ram.

Hall, brought in to boost the Rams' special teams in the offseason, did just that by returning five kickoffs for 146 yards, including an 84-yard return to begin the third quarter.

With Bennett out, Hall also saw time as a wide receiver and made a pair of catches for 18 yards.

UP NEXT: DIVISION PLAY

The Rams will play their second straight home game and open up NFC West play with a visit from the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The Rams lead the all-time series 59-54-2, with the clubs splitting their two games last season.

The 49ers took the first of two matchups with the Rams last season at home, 20-13, to record their third straight win over the Rams. Jackson rushed 22 times for 103 yards in the loss and Bruce had five catches for 77 yards.

St. Louis got its revenge on November 26, courtesy of a 20-17 home victory. That win snapped a five-game losing streak for St. Louis, as quarterback Marc Bulger hooked up with since-departed wideout Kevin Curtis on a five-yard touchdown strike with 27 ticks left in the game.

Jackson racked up 121 yards and a touchdown on the ground that day, while adding nine catches for an additional 71 yards.

© 2007 The Sports Network