For the 2013 Falcons, every step forward has been accompanied by two steps back, it seems. But when it came to running back Steven Jackson Sunday in Charlotte, the Falcons were happy to at least get the one step forward.
For all the fanfare over the veteran Jackson’s free agent signing, the Falcons haven’t had a lot to show for it. On Sunday against the Panthers, they had at least some semblance of a running game.
Jackson rushed for 57 yards on 13 attempts for a 4.4 yard average in his second game back from a hamstring injury. He also caught three passes for 19 yards.
“I definitely feel a little better about where we are in the run game,” Jackson said afterward. “I have the confidence in my leg again that I think I showed in a few runs. I was able to get my run reads and the offensive line I think did a really good job of winning the line of scrimmage a couple times there, so steps in the right direction but definitely not the outcome we want.”
Other than one 50-yard run in the season-opener, Jackson had amassed only 33 yards on 24 carries, in and around four games he missed with the injury.
After totaling only six yards on 11 rushes for a one-half yard average last week against Arizona, Jackson actually found some creases and showed a little of his second gear. More importantly for him, though, was breaking some tackles, which indicated to him the hamstring is sound.
“When you try to break tackles, going against the pile then you’re really loading it up against force,” Jackson said. “And I was able to make a couple plays out there.”
Jackson broke free for a 13-yard run, his longest of the season outside of that 50-yarder against New Orleans. Since then, it’s been a struggle. Jackson’s only touchdown came on a pass reception against his former St. Louis Rams, but that was also the play when he injured his hamstring.
On Sunday, Jackson had what would have been his first rushing touchdown as a Falcon called back on a holding penalty. The penalty negated a 2-yard run in the second quarter that would have tied the game. The Falcons settled for a field goal and trailed the rest of the way.
“Any time you have so many different new variables - from the offensive line getting their chemistry together as well as learning my running style, as well as (offensive coordinator) Dirk (Koetter) learning how to call plays with me in the game,” Jackson said. “It’s a lot of different variables that go into it. It looks a little easier than what it is, but I think we did make some steps in the right direction.”
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