Even if you knew nothing else about either player — age, career arc, personality, image — the fact the Falcons made such a significant upgrade at running back this offseason can be confirmed in two ways:
1) Three Super Bowl contenders — Atlanta, Green Bay and Denver — all wanted Steven Jackson.
2) Nobody has sought the services of Michael Turner.
The Falcons play their first exhibition game Thursday night against Cincinnati. If the level of anticipation of Jackson’s debut doesn’t quite equal that of the build up before Julio Jones’ first game after the draft or Tony Gonzalez’s first game following his acquisition, maybe it should. This franchise hasn’t had an impact running back since Turner started dropping engine parts every time it was third-and-short.
The mind wanders: What could Jackson have meant in last season's playoffs, when the Falcons were blowing second-half leads against Seattle and San Francisco? The defense was run over by the Seahawks and 49ers. But the offense hit a wall in both games, couldn't sustain drives, struggled to run the ball late against the Niners and failed to provide the defense with a rest.
Mike Smith, the coach: “Well, I’m not going to speculate on last year. But Steven has a skill set that gives us a lot more flexibility.”
Thomas Dimitroff, the general manager: “That’s a nice hat you have there.”
Note to aspiring journalists: non-answers often reveal more than actual ones. (Also, for the record, I was wearing a green Masters hat.)
Jackson arrived at training camp in shape. Turner too often looked a few cheese omelets north of the number in the media guide.
Jackson can catch (407 career receptions). Turner’s comfort zone generally was limited to having the ball stuck in his belly (70 total).
Jackson can still move. In camp, he has flashed speed, power and an ability to read blocks and find space. When Turner found space the past two years, the head would send a message to the legs, but the legs were slow to react. He was a reel-to-reel tape in a digital music world.
Jackson last played in the postseason in 2004, his rookie season. There is something about a veteran player on a new team, out to prove not only that 30 isn't a death wish, but that he is willing to crawl through the desert for a playoff success. The Falcons seemed like an obvious destination because they have become a destination team for coveted veterans (Jackson, Gonzalez, Osi Umenyiora, Asante Samuel).
“This is definitely a fresh start for me,” Jackson said Tuesday. “It’s almost like my first year in St. Louis, in terms of wanting to prove myself. These guys have been successful without me. I just wanted to come in and show that I can bring something to the table. I’m not just riding on their coattails.”
Jackson opted out of the final year of his contract in St. Louis. He was due $7 million. It follows that by signing a Falcons deal with only $4 million guaranteed (three years, $12 million overall), he might have left money on the table with the Rams.
But at this stage of his career, and with Super Bowl contenders expected to seek his services, he felt he had to make the move. The Rams are rebuilding (again). The Falcons looked like a team that was a piece away — Jackson being the piece.
Jackson said when he walked off the field following the Rams’ final game, a loss that cemented their seventh losing season in Jackson’s nine years, he was “50-50” on coming back.
“I knew what was looming,” he said. “I knew a decision had to be made. I knew it was possibly my last time. If I had stayed, maybe they would’ve turned it around, maybe not. I’m not sure how it would’ve affected me, personally. I have a light inside of me that always burns brightly to compete. But there might’ve been uncertainty about my future there going into next offseason.”
Dimitroff likens the Jackson signing to his days in New England when the Patriots signed Corey Dillon. Dillon played seven nonplayoff seasons with Cincinnati. Like Jackson, Dillon turned 30 the year he went to New England (2004). He won a Super Bowl that year.
“We knew Steven wasn’t going to come in and just be a cheerleader,” Dimitroff said. “He was going to be a legitimate contributor. He has that drive and desire to get to another level.”
In St. Louis, Jackson had to carry the offensive load. In Atlanta, he is surrounded by Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez. It might not seem like this team needed another weapon. But watch the difference that this one makes.
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