The Atlanta Falcons, they made their big pickup last offseason by signing Steven Jackson to a three-year, $12 million deal. Jackson had eight-consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the St. Louis Rams before joining the Falcons.
He averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry in his first season with Atlanta as a hamstring injury limited him to 12 games and poor offensive line play hampered his effectiveness.
But Falcons head coach Mike Smith expressed faith in Jackson moving forward, although Jackson turns 31 before the 2014 season.
"Unfortunately, Steven was injured last year and we didn't really get a chance to see what he was capable of doing until the last four or five games," Smith said. "But you've got to have a big back when you have to get the two or three yards. Especially late in the season, you've got to be able to run the football."
Jackson injured his hamstring in a Week 2 win over his former team, the Rams. He missed four games and couldn't get into a rhythm immediately. He finished the 2013 season with six touchdowns in the last six games, the story points out. But, he's clearly on the decline and many think the Falcons will address the position in the draft.
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