The Case For Steven Jackson

[rams24/7]

In my opinion Steven Jackson is a HOF worthy RB. Not a first ballot shoo-in among the likes of Marshall, ED, or Barry Sanders, but a HOFer nonetheless. He's had the misfortune of playing on some terrible teams and behind some terrible offenses and O-Lines. And when I say terrible I mean historically terrible. 15-65, worst 5-year stretch in league history terrible.

Despite all of these hindrances I think SJ has accomplished enough in his 11-year career to warrant strong HOF consideration.

I'm going to break this down into CONS and PROS. Cons first, because these will be the few hang ups that may keep him out in many voters minds.

CONS

• Playing on a perennial loser. Has never played on a winning team. Has made the playoffs ONCE, as a rookie. A truly game-changing player would have certainly would have willed his team to the dance once or twice.
• Lack of qualitative recognition. Only 3 Pro-Bowls. No first team All Pro selections. No league rushing titles.

PROS

• Longevity and Consistency. Despite bumps and bruises including annual groin/quad injuries and a nagging herniated disc for half of 2009, SJ has never missed more than 4 games in a season. He had a stretch of 8-straight 1k yard campaigns from 2005-2012, a feat that only Emmitt Smith, Sanders, Curtis Martin, Thurman Thomas, and LT have accomplished (all HOFers). Despite never being known for being a speed/explosive back SJ has had a 40+ yard run in every season of his career.
• All-Around Back. Among the last of a dying breed. Run with power, speed, elusiveness, catches, blocks, ball security, short distance, goal line. He does it all. Not simply a one-dimensional back. Runs AND catches. Had a 90 reception season. Averages 41.5 receptions per season over his career. Has the 6th best single-season yards from scrimmage total (2,334).
• Leadership. I know this isn't a huge factor, because most, if not all HOFers are great leaders. If anything I'm just trying to point out that SJ is as great a leader as any. When he could have left for FA following 2008, when things were going downhill in STL, he didn't. He chose to see us through to better times. He wanted to be a part of the rebuilding of our franchise. 2009 was the ultimate display of leadership single-handedly willing us to our lone victory of the season @ DET and playing the final 6 games of the year with a herniated disc in his back (only missing one game). Insisted on playing for a 1-15 team, when he could have easily been placed on IR. He had an incredible influence of Sam, JL, and Long since they have come to STL and its no wonder why they are considered the leaders of the team currently. I'll never forget when SJ chewed out Saffold and the team after a false start in 2011 as the Saints mounted a second half comeback. He sent a strong message that a meltdown would not be tolerated and was not an option.

That's about it. I have more stats and stories up my sleeve, but I don't want to drown yall in them. I'm interested to see who agrees, disagrees, and why.

 

[-X-]

If Earl Campbell can get in, so can Jackson. The only thing that could keep him out is that same historically bad team he played on. He has two post-season games on his resume and no rushing titles. Achievements matter a little bit.

 

[rams24/7]

If Earl Campbell can get in, so can Jackson. The only thing that could keep him out is that same historically bad team he played on. He has two post-season games on his resume and no rushing titles. Achievements matter a little bit.

Oh I agree, that's why I listed those as some of the main cons. If people can look past that he certainly has a body of work worthy of the HOF.

Surrounded by HOF talents in those lists.

 

[Ramathon]

IMO, if SJ39 had played on the Cowboys team that Emmitt played on, or any number of other decent teams, he'd have been a first ballot HOF lock. Had that been the case, I don't think it's a stretch at all to think he'd probably be in the top 5 of the 'NFL Career Rushing Yards Leaders'.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I think he is definitely in the conversation. I loved him as a player.

 

[Teran]

For much of his career he was the only offense we had. The was a long stretch where if he was hurt there was little chance of us winning. It would be fair to say that he was team MVP for a long, long time.

 

[Big Willie]

I like Stephen as a player, but he doesn't pass my eye test. Good player, consistent runner, but not good enough to be immortalized with the greats. The lack of playoff wins is one thing that limits him. Also, I believe a HOFer needs signature moments demonstrating superiority over the typical NFL player, and despite watching most of his games, very few of those Stephen moments come to my mind. That's my eye test. But to paraphrase -X-, SJ39 has a shot.

If Earl Campbell can get in, so can Jackson. The only thing that could keep him out is that same historically bad team he played on. He has two post-season games on his resume and no rushing titles. Achievements matter a little bit.

 

[Corbin]

Zero argument from me, I 100% agree. Can't stand hearing the " he never brought us a winning season, if he was that good he could have done it or he dances around to much ....blah blah blah"
Hell you seen some of those lines we employed? O-Linemen Literally off the street the week before who couldn't block anyone to save their lives plus a horrible team who's only weapon was SJ39 who consistently all day long stacked the box 8-9 defenders all day long.

HOF worthy maybe not within the first 4-5 years but eventually! Hell just those dreads are HOF worthy! lol He also belongs in our Ring of Honor IMO.

 

[drasconis]

He had a very good long career. He racked up a lot of yards during that time. Not sure he is a HOF though. While consistancy is a huge attribute as you point out he was never dominant in that he never lead the league in rushing or rushing TDs. While we as Rams fans saw almost every game so we know what a hard nosed player he was he wasn't a highlight reel sort of player (yes there were a few ). He also was never the red zone monster everyone expected (his TD total is way below what you would expect for his yards). That lack of post season will really hurt him. Maybe that shouldn't be held against him, but those tend to be the defining games that people remember (yes once again as Rams fans we have regular season games that stand out to us, but they do not stand out to the generic NFL fan or writer).
I also think you are going to see a swing in the HOF towards the reciever position which means the RB position will likely be the one that suffers as fewer get in so that the backlog at reciever is shrunk.

 

[Corbin]

The lack of playoff wins is one thing that limits him.

Dan Dierdorf would like a word with you.

 

[fastcat]

He DEFINATELY could have been a HOFer only if he ran the ball like he did in 2006. That was the only full season where he consistently hit the hole hard instead of dancing around in the backfield. I will never forget that season thinking this guy could be a top 10 rb of all time. All that dancing in the backfield cost him ALOT of tds and yards. And that's the main reason why he won't get into the HOF. He would have 1500 yards but only have 4 or 5 tds... that's not good

 

[FRO]

Had he played for a better team his numbers would have been better and he would have easily gotten in. The media/voters like to pin team success on individual players, hence giving QBs records. For many years Jackson had a horrible offensive line and terrible receiving corps that scared nobody. Teams could stack the box without fear of getting burned by the pass game. The lack of touchdowns came from the inability to move the ball by the whole offense. He was great in pass protection and a solid receiver. Guy had hall of fame talent, but won't get in because he had no help from his team. We wasted his career.

 

[Big Willie]

Dan Dierdorf would like a word with you.
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I am not saying it can't be overcome, but it is a factor. Double D was one of the best players on a team that had some success (regular season). With some playoff success, Jim Hart would have joined Dan in the HOF. Dan's career overcame the playoff issue, Jim's didn't.

 

[Ramathon]

He had a very good long career. He racked up a lot of yards during that time. Not sure he is a HOF though. While consistancy is a huge attribute as you point out he was never dominant in that he never lead the league in rushing or rushing TDs. While we as Rams fans saw almost every game so we know what a hard nosed player he was he wasn't a highlight reel sort of player (yes there were a few ). He also was never the red zone monster everyone expected (his TD total is way below what you would expect for his yards). That lack of post season will really hurt him. Maybe that shouldn't be held against him, but those tend to be the defining games that people remember (yes once again as Rams fans we have regular season games that stand out to us, but they do not stand out to the generic NFL fan or writer).
I also think you are going to see a swing in the HOF towards the reciever position which means the RB position will likely be the one that suffers as fewer get in so that the backlog at reciever is shrunk.

I realize you're speaking in general terms and relating what seems to be the prevailing thinking on various players' 'greatness', but IMO that whole 'he didn't win Super Bowls' or 'he didn't lead his team to the playoffs' stuff is just horse puckey. I just don't get that whole mentality...as if that one invididual player could have made the diff.

If people are going to use that as a measuring stick, then it's equally true that historically bad teams hold great players back from shining as brightly as they might on a decent team. By that measuring stick, SJ39 should go to the head of the class!

 

[drasconis]

I realize you're speaking in general terms and relating what seems to be the prevailing thinking on various players' 'greatness', but IMO that whole 'he didn't win Super Bowls' or 'he didn't lead his team to the playoffs' stuff is just horse puckey. I just don't get that whole mentality...as if that one invididual player could have made the diff.

If people are going to use that as a measuring stick, then it's equally true that historically bad teams hold great players back from shining as brightly as they might on a decent team. By that measuring stick, SJ39 should go to the head of the class!

Not saying it is wrong or right as a measuring stick. I do tend to think that the whole "a guys should have a ring" thing is way overboard. I do tend to think that in many cases the post season (not necessarily the SB) provide those big moments on the big stage. I think it is unlikely that the writers sit down and watch every game during the regular season, but I do believe they watch all the post season (same with most fans). Thus the player gets that stage to show themselves. I do not think it is his fault, a player is limited by their team unfortunately.

Once again not saying it should be that way just that if you go to another town and talk to the fans and ask them about SJ your going to have people that know his rep of being a good back, but they have no "memories" of him. I worry it will be the same for the writers/voters.

 

[Mikey Ram]

I think that fairly or not, the quality of team that you played on can certainly can impact being HOF material or just considered an excellent RB in his prime...I think he kind of hurt his chances the past few years because of the real or perceived "tap dancing" looking for a hole that was simply not there...I loved to watch the guy play those..I would love to see him in the hall, but I don't think it will happen..More a feeling than based on any real data..BTW, if never, ever giving less than 110 % is a factor, he's a shoe in...And I know most of what I posted has already been mentioned, it just all factored into my "argument"...On another front, I feel awful for him that the playoff team he thought he was going to for the last 2-3 years of his career, pretty much took a dump on him...

 

[Memphis Ram]

If Earl Campbell can get in, so can Jackson. The only thing that could keep him out is that same historically bad team he played on. He has two post-season games on his resume and no rushing titles. Achievements matter a little bit.

Yet he had 74 rushing TDs in 2,187 attempts. To date, Jackson has 67 rushing TDs in 2,712 attempts.

I guess it's a eye test thing for me, too. When I watched Earl Campbell I was amazed. Wow moment after wow moment. And on many plays he made his own hole in a way. But, that hasn't been the case with Jackson.

 

[rhinobean]

Dan Dierdorf would like a word with you.
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Would that be about OJ Anderson's being voted into the hall?

 

[Ramathon]

Not saying it is wrong or right as a measuring stick. I do tend to think that the whole "a guys should have a ring" thing is way overboard. I do tend to think that in many cases the post season (not necessarily the SB) provide those big moments on the big stage. I think it is unlikely that the writers sit down and watch every game during the regular season, but I do believe they watch all the post season (same with most fans). Thus the player gets that stage to show themselves. I do not think it is his fault, a player is limited by their team unfortunately.

Once again not saying it should be that way just that if you go to another town and talk to the fans and ask them about SJ your going to have people that know his rep of being a good back, but they have no "memories" of him. I worry it will be the same for the writers/voters.

Well said.

 

[Robocop]

he can still run up 2 or 3 more spots on both those first 2 lists. and who says he retires after next year. he WILL get in.