Jackson takes crash courses to ready for Sunday's opener

ST. LOUIS -- Steven Jackson says he's ready to go, despite a long holdout, as the St. Louis Rams open the season Sunday in Philadelphia.

Jackson held out for 27 days while seeking a new contract and missed training camp in Wisconsin. He came back and signed a six-year, $44-million contract.

To make up for the missed time, Rams coach Scott Linehan put Jackson in what he termed a "semi-boot camp" to get him ready for the regular season and Sunday's game against the Eagles. The sessions were intense.

"I had long, 12-hour days," said Jackson, who spoke at Rams Park on Thursday for the first time since his news conference when he signed his contract. "I practiced with the team, and before and after every practice, I did some extra conditioning. I went through extra plays with coaches."

Jackson said the extra duty included a center and a quarterback. A huddle was simulated so Jackson could hear the play that was called by a coach. Then Jackson would run the play.

Besides getting in shape by running sprints down the field, Jackson had to learn the new offense installed by offensive coordinator Al Saunders.

"It was a very condensed training camp," Jackson laughed. "I feel like I'm there. I'm not messing up on my assignments."

Jackson did not play in either of the two preseason games after he signed his contract. However, he said that is not necessarily a bad thing.

"My legs feel fresh under me," Jackson said.

So, what does Jackson expect to do against the Eagles?

"I'm ready," he said. He said he feels he's in shape to carry a full load of play, but wasn't sure how much playing time he would have. "I know Brian Leonard and Antonio Pittman, those guys run really hard in preseason to put themselves into position to play.

"Whatever coach asks me to do, I'm willing. If I've got to split the carries between three guys, that's fine."

A first-round pick in 2004, Jackson has put together three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since replacing Marshall Faulk. Last year, he reached that mark despite missing four games with various injuries.

The Rams finished 3-13 last year and the offense averaged just 16 points a game.

"Don't expect us to be 3-13," defensive end Leonard Little said. "I'll tell you that. We're not going to be 3-13 and have a horrible season."

Having a healthy Jackson will go a long way in erasing the memories of last year, Little said.

"He's our workhorse," Little said. "He does everything we need him to do. He runs the ball and catches the ball. He makes people miss him. He's hard to bring down."

To help make Jackson go, the offensive line needs to stay healthy. It was devastated by injuries last year. Everyone is healthy this season, including seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace.

"It's really encouraging," Jackson said. "I'm hoping we can keep that intact. That's how your ground game gets started."

Right guard Richie Incognito agreed.

"We expect Steven to be Steven. Steven's a big powerful back and we expect him to get his yards," Incognito said. "We expect to play well in front of him."

Meanwhile, Jackson said he is glad to be back and playing.

"I don't play for money. I play for the passion of it," Jackson said. "I think that reflects in my play and how I motivate my teammates."

In past seasons, Jackson predicted his yardage goals. That is not the case this year. "I want to be able to play in all 16 games healthy," Jackson said.