Winning isn't complicated, people complicate it

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I’ve talked all week about the great game Rams running back Steven Jackson had last week in the win over Detroit. But I knew it was going to happen well before kickoff. Indoors on artificial grass or field turf (11 teams use Field Turf) I believe Jackson could be the most difficult back in the league to tackle when he’s running at full speed. On equal footing without the hindrance of the natural elements like rain and snow, his size, strength and speed combo are without parallel in the NFL. When he is able to jump cut and burst at will without losing his balance or momentum because of a loose field there’s no way in this world a defense should have a prayer in stopping him from going over the century mark during a game. Think of it in terms of whacking away at a block of cement with a sledge hammer. If you’ve got a firm grip on that hammer the job is easy. Actually all you have to do is get the hammer in position above your shoulder and physics does the rest. Just let that 10 pound hammer fall and watch it do what it was made to do. You may even start to whistle as you work. Maybe coach Spagnuolo should try whistling on game day as a reminder of the special freak of nature he has at running back!  Sure for a while the concrete block will hold its form and stand firm because that’s its purpose but eventually that sledge hammer will find the sweet spot and cracks in the concrete will start to form. Inevitably after repeated and rhythmic hacks that concrete block will be reduced to rubble. Same goes for an average NFL defense. Repeated downhill rushing attempts indoors on turf by Steven Jackson without the interruption of an offensive error will ultimately rob a defense of their will before the 4^th quarter. Consider these numbers…

Steven Jackson indoors this season

Vs Green Bay Packers 9/27

27 attempts 117 yards 4.3 ypr (3 Ram turnovers)

Vs Minnesota Vikings on 10/4

21 attempts 84 yards 4.0 ypr (4 Ram turnovers)

Vs Indianapolis Colts on 10/25

23 attempts 134 yards 5.8 ypr (2 Ram turnovers)

Vs @ Detroit Lions on 11/1

22 attempts 149 yards 6.8 ypr TD (1 Ram turnover)

      I think the only way to shut him down in a controlled environment is hope that the Rams screw it up so bad that they have to abandon the running game. If the Rams get into a field position battle with any football team on a day when Donnie Jones is punting like Donnie Jones and the Rams defense is making stops on third down I believe the Rams would be in elite company. I’ve exhausted all of my clichés and other ways to recount how great SJ 39 was that day and what a lift he provided for his football team in Detroit. He carried them through that game and into the win column for the first time this year. Now it’s time for someone else to step forward and contribute to the cause célèbre by raising their game to a new level and realizing the only way to victory is to feed the beast and get out of the way.

The Rams have a shot at redemption with three straight games at home on a surface where Jackson is at his best. The way out of this mess could not be any clearer.