The Falcons have released Steven Jackson. He joins a crowded field of free agent running backs. He’s 31, and his production has slipped a notch in recent years.
But Jackson says he isn’t retiring.
“Make no mistake: I can still punish a defense,” Jackson wrote at his personal website.. I still have a warrior's heart. There are 1,000-yard seasons left in these legs. I know what I am still capable of, and I have every intention of proving it.”
Jackson might have problems finding a team wanting to sign him. There are a ton of running backs looking for work right now. DeMarco Murray, Justin Forsett, Ryan Mathews, Frank Gore, C.J. Spiller, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Reggie Bush, Mark Ingram, Knowshon Moreno, Chris Johnson, Ahmad Bradshaw and others.
But how’s this for one sleeper team: the New England Patriots.
The Patriots are in the market for running backs, and they’ve also tended to place a higher value on older players than any other franchise during the Bill Belichick era. They picked up Corey Dillon and Antowain Smith at the tail end of their careers, and they had Kevin Faulk rocking into his 30s. They signed Fred Taylor a few years back. With their multi-back approach, he wouldn’t be overworked.
Is Jackson better than LeGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray? Maybe.
Just a hunch, but I’m guessing the Patriots will be the team where Jackson winds up this summer. Then it will be up to him to either win a roster spot and a role (or quietly slide out of the league).
—Ian Allan