Falcons RB Steven Jackson believes he'll be playing a different role in Atlanta than he did in St. Louis.  "The offense starts with Matt [Ryan]," Jackson said. "I will get the bulk of my carries in the second half. In the first half, I would imagine the majority of my touches will be receiving the ball. I can focus on my becoming the back everyone saw early in my career. As things In St. Louis went downhill, I was an in-between-the-tackles runner. I wasn't working on the things in my toolbox. I took pride in my receiving. It was taken away from me, and used only in a diminished role. Now I can get back to being a big part of the passing game."  Jackson hauled in 90 balls in 2006, his 3rd NFL season.  That still stands as the 6th-highest total for a RB in league history.  Steve Jax won't hit that mark in 2013, but he has a chance to haul in more than the 42 grabs he's averaged over the past 3 seasons.  Throw in the potential for double-digit TDs, and Jackson has top-12 fantasy upside this year.

Falcons HC Mike Smith views Steven Jackson as "not just a running back, [but] a receiving back as well.”  Steve Jax has racked up 407 catches over his 9-year career.  No RB has more during that span.  “He’s a big strong running back that catches the ball extremely well," Smith added. "He creates issues for defenses. He’s just another weapon that we have in our offensive arsenal. He’s a guy who had close to 100 catches in a season, so he’s a guy that we can use in the passing game."  The Falcons didn't use Michael Turner much in the passing game in recent years because he's a subpar pass-catcher.  Jacquizz Rodgers caught 53 balls on 59 targets last year, though.  Jackson is capable of reaching those numbers in 2013.

The Falcons have signed RB Steven Jackson to a 3-year deal.  The Packers were looking like the favorite for the top RB on the free-agent market, but they weren't willing to overpay.  Atlanta was searching for a lead back and got their man.  Steve Jax turns 30 this July but hasn't shown any signs of decline.  He recorded his 8th straight 1,000-yard campaign this past year and has missed just 2 games over the past 4 seasons.  Now he's headed to a much better situation in Atlanta.  Jackson should at least see the 222 carries Michael Turner handled in 2012 -- and will be much more active in the passing game.  RB Jacquizz Rodgers, meanwhile, will stay in a change-of-pace role.

RB Steven Jackson decided to void his contract with the Rams because the team wanted to reduce his workload.  "We had a very open discussion, very heart-to-heart, about what my role would be going forward from now. And that’s where the disagreement comes in," Jackson said.  “It would be more of a running back by committee kind of agreement with the Rams.  I’m not ready to step back and just become a primary backup or reduced role guy, to be a part of a running back by committee. I still have a lot left in my tank. I still have a lot to offer a team."  Steve Jax will pursue a feature role in free agency.  And we suspect he'll get it from a team like the Falcons, Steelers or Packers.  What's more interesting, though, is that the Rams seem confident in 2nd-year RBs Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead.  We'll have to see if they end up pairing in a committee, or if one guy emerges as the lead back.  Both carry plenty of sleeper appeal heading into 2013 fantasy football drafts.

Yahoo!'s Jason Cole reports that Atlanta appears the likely destination for RB Steven Jackson "based on what was happening at the NFL scouting combine." Such a move would devastate the fantasy-breakout hopes for Jacquizz Rodgers. Jackson is a far more effective runner than Michael Turner and has long delivered in the passing game. Signing Jackson would indicate that Falcons coaches don't really belive in Rodgers as a feature back. Of course, his usage patterns last season already suggested as much. Fantasy football owners should like Jackson's value in Atlanta, though. A much better offense should finally give him more scoring chances.

Rams insider Jim Thomas reports that RB Steven Jackson will void the final year of his contract and enter the free-agent market.  It doesn't necessarily mean he's leaving St. Louis.  The Rams and Jackson's agent talked about a new deal at the Combine, although no numbers were exchanged.  Steve Jax will be the top RB on the open market, though, and he figures to draw plenty of interest.  Jackson reportedly wants to play for a Super Bowl contender.  The Packers, Falcons, and Steelers all make sense as suitors.

HC Jeff Fisher told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch "thus far things look good" in contract talks with Steven Jackson's agent. Fisher says he's made it clear to Jackson how much he wants the player back. Many of us commoners have assumed Jackson would move on after voiding his final year. We'll see what happens as free agency approaches in March.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says it’s “almost universally expected” that RB Steven Jackson will void his $7 million player option and test the free agent waters. As expected. HC Jeff Fisher points out both sides have “plenty of time” – roughly 3 weeks – to work out a deal. However, talks between Jackson’s camp and management have been nonexistent. The Rams possesses intriguing young replacements in Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson. Jackson, meanwhile, could aid RB hungry teams like Green Bay and Atlanta.

Steven Jackson says he's not sure yet whether he'll return to St. Louis, test free agency or retire. The Rams RB said he'll sit down with the team sometime in February to discuss his future. He also said the situation remains amicable. Absent a new deal, Jackson will hit unrestricted free agency in March and turn 30 in July. He has remained productive over the past couple of years but is certainly winding down. If he does become a free agent and decide not to retire, Jackson figures to find a home somewhere, just like LaDainian Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith and any other nearly done star back. Landing a 1-year deal with the Packers might be the ideal situation for his fantasy value, though we obviously have no idea yet if Green Bay would even come calling. Daryl Richardson's role with the Rams figures to grow some whether Jackson leaves or not. He doesn't look like a feature back, though. We'll see how the whole situation plays out over the next couple of months.

Rams RB Steven Jackson hinted that he's considering retirement after this season.  "If I have to write my story, I'd rather go out like Barry Sanders and leaving people to want more than to leave too late," he said with a laugh.  Older players regularly consider hanging up the cleats around this time of the year but often change their minds after an offseason of rest.  Jackson will turn 30 before the 2013 season kicks off though.  And he's racked up a physical 2,784 touches over 9 seasons.  He'll also be a free-agent this offseason.  We wouldn't be completely shocked if Jackson called it a career after this season, but we'd bet on him returning for 2013.

The Rams have decided to void the final year of RB Steven Jackson's contract.  It means he'll be an unrestricted free-agent this offseason.  NFL Network called it a "courtesy" to Steve Jax, so it sounds like the team is interested in bringing him back but wants to let him test the open market.  Regardless, it's good news for the dynasty value of RB Daryl Richardson, who has impressed the coaching staff since being drafted in the 7th round this past April.  2nd-round RB Isaiah Pead is still in the picture too.

NFL Network's Stacey Dales confirms that Rams RB Steven Jackson (groin) is active for tonight's game against the Cardinals.  He made it out of last weekend's game without a setback and should be more effective in this one.  Still, he's just a low-end RB2 against Arizona's 7th-ranked RB defense.

Rams RB Steven Jackson (groin) put in limited practices the past 2 days and is listed as questionable for Thursday night's game against the Cardinals.  Barring a setback during warmups, he'll play.  Steve Jax looked much healthier this past Sunday than he did in Week 3.  Consider him a low-end RB2 against a tough Cardinals D.

Rams RB Steven Jackson (groin) is active for today's game against the Seahawks.  He looked good enough in pregame warmups, although he still won't be operating at 100%.  Throw in a brutal matchup against a stout Seattle run defense, and Steve Jax is just a low-end RB2 today.

Rams RB Steven Jackson (groin) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game against the Seahawks.  He put in a limited practice on Friday, which is actually more than he did before playing last week.  The Rams will hold off on a final decision until Steve Jax works out prior to the game, but we're fully expecting him to play.  At less than 100% against a stout Seattle run defense, though, Jackson is a shaky RB2 in fantasy.

Rams RB Steven Jackson (groin) missed his 2nd straight practice on Thursday.  Remember that Steve Jax didn't practice at all last week before playing on Sunday.  We're still expecting him to be available for this weekend's game against the Seahawks, but he won't be at 100%.  Throw in a tough matchup against a stout Seattle run D, and Jackson is looking like a shaky RB2 in fantasy.

Rams RB Steven Jackson (groin) did not practice on Wednesday.  He made it through last Sunday's game without aggravating the injury and is just getting a day off here.  Steve Jax is expected to play this weekend but will be a shaky fantasy option against a tough Seahawks defense.