All great things must come to an end. It appears that 2012 will be Steven Jackson’s last season as a member of the St. Louis Rams.
According to Pete Brisco of CBSSports.com, the team has decided to allow its star running back to void the final year of his contract and become an unrestricted free-agent after the 2012 season.
The announcement comes as a shocker for Rams fans, who have watched Jackson become the team’s all-time leading rusher despite playing for a losing team and poor offensive lines for much of his career. SJ39 has amassed more than 9,200 yards on the ground during his career.
However, Jackson has a history of nagging injuries and at age 29, it’s not surprising to see the GM willing to let him explore his options at the season’s end. Jackson did have a performance clause built into his contract to allow him to void the final year if he averaged more than 1,200 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards according to Brisco. While he achieved the rushing milestones, he fell short in the receiving averages. Nevertheless, with the surprising play of 7th round draft pick Daryl Richardson and faith in current third-string back Isaiah Pead, team executives must feel ready to move forward with the youth movement.
Enjoy SJ39 while you can St. Louis.
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DGB busted for marijuana
In more somber Missouri sports news, Mizzou’s standout freshman receiver, Dorial Green-Beckham, was arrested alongside teammates Levi Copelin and Torey Boozer after a campus police officers discovered the trio parked on campus in a white Lincoln Navigator reeking of marijuana. The three Tigers were arrested and released on signature summons.
Coach Gary Pinkel has suspended the players from the team’s next game versus Vanderbilt and a team spokesman said any further discipline will be handled internally.
Information from CBSSports.com contributed to this report.
