Nov 2nd 2008 11:20AM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Rams, NFL Injuries, NFL Coaching, NFL Media Watch Steven Jackson is not the type of football player to shy away from public discussion/saying things that will embarrass him later. For instance, he has previously mentioned that he would like to shatter Marshall Faulk’s season yardage record (hint: not happening).

And now, he is bypassing the whole “coach in charge” thing and letting everyone know, via his website (SJ39.com) that he plans on playing today.
I want to let you all know that the leg is feeling good enough for me to go on Sunday. This is a big game for us against Arizona, and I’m going to give everything I’ve got to get us a win.

So to be clear: I am playing. Be ready.
Yes, it does seem a touch aggressive, thanks for asking. But then again, Jim Haslett is “running” this team, so maybe Jackson has more of a say in whether he gets to play than we thought. Or maybe he’s just saying this and it means nothing — it’s entirely possible for the coaching staff to laugh him off when he tries to play and sit him on the bench.

And that’s made more likely by the fact that Haslett no longer stands to make seven figures if this team cracks six wins; if he thinks he’s coaching next year in St. Louis and there’s no tremendous financial incentive, then it makes zero sense to force your best player into a potentially dangerous situation.

I’d probably hold off on inserting Jackson into your lineup until you hear a definitive answer from the team or see his name on an official injury report. Not that he’s not trustworthy or anything, but this isn’t a “set your lineup and walk away” type situation.