In a recent interview with Yahoo!'s Michael Silver, Jackson talked about the importance of the upcoming season for the entire organization, including coach Scott Linehan.

"It's a one-year bid for everybody," Jackson said. "It could be Scott's last year, and my last year, and even the franchise is in jeopardy -- the team could get sold and leave St. Louis. There's a lot riding on this year, and we all know that. Just as much as the Rams need me, I need them."

Then, most recently, Jackson talked again about the situation while in Oregon helping out at Browns quarterback Derek Anderson's youth camp.

Asked about the prospect of entering the final year of his contract, Jackson told the Portland Tribune, "A contract year is big for anyone, but especially for the last year of a rookie deal. I'm looking to have a great year and lengthen my career with St. Louis. Hopefully, I'll retire as a Ram.

"But it all comes down to performance, and then negotiations. I think it will happen. The Rams have been good to me. I don't see any reason why I wouldn't be there (next year)."

Jackson said the team is confident entering this season, despite the bad memories of last year's 3-13 debacle.

"Football is a game where you're going to get bumps and bruises. It just so happened the whole team decided to take our injuries at once. Our first year under coach Linehan we were 8-8 and just missed the playoffs. To go 3-13 last year was rough. When you start out 0-8 like we did, it gets the morale of the team down. It's hard to get out of the hole. We want to get a fast start to this season and hopefully win the NFC West. Seattle has been dominating the division. We plan to go out and contend for that spot this season."

There was much made of a decision about two months ago when agent Gary Uberstine dropped Jackson as a client. Since then, Jackson hired Eugene Parker to represent him.

Jackson told Silver, "It was a power move. It was his way of saying that I need him more than he needs me."

There has been speculation that Uberstine made the move because he believes it will be difficult to get Jackson the contract he expects from the Rams. Uberstine has said little, but did tell Silver, "I wish him and his sister Rhonda (an informal business adviser) the very best, and I really don't want to go into the factors that went into my decision. I have no doubt that he will soon be the highest-paid running back in football."

The question is whether it will happen with the Rams and, if it does, how soon.

CAMP CALENDAR: Players report to Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., July 24 with the first practices the following day. After practice in Wisconsin on Aug. 5, the Rams will travel to Nashville to practice with the Tennessee Titans the next two days prior to the first preseason game Aug. 9. The team returns to Mequon after the game, and camp will break on Aug. 14.

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