From Minicamps to Twitter, a Busy Offseason

If you’ve been following Steven Jackson over the past few months, you’ve learned that he’s getting himself back in phenomenal shape in anticipation of the 2009-2010 NFL season, and that he’s enjoying the offseason getting to know his fans — especially through Twitter.

No. 39 met with reporters several weeks back about to give them his thoughts on some of the Rams’ newest acquisitions. Mike Karney, the fullback acquired from the New Orleans Saints, was the center of much of the conversation.

As reported by the Belleville News-Democrat:

Jackson said he has tried to build a camaraderie with 5-foot-11, 255-pound Karney.

"We’ve been to dinner a couple of times, lunch a couple of times," Jackson said. "I’m making sure I’m really getting a chance to allow him to know me, so we’re on the same page."

Karney paid for the first meal with Jackson, but they’ve traded off picking up the check since then.

"We go back and forth," Jackson said. "We’re gentlemen about it. The first one he did take care of me, but since then we’ve been going back forth.

"I think we are going to use him in the right way to really help out our play-action, in the running game, going downhill and coming right at you, and that’s going to open up our wide receivers. Everything we want to do, he’s going to be a key part of it."

Steven also spoke about his favorite running back.

"Being the best running back is really just a matter of opinion," Jackson said. "I still think I am the best. Fullback, tackle, center — these are the guys who are going to help me prove what I’ve been saying for years.

"I have to continue to work to hard, and at the end of my career, at the end of the day, we’ll see where I’m at. Right now, I believe Steven Jackson is the best."

The Rams ranked 25th in the NFL in rushing last season, but Jackson was able to gain 1,042 despite missing four games because of an injury.

Jackson has rushed for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, and this year he’ll be trying to join Eric Dickerson as the only Rams running backs to accomplish the feat in four straight seasons.

In actuality, Steven has rushed for 1,000 yards or more in four straight seasons — should he do it again this year, he’ll actually surpass Dickerson.

BEST NFL ATHLETE ON TWITTER
While Steven continues to make a name for himself as football’s most talented running back, he’s also making a strong case that he’s the best NFL athlete on Twitter, too.

Using the handle @sj39, No. 39 has done everything from show paintings hanging in his house to photos of Central Park to his favorite shoes.

A sampling of pictures: