Speculation is over in St. Louis as the late season indications of the Rams headed in another direction at running back are resolved. Mike Martz announced early this week that Jackson will be the go to guy, with Faulk being a threat as a receiving back. So where does this place Jackson amongst the other top notch running backs, and is Marshall Faulk?s days as a fantasy back over?

Consistent production is a topic that is non arguable. When Steven Jackson was on the field in 2004 he was a difference maker. His average per carry was 5.0, and you?d think the majority of his yardage came on huge plays with that type of average. For Jackson though he mixes it up well, and gives you decent yardage on practically every carry. In fact if it weren?t for Jackson being hurt at points in the season, Martz would?ve likely made the permanent switch then.

Martz isn?t a fool, and in the playoffs made it publicly known that Steven Jackson would get the bulk of the carries. Against the Eagles in the division round, Jackson showcased his ability but like countless times in the regular season the Rams got out of a true game plan. If Jackson is going to be a consistent fantasy running back, the Rams are going to need to put more attention to focusing on the running attack. Marc Bulger is a great quarterback, but his career will be cut short if he keeps throwing forty to fifty passes a game. The Rams have too many threats on offense for teams to stop, so it is hard to decide which avenue to take as a coordinator, but it?s also senseless to not throw different options at teams.

As long as Jackson can get twenty to twenty five touches a game he is automatically to be considered as a top ten back with tremendous upside. The Rams are going to score a lot of points regardless of what other defenses may think, and Jackson will be a representation of that. It wouldn?t be shocking for Jackson too come near Faulk?s old stats when he first came to the Rams. From the years 1999 to 2001 Faulk was a consistent thirteen to fourteen hundred yard guy with touchdowns in the mid to high teens range. Jackson should be able to surpass the yardage numbers, but the touchdowns are hard to judge at this point.

A guy that deserves a pat on the back after this whole situation is Marshall Faulk. Late in the regular season when Jackson started getting more carries, Faulk didn?t argue with the call. In fact when Martz made the decision in the playoffs he acknowledged that it was the right decision. Maybe Faulk wasn?t at 100 percent, but to stay grounded about the whole situation truly defines his character.

Faulk was always downed for his size, and might not even be in the NFL if he didn?t believe in his own ability. All the colleges that recruited him out of high school wanted him to play cornerback, so he went to the lone school that would offer him the running back position. When he came to the NFL in 1994, it was still at the time that being a smallish type scat back was looked at as a high risk. As the Napolean Kaufman?s have drifted off of the map, Faulk has endured a strong ten-year stretch that started with a remarkable rookie season. He proved that speed and strength can be a classification for a back of his size, as he has made plenty of tough runs. If he were to retire today, his career should already have enough highlight reel material for the Hall of Fame.

Rumors are that the Rams might even cut Faulk to save themselves cap room. If it were to happen than Faulk?s fantasy value would be in jeopardy until we see what team he lands at. For now though he is a Ram, and should be considered as a strong fourth running back and a possible third back in twelve to fourteen team leagues. He?ll likely only do his damage in the yardage category, but because of his threat out of the backfield should accumulate 1,000 yards. Throwing him in at a week when you?re struggling with bye weeks or injuries could get you a safe five to six points that could pay off in a close fantasy game.