Lost in the latest 200-yard performance from Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was the fact that Rams running back Steven Jackson crossed the 10,000-yard threshold for his career. He’s the 27th NFL player to cross into five-figure territory.
This week, Jackson could join even more elite company.
With 91 yards, Jackson will become the sixth player to rush for 1,000 yards in eight straight seasons, joining Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas, Curtis Martin, Emmitt Smith, and LaDainian Tomlinson.
“I didn’t think about eight years, but I thought year-in and year-out, as long as I was a starter, I wanted to be a 1,000-yard rusher,” Jackson told reporters on Thursday. “I didn’t realize that so few have accomplished what I have the possibility of accomplishing. It just means that I’ve been consistent over that time and been durable, which is hard to do in this league.”
While Jackson may never threaten the single-game rushing record (held by Adrian Peterson) or the single-season rushing record (which soon may be held by Adrian Peterson) or the all-time career rushing record (which eventually could be held by Adrian Peterson), Jackson’s accomplishment won’t be matched by Peterson, who had only 970 yards in 2011 after four straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career.
Then again, we wouldn’t rule out Peterson parlaying his 1,000-plus-yard season in 2012 into a new streak that eventually covers eight years.
But this post isn’t about Peterson. It’s about Jackson, who has been the MVP of an underperforming Rams team for years. And he has never once complained or whined or asked to be traded.
If Jackson can climb to the all-time top 10, his career should eventually be rewarded with a bust in Canton.
Hopefully, he’ll pick up a Super Bowl ring along the way.