Tag Archives: Donruss Rookies and Stars 2009

NFL

Jackson, Steven “S-Jax”

Cards: Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009, Prestige 2010
Acquired: TTM 2011, C/o The St. Louis Rams
Sent: 11/1   Received:  11/15   (14 days)

Steven Jackson has been a nothing short of a monster runningback since graduating from Oregon State back in 2004 and is second in yards from scrimmage since that time only to LaDanian Tomlinson. A blue chip specimen at 6-2, 240, Jackson can do it all and that is what makes him so dangerous. At the end of his time at Oregon State, Jackson was 2nd all time in career yardage (4545 yards) and scoring (279 points).

Going late in the first round of 2004 (24th), teams were scared off by a knee procedure done at the end of Steven’s senior season, but the Rams in fact traded up to grab him- needing a replacement for their all-world back Marshall Faulk. Behind Faulk his rookie season, Jackson still managed to run for 673 yards, and it has been the only year in his career that he has not rushed for over 1000 yards. A fantasy stud, Jackson has been a solid 4 down back for his team and rarely is off the field, typically only for a breather or due to injury. In 2006, he rushed for a career high 1528 yards, along with 806 yards receiving on 90 receptions and 16 total touchdowns. During the 2010 season Steven crossed the 10,000 yard barrier and at this time, it appears that there is no stopping him rushing towards the record books. Jackson has earned All Pro honors in 2006 and 2009, as well as Pro Bowl honors for 2006, 2009, and 2010.

Glaringly underrated, I drafted Jackson in the bottom of the second round of this season’s fantasy football draft. While injuries have taken a significant toll this season, he has been solid when he has been in the lineup, since the team relies so heavily on him. Typically overlooked possibly because of the Rams record, I was very happy to add S-Jax to my collection in a stunning 14 days via the Rams address on these two cards. Sadly thinking about these two cards it’s entirely possible that they were stamped, as I’ve seen many, many cards recently with almost the same signature. Clearly stamping technology has improved over the last 20 years, but I hope that my suspicions prove to be false. You can also visit his website at: http://www.sj39.com/ .

 

NFL

Slaton, Steve

Card: Donruss Rookies and Stars 2009
Acquired: Texans Blitz 2009

Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2007 draft, the Texans were looking for some help at runningback after the sudden retirement of team career rushing leader Dominack Davis, and found it in the dimunitive package of Steve Slaton. At 5′ 9″, 197,  Slaton was slotted in to share time with Chris Brown as a 3rd down back, but with Brown injured, Slaton assumed the starting runningback duties full time. Steve would have an impact rookie season for the Texans, helping the team achieve their first non-losing record at 8-8. Extremely dangerous out of screen plays, he led all rookies in rushing yardage with 1282 yards rushing and 377 yards receiving.

Everybody saw bigger and brighter things for the young Steve Slaton in 2009 but some talked about the ‘sophomore slump’. Whether or not it was true, Slaton suffered a down year dogged by injuries and 7 fumbles. Slaton would admit himself that he was suffering from incredible neck pain and then it was discovered he had fractured a vertebra. After 11 games, Slaton would go on injured reserve. Still Steve did manage to catch 44 balls, for a career high 417 yards, but his effective yards from scrimmage were halved.

In the meantime the Texans discovered Arian Foster buried on their depth chart and by the start of the 2010 season, Steve faced a much different backfield than he was leading in 2009. In fact, the Texans drafted Ben Tate, and then they grabbed Derrick Ward via free agency. With Tate injured early on Slaton would be ensured a spot on the roster. He would do what he could as the team’s starting kick returner. Steve would average 19.7 yards a return on 39 kicks and finish with almost 1000 yards from scrimmage in 2010.

Steve’s situation in Houston remains cloudy. I really like the kid, and think he can perform in an Eric Metcalf sort of way provided he’s given the 3rd down back potential to do so, but at this time he remains buried on the depth chart. Rumors as of this date continue to swirl around him being traded and as a possible landing spot, -Washington has surfaced.

I was dismayed that one of my friends beat me to the punch and drafted him in my fantasy football draft in 2009, but luck shined my way and I ended up with Chris Johnson who had a 2000+ yard season and led me to a fantasy championship.