Karma might make Rams’ Jackson pay

By Chris Cluff  |   Thursday, August 21, 2008  |  Comments( 7 )

St. Louis Rams
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Oh, Steven. Steven Jackson. What were you thinking? You must know by now that Lady Karma will punish you for holding out of training camp and that even though you are finally back with the St. Louis Rams, you still might be doomed to repeat last season’s injury misery.

It’s just a proven fact in the NFL that Karma will make you pay. Just ask any number of guys who have spurned her and paid the price – whether they got what they wanted or not.

Already this year, a number of receivers who made noise about their contracts are on the shelf. In Cincinnati, both Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh openly complained about their situations in the offseason, with Johnson demanding a trade and Houshmandzadeh requesting a new deal, and both are now injured. In Seattle, Bobby Engram complained about his pact during the offseason and now will miss the first few games of 2008 after getting hurt in the Seahawks' opening exhibition contest.

Green Bay running back Ryan Grant held out for the first two weeks of camp, got his money and now has a hamstring problem. Steven, don't be surprised if you have another year like the last, when you were hobbled by various ailments all season.

Are you the next Larry Johnson, the Kansas City running back who held out until he got a $45 million contract last summer, then paid penance by missing eight games with a broken foot?

You still have a year left on your rookie contract, Steven, and you already should have shown up to work. By sitting out, you came across as another selfish player who cares more about himself than his team. You should know you will be paid in 2009 – whether by the Rams or another team, with a long-term deal or the franchise tag. To force the issue now invites Karma’s retribution, and she has not been kind over the years.

Just ask Dorsey Levens, who held out of Green Bay’s camp for 42 days in 1998, got a five-year, $25 million deal and then promptly broke his right ankle and played in only seven games.

Or consult Joey Galloway, who held out until midseason in 1999, was traded to Dallas after the season and blew out his knee in his first game for the Cowboys.

Or Peerless Price, who in 2003 thought he should be paid as his name suggested. The Buffalo Bills traded him, and he turned into a complete flop in Atlanta.

Or ask Javon Walker, who in 2005 threatened to hold out for a new contract, decided to report on time and then tore his ACL in the season opener. He forced a trade to Denver after that season, got his big contract, but then missed eight games last year.

Of course, some guys have managed to kiss and make up with Karma.

In 1999, your predecessor in St. Louis, Marshall Faulk, sat out for 12 days until the Rams gave him a seven-year, $45 million contract. He then had a season for the ages, with over 1,000 yards each rushing and receiving as the Rams won the Super Bowl.

So maybe you’re in the right place to avoid Karma kicking you below the belt. But after missing almost the entire preseason, the odds are you will pay the price for your new contract.

Oh, Steven. What were you thinking?

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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding, ...
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