The Last Stand of Steven Jackson

The Pats finally got another running back when they signed Steven Jackson to a minimum salary contract for the rest of the season. Jackson has been without a team this year, in spite of a stellar career.

At the age of 32, he had been tossed aside until this opportunity came by. It remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank. Why wasn't he signed previously? His connection to Josh MacDaniels certainly helped.

He was the 24th pick by the St Louis Rams in the 2004 draft. He had eight consecutive seasons where he rushed for over 1,000 years before the team cut ties with him at the end of 2012. He hung on with the Atlanta Falcons during the last two years.

Jackson ranks 17th on the all-time rushing list with 11,388 yards. He is just another example of what happens in the NFL when a player gets older. Jackson was pushed to the curbside before the Pats gave him one final chance.