When we last saw Steven Jackson run, he showed what he can do so well when healthy.


There’s no question for the Rams to improve and be competitive this season, Jackson will have to avoid injury and run like he did in 2006 when he led the NFL with 2,334 combined yards from scrimmage. He also played all 16 games that season, something that hasn’t happened the last two years.


The new Rams’ offense will revolve around Jackson, but that’s no different than the stated goal of previous coach Scott Linehan. The difference was there was no commitment to make the offensive line bigger, much less have a capable NFL fullback.


Now, there is. The Rams not only signed center Jason Brown and drafted tackle Jason Smith, but they also added fullback Mike Karney and blocking tight end Billy Bajema. Hopefully, he will be an upgrade over Anthony Becht, who was supposed to fill that role last season.


Asked whether Karney is happy to be here, Jackson said, “He is. He feels that he’s wanted not only by the guys in the locker room, but in the front office. I think we’re going to use him in the right way to really help out our play-action, the running game, downhill, coming at you and that’s going to open things up for our receivers. So everything that we want to do, he’s going to be a key part of it.”


Last offseason, Jackson had his contract situation hanging over his head, and then missed virtually all of training camp until finally signing just more than a week before the season opener.


This year, he is totally focusing on getting ready to play.


“It feels really good,” he said. “Coming into the season, a week or two out, before week one, it kind of wears on you. Then not being able to have a fresh start, be able to learn the plays, getting to know guys that has been the norm, but hopefully that comes to an end as well. Just being around here as much as I have been this whole offseason has really helped me out.”


Being a leader is also a role Jackson embraces.


“Well with Torry (Holt) and Orlando (Pace) gone, I’m kind of one the veteran guys now,” he said. “I’m the guy that young guys come to lean on, come to for advice, where a couple years ago that wasn’t happening. I’m taking more of a role of being a leader in the classroom, on the field, showing the examples of how to be a professional. That’s where I to have to step up.


“I’ve seen the nasty side of veterans, I’ve seen the good sides of veterans and at the end of the day when someone is released, when someone plays for another team, I feel like I should be his friend no matter where he is in the league. That he can come to me for advice when he’s going through something.”


Asked if one of his goals is to be the best running back in the NFL, Jackson said, “Well being the best running back is really just a matter of opinion. I still think I am the best. This fullback, tackles, centers, these are the guys that are going to help me prove what I’ve been saying for years. But I have to continue to work hard. At the end of my career, at the end of the day, we’ll see where I’m at. Right now, I believe Steven Jackson is the best.”


Last year, then-interim coach Jim Haslett said the team needed to investigate if there was anything that could be done to help Jackson avoid the muscle injuries he was experiencing. Asked at minicamp if he is doing anything different, Jackson said, “Not anything. I just have to put on some body fat. I think that’s really what’s getting me. My body fat is just so low that I’m susceptible to tears and cramps. Just trying to beef up in that area.”


When asked how he planned to do that, Jackson looked at the assembled media and said, “Hang out with you guys.”