Welcome Mr. Jackson. I Am For Reeeeaaaall.

The Falcon's Thomas Dimitroff did what great general managers for great teams do. He patiently waited for a difference-maker's asking price to go down to a more reasonable number, and Dimitroff, who learned from some of the best while in New England's front office, got a talented, bruising running back (see picture below) in Steven Jackson, thus improving an already stacked offense.

Jackson voided the final year of his six-year contract with the St. Louis Rams. He was scheduled to make $7 million dollars this season and cost the Rams $11 million against the hard salary cap. Since being drafte No. 24 over all in 2004, the three-time Pro Bowler was looking to go to a team in contention for a Super Bowl, something he hasn't experienced since arriving in St. Louis. In the teams' best seasons with Jackson they went 8-8. And while they did make the playoffs, they were no where near a threat to win the whole thing. Much like the new proposed Atlanta stadium deal, it was a win-win for both parties, or depending on how you look at it all three—St. Louis, Jackson and Atlanta—are winners.

The most worrisome aspect of Jackson joining the Falcons around Atlanta was taking on his salary. Could Dimitroff not pay too much for the veteren while being certain to shore up a sometimes porous defense a year ago and saving enough space for franchise quarterback Matt Ryan? In a word, yes. Dimitroff was able to get Jackson to agree to a three-year deal with only $4 million guaranteed ($7 million less than he would have received in St. Louis.

Jackson (left) does not lack toughness.

And to all of the Jackson detractors, the free agency period is not over and, there is still the draft where Dimitroff is sure to take a few defensive ends and linemen for both sides of the line.

Speaking of that defense, Jackson will—through his offense—aid the Falcons weakest link out, too.  The Rams' all-time leading rusher—more than Eric Dickerson no less—also provides the sort of short-yardage situation specialist former Falcon Michael Turner couldn't the last two seasons.

Being able to help Atlanta's offense sustain drives with conversions on third, fourth-and-short will give the defense a chance to rest on the sideline. It also helps the defense by helping the Falcons put away games. Time and time again last season the Falcons would surrender two-possession leads in the second half because they did not have a power running back to help put games away. Give me Jackson three chances at two yards, and I'll take my chances. He trails only the Vikings Adrian Peterson in yards after contact over the past four seasons, at over 2,100.

The Falcons now boast two Oregon State alums in the backfield with the more versatile and quicker Jaquizz Rogers and Jackson, a 1,000 yard rusher for eight consecutive seasons, even though opposing defenses would put eight or nine men in the box to stop the two-time All-Pro back as a Ram.

Hall of Famers Emmit Smith (11), Curtis Martin (10) and Barry Sanders (10) are the only running backs with longer streaks. More than likely he won't get 1,000 yards this season, but he will bring a professionalism and work horse attitude that every locker room can't get enough of.

Jackson left the franchise once known as "Greatest Show on Turf," and Dimitroff acquired a beast of a man in the hopes of making the 2013 Falcons' offense something similar.
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For those of you who do not understand the title (like my mother), it's a spin-off from Outkast's—both Atlanta natives—popular single from 2009.