Hopefully, the dude will be worth every penny.

You read it, Steven Jackson just signed a new contract with the St. Louis Rams as they prepare to get a winning year for a change in the 2008-09 NFL football season.

In case you didn’t know, Steven Jackson was holding out on his team, asking for a contract extension which expires in the coming season. The explosive running back wasn’t attending his team’s practices because of it while his team continued to fine him for it.

Now that the St. Louis Rams finally found a way to keep their franchise back, the focus shifts back to the only thing that matters in the NFL, winning. And after last season’s horrendous campaign, the Rams are hoping that Jackson stays the hell out of early season injuries this time. Because hey, they’re paying him good money to play on the field and not sit on his couch nursing an injury right?

For what it’s worth, his head coach is more than happy to see his prized running back, back on the field practicing. The Rams are still a long way from being a legitimate title contender but since their division in the NFC West is still one of the worst divisions in NFL football, having Jackson back will sure make things easier for these guys.

‘’It was great to see him,'’ St. Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan said. ‘’There’s no upside to being adversarial in these kind of deals. You’ve just got to stay positive and you’ve got to focus on who’s here and have trust and faith in the people that are working on getting everything done.'’

Jackson agreed to a two-tiered deal with the St. Louis Rams. It’s either a three-year extension worth $29.3 million with $21 million guaranteed or a five-year, $49.3 million contract that includes big escalators in the fourth and fifth year.

Basically, it will keep Jackson in St. Louis until 2013. The final two years can be voided based on Jackson’s performance. He can also trigger the escalators to take the five-year deal to $49.3 million, depending on how good he becomes in the next few years.

It doesn’t get any sweeter than that for a guy who spent most of last season injured.

Who will win Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

New York Giants 17.00

New England Patriots 4.50

Dallas Cowboys 7.00

Indianapolis Colts 8.50

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St. Louis Rams Steven Jackson