Karney set to pave way for Jackson

ST. LOUIS -- Most kids don't embrace such an unglamorous position as fullback, but the St. Louis Rams' Mike Karney has been serving as a lead blocker since he was 7 years old.

"I was a husky 7-year-old," Karney said. "I wasn't supposed to be playing with the 8- and 9-year-olds, but I was the only 7-year-old on the team. I learned the hard way. I learned what the non-glorified positions are all about at a young age."

Karney actually started out as a left guard before quickly moving to fullback.

"I was never fast enough to play running back, so they just threw me in the middle there to play fullback," Karney said. "I learned at a young age what it takes to play the position."

The Rams signed Karney to a three-year, $3.6 million contract this winter to serve as the lead blocker for running back Steven Jackson.

Karney, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury, will be seeing his first game action with Jackson during the team's preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at 7 p.m. Friday at the Edward Jones Dome.

"I can't wait," Jackson said of developing a bond with Karney said. "I think this is going be our first time that we are going to be in there together and we can get a feel for one another,"

Karney said it was important for Jackson and him to get their timing down.

"When you're running the ball -- and that's the first and foremost thing that we are trying to establish here with our offense -- it's important that you are running with two backs," Karney said. "You can't have the fullback going one way and the running back going the other way, unless the play is designed that way.

"When I'm leaning through the hole, I want him to know what I'm seeing, and I want to know what he is seeing."

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said he also was looking forward to seeing Karney under game conditions.

"I am hoping he brings what we call a little bit of juice to the offense," Spagnuolo said. "He has always done that everywhere he has gone. He is an energetic, enthusiastic player who has been in the league a long time, and we're hoping he can get some shots in there, make some blocks and help us out."

Karney referred to the Rams' offensive philosophy as ground and pound.

"The West Coast offense is a very effective offense," Karney said. "You're going to ground and pound, and it's really going to help that play-action pass, which is very crucial for the offense."

As the pound in that equation, Karney said he takes pride in doing the grunt work.

"I have said this since I started playing this position, it's awesome to hear the crowd roar when you make a block and see the back run, or pick up a blitz and see the quarterback throw a big pass for a big gain," Karney said. "That's the joy I get from playing the position. I could care less about scoring or catching the ball. It's nice, but that's not what the position is all about. It's about doing the dirty work."

Spagnuolo said Karney has the right attitude for playing fullback.

"Probably a little nuts," Spagnuolo said. "He's got the right one, however you describe that. He is a professional about it, he knows his role. I remember talking to him way back when he came here that he loves playing that position. He knows what it entails.

"Every once in a while, (offensive coordinator) Pat (Shurmur) hands him the football, so he is appreciative of that."

Karney has rushed 39 times for 79 yards and five touchdowns in his career. He also has caught 53 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns.

But, most times, Karney doesn't even get to see the outcome of his handiwork. He said he can hear from the fans' reaction whether his block resulted in a big gain.

"The last five years with Deuce McAllister down in New Orleans, I'd always ask him, 'What happened?"' Karney said "I know you broke for a long run, and obviously things worked out well.' I'm looking forward to doing that with Steven Jackson."

Karney cleared the way for McAllister to rush for more than 1,000 yards in 2004 and 2006. His role was phased out of the Saints' offense last season as they went to more of a spread offense.

"That was definitely the thing going on last year," Karney said. "But, it's all about moving forward and taking advantage of the opportunity here with the St. Louis Rams."