St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson may have had a down year in 2010, but his replacements weren't any better. The duo of Kenneth Darby and Keith Toston gained 161 rushing yards on 53 carries. You don't need me to tell you that's pretty poor. So the Rams hope that they can liven up their running game with the acquisition of Jerious Norwood. The Rams signed Norwood to a one-year deal on Tuesday. Norwood brings much-needed speed to St. Louis as he averaged more than five yards per carry in each of his first three seasons (2006-08). But after missing six games in 2009 due to injury, Norwood tore his ACL early in the 2010 season. No one knows for sure just how much that knee injury affected his speed and quickness.

Fantasy Analysis:

Norwood can be an electrifying, change-of-pace back. But he's not cut out to be a true backup. If Jackson has to miss some games -- something that seems likely considering the work he has logged in recent years -- Norwood can't really step in and give you 15-20 touches per game. He's a very good receiving RB and can break off big gains in the blink of an eye. But he's more of specialty player. I think the Rams will add another running back, one more capable of filling in for a game or more, soon. That is, unless they want to re-sign Darby.