Steven Jackson: "I kind of believed my own hype"

Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson has admitted that he was over-confident going into his first season with the club.

Jackson joined the Falcons last season after a nine-year spell with the St Louis Rams, where he was the club's star offensive player.

However, the Falcons struggled in the 2013 campaign while Jackson missed time with a hamstring injury.

"There were quite a few of the years in St Louis when I shouldered a large burden, and I knew going into every season what I was going into," Jackson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"When I came here last year, I kind of believed my own hype. The team was so close to going to the Super Bowl, and I thought I was going to be the missing link. Then reality slaps you. It's still a team sport."

Jackson recorded 734 yards and seven touchdowns for Mike Smith's side last season.