DON LANDRY – Argonauts.ca Columnist
TORONTO – It is certainly undeniable that the biggest questions heading into Saturday’s game between the Argonauts and Blue Bombers revolve around the performance of Toronto back up quarterback Jarious Jackson.
There’s really no questioning Jackson’s CFL pedigree. It’s good. Especially in the category of “team guy.” A consummate pro with never, it seems, a complaint, Jackson is a popular Argo, as he was a B.C. Lion.
Before he was relegated to one yard plunge artist and placement holder with the Lions, Jackson showed he was a capable pivot, using his strong arm and quick feet to advantage and at least a solid, if unspectacular showing. His career totals of 1,098 yards rushing and 7,230 yards passing over seven-plus seasons are the numbers of a man caught behind the likes of Buck Pierce and Travis Lulay. Then Ricky Ray.
The questions centre on a veteran quarterback fitting into a system that was not primarily built for him but, rather, Ray and his particular set of skills. Skills that are obvious and impressive. Skills, however, that do not include as powerful an arm and as fast a pair of feet as Jackson’s.
“We go about things a little different here,” said Jackson, of the offensive scheming in Argoland.
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It’s a system that Ray had some struggles with earlier in the season, but seemed to be grasping more tightly in recent weeks as he learned a new way of reading defences. Happily, for Jackson, his own hard work at learning the nuances, as he went through second team reps and watched from the sidelines all summer, has him feeling comfortable with the challenges of piloting the offence.
For the Argos attack to be successful with him at the helm, Jackson will likely need to improve on a career completion percentage of 54.1% and a quarterback rating of 81.0. This offensive scheme calls for good, quick decisions and accurate passing in order to be successful. You know, like pretty much every scheme.
“It’s all about learning coach’s system and installing and where our eyes should be,” continued Jackson. “It’s a little different, but everybody’s had to adjust. Makes no difference to me.”
More than that, claims Jackson, it’s a set-up that he fully endorses as a pivot.
“Love it,” he said.
Head coach Scott Milanovich seems sold.
“I think Jarious is really locked in,” he began. He’s throwing the ball well.”
“And far,” he added, with a laugh.
According to Milanovich, the Argos offence will see only minor adjustments in either philosophy or construction.
“They’re really not any different than plays – most of them – Ricky’s had,” Milanovich said of the passing playbook. “It’s just that when Jarious throws it, he throws it farther. It’s the same type of thing. It’s all going to be relative to what kind of coverages we get from Winnipeg.
If we get some shots to go deep we will. If not, then Jarious is going to have to be efficient and throw it underneath.”
That will be well and good if Jackson gets time to chuck the thing on Saturday. A fairly sizeable “if,” considering Toronto’s well known struggles with pass protection this season, and Winnipeg’s bald-faced excursions into opposing teams’ backfields. The Bombers get after quarterbacks, tied with the B.C. Lions atop the league leaderboard with 29 sacks.
If that strong arm of Jackson’s doesn’t get time to get locked and loaded on Saturday, those feet may have to do some dancing. Can they still? As mentioned, Jackson’s rushing resume from the last few seasons consists primarily of leaning forward and securing the first down in short yardage situations. Will Jackson, at the age of 35, still be able to extend plays on the scramble?
“I feel like I bring everything to the table that I brought before,” he said. I feel like I can still scramble if need be, and try to get to the edge, you know and make a play throwing on the move. I’m working on all those things now and trying to fine tune and get ready for this weekend.”
Should the Bombers pass rush play to form, Jarious Jackson will be flushed quite often. He knows it and accepts it.
“You can drop back and stand on one spot if you want to, but you’re going to get killed if you do,” he said, noting that he feels good passing on the fly or from the pocket.
“Doesn’t matter to me,” he insisted. “I’m not picky.”
When you ask Jackson about his prep for this, or any game for that matter, the answer he gives leads you to believe he’s ready for spending time on the lam.
“I just practice throwing on the move, moving my feet, stepping up stepping sideways and what not. You know, throwing from different angles and different trajectories.”
That’s mechanical. As far as the game plan goes, Jackson believes what Milanovich believes. Which is that a redesign is not necessary. Just a little tinkering.
“I’m a little different than Ricky is,” said Jackson. “Everybody knows that. So, we have to cater the game to my strengths and my weaknesses, so to speak. It’s about everyone getting on the same page.”
It’s also about getting your first start in over two years.
The Argos brought in Jarious Jackson as insurance just in case Ray got injured. Saturday night they get to see if the policy pays off.
Ricky Ray’s delivery of a football is all about touch, providing a nice soft landing in a receiver’s hands. Jackson’s delivery does not mimic that, and Argo receivers need to get used to a little more zip.
For receiver Dontrelle Inman, this week is crucial in getting used to the Jackson fast ball.
“When you see the ball come out of Ricky’s hands you know it’s a different velocity, versus Jarious. With (Jackson) you know it’s gonna get on you fast. So you have to get your head around sooner. Jarious has a strong arm. He has a heavy ball,” he said.