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May 28, 2018

Jackson puts offensive stamp on camp

Every training camp comes with massive expectations. Everybody is 0-0, the names and possibilities on a depth chart stick out like sore thumbs and a smooth practice will make any coach or player feel good about themselves.

As we approach the double-digit mark in days at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops, first-year offensive coordinator Jarious Jackson will admit it hasn’t been perfect, but he likes what he has seen from a unit looking to learn some new schemes and assignments.

Even better, the former Lions pivot and four-time Grey Cup champion (three as a player, one as a coach with Edmonton in 2015), is picking up some things of his own.

“It’s going well,” said the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish QB.

“(It’s) my first go around at this thing and I’m definitely getting my feet wet, learning how to be the manager of the offence so to speak and it’s been fun calling plays and pushing everybody to get better.”

Getting better across the board will be the mission statement for 2018. Only two teams, Hamilton and Montreal, scored fewer points on offence than the Lions last season. It’s a big reason both Jackson and receivers coach/passing game coordinator Markus Howell was brought in. Together, they helped Saskatchewan lead the entire league in passing touchdowns in 2017; mostly with the ageless Kevin Glenn behind centre.

Now Jackson’s biggest project might be getting Jonathon Jennings back on track to be a longtime starter in this league. Although Saturday night’s live scrimmage provided a stiff test from a new-look defence, unofficially Jennings completed only three passes, the OC has seen signs of improvement already.

“JJ is doing extremely well in my opinion,” explained Jackson.

“It’s going to be ups and downs with him. This is all new to him, new terminology for Travis and the rest of those guys as well. I’m trying to spoon feed him a little bit, trying to take it easy and not throw too much on their plate at once and once they have a grasp of it, add something else on. They’re ( the quarterbacks) doing extremely well right now, so I’m proud of the progression.”

One player who has really benefited from Jackson’s new scheme is Shaq Johnson. The 2016 fourth-round draft pick out of the London Jr. Beefeaters program made strides last season, finishing second to Brad Sinopoli in yards amongst Canadian receivers, and now looks to become a full-fledged game breaker in 2018.

“I think he is probably having the best camp out of everyone on offence right now, which is surprising but not,” stated the offensive coordinator.

“Coming in, I knew a few of the guys, didn’t know Shaq very well. I liked what I saw on film of him last year and think that he prepared this offseason to come in. He knew it was going to be a fresh start and a clean slate for him as well. He has come in and its taking advantage of the opportunity.”

Above everything else, Jackson commends his group for not only keeping up with the new playbook and meticulous film study but staying relatively healthy from the new back-to-back ‘power practices.’ Couple that with the typical May Kamloops heat and it should ensure Jackson’s players remain in tip-top shape once the game action begins with a pre-season trip to Calgary on Friday.

“I think it pays dividends at the end of the season,” explained Jackson about the new practice routine.

“You’re only allowed up to like ten padded practices and this is pretty much it for the year. You have to learn how to practice like a pro because you won’t be wearing pads until game time.”

And as a former player himself, Jackson knows all about that adrenaline rush that comes with facing someone in a different coloured uniform for the first time, whether it has implications in the standings or not.

“We get tired of going against our defence day in and day out,” admitted the ex-quarterback.

“I’m pretty sure they’re looking forward to facing Calgary later this week. I know I am. I look forward to game planning, doing something simple and just letting those guys go out and play.”

The returns are early and it hasn’t been perfect, but having Jackson back in orange again could prove to be one of the more significant moves to start the 2018 redemption plan.

Extra Yardage

Much has been said about the improved offensive line and the running game has been better as a result. Jeremiah Johnson has had some good camp competition from veterans Brandon Rutley and Travon Van.  Those two newcomers have also demonstrated the ability to catch balls out of the backfield on short screens. Johnson scored the lone rushing touchdown in Saturday night’s mock game.

Another receiver making good through most of the first nine days has been Tyler Davis. The second-year Lion and former German League star worked primarily as a running back last training camp before spending all but one week on the practice squad.

Those aforementioned double practices continued on Monday, with the final ones set for Tuesday and Wednesday. The club will have a walkthrough Thursday morning before Friday’s clash with the Stampeders. Following a day off on Saturday, the club will finish training camp with one practice per day until Wednesday, June 6th.

Monday morning saw the addition of another new defensive lineman: Galen Robinson has arrived in Kamloops after spending the last four seasons at Purdue where he racked up 164 total tackles and 12.5 sacks in 46 games with the Boilermakers.

Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com