CFL.ca
Paris Jackson’s locker is just a few feet away from Nick Moore’s change area in the B.C. Lions dressing room, but when it comes to CFL experience eight years and over 5,000 yards separate the two men.
At a quick glance there are more differences than similarities between the B.C. receivers. At 32 and an 11-year veteran, Jackson is in the twilight of his career. The 27-year-old Moore is starting his third season with the Lions but the first as a starter.
Jackson, a Vancouver native, is loud and vocal. Moore, who was born in Westerville, Ohio, is soft spoken and quietly goes about his business.
What the two have in common is a refusal to quit and the value they bring to the team.
“I see the similarities,” said head coach Mike Benevides. “They have gone through ups and downs like every human being does.
“Paris has been here as long as I have. He’s at a point where I appreciate how much he brings to the table. When you look at Nick, he was always bidding his time behind a Hall of Fame receiver. He’s in there now and continues to make plays.”
Moore and Jackson both contributed to the Lions’ 24-16 win over the Toronto Argonauts Friday at B.C. Place Stadium.
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“You have to believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody will. I knew I was going to bounce back from the hard times and eventually stick.” – Nick Moore |
Moore, the starting slotback, had six catches for 107 yards. Jackson, who replaced injured slotback Shawn Gore, had four catches for 30 yards but brought his physical, hardnosed presence to a game that got chippy at times.
“This game is about domination and intimidation,” a smiling Benevides said about the six-foot-three, 220-pound Jackson. “He’s got some of that in him.”
The last few years haven’t been easy for Jackson, who the Lions picked in the first round of the 2003 Canadian draft. He was hobbled by a knee injury. Prior to the 2011 season he took a pay cut, then was forced into being a backup and playing special teams.
“It was a bit tough, I’m not going to lie to you,” said the father of two, who put together 1,000-yard plus seasons in 2008 and 2009. “Every day trying to prepare yourself like you’re about to play but you don’t play much.
“Being around these guys (Lions receivers) makes it easier. We get to joke around, we work hard at practise, we watch film together.”
In his heart, Jackson believes he still can contribute to the Lions. When B.C. traded Geroy Simon, the CFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards, Jackson quickly stepped into the role of mentor.
“Now Geroy is not here I feel I have to step up and be more of a leader, not just vocally but by doing the little things Geroy used to do,” said Jackson, who came into the season with 410 catches for 5,660 yards and 31 touchdowns. “Get guys organized, have meetings, bring breakfasts.
“Things like that just so guys can feel together and feel close. We are a young receiving corps. As long as we keep on building and bonding with each other, it’s going to take us a long way to the Grey Cup.”
Wide receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux, back with the Lions after a two-year stint in the NFL, said Jackson is the type of player that always has his teammates’ back.
“He brings attitude,” said Arceneaux. “I would line up with him any day, go down any dark alley with him, because I know he’s going to come to war and go to fight.”
Quarterback Travis Lulay said having Jackson is “an absolute luxury.”
“He doesn’t complain a bit about his role,” said Lulay. “He’s one of the rah-rah guys in the locker room. Guys look to him for that kind of leadership.
“He steps into a position he hasn’t been taking a ton of reps at and caught some crucial balls.”
Moore’s CFL career almost ended before it really got started. In one of his first games in June, 2011, Moore dropped two sure touchdown passes in a 30-26 loss to the Montreal Alouettes. He spent the final seven weeks of the season and the playoffs on the practise roster.
The Lions could have given up on him. Moore could have given up on himself.
“I knew I fit here,” Moore said. “Even though some things go bad you have to keep fighting.
“You have to believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody will. I knew I was going to bounce back from the hard times and eventually stick.”
In seven games last year Moore showed flashes of his promise, making 32 catches for 399 yards and three touchdowns. With Simon gone, Moore came to camp this year ready to grab a starting role.
“I had a different role this year,” he said. “I had to come out and be an impact for our offence.”
Lulay said the six-foot-two, 195-pound Moore is finally playing to his ability.
“He has great ball skills,” said Lulay. “It’s funny. A little bit of the knock on him has been dropping the ball. Nick has excellent hands. He’s got great body control.
“I throw the ball his way with a lot of confidence.”
Football is in Moore’s bloodlines. His older brother Lance plays for the NFL New Orleans Saints and attended Friday’s game in Vancouver.
Moore is ready to take the next step in his career.
“I think it’s only going to get better,” said Benevides.
The biggest improvement for Jackson has been his maturity over the last few seasons.
“I admit I was a little bit hot headed,” he said with a smile. “I played with a lot of emotion, I played with a lot of passion. I played with a chip on my shoulder.
“Now I’ve had some adversity. I was able to sit down and kind of really observe my personality and things I needed to do to be a complete team player. That’s what has changed the last three or four years.”
