Jackson poses challenge for Buono

It's time for Jarious Jackson to shine at BC Place.
Jackson will start at quarterback when the B.C. Lions host the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, only because Buck Pierce remaines sidelined with post-concussion syndrome. If Lions general manager and coach Wally Buono had a viable alternative, Jackson would probably sit, too, after struggling at times in a humiliating 37-10 home loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Aug. 21.
However, rookie Travis Lulay, who will serve as Jackson's backup, and sophomore Zac Champion, who will dress as the third pivot, are not yet ready for starting duty. So Jackson, a fifth-year Lion from Tupelo, Miss., by way of Notre Dame, the Denver Broncos and NFL Europe, gets a chance to make up for an untimely interception and miscues against the Bombers.
However, Jackson has rarely appeared at home under the dome this season while the Lions (3-5) have struggled to demonstrate their previous dominance. Two of the Leos' victories came on the road, in Edmonton and Toronto, and Jackson excelled in both.
In each case, his performance was the difference between victory and defeat. However, he has done little at BC Place, while often getting stopped on third-and-one plunges.
Despite his strong arm and legs, he has not made timely plays at home while completing 57 of 95 pass attempts and throwing nine interceptions, compared to eight touchdowns, on the season. He and the rest of the Lions face their most difficult test yet in the Alouettes. The 2008 Eastern Division champions, led by future hall of famer Anthony Calvillo, have lost only once in eight outings.
If Jackson again struggles, Buono, a devout Christian, will face a different kind of temptation as the Lions move into the more gruelling portion of their schedule with more games against Western Division rivals. With Pierce's status murky, Buono might bring in another veteran quarterback at a time when his club's chemistry and psyche are vulnerable. He is unlikely to bring back Casey Printers, given the disruption he caused in the past, but more talented quarterbacks will soon become available as NFL teams make their final cuts.
Buono's talent for finding and developing quarterbacks is legendary, but he prefers home-grown prospects groomed over a few seasons. Jackson and Pierce, who served as understudies for Dave Dickenson and Printers, are proof of that philosophy, as is the retired Dickenson, who trained under Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia in Calgary.
Throughout his career, Buono has rarely brought in a new QB in mid-season. Some exceptions are Mike McCoy, who quickly moved into coaching after a short stint in Calgary many years ago, and Gino Guidugli last season. Guidugli was brought in as injury insurance and cut after Lulay and Champion outperformed him in the pre-season.
As the struggling Lions reach the midway point of the 2009 campaign, Buono could be tempted to bring in an NFL cut. A trade is unlikely due to the dearth of talented CFL backups. Either way, the Lions boss would be reluctant to make a move.
But if Jackson continues to struggle, he might not have a choice.