CFL Preseason B.C. vs Edmonton Open Thread

Things I learned in the last game which might be useful for American Football Fans to follow.

The Commotion of Players in Motion:

The folks at a Blue Bombers site were goodly enough to tell me that outside of the five linemen and the Quarterback everyone else on the offense can be in motion at the time of the snap. The two split end receivers have to be within a yard of the line and can move left or right along the line. The other backs can move in any direction they please.

Imported or Non-Imported:

Canadians have to classes of players. There are "Imported Players" and "Non-Imported Players". The most important thing to remember is that you need to have 7 non-import players in the game at all times.  This is between offense and defense.  If a non-import is taken out of the game, the numbers still have to be re-balance, so the net on any replacements is still at least 7 non-imports.

An Non IMport is someone that has lived in Canada 5 years before turning 18, a Canadian Citizen by birth, or someone who played their college ball in Canada. There are some other ways to be a non-import but the rumor is that the new CBA just signed changed the rules on who is / is-not an import and those ruled are yet to be published.

One of the BC imports is our own Ernest Jackson.

During UB's championship season Jackson was awarded the conferences special teams player of the week on Multiple Occasions. His best game of the year was arguably against the then #5 ranked Missouri Tigers.  Jackson returned a kick 97 yards for a touchdown against and he had had four catches for 55 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the afternoon. He accounted for all 21 of UB's points on the afternoon.

After a couple of years away from Professional football Jackson strapped on the cleats in 2011. His return to football started with the Erie Explosion who were at that time a member of the new Defunct Southern Indoor Football League. The next season Jackson transitioned to the Indoor league's Chicago Slaughter and after one year of arena ball Jackson was signed by the Canadian Football league.

After signing with BC Jackson worked his way from the practice squad onto the field. Then at Toronto in August 6th, in his first CFL game he lead the lions with 87 receiving yards on four catches in his very first game. The rest of the way, Ernest saw action in nine more games and ended up with 347 yards on 27 receptions including four games with four or more catches. He also picked up valuable rushing yards as well averaging 10.8 yards on eight carries including a 15-yard TD run on Aug. 19 vs Saskatchewan..

Tonight Jackson is listed as a starter for the Lions and will be wearing #9.