By Jonathan Anderson
Stampeders.com
As the 2012 season nears completion, Stampeders linebacker Malik Jackson has one goal in mind.
“I’ve been here four years and haven’t seen a Grey Cup yet,” says the former Louisville standout.
It’s been a long time coming for Jackson, who spent much of last season sidelined due to concussion issues and was limited to just 12 games.
This season, Jackson has returned to form and flourished as a starting member of the Stamps linebacker unit. He has already recorded 57 tackles along with three sacks, one interception and three fumble recoveries.
Head coach and general manager John Hufnagel is more than pleased with Jackson’s rebound.
“It took a while,” said Hufnagel, “and he’ll be the first one to admit that even towards the end of last year, he still wasn’t right. But it improved during training camp this year and it’s gotten better, so he’s very comfortable in the physicality of the game. He is a physical player.”
Jackson has racked up some impressive stats in 2012 — including a sack-forced fumble-fumble recovery touchdown in Friday’s win over BC — but that’s not something that preoccupies him.
“As far as the stats stuff goes, I’m not really worried about that,” he said. “I’m just trying to win these last couple games. I’m just happy to be contributing.”
While middle linebacker Juwan Simpson is one of the most garrulous players on the team, Jackson is definitely more the silent type. The one attribute both men share is production.
“I just want to play at a certain level; play at a certain speed,” said Jackson, who says it’s easier to do just that when you’re familiar and comfortable with the colleagues beside you. “It’s a big attribute — anytime you’re around somebody for that long, you bond.
“It’s good to see familiar faces out there but it’s also good to see the new guys, too (including rookie Chris Randle, the third member of the starting linebacking corps) with what they bring to the table. Everybody’s gelled.”
The journey towards the end-goal of a Grey Cup championship with his teammates gets under way Nov. 11 when the Stamps host the West Division semifinal.