B-Jack ready to give offense a charge, Cox breakdown (BCB new content)

Bernard Jackson is ready.

Like his teammate at the position of quarterback, Jackson has waited a long time for his opportunity. For James Cox, it was patience to become the starter. For Jackson, it was standing still when that's what is most difficult for him, anywhere, to just get on the field.

The CU coaching staff may not visualize Jackson as refined enough to pilot the Buffs as a starter but they aren't going to dock his talent either. They are smart enough to realize Jackson might be able to make big plays with his feet, and occassionally with his arm.

It's never been a secret that the Corona, Calif. product has skills. It's been a matter of whether he could round out his game and become a quarterback, a passer and not just a tailback playing under center.

Offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich, who knows something about offense having coached at Boise State and Arizona State, two high-powered, touchdown-producing schools, knows enough to know he has to find out what he has in Jackson.

"Just like any other player we're trying to find what a guy's strengths are and get the most out of him," Helfrich said in a Daily Camera article penned by Zak Brown. "We are going to experiment with different things and try to play to his strengths."

It says here that the decision to use Jackson, whether it be for a couple of snaps a game is a wise, low-risk investment that could pay big dividends. An occassional option play, quarterback draw, handing the ball off to him as a running back or splitting him out wide would create film study anxiety for opponents, and force defenses to think, to doubt, maybe just for a moment, putting them on their heels.

Of course, all that is dependent on Jackson making plays and not making mistakes.

He waited a long time for a glimpse of hope, to show what he can do and what he's all about. Count on him getting some snaps Saturday. His advantages? Athleticism, desire, and creative offensive minds working to maximize his ability. Look for BJax to make at least one big play against the Bobcats.

TheTruth


Cox support system

The Camera's Kyle Ringo wrote a piece on starting quarterback James Cox that shows what a supportive family is all about. Fine work. Cox didn't quit when it would have been easy to do so. His father, his inspiration. His mother, his confident supporter. What kid wouldn't want all that at home. If Cox has a successful season, you'll know why. Not saying a child from a single-parent home can't make it. They do, if that one parent is committed. Cox, though, had the advantage of the right set up for him, and his determination, commitment, and ability to shake off disappoints and embarrassments shows what kind of character he has, and if the offense is structured around all the talents in it, and Cox plays within his abilities, he could be just enough at the position to lead the Buffs to a winning, successful season.

TheTruth