B.C. Lions quarterback Jarious Jackson works during first quarter CFL action against the Toronto Argonauts in Toronto, on Friday, August 14, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren CalabreseThe Canadian Press
The Toronto Argonauts have added an experienced backup quarterback for starter Ricky Ray.
The team has announced its signing of CFL veteran Jarious Jackson through the 2013 season. He spent the past seven seasons with the B.C. Lions, where he played backup to CFL Most Outstanding Player Travis Lulay in 2011 and was part of two Grey Cup-winning squads. The Lions released Jackson earlier in February.
"He is a great team leader and has taken meaningful snaps in big games," said Argonauts general manager Jim Barker. "He augments the other quarterbacks we have under contract. Jarious will be a good sounding board for Ricky Ray and will help mentor the other quarterbacks on our roster."
The 34-year-old joins the other two backup quarterbacks currently on Toronto's roster: B.J Hall, who finished the 2011 season as the third Argo quarterback, and Adam Trafalis, the former Hamilton Tiger-Cat signed just by Toronto last week.
Jackson has passed for more than 7,000 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 yards during his CFL career, and has played in eight playoff games. He was thrust into the starting role in 2007 when Dave Dickenson and Buck Pierce were both injured.
The quarterback was known for his college football career at Notre Dame, where he broke all the records originally set by Joe Theismann. He was drafted by the NFL's Denver Broncos and also played for the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europa.
"I'm very excited to be an Argonaut. It feels like it's been a long time coming since the Argos held my original CFL [negotiation]rights and I've talked to the Argos many times over the years," said Jackson. "I believe that I was always meant to be an Argo and I'm finally here."
Rachel Brady