Mario Annicchiarico
Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON -- Tristan Jackson welcomes a challenge and the Edmonton Eskimos return man fully expects one when training camp opens up in just over three weeks.

The resistance arrives in the form of Skyler Green, a late addition to the Green and Gold in 2009 who proved in his brief stay that he's quite capable of handling kicks.

"Skyler is coming back and there is going to be a lot of competition," said Jackson, who is entering his third Canadian Football League campaign here.

"Skyler is a great returner and I think we're just going to make each other better. Hopefully, we can both get back there on special teams and make us even more dangerous.

"It will push me even more. To know you have a great guy right beside you, it brings the best out of you."

Green filled in for Jackson, who struggled through a posterior cruciate ligament sprain in his right knee, and turned in a stunning performance in the Western semifinal loss to Calgary, totalling 253 yards on four punts and five kickoffs, including a 93-yard kickoff return for his first CFL touchdown.

Green was recognized as the league's special-teams player of the week for the performance, a feat Jackson himself accomplished in a 38-33 win on July 25 over Saskatchewan.

There is no doubt Green will push Jackson along and the 24-year-old native of Mississippi not only looks forward to the challenge, he has even more reason to keep a stranglehold on his job.

"I have a baby girl on the way. She'll be here the end of this month," said Jackson, whose partner Patricia is due May 29.

"No sleep for Tristan Jackson. I'm really excited. I'll welcome the baby girl and then get to camp with the rest of the boys.

"I really have to do well now this year. We're a family now, so I have to work even harder, because we all have to eat now," Jackson added after a recent workout.

Jackson missed Weeks 11 and 12 of the regular season and the post-season loss in Calgary due to the knee injury but insists it's sound now.

"My knee is strong and I still have almost four weeks," said Jackson, who did not require surgery. "I'm good to go. I've worked hard this off-season, did a lot of rehabbing on my knee."

Jackson, who totalled 1,928 yards in 15 games last season, signed a one-year contract extension last year.

In the off-season Jackson was busy training horses in Mississippi and purchased some standardbreds.

"We're starting to pace some," he said.

"I have to watch my money, though. I have a family to feed now."

courtesy of www.edmontonjournal.com