Courtesy Canada.com:

Signing Jackson a priority for Lions

Dave Dickenson’s saved salary might project images of Wally Buono flinging loose loonies out of his office in the direction of present and potential future members of the B.C. Lions, but nothing could be further from the truth.

The coach of the CFL team has begun the process of channeling a portion of the quarterback’s $400,000 salary at Jarious Jackson, though a formal offer may not be made before January.

“Maybe so, but (Buono) said he wanted to try and get something done sooner than later. Honestly, this is pretty much like my second family now,” Jackson said Wednesday.

Jackson is a priority signing but he’s not alone. B.C. has 12 players heading into a potential option-year window, in which they have six weeks to sign in the NFL before their rights revert to the Lions.

One player who will be offered an extension, Buono admitted, is tailback Joe Smith.

The trouble will be getting Smith to stay in one place so as to receive a proposal. Smith, a legendary spendthrift, has off-season plans to visit the Philippines, Dominican Republic and Europe and won’t let football get in the way.

“Stuff like (contracts) I don’t even think about. It will happen without me even putting any effort into it,” Smith said. “I’m not crossing my fingers. After I get off vacation I’ll put in the pile and see what’s going on.”