Sharon's Jackson finds playing time to shine

The rookie defensive back has helped the Colts to a perfect 10-0 record.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Marlin Jackson's life is pretty good right now.
The Colts are 10-0, he got his first NFL interception last week in a nationally televised 45-37 win over the upstart Bengals, and the Sharon High graduate is playing his hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Monday night in Indianapolis.
Not bad, right?
"It's been fun," the Colts' rookie defensive back said. "It's always fun to win ballgames and to start 10-0 in the NFL is a unique thing.
"Everybody's loving the whole atmosphere right now."
Jackson, who has 36 tackles this season, has seen more playing time in recent weeks for the Colts, who have the AFC's fourth-ranked defense.
Indianapolis improved defense has been the biggest reason for the team's perfect record, although the defense had its first misstep last week against Cincinnati.
Big-play interception
Jackson, however, made one of the game's biggest plays when he picked off Carson Palmer's pass with the Colts leading 42-34 in the fourth quarter. The turnover led to a field goal that put the game away.
"I'm getting the opportunity to make plays," Jackson said. "I kind of got slowed by some nagging injuries earlier in the year but in the past few weeks I've felt as healthy as I did in the preseason.
"My body's back to where it needs to be."
Jackson, who was raised on Youngstown's South Side before moving to Sharon when he was 6, was a first-round pick by the Colts in last April's draft.
He's played mainly in nickel defenses (Nick Harper and Jason David are the Colts' starting corners) and on special teams.
He's progressed quickly, thanks in part to working in practice against standout receivers Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley.
"It's fun going against those guys," he said. "When you're playing against future Hall of Famers like Marvin and [quarterback] Peyton [Manning], it's going to make you better every day."
Atypical rookie season
Jackson hasn't had the typical NFL rookie experience. The Colts traveled to Toyko to play Atlanta in the American Bowl in the first week of the preseason. (Jackson didn't play.) Then, his first regular-season game came on a Sunday night in Baltimore.
"When you look over and see Ray Lewis come out of the tunnel and do his thing, it's pretty crazy," he said. "You're like, 'Hey, I'm here.'
"As for the physical aspect, I ran down on a kickoff and just got hammered. I never got hit like that in college. That's when I knew I was in the NFL."
The Colts won that game and kept winning. They're just the 10th team in the Super Bowl era to start 10-0, although only the 1972 Miami Dolphins finished with a perfect record.
Five of the previous nine teams to start 10-0 won the Super Bowl.
This week's game should be even tougher.
Jackson grew up as a Steelers fan, although he only went to one game in person growing up. He didn't get a chance to go home for Thanksgiving, although he's used to that having lived in Michigan the past four years.
Besides, his family has been to every home game this season.
He's been smart with his money, too. He bought a townhouse in Indianapolis and he bought his mom a car. Other than that, and some jewelry, he's been pretty frugal.
"You can't let it get out of hand," he said. "You've got to be wise with your money. It's nice to be able to take care of yourself and your loved ones, so that's good."
Not home for Thanksgiving
Not going home for Thanksgiving was one of two setbacks last week. The University of Michigan graduate also lost a bet with fellow defensive back (and Ohio State University graduate) Mike Doss when the Buckeyes rallied to beat the Wolverines 25-21 last week.
Jackson's punishment? He had to wear an Ohio State jersey and hat.
"It was hard," Jackson said. "Real hard. It's tough having to put on that scarlet and gray."
Jackson's teammate, linebacker Cato June, lost a bigger bet and had to wear an Ohio State helmet.
"Cato got the worst of it," Jackson said.
Other than that, life's good. And the future looks even better.
"It's just fun being out on the field," he said. "It's a longer season and I've been adjusting to that, trying to take care of my body and eating right. I've been getting a lot of advice from the veterans, so that's really helping me out.
"I'm just looking forward to every game."
scalzo@vindy.com