Devilsh1
The Preeminent One!
August 22, 2003
Prolific Kent warming up to balanced attack
By Mark Alexander
[email protected]
Robert Kent has made a name for himself passing the football.
Tigers' quarterbacks
Quarterback
Name Ht. Wt. Cl.
Robert Kent 6-5 215 Sr
Brian Green 6-3 215 Jr.
Kethone McLaurin 6-3 185 Fr.
Quotable:
"I've been very impressed with him. He's got all the tools. He's got speed, size, quickness, ability. He's a good athlete. What we're trying to do is make him more of a complete quarterback. We know he's got a strong arm, the question is can you control it?"
? JSU coach James Bell on senior QB Robert Kent
THUMBS UP
Kent, who possesses a strong arm and deceiving speed, is one of the top quarterbacks in Division I-AA. And he's got plenty of experience, having started 30 games over the past three seasons.
THUMBS DOWN
While Kent has been busy setting records, backup Green hasn't received an abundance of playing time. Kethone McLaurin and Jeremy Handy, co No.3's on the depth chart, are freshman.
In his first three seasons at Jackson State, the strong-armed quarterback has thrown for an astronomical 9,524 yards and 89 touchdowns and in the process has broken nearly every JSU single-season and career passing records.
So one can only imagine the disbelief on Kent's part when incoming coach James Bell informed him the Tigers would be ditching the pass-happy offense in favor of a more run-oriented one.
In Kent's senior year, no less.
"I'm coping with it a lot better now than I was then," Kent said, smiling. "When he first came in, I didn't want to change. I'm so used to going 4 and 5 wides and throwing it all over. I realized pretty quick that ain't going to happen. You just have to go with it."
Instead of focusing on the negatives, Kent has opted to focus on the positives. He realizes his numbers may not be as high, but he also realizes he won't get beat up as much in the pocket.
"It protects me a whole lot better," Kent said.
His arm isn't nearly as sore, either, because the Tigers have concentrated so much on the run over the last three weeks.
"Yeah, that's true," Kent said, chuckling. "I used to have to ice my arm down every day. I think I've iced it down just one day so far since we've been back."
Kent threw for 3,374 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. The former Indianola Gentry standout ranked fourth nationally in Division I-AA in individual offense (324.1 ypg.) and guided a unit that ranked first nationally in total offense (485.4 ypg.) and second in passing offense (319.9 ypg.).
Those are the types of numbers JSU fans have become accustomed to from Kent, who took over at quarterback the third game of his redshirt freshman season. After working with John Shannon and Darrell Asberry, offensive coordinators who shared similar philosophes, Kent is still in the process of adapting and learning an all-together different offense.
"It's going pretty good," Kent said. "It's started to pick up the last few days. With us running the ball more, I think that's going to open up the passing game. We're going to be more balanced."
For all of his accomplishments, Kent has yet to lead the Tigers to a SWAC title, something he hopes to do this year.
"I know the fans are used to us throwing the ball around a lot, but SWAC championships are more important than numbers," Kent said.
That attitude is welcomed by Bell, who is aiming to cut down on the high number of turnovers that have haunted Kent and Co. the past few seasons.
"He's getting better and better every day," Bell said. "I'm gradually seeing a change in him in terms of leadership. He's taking pride in being a team player."
Prolific Kent warming up to balanced attack
By Mark Alexander
[email protected]
Robert Kent has made a name for himself passing the football.
Tigers' quarterbacks
Quarterback
Name Ht. Wt. Cl.
Robert Kent 6-5 215 Sr
Brian Green 6-3 215 Jr.
Kethone McLaurin 6-3 185 Fr.
Quotable:
"I've been very impressed with him. He's got all the tools. He's got speed, size, quickness, ability. He's a good athlete. What we're trying to do is make him more of a complete quarterback. We know he's got a strong arm, the question is can you control it?"
? JSU coach James Bell on senior QB Robert Kent
THUMBS UP
Kent, who possesses a strong arm and deceiving speed, is one of the top quarterbacks in Division I-AA. And he's got plenty of experience, having started 30 games over the past three seasons.
THUMBS DOWN
While Kent has been busy setting records, backup Green hasn't received an abundance of playing time. Kethone McLaurin and Jeremy Handy, co No.3's on the depth chart, are freshman.
In his first three seasons at Jackson State, the strong-armed quarterback has thrown for an astronomical 9,524 yards and 89 touchdowns and in the process has broken nearly every JSU single-season and career passing records.
So one can only imagine the disbelief on Kent's part when incoming coach James Bell informed him the Tigers would be ditching the pass-happy offense in favor of a more run-oriented one.
In Kent's senior year, no less.
"I'm coping with it a lot better now than I was then," Kent said, smiling. "When he first came in, I didn't want to change. I'm so used to going 4 and 5 wides and throwing it all over. I realized pretty quick that ain't going to happen. You just have to go with it."
Instead of focusing on the negatives, Kent has opted to focus on the positives. He realizes his numbers may not be as high, but he also realizes he won't get beat up as much in the pocket.
"It protects me a whole lot better," Kent said.
His arm isn't nearly as sore, either, because the Tigers have concentrated so much on the run over the last three weeks.
"Yeah, that's true," Kent said, chuckling. "I used to have to ice my arm down every day. I think I've iced it down just one day so far since we've been back."
Kent threw for 3,374 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. The former Indianola Gentry standout ranked fourth nationally in Division I-AA in individual offense (324.1 ypg.) and guided a unit that ranked first nationally in total offense (485.4 ypg.) and second in passing offense (319.9 ypg.).
Those are the types of numbers JSU fans have become accustomed to from Kent, who took over at quarterback the third game of his redshirt freshman season. After working with John Shannon and Darrell Asberry, offensive coordinators who shared similar philosophes, Kent is still in the process of adapting and learning an all-together different offense.
"It's going pretty good," Kent said. "It's started to pick up the last few days. With us running the ball more, I think that's going to open up the passing game. We're going to be more balanced."
For all of his accomplishments, Kent has yet to lead the Tigers to a SWAC title, something he hopes to do this year.
"I know the fans are used to us throwing the ball around a lot, but SWAC championships are more important than numbers," Kent said.
That attitude is welcomed by Bell, who is aiming to cut down on the high number of turnovers that have haunted Kent and Co. the past few seasons.
"He's getting better and better every day," Bell said. "I'm gradually seeing a change in him in terms of leadership. He's taking pride in being a team player."