By RANDY ROSETTA, Advocate sportswriter
With a week of work under their belts, the two front runners for the Southern University quarterback job are still neck-and-neck.
But don’t toss the word controversy out. Healthy competition is more like it.
Jaguars sophomores Warren Matthews and Bryant Lee are still handling most of the snaps under center, with veteran J.C. Lewis in the background. Junior C.J. Byrd may join the fray in a few weeks, but his role continues to be limited as he recuperates from a car accident.
“We’re trying to get everybody turns and see what they can all do,” SU coach Pete Richardson said Friday after the Jaguars endured just over 2 hours in the blistering heat and humidity. “We aren’t in any hurry to make a decision because we have time for evaluation.”
What goes into the evaluation is more than what each player proves he can do physically. Especially with Matthews and Lee, the SU coaches are looking for signs of maturity and leadership as much as anything else.
“We’re looking to see how each of those guys handles the football team in the huddle and what they show they can accomplish on each possession,” Richardson said. “They’re about the same — they do a lot of the same things. What we need to see is what kind of command each one of them has and what kind of chemistry they can build with their teammates.”
Lee has the advantage of experience from last season.
One of three QBs who started at least five games for the Jaguars, the former Hahnville star completed 51-of-87 passes for 571 yards and three TDs last season. More impressively, he was Southern’s second leading rusher for the season with 302 yards on 67 carries (4.5 per attempt) and he reached the end zone five times.
“Competition is good for these guys because it keeps them alert,” Richardson said. “They understand we’re going to grade them after every practice, so they stay pretty focused.”
On schedule
Although Richardson cut Friday’s schedule back to a single practice instead of the two originally planned workouts, he said the Jaguars are still on track. Richardson hoped to have most of the team’s preseason installation done by today.
“We’ve been able to cover what we needed to for installation and now we’re ready to do a little situational type scrimmaging,” he said. That will complete today’s morning practice. Richardson said the team will run through 40-45 plays of a controlled scrimmage.
Cutting back a little Friday also gave the leg-weary Jaguars a chance to rejuvenate. “I think it did,” Richardson said. “We were still out here in 95-degree heat with a high heat index so we got a little tired at the end, but the comprehension was still good and I’m pleased with that.”
Walking wounded
Even with the break in the schedule, there were still a few Southern players limited Friday.
Defensive tackle Frank Harry needed attention for dehydration. Four players who have missed time this week but participated at different levels according to Richardson.
Center Daniel Stephens (ankle) was back at full speed Friday.
Guard Joshua Keelen (back) from Istrouma is about halfway back to full strength.
Guard Allen Buckner (heat-related problems) of Istrouma was not at Friday’s practice, the second in a row he’s missed, and his status is “questionable.”
Running back Kendrick Smith (hamstring) is still sore and will be brought along slowly.
“He’s a real high energy person and when he’s out on the field, he wants to go,” Richardson said. “We don’t want to push him too much yet.”
Oliver back
Richardson said junior offensive tackle Ruben Oliver was expected to arrive in Baton Rouge Friday night and be ready to hit the practice field as early as today. Oliver, expected to be an anchor up front, was finishing a summer internship program.
Junior corner back Joe Manning continues to practice while his eligibility is determined. A transfer from Florida State in the spring of 2006, Manning did not play last season. “There’s no progress yet, but we hope to have something resolved by Tuesday,” Richardson said.
Practice schedule
The Jaguars will be back at work at 9 a.m. today and will hold photo day at 2 p.m.
With a week of work under their belts, the two front runners for the Southern University quarterback job are still neck-and-neck.
But don’t toss the word controversy out. Healthy competition is more like it.
Jaguars sophomores Warren Matthews and Bryant Lee are still handling most of the snaps under center, with veteran J.C. Lewis in the background. Junior C.J. Byrd may join the fray in a few weeks, but his role continues to be limited as he recuperates from a car accident.
“We’re trying to get everybody turns and see what they can all do,” SU coach Pete Richardson said Friday after the Jaguars endured just over 2 hours in the blistering heat and humidity. “We aren’t in any hurry to make a decision because we have time for evaluation.”
What goes into the evaluation is more than what each player proves he can do physically. Especially with Matthews and Lee, the SU coaches are looking for signs of maturity and leadership as much as anything else.
“We’re looking to see how each of those guys handles the football team in the huddle and what they show they can accomplish on each possession,” Richardson said. “They’re about the same — they do a lot of the same things. What we need to see is what kind of command each one of them has and what kind of chemistry they can build with their teammates.”
Lee has the advantage of experience from last season.
One of three QBs who started at least five games for the Jaguars, the former Hahnville star completed 51-of-87 passes for 571 yards and three TDs last season. More impressively, he was Southern’s second leading rusher for the season with 302 yards on 67 carries (4.5 per attempt) and he reached the end zone five times.
“Competition is good for these guys because it keeps them alert,” Richardson said. “They understand we’re going to grade them after every practice, so they stay pretty focused.”
On schedule
Although Richardson cut Friday’s schedule back to a single practice instead of the two originally planned workouts, he said the Jaguars are still on track. Richardson hoped to have most of the team’s preseason installation done by today.
“We’ve been able to cover what we needed to for installation and now we’re ready to do a little situational type scrimmaging,” he said. That will complete today’s morning practice. Richardson said the team will run through 40-45 plays of a controlled scrimmage.
Cutting back a little Friday also gave the leg-weary Jaguars a chance to rejuvenate. “I think it did,” Richardson said. “We were still out here in 95-degree heat with a high heat index so we got a little tired at the end, but the comprehension was still good and I’m pleased with that.”
Walking wounded
Even with the break in the schedule, there were still a few Southern players limited Friday.
Defensive tackle Frank Harry needed attention for dehydration. Four players who have missed time this week but participated at different levels according to Richardson.
Center Daniel Stephens (ankle) was back at full speed Friday.
Guard Joshua Keelen (back) from Istrouma is about halfway back to full strength.
Guard Allen Buckner (heat-related problems) of Istrouma was not at Friday’s practice, the second in a row he’s missed, and his status is “questionable.”
Running back Kendrick Smith (hamstring) is still sore and will be brought along slowly.
“He’s a real high energy person and when he’s out on the field, he wants to go,” Richardson said. “We don’t want to push him too much yet.”
Oliver back
Richardson said junior offensive tackle Ruben Oliver was expected to arrive in Baton Rouge Friday night and be ready to hit the practice field as early as today. Oliver, expected to be an anchor up front, was finishing a summer internship program.
Junior corner back Joe Manning continues to practice while his eligibility is determined. A transfer from Florida State in the spring of 2006, Manning did not play last season. “There’s no progress yet, but we hope to have something resolved by Tuesday,” Richardson said.
Practice schedule
The Jaguars will be back at work at 9 a.m. today and will hold photo day at 2 p.m.
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