Vying to say SAM I am

Hicks, Kent trying out to replace Charlton

By: Adam Wazny Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010

The approach for Bernard Hicks and Clint Kent this week is simple: Educate and execute.

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The approach for Bernard Hicks and Clint Kent this week is simple: Educate and execute.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/08/2010 (5538 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The approach for Bernard Hicks and Clint Kent this week is simple: Educate and execute.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive backs are in the process of auditioning for the SAM linebacker spot, a position currently vacant thanks to the release of veteran Ike Charlton over the holiday weekend. The two players, both on the club at the start of the year as depth guys in the secondary, are taking equal turns in the strong-side linebacker role at practice this week, with both having a chance to earn a start against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ivor Wynne Stadium Saturday.

So what does a player have to do to gain an edge in a position battle that will last all of three practices?

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Clint Kent (42) is strong but lacks the experience in the position Bernard Hicks (41) gained in a similar role in college. — KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Clint Kent (42) is strong but lacks the experience in the position Bernard Hicks (41) gained in a similar role in college.

"The biggest thing is know their assignments — let’s start with that," Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice said Tuesday. "You have to know what you’re supposed to do. It starts with that. From that point you have to be able to make plays and cover people down and do what we’re trying to do on our defensive system."

Kent, 26, comes into the mini-tryout straight out of left field, as he’s been a defensive back for most of his college and pro career, while Hicks, 23, puts in his application with a little more experience on the resume.

The 5-foot-11, 207-pound Hicks was a strong safety in college (California), a position in the NCAA football classroom that is quite similar to the SAM linebacker spot in the Canadian game. In fact, the Bomber coaching staff moved Hicks up to the front seven during the first stages of the season, just to see how his skill set looked closer to the ball.

He’s tried to pick up a few things from Charlton along the way, as well.

"I came in behind Ike at SAM linebacker, and I’ve been getting a lot of reps on the practice squad, going against our offence," Hicks said. "So it’s pretty familiar, nothing out of the ordinary for me.

"I like getting in that paint, sticking the head in there a little bit and covering the little guys running around on the big 65-yard (wide) field. I love it."

According to LaPolice, Hicks’ biggest edge for earning the start might be in the way he goes about preparing for the role. In college terms, Hicks is a freshman in Bombers school and as his course load has been added to throughout the season, he’s found a way to accelerate his learning curve to where the team needs it to be.

He’s been looking for tutors his whole time in Winnipeg, bugging the special teams coaches and players for insight early in the season. When he was asked to move back to a defensive back spot, he looked for help from the defensive co-ordinator (Kavis Reed) and another defensive back.

"He really cares, and he’s going to be prepared," LaPolice said.

While Hicks has prior experience at a position similar to the SAM, Kent has some tangible numbers to back up his claim for the job. The 5-foot-10, 192-pound halfback out of Macon, Georgia leads the Blue and Gold with nine special teams tackles — five better than the next group of players on the team.

Moving up into the box and taking on bigger lineman while keeping an eye on talented running backs and receivers is an adjustment, and one that will require a lot of study the next few days, but the smaller Kent isn’t too concerned with the workload.

"Tackling is one of my biggest assets," he said. "I’m a great tackler, I think, so playing at the SAM spot doesn’t really bother me. Whatever is best for the team."

LaPolice said a decision on who will start in Charlton’s old spot will come later this week, but it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to see both players take their turns in the box on Saturday. Numbers are tight in the secondary, so whoever doesn’t get the SAM start will probably serve as a back-up for both the linebacker spot and a defensive back position.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca