Forming a Bond
June 16, 2009 12:14 PM | General
June 16, 2009
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – As one of West Virginia’s top receivers from a season ago, senior Alric Arnett was already expected to make a splash in 2009. But having quarterback Jarrett Brown as his roommate for the second straight year only furthers his chances of enjoying his finest season yet as a Mountaineer.
Arnett ended last year with a strong connection with former quarterback Pat White, hauling in 35 catches for a team-leading 466 yards with six touchdowns. The Belle Glade, Fla., native finished on a high note, scoring two touchdowns – including the game-winning 20-yard score – to help the Mountaineers upend North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
Coming back a year wiser and a year stronger, the senior is expected to carry over his breakthrough season. Having a long history with his quarterback is certainly an added bonus for Arnett in terms of on-field development.
“We knew each other before I even got here because we’re from the same county,” Arnett said of Brown. “His father is actually from my hometown. We played against each other in a spring game our senior year and they beat the mess out of us.
“I can’t say that too much has changed about Jarrett – he’s bigger. He always had a big arm. In the spring game he didn’t do too much running, he just had all day to throw the ball.”
Brown has one season to showcase his strong-armed skills, while Arnett looks to be on the receiving end plenty of times this year. The Whitey Gwynne Award recipient averaged 13.3 yards per catch in his first full season of action, making receptions of 52 yards and 44 yards to provide big-play capability to WVU’s offense.
Having already proven himself, Arnett is ready to emerge as one of the top playmakers in the BIG EAST. Strategizing away from the field with Brown is one of the primary things he does with his free time.
“It’s a big plus to have Jarrett as a roommate because we just sit around and talk about football and the kinds of things we can do to make each other better,” Arnett added.
Finding that harmonious connection with your quarterback is important for any receiver. Many believe that the greatest combos of all time – whether in college or in the NFL – develop together not just physically, but mentally as well. Executing a passing play is the aspect that every coach, teammate and fan witnesses, but the ability to sit on the same telepathic wavelength between quarterback and receiver is what separates the good from the great.
Arnett hopes to build that type of chemistry with Brown, where both players can assume what each other is thinking before the play begins. The two have already begun to acknowledge that there is a strong on-field bond forming.
“We give each other like a little nod of the head sometimes like we know,” Arnett said. “Sometimes if we might miss a play we’ll go home and sit back on the couch and say, ‘We’re going to do this play like this,’ so we can be on the same point.”
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| Alric Arnett caught two touchdown passes in the 2009 Meineke Car Care Bowl.
David Miller photo |
The camaraderie between Arnett and Brown is implemented before, during and after practice. Both players are committed to jumpstarting the Mountaineers through the air this season, a notion that is certainly possible with a bevy of receivers coming back from last year.
Arnett is very confident in the passing game this season. Part of what makes him so optimistic is the change in Brown’s approach, most notably his leadership qualities.
“After practice we’ll go and work on certain things that we need to work on,” Arnett said. “It helps because Jarrett is more vocal and more comfortable. He’s become more of a leader in the past year. He’s speaking up more. He was the guy that didn’t say too much, now he’s the guy that speaking up and that’s good to see.”
Both the offense and defense have participated in 7-on-7 drills this week under no coaching guidance. Veterans like Brown and Arnett assume a leadership role when there are no coaches in sight.
“That shows your character, that’s on you,” Arnett said of the importance of staying humble despite no coaching presence. “You need to work hard and take the time to get better when no one is watching.”
Arnett is happy with the progress of the receiving unit, concluding that every route runner has been working hard and treating every workout with a game-like mentality. The focus and commitment is evident, and the diligence of each receiver and paying attention to detail will help with executing in the receiving game.
“We’ll work on route running, like coming out of breaks sharp and quick. The little things we need to work on from last season,” Arnett added. “We’re going to work on things that are needed– whether it’s running different routes, recognizing coverages, working on option routes and other coverages. We’re just trying to get our timing down and get a good look and get better.”
If the passing game between Brown, Arnett and the rest of the receivers continues to evolve in the summer, there could be plenty of big plays in store for the fall.
