Evan Daum
Edmonton Journal
Fresh off his surprising release by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Clint Kent is ready for his reunion with Edmonton Eskimo Head Coach Kavis Reed.
Kent was sent packing last week by Winnipeg, but it didn’t take long for the linebacker to find a new home, inking a deal with the Eskimos on Sunday.
“I got a call from the secretary of the team and was told to come in to see coach LaPolice Friday morning, and I know we had a lot of positions where we had a lot of good talent. In my mind, I was thinking he probably wants some input on who I like,” Kent said. “That’s when I got called into the office and he said he’d put me on waivers and he appreciated everything I did for the team.”
“To me that was the best training camp I’ve had since I’ve been in Canada, so like I said, that’s why it was really shocking to me, the players and even some of the coaches.
“I was shocked by the end result, but you’ve got to move on and keep pushing forward.”
Now entering his fourth Canadian Football League season, Kent comes to Edmonton after registering 68 total tackles, a career-high four sacks and three pass knock-downs last season for the Bombers.
Kent, who was a team captain for Winnipeg in 2011, made his Eskimo practice debut Monday, where the James Madison product was reunited with a familiar coach.
“He was my (defensive backs) coach and defensive coordinator in Winnipeg in 2010, so that factored in a lot,” Kent said. “Kavis is a great coach, probably one of the best coaches I’ve dealt with my whole career, so he just welcomed me with open arms.”
Despite being released by the Blue Bombers, who sport a deep crop of defensive backs, Kent feels he has plenty of good football ahead of him.
After making his CFL debut in 2006 with the Montreal Alouettes, Kent was cut by the Als during training camp in 2007.
That was followed by a stint in the second-tier of the Arena Football League, a torn ACL and a trip to play overseas in Finland, of all places.
With that unique path to the Eskimos behind him, Kent is looking forward to proving his football worth yet again.
“I’ve got a lot of game left. I had three years off from football, so my body feels great. I’m ready to roll,” Kent said.
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