“It’s you and me, baby, there ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.”LSU coach Les Miles easily could have borrowed this line from the classic television show “The Jeffersons” when talking to junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson about the 2010 season.For the first time since the 2006 season when JaMarcus Russell returned, the Tigers will open their season with the same quarterback that started the previous season.  LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton said the experience Jefferson gained last season will help him exponentially this season.”Quarterbacks need to understand the offense, understand the game, understand the situations,” Crowton said. “And having that year under his belt as a starter for the whole year is something that will really help him.”But Crowton is not finished attempting to perfect Jefferson’s game.”We’re working on his accuracy, we’re working on keeping his feet up underneath him,” Crowton said. “As a runner, try to get him to get vertical and get down the field, and try to get him to get down instead of taking big hits.”Jefferson spent much of the offseason working on his release time to cut down on sacks. In 2009, Jefferson led the Southeastern Conference and was eighth in the nation in sacks, going down 34 times.”Another element that I had to work on during the offseason, and I’m having to work on it in camp, is pocket presence,” Jefferson said. “I’ve just got to feel the defender and step up into the pocket, trust my offensive line and keep my eyes upfield.”Another part of the passing game in which Jefferson has been making strides is cutting down on indecision in the pocket.”I’ve been working on making my reads quicker,” Jefferson said.  “The receivers are open, and they’re going to work the routes, and we’re going to win in one-on-one situations. So whenever I see a guy open I’m going to release the ball to them.”Jefferson completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 2,166 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2009. He compiled these stats despite being the youngest starting quarterback in the SEC and the youngest quarterback to start a season opener for the Tigers since 1945 – when Y.A. Tittle started against Rice.Jefferson showed flashes of his high potential, especially in the season opener at Washington when he completed 11-of-17 passes for 172 yards and a career-high three touchdowns.His mobility is another asset. Jefferson has rushed for 305 yards and two touchdowns.But his lack of maturity and composure negatively affected the Tigers at times last season, especially down the stretch in games — most notably in LSU’s 25-23 loss at Ole Miss, in which Jefferson spiked the ball to stop the clock as time expired with LSU deep in Rebel territory.”We were leading every team but one in the fourth quarter, and we lost four games,” Jefferson said. “If I was very experienced and the guys that had played were very experienced, I feel like we could have won twelve games last season.”Miles said he has faith the St. Rose native is resilient enough to put his past shortcomings  behind him and take control of the huddle.”One thing about it,” Miles said. “When you have a tough man at quarterback, leadership will eventually come to him because he has to be tough.”Jefferson is ready to be the go-to guy and take command of the offense.”I live to be in control,” Jefferson said. “I live to manage the team.”That drive to be the face of the offense has Jefferson optimistic about the Tigers’ ability to move the football.”I’m confident in this team and confident in this offense,” Jefferson said. “Every individual here, I’m confident in them, and I’m just waiting for a great season.”Jefferson’s play will be vital in whether the Tigers make it to the east side in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game and have a shot to get a piece of the pie.—-Contact Rob Landry at [email protected]