Posts Tagged ‘Bobby Petrino’

Screw replaced in the foot of Mallett

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

By Harold McIlvain II

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett will not be able to put weight on his left foot following a procedure that replaced a screw in the injured leg.

But Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said he expects the signal caller to be back to normal after he takes some time off with the injury.

“He will be non-weight bearing for the next two weeks and I expect Ryan to return fully after that time period,” Petrino said in a statement. “I am completely confident in our athletic trainers and medical staff and the plan they have put in place for Ryan.”

The Petrino said procedure was expected to be done at about this time in the recovery process and was planned to be apart of getting the quarterback ready for the season opener against Tennessee Tech on September 4.

“We fully anticipated this would need to be done in early to mid-June and the timing of it was intentional to allow him to prepare for the season as much as possible during the summer months,” Petrino said.

Mallett, who led the Razorbacks to a 8-5 record last year, finished with 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns in his first season as a Razorback.

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Razorback football continues to talk national title

Friday, May 21st, 2010

By Harold McIlvain II

FAYETTEVILLE—It’s been a theme and constant topic recently for Razorback football players—talking about a national championship.

After quarterback Ryan Mallett made an apperance on the ESPN show “College Football Live” talking about national title hopes earlier this month, tight end D.J. Williams made an appearance of his own today and spoke about team goals heading into the season that starts Septemeper 4 with Tennesse Tech at home.

“Our mindset is to do the best we can do” Williams said on the show.“A national title is what every team wants in the beginning of the year, and I think that’s a realistic goal for us this year. I do believe we work hard enough to accomplish that goal. It’s just how bad we want it.”

Only nine days ago, Mallett said the only trophy he was worried about was the crystal ball at the end of the season —not the Heisman Trophy.

Expectations and hype—both nationally and locally—has definitely surrounded the upcoming season for the Razorback football program even before securing a 20-17 bowl victory over East Carolina. But the Razorbacks, as Williams said, believe a national title is a achievable goal.

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino said earlier in the offseason that he had been hearing talk of the Razorbacks being a dark horse national title contender or a team who could reach 10 wins. But he doesn’t mind the hype at all.

“I like the fact there are expectations out there,” Petrino said. “Obviously, our expectations are very high, but I would rather have people think we’re going to be a good football team.”

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Youngblood, Gordon to transfer from Arkansas

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

By Harold McIlvain II

FAYETTEVILLE – Former quarterback turned tight end Jim Youngblood has been released from his Arkansas scholarship and will look for another school in order to be a signal caller.

The Camden, Ark., native redshirted his freshman year and entered the spring as the third-team quarterback before making the shift to the tight end position last season. Youngblood was in the 2008 recruiting class that included fellow quarterback Tyler Wilson, who is second on the depth chart behind Ryan Mallett.

After totalling 5,562 passing yards, 43 touchdowns and more than 1,600 rushing yards in high school as a quarterback, Youngblood will be looking to return to his old position with a new school—which could be UCA, reports indicate. He never recorded a catch during the season at the new position.

The release was the second of the week after David Gordon declared he would transfer from the program. The Tulsa, Okla., native made 11 total tackles for Arkansas last year while playing 10 games, three of which were starts for the freshman.

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Red-White Recap: Defense

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

FAYETTEVILLE — Until the Arkansas Razorbacks prove their defense can be effective in SEC play, it will be questioned and it will be considered a weakness by most college football pundits and prognosticators. That’s the price the program pays for having one of the SEC’s most porous if not the most porous defense the past two seasons.

But what commentators — particularly ones who aren’t on hand covering the team — believe about a team going into a season doesn’t have to end up being true.

And after watching the Hogs’ spring practice, I believe the Hogs are going to be considerably better on defense this fall than they have been the past two seasons. The Razorbacks were better at the start of spring than they were a year ago, and all they did was improve over the course of 15 practices.

Arkansas’ Red-White scrimmage was a hard-hitting affair, and even without blitzes, the defense held its own against a talent array of offensive performers. The Hogs played faster, hit harder and were more sure of themselves than at any point in the Bobby Petrino era.

Granted that’s not saying a lot, but it is improvement. The Razorbacks are two deep with players who have SEC experience. That’s an advantage the Razorbacks have earned the last two seasons when Petrino and defensive coordinator Willy Robinson had to thrust players into the fray before they were ready. But that experience should pay dividends this season.

Now, with all that said, don’t expect the Razorbacks to be a dominating defense in SEC play. Arkansas does not have the athletic talent to be a dominating defense in the SEC. They don’t have the overall size for that although the Hogs should be a fairly fast defense, but no faster than the larger defenses Alabama. Florida and LSU will deploy.

But, Petrino does not specialize in coaching teams to win 13-10. He’s planning on his Razorbacks’ offense to average scoring two touchdowns a quarter.

I guess the big question is whether or not the Hogs’ defense is good enough to allow the team to challenge the likes of Alabama. Florid and LSU for an SEC championship.

Considering Arkansas’ favorable schedule, it’s possible, but if I were handicapping teams, I would still have to give Alabama, Florida and LSU the nod over Arkansas because their overall defensive talent is better. But Arkansas is closing the gap, and the Hogs’ offense, which was the most explosive in the SEC last season, might be enough to push them to the SEC Championship Game if things fall into place.

Honestly, I doubt Petrino is sweating his defense after the spring. It made progress and even more progress can be made from now until August and from August until the season opener.

But Petrino does have a problem that has to be fixed with place-kicking and punting. If those weakness aren’t corrected or improved to a great degree, the Hogs will not win a SEC Championship. In fact, if the Hogs place-kicking and punting does not improve, they will be susceptible to losing to any SEC team on their docket.

A team can only dodge so many bullets in a season when its kicking game is mediocre to poor, and one SEC loss could take the Hogs out of contention for a Western Division title this season.

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Red-White Recap Part 4: Tight Ends

Friday, April 30th, 2010

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino was up front and honest about why Arkansas’ production at tight end was down during the 2009 season.

“I didn’t do a good enough job of creating a relationship between [quarterback] Ryan [Mallett] and [tight end] D.J. [Williams,]” Petrino said following the Hogs’ Red-White scrimmage April 24. “We’re going to fix that.”

That had to be music to Williams’ ears whose receptions dropped from 62 in 2008 to 31 in 2009.

Petrino explained that the focus last year for Williams was to improve as a blocker, but that he did not want the 6-2, 250-pound senior-to-be’s production to drop like it did.

“Certainly, it had something to do with the way defenses played D.J. last year, but there were times when our offense would have been much more efficient if Ryan had of followed his progression and thrown to D.J. and our other tight ends.”

Williams not only has excellent hands but he is also a fine runner after the catch. In the Red-White game, he made four catches for 49 yards, with a stand-out 21-yard run.

Williams isn’t the only target at tight end for Mallet and the other Razorback quarterbacks to look at in the fall. Chris Gragg had a solid spring coming off an ankle injury last fall and senior Ben Cleveland showed his toughness by returning to play in the Red-White game less than two weeks after having an emergency appendectomy. Austin Tate is also a promising prospect at the position.

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McGee: Obama with a whistle

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

FAYETTEVILLE — Some things just can’t be denied. When you see it, you just know it, and what I know is that someday in the near future Garrick McGee is going to make some university very proud that he is its head football coach.

This isn’t a great revelation. Anyone who has been around McGee much at all — and my access has been limited as has all members of the media who covers the Razorbacks has — comes away impressed by him. But watching him coordinate the Hogs practices this spring and listening to him address the media both on national football signing day as well as several times following spring practice, it became crystal that the Oklahoma grad is destined to successfully guide his own program one day.

Oddly enough, I got the same feeling back in 2004 when I watched the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention by a freshman senator from Illinois. While I had never heard of that senator before, he had an undeniable stature and charisma that made me think this guy is something else. Of course, we now call that senator Mr. President.

To me, McGee is Barack Obama with a whistle in terms of poise, charisma and stature. You can see him rising to do great things. Now, this is not meant as any type of political commentary one way or the other. It’s just an analogy that when talent is there it is often apparaent.

The Razorbacks are poised to have an outstanding offense, and while the lion’s share of the coaching credit for that necessarily and rightly is bestowed upon Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino, McGee should earn some credit, too.

When Petrino’s brother, Paul, opted to leave his brother’s staff, there is little doubt that Bobby had many coaches willing to come to Arkansas and take the title of offensive coordinator. Working under Petrino on the offensive side of the ball is good for anyone’s knowledge base and resume. Plus with the stable of talented receivers, running backs and quarterbacks returning, it would have made the coordinator’sjob that much more enticing. It says a great deal for McGee that Petrino stayed in house with the promotion.

If the Hogs have the type of season fan’s are dreaming about, McGee will have options in December. Here’s hoping he elects to remain a Razorback.

Here’s food for thought, though. If well-placed scuttlebutt is true, Petrino was about two falling dominoes away from getting a call from Florida to take over the Gators program last December when Urban Meyer waffled over whether he wanted to be Florida’s coach or not.

Should Petrino be poached from the Ozarks in the near or distant future, McGee wouldn’t be a bad coach to consider as his replacement.

Yes, I know all the hubbub about hiring needing to hire a proven head coach. I also know that the perfect replacement for Nolan Richardson is now coaching the Missouri Tigers, and the Hogs could have had him for a song back in 2002.

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Red-White Game Recap Part 1: Quarterbacks

Monday, April 26th, 2010
Ross Brown Photo — White quarterback Nick Petrino rears back to pass in Arkansas' spring football game. The Whites won the contest 31-21 on April 24 at Razorbacks Stadium.

Ross Brown Photo — White quarterback Nick Petrino rears back to pass in Arkansas' spring football game. The Whites won the contest 31-21 on April 24 at Razorbacks Stadium.

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas Razorbacks’ Red-White scrimmage last Saturday turned turned out to be a showcase for the Razorbacks’ quarterbacks even though starter and potential Heisman Trophy candidate Ryan Mallett watched from the sidelines as he did all spring.

Mallett foot is expected to be healed by at least mid June and barring another injury he not only is the unquestioned starter under center but also the team’s leader. But, that does not mean his understudies can’t play the game.

Tyler Wilson, Brandon Mitchell, Jacoby Walker and Nick Petrino all acquitted themselves well in the Red-White contest, which the White squad won 31-21.

Wilson, a sophomore, completed 8 of 15 throws for 133 yards and a touchdown, while red-shirt freshman Brandon Mitchell completed 2 of 5 passes for 80 yards, walk-on Petrino was 9 of 17 for 63 yards and true freshman Jacoby Walker was 6 of 11 for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

Behind Mallett, Wilson is the quarterback who is the most ready to play. He has a deeper understanding of the offense, the most accurate arm of the four and the team’s trust. But Mitchell progressed a great deal in the spring and his size (6-3, 230) and natural athletic ability adds a dimension to the offense that neither Mallett nor Wilson can match.

That was evident when he turned a bit of busted play into an 88-yard touchdown. Now, understand, a third-team safety was suckered in on a fake and that allowed Mitchell to go the distance on the run. Things won’t be that easy in SEC play, but Mitchell is an intriguing athlete who is learning how to be a complete quarterback.

The same can be said for Walker, who gave up the second semester of his high school senior year to join the Razorbacks. While Wilson and Mitchell’s play may have suffered a bit by splitting up the teams, Walker’s actually benefited. Walker predominately practiced with the third team in the spring, but got to work with a combination of first- and second-team linemen in the scrimmage and it made a difference. With time to throw, he has a nice arm and like Mitchell has the wheels to make something happen when a play breaks down.

At 5-10, Petrino is a bit small for a SEC quarterback, but his understanding and execution of the offense is nearly on par with Wilson’s. He could play in a pinch, and it would not hinder Arkansas’ play calling at all. That’s saying a lot for a guy who will occupy the fourth spot on the Hogs’ quarterback depth chart behind Mallett, Wilson and Mitchell next fall. In fact, he is ahead of Mitchell in understanding of the offense and execution.

Arkansas’ playable depth at quarterback is a testament to the work done by head coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Garrick McGee.

McGee said last week that Arkansas’ program is about developing quarterbacks, and that is evident from watching practice and watching practice and watching the quarterbacks perform.

I would venture to say there is not a program in America that has better coached quarterbacks. That is the reputation Petrino had first as an assistant and later as a head coach. It is that reputation that brought McGee to his coaching staff.

Look out for McGee, too. He will make a fine head coach for a program some day, and it might be soon. A break-out season for the Hogs this year might just do the trick for the Hogs’ impressive offensive coordinator.

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Red-White Game on tap for 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

FAYETTEVILLE — As I’m writing this, moderate to heavy showers are making their way through Northwest Arkansas, but with more than 11 hours until the 6 p.m. start of the Arkansas Razorbacks spring football scrimmage, it should be dry for the festivities.

In fact, the storms should be out of the way by the time RazorFest begins at noon at Razorback Stadium. The charity event benefits a number of children’s charities in the state and features contests and games as well as autograph sessions with former Razorbacks. NCAA regulation prohibit current players from signing at the event, although Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino will be signing from 1 to 2 p.m.

Tonight’s contest ought to be good. The squads have been split relatively evenly to promote competition and fun from and for the players. Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said “a lot” would be on the line in the game, so expect the players to be attempting to win.

Will the contest give fan’s a true indication of where the Hogs’ stand for the 2010 season? Not really, but it will give those on hand or who watch on ESPN3.com a good look at individuals.

What I do believe, though, is that the fact Petrino opted to split the teams instead of continuing to work his starters against his starters this week means he and his staff are fairly happy with the progress made this spring.

For all practical purposes, the hard-nosed portion of spring practice ended with the Hogs scrimmage April 16. The final three practices this week were spent preparing for the spring game rather than the Razorbacks pounding each other for progress, as Petrino has had the Hogs do in his previous two springs.

Certainly, there is work to be done come August. Ryan Mallett needs to get back in the saddle at quarterback, but Petrino believes his junior quarterback made progress by observing and even helping teach on the field while allowing his foot to heal.

Things are not settled on the offensive front in a good way. While the Hogs returned four of its starting five across the offensive front, it is not out of the realm of possibility that a couple of those starters might be beat out before the 2010 season begins or ends.

Back-up guard Alvin Baily and tackle Anthony Oden are physical specimens, who have pushed for starting roles and before all is said and done, they might earn them. This is progress for the program and bodes well for its future under Petrino.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Razorbacks look to be much better at the cornerback position with young players letting their talent take over and older players providing solid leadership and experience. As long as injuries don’t strike too deeply, the Razorbacks will be able to keep fresh corners in the game.

The safety position is in better shape than a year ago, but it is not altogether settled. Expect Rudell Crim, who started quite a bit a corner last season, to remain at safety because of his speed. Tramain Thomas and Elton Ford give the Hogs a solid twosome at free safety and Ross Rasner can play as well. Big, fast Anthony Leon has yet to really click at the position, but he is not a bust at the spot, either. It will be interesting to see if the coaching staff opts to experiment with him at another position or if they feel he has so much time invested at safety that they need to leave him there and get the most out of him they can.

The Razorbacks have no true stars on the defensive front, although junior Jake Bequette could be close at the end spot, but the Hogs are solid at the spot and deeper than they have been since at least 1999. Sophomore D.D. Jones is another lineman who could breakout this season if he can continue to add good bulk in the weight room. He is cat quick, but he can be pushed around a little after dropping about 20 pounds in the off-season.

Middle linebacker remains a concern for the Hogs. Jermaine Love (5-10, 234) had a good spring there as did Terrell Williams (6-3, 237), but until they line up and produce in the SEC, you can’t remove the question mark.

But the biggest trouble spot of the spring remains place kicking. Alex Tejada didn’t have a great spring. He needs to be better in the fall. It’s that simple.

Well, since I started writing the rain has stopped and the forecast calls for less of a chance of precipitation as the day goes on. So, come on out to the Red-White game. It’s the last taste of football until August.

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Depth making a difference for Petrino’s Hogs

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

FAYETTEVILLE — How much difference in a season can one football player make?

We all have watched enough to know that one player can be THE DIFFERENCE in a team being great or good or good or mediocre. Generally, we think of those guys being quarterbacks or running backs or maybe even a great pass rusher. But depending on a team’s depth, even a routine starter can be a difference-maker.

The point never stood out more last season for the Arkansas Razorbacks than in their game against Georgia. For a quarter and a little bit more, it appeared the Razorbacks would run the Bulldogs out of Razorback Stadium. Ryan Mallett was putting the ball on the money down field and Arkansas’ receiving corps was making plays Hogs fans hadn’t seen in years, if ever.

Arkansas’ defense was holding up pretty good, too, until linebacker Jerry Franklin brushed an official and was tossed from the game. Franklin’s backup came into the game ill prepared, and Georgia coach Mark Richt was sharp enough to take advantage of the weakness the rest of the night. What had been shaping up to be a Razorback victor swiftly turned around and the Bulldogs went home 52-41 winners.

The loss of Franklin was the turning point in that ballgame, and it’s one of the reasons the Hogs’ coaching staff has not taken the routine scuffles that develop during spring practice as well as other needless penalty situations lightly this spring.

While Petrino doesn’t want to offer any gifts to opponents this year, the Razorbacks should be better outfitted across the board to play in the SEC. Other than last week when Brandon Mitchell’s absence due to a death in his family left the Hogs a little short at quarterback, Arkansas routinely worked three offenses against three defenses this spring.

That has been a true luxury for Petrino and his staff and has made spring practice much more beneficial. Working three full teams has actually made practices more efficient and players more attentive. That may sound counter intuitive but it is true.

With three full teams, players are able to get more rest between repetitions, but also allowed the coaches to work the teams at a quicker pace. The end result is that the players stay more attentive thus getting more out of each play, but because the pace is quicker because the players are able to go harder for longer, each player is getting as much work as they had in previous years when the pace was not as quick.

This depth has allowed each Razorback to maximize his spring workouts and the improvement has shown both for individuals and the team. There is no way to count the benefit that depth will have on the Hogs next fall, but it will be considerable.

Speaking of depth, it was good to see Isaac Madison working virtually full speed with the second team in Tuesday’s practice. Madison is coming off surgery to repair his ACL and he has progressed enough that he could see some contact this week and even play a bit in Saturday’s Red-White game.

If you remember, Madison started his entire sophomore season in 2008 and while he had his ups and downs, he was the Hogs best defensive back in camp last spring. Until his injury sidelined him for the season, Madison was having an excellent preseason camp and was poised to have a stand-out junior year.

Like when Franklin went out of the Georgia game, the Hogs did not have a true answer for the void left in the secondary by Madison’s injury. That kind of experience can only be replaced over the course of a full season.

However, this spring cornerback is not the worrisome position for the Hogs that it has been in the past. In fact, Darius Winston has improved enough over the spring that Robinson felt comfortable trying starting corner Rudell Crim at safety the last week of spring ball to add more speed at the position. Who knows if Crim will stay at safety or move back to corner, but with Madison back and the experience gained last season, Arkansas’ secondary shouldn’t be the weakness that it has been five of the last six seasons.

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