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.
