Last night Razorback football coach Bobby Petrino held court at the Fort Smith Razorback Club's April get-together. The event was held at the Oaks in front of a packed house of football diehards. Optimistic, engaging, informative---label Petrino's speech with whatever adjective label you want; the clear message is that Razorback football is once again infused with a sense of excitement that's been missing for quite some time.
Below are some of the comments from Coach Petrino that caught my ear:
On QB Casey Dick: "It's been a very productive spring for him, but we won't know just how good Casey's going to be in this offense until I see him get hit under the chin in a game. That's when I'll know just how much better he is."
On WR London Crawford: "He was our most consistent wideout all through April . . . I really feel like London's come a long way, but for him, catching the football is very unnatural. Which means, he's fighting the mechanics with his hands every time. He's still a work-in-progress."
On TE D.J. Williams: "As good a spring as anybody. A major weapon for us over the middle of the field. He's blessed with rare talent for a receiver, so now it's my job to make sure we get him the ball as much as possible. Feeding the studs, I like to call it."
On RB Michael Smith: "He's got a different style of running than most of the backs I've been around, but that's okay. He's smaller and shiftier, but has the ability to break a big play every time he touches the ball. He's really quick, so we've just got to try and get it in his hands, whether it's via the toss or the screen pass."
On C Jonathan Luigs: "Far and away the best center in the country. We're lucky to have him and we need him to be an offensive leader. Probably the best player at any position on the team."
On the defense as a whole: "We're still trying to figure out some roles as far as who's going to be on the field in certain situations, but I feel like there's a lot of talent there for us too. Our front four should be a strength, particularly once we get (DT) Ernest Mitchell back into the fold. The linebackers are a bit thin, in terms of depth, but I feel like it can become a strength over time. And the secondary is a question mark. Not having (CB) Jerrell Norton out there this spring really hurt us." (Norton missed almost all of Spring practice with an ankle injury.)
On expanding recruiting: "It's my goal to make the University of Arkansas a top destination for the best recruits in the country . . . I really feel like once a kid takes a step on the campus, once we get him to Fayetteville and he drives down Razorback Road with us and sees what we've got to offer---I feel like getting him to sign here will be the easiest part."
On why he became a coach: "My dad was a coach, so I grew up around the game. It was there around me at all times and I just tried to soak up as much knowledge as I could about every position on the field."
On throwing the ball more: "Obviously it's going to be on our players to throw it and catch it, first and foremost, but we're going to attack down the field whenever we can."
On SEC Fans: "Intense. Passionate. You can feel how much they care just by talking to them."
-JAB
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Call It Tradition: Josh's 2008 NFL Draft Review, Part 2 of 2
Picking up right were we left off yesterday, mid-first round . . .
With Tatum Bell its only capable proven back, Detroit spits the bit on running backs, much like its predecessors, goes for OT Gosder Cherilus outta BC. Strange. But not as peculiar as Baltimore, who traded up and down before settling in at eighteen and selecting Delaware (they have football?) QB Joe Flacco. Big arm who's a work-in-progress. Carolina added to its haul with Pitt lineman Jeff Otah before Tampa Bay got a nice piece with Kansas CB Aqib Talib at twenty. Atlanta follows the big guy trend with its second round pick, USC tackle Sam Baker.
Dallas goes for Arkansas RB Felix Jones at twenty-two, then trades up to twenty-five to get South Florida CB Mike Jenkins. With the Pac-Man trade on top of it, Dallas has turned its secondary into a position of depth where a week ago it was weak. Honestly, a fantastic weekend performance by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who also got Texas A & M TE Martellus Bennett and Georgia Tech tailback Tashard Choice on day two.
Back to Felix Jones for a second. You can easily manufacture the argument that he is in a better position to have a successful rookie year than his former Hog teammate Darren McFadden. With the Raiders, D-Mac's numbers will probably be muted a bit for at least a year or two, based on the team's feeble surrounding roster of talent alone. On the flip, Jones steps right back into a change-of-pace role with Dallas that suited him perfectly at Arkansas. With bowling ball Marion Barber pounding it between the tackles, watch Felix swing it to the outside as much as he can next year, breaking it for a a couple of big plays every week.
Pittsburgh lucked into Illinois horse Rashard Mendenhall #23, and got huge WR Limas Sweed from Texas in the second, making Big Ben happy. I thought Tennessee reached for East Carolina halfback Chris Johnson next; just because somebody runs a ridiculous 40 yard dash (Johnson ran a 4.24) doesn't make them an NFL star. Give me the proven SEC commodity over the small school speedster any day of the week.
Three West Coast teams followed. Houston got offensive lineman Duane Brown in a dull move, while San Diego picked up CB Antoine Cason. Seattle drafted USC edge rusher Lawrence Jackson and San Francisco took NC State DT Kentwan Balmer. Cool name, but I don't know if he can play as a starting nose in the NFL....
The Jets traded up at thirty and added Purdue TE Dustin Keller in the move mentioned above, then took small school CB Derrick Lowery in the 4th round, Tennessee QB Erik Ainge in the fith (I wanted Kentucky QB Andre Woodson there, but oh well), Kansas WR Marcus Henry in the sixth and Arkansas OT Nate Garner in the seventh. Throw in #6 overall Vernon Gholston, and all in all, Gang Green did pretty okay for themselves, even without D-Mac. I mean, defensively, the front seven has been entirely rebuilt, and should be significantly better next year, but you still have to question the offense. Even with all the moves up front, Leon Washington is still the only home run hitter on the team. And they've still gotta figure out who the starting quarterback is . . . Kellen Clemens? Chad Pennington? Someone else?
8-8 in 2008 sounds about right for the Jets.
The Super Bowl Champion New York Giants close the first round with Miami S Kenny Phillips. A need move, but solid nonetheless.
And oh yeah, in case you were wondering, that Giants fan friend of mine is cockier than ever these days . . . Thanks a lot, Eli.
-JAB
With Tatum Bell its only capable proven back, Detroit spits the bit on running backs, much like its predecessors, goes for OT Gosder Cherilus outta BC. Strange. But not as peculiar as Baltimore, who traded up and down before settling in at eighteen and selecting Delaware (they have football?) QB Joe Flacco. Big arm who's a work-in-progress. Carolina added to its haul with Pitt lineman Jeff Otah before Tampa Bay got a nice piece with Kansas CB Aqib Talib at twenty. Atlanta follows the big guy trend with its second round pick, USC tackle Sam Baker.
Dallas goes for Arkansas RB Felix Jones at twenty-two, then trades up to twenty-five to get South Florida CB Mike Jenkins. With the Pac-Man trade on top of it, Dallas has turned its secondary into a position of depth where a week ago it was weak. Honestly, a fantastic weekend performance by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who also got Texas A & M TE Martellus Bennett and Georgia Tech tailback Tashard Choice on day two.
Back to Felix Jones for a second. You can easily manufacture the argument that he is in a better position to have a successful rookie year than his former Hog teammate Darren McFadden. With the Raiders, D-Mac's numbers will probably be muted a bit for at least a year or two, based on the team's feeble surrounding roster of talent alone. On the flip, Jones steps right back into a change-of-pace role with Dallas that suited him perfectly at Arkansas. With bowling ball Marion Barber pounding it between the tackles, watch Felix swing it to the outside as much as he can next year, breaking it for a a couple of big plays every week.
Pittsburgh lucked into Illinois horse Rashard Mendenhall #23, and got huge WR Limas Sweed from Texas in the second, making Big Ben happy. I thought Tennessee reached for East Carolina halfback Chris Johnson next; just because somebody runs a ridiculous 40 yard dash (Johnson ran a 4.24) doesn't make them an NFL star. Give me the proven SEC commodity over the small school speedster any day of the week.
Three West Coast teams followed. Houston got offensive lineman Duane Brown in a dull move, while San Diego picked up CB Antoine Cason. Seattle drafted USC edge rusher Lawrence Jackson and San Francisco took NC State DT Kentwan Balmer. Cool name, but I don't know if he can play as a starting nose in the NFL....
The Jets traded up at thirty and added Purdue TE Dustin Keller in the move mentioned above, then took small school CB Derrick Lowery in the 4th round, Tennessee QB Erik Ainge in the fith (I wanted Kentucky QB Andre Woodson there, but oh well), Kansas WR Marcus Henry in the sixth and Arkansas OT Nate Garner in the seventh. Throw in #6 overall Vernon Gholston, and all in all, Gang Green did pretty okay for themselves, even without D-Mac. I mean, defensively, the front seven has been entirely rebuilt, and should be significantly better next year, but you still have to question the offense. Even with all the moves up front, Leon Washington is still the only home run hitter on the team. And they've still gotta figure out who the starting quarterback is . . . Kellen Clemens? Chad Pennington? Someone else?
8-8 in 2008 sounds about right for the Jets.
The Super Bowl Champion New York Giants close the first round with Miami S Kenny Phillips. A need move, but solid nonetheless.
And oh yeah, in case you were wondering, that Giants fan friend of mine is cockier than ever these days . . . Thanks a lot, Eli.
-JAB
Monday, April 28, 2008
Call It Tradition: Josh's 2008 NFL Draft Review, Part 1 of 2
Talking to a friend of mine who's a diehard New York Giants fan today, and Eli Manning's name came up, as it usual does. The matter in question was Manning's Super Bowl title run this past January, and whether or not it now defined him as a player. Amazing to think that only days before Eli's Magical Postseason Run began, on my annual voyage home for the holidays, the New York City sport talk radio airwaves were alive with the conversation of a perceived big name quarterback bust. What was his name again? Oh yeah: Eli Manning.
The point of it all is that becoming a superstar athlete, particularly in the NFL, is contingent on any number of different variables. Among these are some primary concerns---staying healthy, the quality of the team they inherit, the abilities of the coaching staff to maximize its assets---but there are secondary concerns as well, such as the individual's bottom line mental confidence and, maybe first and foremost, luck.
Not everyone has expectations as high as those of Eli Manning. But this past weekend's NFL Draft certainly gave a few new names their fair share of pressure weight-wise. Miami took Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long #1 overall, then handed him a $30 million check before he's even played a game. St. Louis didn't mess up, snaring Virginia DE Chris Long in the second slot. Hard to go wrong with a pedigree like that. Atlanta felt the temptation of a new franchise quarterback irresistibile with the three pick, grabbing BC QB Matt Ryan. Jury still way out there.
Then there's D-Mac. The man who delighted University of Arkansas fans to no end over the last three years finally got his professional assignment, and darned if it ain't the Silver & Black. Al Davis' Oakland Raiders haven't won a Super Bowl in 25 years, but maintain a fan base as devoted as any. But is Davis still in command of all of his senses? One has to ask the question after watching Mr. Just-Win-Baby take Darren McFadden fourth overall. Hmmm, let's see: Justin Fargas, Lamont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes and Michael Bush . . . Throw in D-Mac and that's five tailbacks making an awful lot of cash money. D-Mac will obviously be allowed to emerge as one of the two main guys come fall camp, but let's be honest about it. There were better fits for him at other destinations.
Kansas City had one of the best drafts of anybody (surprising, right?), lucking into LSU DT Glen Dorsey at five, choosing Virginia G Branden Albert at fifteen, then picking up Virginia Tech cover man Brandon Flowers in round two and Texas speedster RB Jamaal Charles in the third. That's four brand new starters right there. In my opinion, Herm Edwards' crew had the best draft of anybody.
My beloved Gang Green were banking on D-Mac falling to them at six, a dicey proposition at best. (Again, why did we try to beat Kansas City in overtime in that meaningless season finale on New Year's Eve? All it did was cost us McFadden.) Once that didn't work out, the brain trust of Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini went with the only guy they could justify: Ohio State pass-rushing hybrid Vernon Gholston. Even if he isn't a superstar, Gholston will only help bolster a Jets pass rush that has been almost completely overhauled from a year ago. And thank goodness for that. (One other note: The Jets would trade back into the first round at thirty to take Purdue TE Dustin Keller, an interesting move that New York hopes will better open up the middle of the field for the offense.)
The Saints came across as a little desperate when they traded up to seven to get USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. Jacksonville a little bit of the same going up to eight to get Florida DE Derrick Harvey. The Bengals go need pick with Trojan LB Keith Rivers at nine and New England reaches for Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo at ten (they could've had him at twenty-five).
I liked Buffalo's weekend with Troy DB Leodis McKelvin at eleven and Indiana WR James Hardy (all 6'7 of him) in the second round. Denver beefed up with Boise State lineman Ryan Clady in the twelve slot, and Carolina jumped the gun a bit for Oregon tailback Jonathan Stewart at thirteen. Linemen go back-to-back for Chicago and Kansas City at fourteen and fifteen with Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams and the aforementioned Virgina G Branden Albert. Arizona took Antonio's cousin, small school CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the sixteenth slot.
-JAB
The point of it all is that becoming a superstar athlete, particularly in the NFL, is contingent on any number of different variables. Among these are some primary concerns---staying healthy, the quality of the team they inherit, the abilities of the coaching staff to maximize its assets---but there are secondary concerns as well, such as the individual's bottom line mental confidence and, maybe first and foremost, luck.
Not everyone has expectations as high as those of Eli Manning. But this past weekend's NFL Draft certainly gave a few new names their fair share of pressure weight-wise. Miami took Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long #1 overall, then handed him a $30 million check before he's even played a game. St. Louis didn't mess up, snaring Virginia DE Chris Long in the second slot. Hard to go wrong with a pedigree like that. Atlanta felt the temptation of a new franchise quarterback irresistibile with the three pick, grabbing BC QB Matt Ryan. Jury still way out there.
Then there's D-Mac. The man who delighted University of Arkansas fans to no end over the last three years finally got his professional assignment, and darned if it ain't the Silver & Black. Al Davis' Oakland Raiders haven't won a Super Bowl in 25 years, but maintain a fan base as devoted as any. But is Davis still in command of all of his senses? One has to ask the question after watching Mr. Just-Win-Baby take Darren McFadden fourth overall. Hmmm, let's see: Justin Fargas, Lamont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes and Michael Bush . . . Throw in D-Mac and that's five tailbacks making an awful lot of cash money. D-Mac will obviously be allowed to emerge as one of the two main guys come fall camp, but let's be honest about it. There were better fits for him at other destinations.
Kansas City had one of the best drafts of anybody (surprising, right?), lucking into LSU DT Glen Dorsey at five, choosing Virginia G Branden Albert at fifteen, then picking up Virginia Tech cover man Brandon Flowers in round two and Texas speedster RB Jamaal Charles in the third. That's four brand new starters right there. In my opinion, Herm Edwards' crew had the best draft of anybody.
My beloved Gang Green were banking on D-Mac falling to them at six, a dicey proposition at best. (Again, why did we try to beat Kansas City in overtime in that meaningless season finale on New Year's Eve? All it did was cost us McFadden.) Once that didn't work out, the brain trust of Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini went with the only guy they could justify: Ohio State pass-rushing hybrid Vernon Gholston. Even if he isn't a superstar, Gholston will only help bolster a Jets pass rush that has been almost completely overhauled from a year ago. And thank goodness for that. (One other note: The Jets would trade back into the first round at thirty to take Purdue TE Dustin Keller, an interesting move that New York hopes will better open up the middle of the field for the offense.)
The Saints came across as a little desperate when they traded up to seven to get USC defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis. Jacksonville a little bit of the same going up to eight to get Florida DE Derrick Harvey. The Bengals go need pick with Trojan LB Keith Rivers at nine and New England reaches for Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo at ten (they could've had him at twenty-five).
I liked Buffalo's weekend with Troy DB Leodis McKelvin at eleven and Indiana WR James Hardy (all 6'7 of him) in the second round. Denver beefed up with Boise State lineman Ryan Clady in the twelve slot, and Carolina jumped the gun a bit for Oregon tailback Jonathan Stewart at thirteen. Linemen go back-to-back for Chicago and Kansas City at fourteen and fifteen with Vanderbilt OT Chris Williams and the aforementioned Virgina G Branden Albert. Arizona took Antonio's cousin, small school CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the sixteenth slot.
-JAB
Thursday, April 17, 2008
April's Noteworthy Items
NFL Draft Nuggets
-Will Darren McFadden become a New York Jet? Maybe. At #6, New York has the right position to sit and wait while one or two studs fall right into its lap. If D-Mac is still there at six, Gang Green will probably take plenty of phone calls and trade offers before making its pick, but it'll be hard to justify not taking McFadden considering his home-run potential. The Jets offense was terribly anemic last year.
-Arkansas' other stud tailback---Felix Jones---will be drafted #22 overall by the Dallas Cowboys. You can write it down right now.
-Miami has so many holes to fill, why don't the Dolphins just slip and slide down the draft board next weekend? Which is to say, if they want Glen Dorsey, but can get him at #4, why pay him $25 million guaranteed at #1? I think Bill Parcells is the one guy who might actually consider doing this, considering that he really doesn't care what the fans think of him.
NBA Post-Season Arrives
-I like Boston out the East after a seven game war with Detroit. San Antonio as the Western Champ following a battle with the Lakers. Spurs over Celtics in six games for the NBA Championship.
-If Carmelo Anthony had made a better decision the other night (he was busted for DUI), I might find a way to justify picking Denver over L.A. as a first round upset special. But it's hard to believe in Melo's crew of talented misfits right now, especially against such a balanced Lakers squad.
-Kobe Bryant is the 2008 NBA MVP. Period and end of story. Maybe next year, Mr. Paul.
NHL Playoffs
-It's great to have a playoff hockey team to root for again. Last year was such a bad one for the Philadelphia Flyers that I literally tuned the sport out at the end of November. Now, Philly's back as the six seed in the East, and I'm loving every minute of the Flyers/Capitals first round playoff series in HD. It's just awesome. Tonight, the Flyers should keep Washington stud Alexander Ovechkin in check and take a commanding three games to one lead . . . In HD, baby.
MLB Rolls Through April
-Yeah, can I just have that Tigers-to-win-the-World-Series pick back right now?
-JAB
Monday, April 07, 2008
Arkansas Begins Spring Football Practice: Josh's Ten Most Noteworthy Items
I was at Arkansas' spring football practice on both Saturday and Sunday at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. Here are some initial thoughts:
#1: Ryan Mallett is a physical beast. At almost 6'7, 260 pounds, he's a man among men, even here at the SEC level. His right arm is clearly cannon-like, and his accuracy looked better than I expected it would. Bobby Petrino sure would love having this guy eligible right away. Don't count on the NCAA letting that one happen though.
#2: All the quarterbacks looked pretty good. Remember, only four QBs are practicing right now, with Tyler Wilson and Jim Youngblood (still in high school) yet to join the team. But the four guys in place right now---Ryan Mallet, Casey & Nathan Dick, Alex Mortenson---have each looked impressive so far. Mallet has the biggest arm, Casey's the most experienced, Nathan just might be the most accurate, while Alex has the best head on his shoulders. Bobby Petrino is making progress with all these guys by the day.
#3: Maybe Arkansas won't be so awful at tailback. Michael Smith and Brandon Barnett didn't make anyone forget Darren McFadden and Felix Jones this weekend (and no one ever will), but they didn't look half-bad either. Smith is small, but he's quick and slinky too, showing a good ability to bounce his runs to the outside . . . Barnett, meanwhile, is a bowling ball, with a strong lower body that bears some comparison to Jacksonville Jaguars' RB Maurice Jones-Drew. With those two backs in place, and stud freshman DeAnthony Curtis (Camden Fairview) waiting in the wings, running back should prove to be one of Arkansas's smallest concerns this year.
#4: The returning wide receivers are on the hot seat---and they know it. Guys like London Crawford, Marques Wade, Rod Coleman and Carlton Salters all have lots of work to do if they want to get playing time next year. Experienced (to a degree) returnees Lucas Miller, Reggie Fish and Crosby Tuck have some work to do as well. With so many talented recruits coming in at the position (Joe Adams anyone?), there is no more time for this group to waste. Showing much steadier hands, Crawford has impressed me the most with his progress so far.
#5: With All-America center Jonathan Luigs back, alongside experienced guys in Mitch Petrus, Ray Dominguez, DeMarcus Love and Jose Valdez, there's no doubt the offensive line will be effective this year. And that's not including any of last year's redshirts or this year's linemen recruits.
#6: Defense is a big concern. Let me emphasize the adjective "big" again, as the whole group is basically starting over. Jerrell Norton, Jamar Love and Rashad Johnson return most of the experience in the secondary. Honestly, the cover guys worry me more than any unit on the team right now. I wonder whether or not the speed is there to keep pace with the more explosive teams---LSU, Florida, Georgia---in the conference.
#7: Freddie Fairchild's absence is probably a blessing in disguise. Even without the most athletic linebacker on the team, Petrino's middle-of-the-field corps has appeared surprisingly effective so far. Guys like Ryan Powers and Jerry Franklin are making significant progress.
#8: The defensive front four will be better than you think. With talented tackles returning in Ernest Mitchell and Malcolm Sheppard, the Hogs should be good up the gut. But will Antowain Robinson ever refind his pass rushing swagger? And how effective can converted TE to DE Jake Bequette be? Only time will tell.
#9: There's a sense of urgency and an overall energy at spring practice that wasn't there the last couple of seasons. Nothing against Houston Nutt and his way of doing things, but Bobby Petrino's style is way more fun to watch. Constantly moving his players and coaches around, it's no wonder Petrino has developed a reputation for being a bit of a showman at times. Good for him.
#10: No easier job than being a kicker or punter, huh? Alex Tejada and Jeremy Davis hung out alone at the Walker Pavilion this weekend while the rest of the team was sprinting and hustling all over the place inside Razorback Stadium. Nice life if you can get it.
-JAB
#1: Ryan Mallett is a physical beast. At almost 6'7, 260 pounds, he's a man among men, even here at the SEC level. His right arm is clearly cannon-like, and his accuracy looked better than I expected it would. Bobby Petrino sure would love having this guy eligible right away. Don't count on the NCAA letting that one happen though.
#2: All the quarterbacks looked pretty good. Remember, only four QBs are practicing right now, with Tyler Wilson and Jim Youngblood (still in high school) yet to join the team. But the four guys in place right now---Ryan Mallet, Casey & Nathan Dick, Alex Mortenson---have each looked impressive so far. Mallet has the biggest arm, Casey's the most experienced, Nathan just might be the most accurate, while Alex has the best head on his shoulders. Bobby Petrino is making progress with all these guys by the day.
#3: Maybe Arkansas won't be so awful at tailback. Michael Smith and Brandon Barnett didn't make anyone forget Darren McFadden and Felix Jones this weekend (and no one ever will), but they didn't look half-bad either. Smith is small, but he's quick and slinky too, showing a good ability to bounce his runs to the outside . . . Barnett, meanwhile, is a bowling ball, with a strong lower body that bears some comparison to Jacksonville Jaguars' RB Maurice Jones-Drew. With those two backs in place, and stud freshman DeAnthony Curtis (Camden Fairview) waiting in the wings, running back should prove to be one of Arkansas's smallest concerns this year.
#4: The returning wide receivers are on the hot seat---and they know it. Guys like London Crawford, Marques Wade, Rod Coleman and Carlton Salters all have lots of work to do if they want to get playing time next year. Experienced (to a degree) returnees Lucas Miller, Reggie Fish and Crosby Tuck have some work to do as well. With so many talented recruits coming in at the position (Joe Adams anyone?), there is no more time for this group to waste. Showing much steadier hands, Crawford has impressed me the most with his progress so far.
#5: With All-America center Jonathan Luigs back, alongside experienced guys in Mitch Petrus, Ray Dominguez, DeMarcus Love and Jose Valdez, there's no doubt the offensive line will be effective this year. And that's not including any of last year's redshirts or this year's linemen recruits.
#6: Defense is a big concern. Let me emphasize the adjective "big" again, as the whole group is basically starting over. Jerrell Norton, Jamar Love and Rashad Johnson return most of the experience in the secondary. Honestly, the cover guys worry me more than any unit on the team right now. I wonder whether or not the speed is there to keep pace with the more explosive teams---LSU, Florida, Georgia---in the conference.
#7: Freddie Fairchild's absence is probably a blessing in disguise. Even without the most athletic linebacker on the team, Petrino's middle-of-the-field corps has appeared surprisingly effective so far. Guys like Ryan Powers and Jerry Franklin are making significant progress.
#8: The defensive front four will be better than you think. With talented tackles returning in Ernest Mitchell and Malcolm Sheppard, the Hogs should be good up the gut. But will Antowain Robinson ever refind his pass rushing swagger? And how effective can converted TE to DE Jake Bequette be? Only time will tell.
#9: There's a sense of urgency and an overall energy at spring practice that wasn't there the last couple of seasons. Nothing against Houston Nutt and his way of doing things, but Bobby Petrino's style is way more fun to watch. Constantly moving his players and coaches around, it's no wonder Petrino has developed a reputation for being a bit of a showman at times. Good for him.
#10: No easier job than being a kicker or punter, huh? Alex Tejada and Jeremy Davis hung out alone at the Walker Pavilion this weekend while the rest of the team was sprinting and hustling all over the place inside Razorback Stadium. Nice life if you can get it.
-JAB
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