There’s nobody more ready for spring football to get underway than John Pelphrey. And like many of you, we’re also tired of talking about the myriad of problems plaguing the roundballers…and more than ready to turn our attention to spring football.
Bobby Petrino enters his third spring practice with the Hogs and, as usual, he’s shooting it to us straight about expectations for 2010.
“I feel good about the expectations of our players, the expectations of our team”, Petrino said.
“That’s the key. We’re hoping everyone expects us to win, and if the fans do, then obviously that’s great.
“But the best part of it is when our players expect to take the field and win, and I think we’ll be that way this year.”
To get to the top in the fall, the 15 spring practices that begin next Tuesday will be important to this team. Surprisingly, the absence of starting quarterback Ryan Mallett is not a huge storyline. Here’s a few things we’ll be eyeing closely when the RBN crew makes it down to watch practice.
How will the three new assistant coaches mesh with the returning staff and players? Defensive line coach Steve Caldwell, offensive line coach Chris Klenakis, and wide receivers coach Kris Cinkovich all make their debuts. The SEC veteran Caldwell comes to Fayetteville after 14 seasons in Knoxville. Klenakis and Cinkovich have coached with the Petrino family before, so expect a smooth transition there. What’s their coaching style like…their approach? We’ll find out.
How much more of the Pistol formation will we see in 2010? Referred to as the “Shot” formation by Petrino, this look was sprinkled in last year and was a good set for the Hogs. Considering Coach Klenakis was one of the innovators of the Pistol at Nevada (along with Nevada head coach Chris Ault), we’re expecting to see this formation more heavily used this year.
For a quarterback like Tyler Wilson, who has had some troubles under center, this formation might be a godsend. Also, Nevada was one of the leaders nationally in rushing, much of it out of the Pistol.
Can offensive lineman Alvin Bailey (6-5, 323) and Anthony Oden (6-8, 328) push their way onto the first team? Bailey and Oden both impressed as freshman a year ago. The Hogs bit the bullet and redshirted Bailey, while Oden started one game and saw limited action in 2009. Both are All-SEC type players at some point, and will emerge in due time. Will that be this spring?
If there’s any linebackers on campus, will they stand up and be counted? How long has it been since we’ve had a linebacker? This spring, we trot the same, sad souls out there and try to find somebody, anybody that can make a play at this position. Bueller….Bueller…anybody?
Off-season workout warrior Jermaine Love (5-11, 230) gets the first shot at middle linebacker, but look for sophomore Terrell Williams (6-3, 237) to emerge. Regulars Jerry Franklin, Freddy Burton, Jerico Nelson and Bret Harris hold down the fort until incoming freshman Chris Smith (6-2, 230, Mt. Ulla, NC) gets on campus this fall.
ESPN’s Chris Low tabs the Hogs Defense as the unit that has “the most to prove” in the SEC this spring. We couldn’t agree more.
“With all this talk about the Hogs being ready to contend for a championship next season, you can’t help but wonder how much better they will be on defense. They were the only team in the SEC last season to give up more than 400 yards an outing in conference games (419.5 yards).”
A lot to solve in 15 practices, huh? The Razorbacks will play their Spring Game on April 24th. Here’s hoping the snow is over and warmer weather combines with the sound of popping pads to remove the sting of watching March Madness from afar.
THANK YOU for putting up a post about football. You're right, all that can be said about basketball has been said until next season.
This has got to be one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory (the jr yr of Dmac and Felix probably ranks up there too). I can't wait to see how things go this spring.
In looking at the depth chart, I noticed there are HUGE underclassmen in the OL positions. That's gotta play well for us long term if their skills can develop. DL looks lean and fast. That will be interesting if we don't have linebackers step up. DBs have more experience and are fast, so hopefully we can minimize the big plays.
Oh, and where is Broderick Green? Haven't heard much of his name yet.
Looking at the games last year, the only loss we were truly out classed was Alabama. It seems that if we can improve even marginally on defense, we're should have a great year.
Can't wait! Go Hogs!
Don't worry Soupy. Broadrick Green is still getting some press. He is expected to play plenty, especially in short yardage situations. In the meantime Wingo is reported to have bulked up quite a few pounds, while getting a step or two faster.
I can't wait for the first game!!!!! GO HOGS!!!!!!!!
Let's get excited! Good vibes about this upcoming season abound!
Football does provide a wonderful example for the basketball program. Fans and recruits responded very well to an exciting, proven style. I hope Long and Pelphry will take a long look at great defense and team basketball. Certainly 5-7 and 7-5 by the football team were hardly big seasons but, fans could enjoy their team and take some pride in their play and their growth.
Speaking of 5-7 and 7-5, those are hardly indicators of a championship season. Yes, the bowl game went into the books as W but I suspect that Skip is telling his team that they beat an SEC contender everywhere but the score board.
Spring ball should be great fun. We have some wonderful, young talent ready to step up and make their mark, build the character and personality of a new team. That is the great thing about college football. Each year is a brand new opportunity to mold old and new talent, build new leadership, and play against an essentially new slate of teams on the other side. On paper, this is our year to be the hunter. Spring ball is where we find out if they are going to develop that killer instinct, that swagger, that great teams have.
Mallett made wonderful, eye-popping plays a year ago but, looked like a sophomore as a field general. Sometimes you can have too much talent. He needs to develop a complete game if he is going to make the most of the talent around him and begin to answer those lofty expectations. He won't get that chance this spring unless watching the new kids do it better gives him some new ideas. The fact that the kids believe and are hungry is huge for this team. They have the talent on offense to begin to hang half-a-hundred in the Petrino style.
Defense? Well, enough said. Defense wins championships. Willy took plenty of heat for scheming over the heads and talent level of his kids. With the Petrino offense and our current talent level on defense, I'd play bend but don't break ALL DAY.
With Alabama and LSU as the bookends to a big year it should be all that Pig fans have hoped for. 5-7, 7-5, 9-3, We'll see.
HogBlogger,
Good post on the defense. I was wondering though why you left Austin Moss out of the LB mix. He was under sized a bit as a True Freshmen last season, but not that much lighter at 217 lbs., compared to T. Williams at 225.
Moss seemed to be in the LB rotation a little more late into the season, but I'm not sure if that was due to other players injuries or if he was adjusting better at his position.
He's a coaches son and rumor has it that his fudamentals and instincts were 2nd to none coming into college.
Have you heard anything on what improvements/weights gains/speed/strength increases he may have made in the off-season?
I haven't heard anything specifically about him, but I thought he, like Williams, was a pretty good looking recruit last year.
Also, it'll be interesting to see what kind of depth we'll be seeing at DE this year as well. Beaquette is solid, but Ambrose will need to step up his game to another level.
Tenerius Wright's injury has me a bit concerned and Caleb Evans is still an unknown.
If we can't get to the QB this season and keep an adequate amount of pressure on him for 4 qrs on key passing downs, our secondary will see limited improvement, if any.
A lot of people are talking about the DTs becoming a force, but I believe that only goes so far.
Outside containment of the running game falls directly on the shoulders of the DEs, OLBs, and the CBs, but consistant pressure on the QB from the DEs in the SEC is very important.
While the improvement of the DTs is important, the DE depth could turn out to be the most important issue for us on the defense this season. Any thoughts?
Gonzo, Austin Moss should figure in as well at LB. He is currently listed as 3rd team MLB on the pre-spring depth chart. I like his potential better than some of the others.
http://www.callingthehogs.com/blogs/the-trough/tr…
I think the D-line can be adequate, especially with the 4-5 impact freshman comming in the fall. The 3 linebackers spots are the ones to watch.
I am so excited about football season this year! Biggest question mark like others have said will be the defense. We MUST be able to win a 21-17 game this year. Every game can't be a shootout. If we count on the offense firing on all cylinders every game, we are going to be disappointed a couple of times. The good thing is, I really think we can do it. I think Jerry Franklin is going to have a HUGE year – just wait.
Another concern I have is special teams. Any changes this year? Special teams is a momentum maker/breaker – and we seem to always be weaker than our opponent in "the transition game". Maybe Tejada got the mental boost he needs in the bowl game.
Should be an exciting year though. Big expectations by the fans and the team. I love that Petrino wants the fans and players to expect to win. Knowing you are good is such a benefit for our boys. Knowing that if they execute like they are told – good things will happen. They don't have to go out and try to make something happen – just execute what you learned in practice.
Hogs are hungry this year!
Ahhhhh, is that the sounds of Spring? Basketballs being put on the rack. The sound of cleats on the concrete in the locker room. Hands slapping pads to get loose. Then ultimately helmets clashing, pads popping.
Awesome. Mallet should have a helmet cam when he is driving around campus on his scooter. We need information.
Defense. Even Bobby says we need a middle line backer. Love might be the man if he can mentally grasp the position and his assignments. I love watching Jerico hit people. He can make some noise. Put a few more pounds on him and let him play middle linebacker. We might then actually have someone that could cover a back out of the backfield in pass coverage.
Do we have a shot at a good safety this year? An adult sized one?
Also, I would love hearing as much as you have about our third string QB. I think ultimately with his giddeeeup he may be our next starter after Ryan leaves.
Thanks for a football post. The Dreamers on the Basketball Posts are making me loose my mind.
RBN folks… looks like you are experiencing a little timing issue. Current date at the top left shows Friday, March 26, 2010!
Weird…checking into it. Thanks for the heads-up.
Personally, it's just more proof that the RazorBloggers are headed of their time!
" Well i'm a hugger… i'm a dreamer…i'm a midnight streamer…I call them Hogs to have my fuuuun…"
I'm on board with Hungry Hog. I think Jerry Franklin is due for a really big year. It'll be interesting to see what Freddy Burton is going to look like too.
I noticed he's listed now as 238 lbs. Last year I believe he was something like 231, so it's good to see he's continuing to get bigger and stronger.
He's a Sr. now, so he could be due as well.
Overall, (teamwise) I think the improvement of the O-line will end up being the most vital.
With improvement there, quik 3 and outs should be reduced, the running game should become more effective/consistant, and the defense should automatically become better because of longer rest periods.
The O-line MUST improve.
I have a feeling our new O-Line coach will do wonders with our squad.
I was a little disturbed by the total piss-off of our linebacking corps. [How long has it been since we’ve had a linebacker?] I do share your longing for a real 'star' LB. However, I think Jerry Franklin is a servicable backer. He'd play on every SEC team, IMO, and start on most. If we had a couple more like him last year it would have made a big difference.
Petrino doesn't do defense.
Even after Nolan was a big success people wondered why rebounding wasn't important in basketball.
This year, you'll see.
Because he made other teams turn over the basketball so much and get fastbreak points he was successful at winning the game without winning with rebounds.
Are you saying Petrino can win without having the best defense? I assume so.
Yeah, no kiddin, and Nolan had depth galor at the guard and forward positions too didn't he?
He would've been gone after year 3 had he not been dealing with the loss of his daughter. Nobody thought he'd be as sucsessful as Eddie was.
Petrino is smart. He's knows if the offense does it's job by putting the other team on it's heals, that defense comes easier.
Put pressure on the other team to score. Make them play catchup.
Willy Robinson's defensive philosiphy is much like what we saw from the New Orlean Saints last season.
They weren't a dominant team if you go by the statistics of rushing defense, passing defense or red-zone defense, but they won consistantly by being the best team at takeaways, mainly with very physical play from the LBs and Safeties. Their D-line was nowhere close in run-defense to what we seen from the Giants and Steelers the past 2 seasons, but they were pretty good at putting pressure on the QB.
Does anyone remember how the Saints clinched the Super Bowl?
If you look at what CWR did with the Hog D from year 1 to year 2, you'll notice his defense was a little more physical and much better at creating turnovers. I'll bet they're even better at it this time around, which will give Mallett & co. even more opportunities.
You guys made the points bette than I could have. Thanks.
I hope you're right. I think we can win with even a marginal defense. Last year is a great example. If we could have been about 7 points better on D a few of those games would have gone our way.
On paper it looks like our DBs will be our strength, which is great since we got beat so many times on the big pass play or missed tackles in the secondary. If our LBs can improve even a little it should make a huge difference.