I'm an intense person myself so that's one of the things I love about the college game. I liked Houston's passion but I often thought he failed to couple it effectively with intensity: lots of 'rah, rah' but with a disconcerting lack of focus at crucial moments.

Also was pleased to read Veltcamp's characterization of the players as 'hungry'. That's the kind of team we need to have for a successful season this and every year. I think it's cool that he uses a bell in his training and that the staff will transfer that concept to gametime. Arkansas teams have aways been known as being very physical, no matter the outcome (I still fondly remember the comment that Spurrior made after one of his Gater teams took it to us: he hated playing the Hogs because his team spent most of the next week in the whirlpool instead of practicing. ;^) With the way Veltcamp likes to condition, SEC teams better watch out!

To scrimmage 72 plays on Sunday . . . that was about the final Spring practice number that Houston Dale would work up to.

There's a lot of football being played in these practices. That's not how it has been in the past few years.

It is clear that the strategy is not to spoon-feed people, but rather to figure out who can keep up both mentally and physically. It is clear these coaches have high expectations.

Cleveland and Tuck are out there working hard. Tuck has had his share of catches and looks good, just hasn't gotten any ink. The pace right now requires you to take things from the classroom sessions and immediately apply them on the field. That gives the early advantage to the ones with more practice and game experience.

Coaching makes a huge difference. There's a reason Petrino has had success everywhere he's been (except Atlanta, but who has done well there?).

I get the same feeling watching these practices that I got from watching Nolan the first couple of years in practice. 'This guy's gonna get it done.'

Only time will tell.

Like what I'm hearing about Casey. I've akways admired his attitude and effort. I hope he really comes into his own this year.

Hope we continue to hear good things about the receivers (go London Crawford and Marques Wade!).We need to get Cleveland and Tuck back but it's great to hear that the RBs are being used as receiving threats as well.

I'm glad to hear our new DC say he's "hard to please." Sounds like he won't only expect much from his befense but will stand a good chance of getting it.

Was kind of surprised to read all the reports of surprise at the greatly increased tempo at practice. Guess I wasn't too good at reading between the lines (it can be very difficult and frustrating to get an accurate picture of what's going on over there in the Boston Mountains when you live somplace like Atlanta [Kennesaw]). I didn't realize just how laid back practices were under Nutt. I'm glad to hear that Petrino wants to get the most out of every second he has. I doubt this philosophy will change once he has his schemes firmily in place.

Keep up the great work, guys! Looking forward to much more!

What a huge get this was to get Petrino. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. We were the only good job left in the SEC. Now we can finally compete for that title, those titles.