It’s really interesting to sit through the Razorback spring practices and then read all the sportswriter’s reports of what went on.
Sometimes they describe the offense as carrying the day, while other times they describe the defense as beating up on the offense. It’s like they agree on the day’s theme and then all write about it.
I don’t envy those guy’s jobs. They have deadlines to meet. I couldn’t do that. I was supposed to have this blog post done on Sunday afternoon and here I am writing it on Monday evening.
At any rate, what’s really going on at football practice? Let me break it down real simple for you: It’s year three of the Petrino era. Everything is moving much faster. Everyone, it seems, knows their job intuitively and no longer has to pause to think. This is particularly true on defense.
Last Friday’s scrimmage was a good example. The defense is quicker, faster — no, those are not the same things — and hitting harder. The secondary play, both safeties and corners, appears much improved. I like the look of the linebackers.
Most importantly, you can see that the defense doesn’t want to play the ‘drawback’ position on this team any longer.
What about all those big passing numbers the offense has been putting up? Remember that the quarterbacks are mostly “hands-off” right now. And, there’s a bit of a slow whistle. In fairness, it’s hard to tell how good the protection or pass rush really is. So those passing yards need to be taken with a grain of salt.
There’s been a lot of emphasis on the running game. We are seeing various versions of the option that I can’t imagine Ryan Mallett actually running. We have a great stable of running backs. However, more times than not, the defense is getting the better of the offense in the running game.
Quarterbacks, however, seem to have lots of room to run out of the pocket. Archie Manning would love the Petrino offense.
Tight end play is going to be solid. The receivers are going to be good, just like last year. De’Anthony Curtis adds a Bobby Jo Edmonds type flavor to the mix. Not a receiver’s body, not a tight end body…but a real threat when matched up against a linebacker or safety.
The question is whether or not Ryan Mallett will use Curtis and the tight ends or prefer to look beyond wide open guys and throw way down the field like he did in the second half of the season last year.
Special teams? Who knows. I’m hopeful we’ll see improvement over last year. I’ve learned that you can’t tell at the practices what the real on-the-field performance is going to be like.
If Petrino mixes up the ones and twos for the Red-White game we should see some interesting football. RazorFest will be exciting for both young and old. I recommend making the drive up to campus and checking things out Saturday.
Nice article! I think the key to this season will be Mallett. He is being given alot of love during the offseason by the media. Will he let it go to his head? Too often last year he tried to force the ball downfield when he had a wide open tight end or running back. A mature quarterback will take what the defense gives you. I just hope he involves D. J. Williams and the backs more. Williams may be the best pass-catching tight end in the country. A more mature Mallett will make good use of him. If he does that it will make it easier to throw down field. And no one will be able to stop our offense.
Bobby Joe Edmonds. The guy caught a lot of passes and put the hurt on many a linebacker. BUT, dang it, he did drop a sure touchdown pass that would have beat Auburn and Bo Jackson in the Liberty Bowl. We should not remember the one bad play that a guy makes in his career, but we do.
great post! thanks for the real story!
Kudos Hogblogger. As an expat living in Europe, you guys are exceptional at providing succinct coverage on Razorbackland. The above blog was true to form. Not to knock the beat writers, but it's the same story, spun 10 x different ways. Appreciate the precision and story behind the story. I'm liking what I read.
Excellent post. Keep up the good work. I took in the Friday scrimmiage last week. The only assessment that I will make is that the O-line looked SEC caliber size wise..No analysis as to how good they are or will be.
Obviously, the offense continue to look excellent. I believe we shall see a vastly improved Mallett if his injury goes not hinder him…after all it is part of his leg supoort that was injured. Mallett's maturidy will show up. I like te Team's attitude….attitude…attitude….attitude is soooooo important and it appears that this team will have a great attitude and on same wave length as their coaches.
Although I saw some fo last Friday's scrimmage, I really do not see how anyone can come away with an analysis as to what will occur in the fall. The match ups in the spring game, play calling, match ups are all "manipulated" to get what the coaches need to see. I always like to see the Defense dominate in spring…coaches know what they need to see and do. All in all I am looking for a dynamite offense and an improved defense.
Our SEC opponents of course have had changes. Better for some and worse for others We shall see how Auburn does with so much internal meddling in their ex-coach and coaching ranks and their high doller allumni will likely get them on NCAA's dog house within 3 years. Does not appear that they have learned their lesson. Some are picking AU to …I do not. I think that it is Arkansas' time to shine. It is bound to all come together this year with their great attitude, work ethic, and good coaching. If they are successful in adding a running game, LOOK OUT SEC! That will even make the defense better all by its self.
Ole Miss will be decent on offense provided they can get their running game going strong. And aanother good QB extablished. However, I look for their Defense of be one of the best in the SEC and if so that could spell trouble even with an immature QB.
NOrmally, teams do well with a seasoned QB. Arkansas appears in the lead for a seasoned QB…but only if our D improves, Razorback should be ub the BCS and maybe even the Championship game if all falls together. The intangibles are so hard to predict but Hogs should be very good.
Anybody hear of Tesas considering coming to the SEC? I saw one suggesting it as a possibility on Bleacher. If so, SEC could kick miss state or Vandy out to make room013.
I like what I'm hearing from the defensive side of the ball. The D-line looks to be improving, the secondary is improving and just recently, the LBs seem to be establishing themselves more.
R. Crim was moved to SS for more overall speed at that position. That more than likely means our CB depth is really improving.
D. Winston has come on this spring and if I. Madison can pick up where he left off from last pre-season before injuring his knee, Crim could very well stay at his new position.
I also heard the RBs are running much harder and consistantly than ever before.
Like Defense Wins Championships was saying, that alone will make the defense better.
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On another note, I hope Texas stays right where they are.
The SEC and the Big 12 seem to meet up regularily in the NC game these days.
It we're ever destined to actually play in a NC game under CBP, I would thourghly enjoy beating Texas more than any other opponent I can think of.
Just emagine the headlines reading: HOGS TOP OLD RIVAL HORNS FOR GLORY IN SEASON'S BIGGEST GAME. WPS!!!
I think the offensive line is looking much better than last year. They fire off the ball better and appear more cohesive.
The running backs are all running hard. Dennis Johnson makes impressive runs after catches every practice it seems. Knile Davis may be the sleeper of the bunch and bring the biggest surprise come fall. Wingo is solid. Green is a load.
Speed on defense is evident. R. Crim at SS should make them seem even faster.
And, yes, you can't always tell good from bad watching practices. The secondary may be taking deep drops while the offense is working on underneath patterns. You see lots of completions and yardage, but it's not representative of real game situations.
I like the feeling of a team on a mission. That's fun.