Arkansas sophomore De’Anthony Curtis was working out at a new position Thursday
The running back — who has basically been lost in the shuffle in the loaded backfield — was working out at cornerback during the morning practice. Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said the Razorbacks wanted to give Curtis a try during bowl practices.
“We’ve dealt with De’Anthony on special teams,” Robinson said. “He’s very coachable. He’s really a good football player athletically and we need to find a home for him because he is a guy that we should use his ability, his talent.”
It’s not clear how much work Curtis will get at cornerback throughout bowl practices. Cornerback Ramon Broadway said it was a bit of a susprise to see Curtis on that side of the ball, but did his best to give the sophomore some pointers and techniques.
Broadway said he did the same thing earlier this week when the Razorbacks gave receiver Lance Ray a shot at the position.
“He brings people over and asks me to work with them and that’s all I do,” Broadway said. “(Curtis) looked pretty good. … It’s kind of different when you spent your whole life running full speed forward. When you’ve got to run backwards, it’s kind of different.”
A couple other notes from today’s practice:
• Robinson was asked at the very end of his press conference about his health. His response was typical Robinson: “I feel peachy. I feel really good. I’m taking better care of myself. I’ve got a lot of people making sure of that. I feel a lot better.” Robinson said drinking too much coffee and not eating during the day took a toll on him earlier in the season. Now, he’s making sure he eats something for breakfast and lunch and has cut back on the amount of coffee he’s drinking each day. “It is absolutely killing me,” Robinson said of the cutback in coffee consumption.
• Broadway feels disrespected again. But I’m not exactly sure about what. He went on a mini-rant after he was asked about East Carolina’s offense and what the Razorbacks need to do to have success in the Liberty Bowl. “We’re hearing about what they’re saying, this and that, and how they’re dissing (us) and not respecting us and stuff like that. We’re not worried about that. We know what we can go out and do. If they come out there and try to look over us, that’s going to be their mistake.”
• Hilarious exchange with DE Jake Bequette today. I’m working on a story on bowl gifts that will run later this month and was talking to Bequette about the things the Razorbacks have and will be receiving for playing in the Liberty Bowl. DISCLAIMER: He was just joking with his response. “It’s great when you see that briefcase full of money sitting in your locker,” Bequette said. Once again, Bequette was just joking and cracked the room up. He wasn’t done, “Bowl gifts are nice. I guess at the Autozone Liberty Bowl we’ll get a free oil change or something?”
