By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino knows the expectations surrounding his team in 2010.

He sees the possibilities. So do his players. In fact, embracing and even enjoying the attention the Razorbacks have received throughout the long offseason was their theme at Southeastern Conference Media Days.

But talking about them can only go so far, which is something else the Razorbacks acknowledged last week when they took center stage at the Wynfrey Hotel.

“We have high expectations ourselves outside of the media and the goals we want to achieve this year aren’t going to come easy,” Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams said. “We understand we can’t think we’re just going to show up one day and win on a Saturday. We have to win it here in camp. We have to win it in summer workouts before we can win it on a Saturday.”

Arkansas is still more than a week away from opening preseason practice on Aug. 5, but it’s not too early to evaluate the Razorbacks’ goals in camp.

Petrino was asked about the items on his agenda when the Razorbacks put on their helmets and step out on the field next Thursday. And there was plenty.

“It’s going to be a big camp for us,” Petrino said.

For starters, Petrino said Arkansas’ offense must continue to improve and grow in the ground game.

It’s no secret Arkansas struggled to run the ball, control the clock, eat up yardage and wear down opponents at times last season. And it proved costly.

The Razorbacks spent the spring installing The Pistol to help the run game and expect success. The hope is that it will help Arkansas cut down on third-and-long situations and grind out games in the fourth quarter.

“I’m not saying that we’re going to come in and be a ball-control team,” Petrino clarified last week. “Because I still like to throw it down the field, move it around, score a lot of points. That’s one of the ways we’ve always found a way to win.”

Mallett and the offense seem ready for another record-breaking year through the air. But even that area is one Petrino has some concerns about.

Four receivers — Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Cobi Hamilton — return along with tight end D.J. Williams. But Petrino said it’s not enough. The Razorbacks will concentrate this preseason on developing depth at receiver in hopes of finding replacements for departed veterans London Crawford, Lucas Miller, Carlton Salters and Reggie Fish.

“We’re going to need some help from the incoming freshmen,” Petrino said about Javontee Herndon, Julian Horton, Marquel Wade and Maudrecus Humphrey.

Defensive improvement across the board remains an obvious must for the Razorbacks after Arkansas finished last in the SEC in total defense (248.5 yards a game) and ninth in scoring (25.1 points) in 2009.

Not surprisingly, Arkansas’ season is being described as one with incredible potential offensively. But …

That but? The team’s success is open for debate because of a defense that has struggled.

“You hear that a lot,” defensive end Jake Bequette said. “We deserve that. This is a league and this is a game where you have to prove yourself. … As a defense, we’re looking to make a statement this year.”

Petrino said last week the defense will continue to emphasize the things they did well last season: Forcing turnovers and playing well in the red zone.

But eliminating big plays continues to be a big goal for the Razorbacks. The hope is with another year of experience and more confidence in the defensive schemes, Arkansas will be much improved.

“I think that finally after three years everyone is 100 percent confident in their assignments and their alignment,” Bequette said. “So, therefore, you’re going to see a faster defense this season.”

Petrino has goals in the kicking game, too. The most pressing might be getting much-needed improvement at place kicker and punter, where Alex Tejada and Dylan Breeding were shaky in those roles last season.

Petrino’s solution was to sign a pair of freshmen in Eduardo Camara and Zach Hocker to compete for the positions. The best men will hold down the jobs.

“I’m going to be really interested in seeing how that plays out,” Petrino said last week.

Petrino believes the work ethic and determination from his team this spring and summer has been impressive. He said leadership has been at an all-time high since his arrival at Arkansas in Dec. 2007.

Will it translate to success on the field? It’s another question Petrino hopes the Razorbacks will begin to answer when preseason practice begins.

“We’ll have great competition every day in practice,” Petrino said. “Our players are ready to go.”

Arkansas Football Key Dates
Aug. 4        Players Report
Aug. 5        First Day of Practice
Aug. 9        First Practice in full pads
Aug. 20    Arkansas Kickoff Luncheon
Sept. 4    Opener vs. Tennessee Tech