By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
This is the second in a nine part, position-by-position series previewing the 2010 Razorbacks. Up next: Defensive line.
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams clarified something earlier this week: He hasn’t lobbied for more passes from Ryan Mallett by taking the quarterback out to dinner during the offseason.
It was a good story. One Williams jokingly told reporters at Southeastern Conference Media Days last month. But certainly not true, he confessed.
“Actually, he should be the one taking me out to dinner,” Williams said with a laugh.
“So I hope nobody took it seriously.”
It’s safe to say there was no harm done in the little white lie, but the Hogs are serious about Williams’ involvement in the passing attack this season. So much, in fact, they want to make sure Mallett is looking toward the 6-foot-2, 251-pound tight end. Especially on critical downs.
It was a glaring problem through the first half of 2009, when Williams was practically invisible while Mallett was sligning the ball downfield to his much-improved trio of receivers. But the Razorbacks rediscovered Williams late in the year and understand his importance to their plans in 2010.
It was evident in last Saturday’s scrimmage, when Williams caught a team-high seven passes. Four of them were for first downs, moving the chains. He caught five more passes during Thursday night’s scrimmage. Two of them went for first downs, including an 11-yard reception on a 3rd-and-1 play.
“Early in the year, I thought we didn’t do a great job of getting him the touches and getting him the ball,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “But as the year went on, his relationship with Ryan, his timing with Ryan really improved. He started making a lot of plays at the end of the year.
“We’ll expect he’ll have a big year for us.”
Williams said he never was concerned about his production early in the year. He said the only reason he caught so many passes in 2008 was because Arkansas’ offense didn’t have much experience at wide receiver. So Williams’ performance was vital.
“We were able to spread it around and get the ball to different places,” Williams said. “That’s all that is. People were trying to figure out what’s going on. Why am I not getting the ball. But (32) balls for a tight end is still above average.”
Offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said Williams and Mallett have worked, though, to make sure they’re well connected in 2010.
He said Williams — who is on the Mackey Award watch list for the second straight season — is in better shape, lighter, faster and stronger. He is getting in and out of breaks better. And he spends time with Mallett, even if it isn’t picking up a dinner tab.
“They both have a lot of respect for each other, both are really good friends,” McGee said. “We spend a lot of time with the quarterbacks and receivers throwing routes together out here so he knows where D.J. is and he understands his movements.
“He understands his break points and D.J. gives him what we call indicators, meaning where he’s going to break or where he’s going to cut.”
Williams credits the extra work for helping the relationship evolve. McGee’s goal: To make sure each player is thinking the same on the field.
“After practice, he’ll have me and Ryan sit aside and if we have a certain route called, he asks what I’m thinking,” Williams said. “So what I’m thinking, Ryan will know the same thing. So when we’re out on the field and we see something, we can be like, ‘This is what we need to do on this route.’”
The Razorbacks believe Williams’ value will be evident on third downs especially, helping them shore up what was a glaring weakness last fall. Arkansas was tied for 11th in the Southeastern Conference in third down conversions (33.3 percent).
“I always pride myself in when the sticks say third or fourth down, that’s a big down for the offense and I do whatever I can to get open,” Williams said.
Said McGee: “It’s important man, when you’ve got a tight end you can throw to you can move the chains.”
But how many catches will it equal in 2010? Will it be the 61 Williams grabbed as a sophomore. The 32 last season. Or will it be somewhere in between?
Williams couldn’t put a number on it. However, he guaranteed one thing: Arkansas has challenged him to become an even better target his senior season.
“I’ve talked to the coaching staff,” Williams said. “They told me this is my senior year and I need to step up in a game and be a playmaker.
“What that is, we’ll find out on Saturdays.”
A Closer Look At … TIGHT ENDS
Best of the Bunch: D.J. Williams — The senior is one of the best tight ends in the nation and creates headaches for defenses. His catch total was down in 2009, but Arkansas believes Williams will play a vital role in helping the offense on critical downs.
Watch Out For: Chris Gragg — The sophomore missed the 2009 season after breaking his ankle in the preseason. However, his size, speed and athleticism adds an intriguing new weapon for Mallett. He must continue to improve as a blocker, though.
Biggest Strength: Arkansas’ group is loaded with variety from Williams, Gragg, Ben Cleveland and Austin Tate. Some block better. Others are threats in the passing game. And Arkansas will be able to use each one of their talents in different ways.
Biggest Question: How strong are the Razorbacks behind Williams? Cleveland, Gragg and Tate all specialize in certain aspects, but none are quite the complete package as Williams. So the obvious goal: Make sure Williams remains healthy in 2010.
Projected Starter: D.J. Williams, Sr., 32 catches, 411 yards, 3 touchdowns in 2009
Other Contributors: Chris Gragg, So.; Ben Cleveland, Sr.; Austin Tate, Fr.
That Figures: 56 — Number of receptions D.J. Williams needs to become Arkansas’ all-time leading receiver. Williams has 98 career catches. Former Hog Anthony Eubanks holds the school record with 153.
Quotable: “My name was pretty much out there, but now I’m a little under the radar. Hopefully that works out for me. Hopefully I can surprise a couple of teams and make some big plays.” — Gragg on his return from an injury that sidelined him in 2009.
