By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
This is the eighth in a nine-part, position-by-position series previewing the 2010 Razorbacks. Up next: Quarterbacks.
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ open practices this preseason revealed a subtle change that might have gone unnoticed to the untrained eye.
When the Razorbacks worked on returning punts, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, Cobi Hamilton and a few others dropped back to field the ball. Standing with them wasn’t running backs coach Tim Horton, who worked with the group for two years. It was offensive coordinator Garrick McGee.
So why the change in special teams duties?
“I want them to understand that it’s an offensive play,” McGee said earlier this week. “The first play of the offense is the punt return.”
Arkansas is hoping to find some success in returning punts after struggling for the past two seasons. Finding a player to field the ball cleanly, make defenders miss, and turn in game-changing plays has been an elusive goal, but one the Razorbacks believe must be achieved in 2010.
Arkansas released its depth chart for the opener on Friday afternoon and Adams has been tabbed as the team’s punt returner. The Razorbacks’ message to the junior: Make Arkansas a productive punt return team.
“When you have just a single guy back, he’s got to have enough confidence in his abilities that he’s going to go get the ball anywhere,” Arkansas special teams coordinator John L. Smith said. “So we’re putting some pressure on that guy to go do some things.
“But I like Joe and what he has come out and done so far. He’s taken it serious. He worked hard.”
Success hasn’t been a word used to describe punt returners at Arkansas lately. The Razorbacks were little more than a fair catching team last season and have had problems for most of the past decade.
In fact, Arkansas hasn’t had a returner average more than 10 yards since 2005, when former running back Peyton Hillis gained 10.3 on 16 attempts.
The Razorbacks have only returned two punts for touchdowns since 1993 with Marvin Jackson responsible for both in 2001 and 2003.
It may be much to expect multiple touchdowns, but Arkansas does want Adams to average at least 10 yards this season.
“The hidden first downs in a ballgame are unbelievable,” Smith said. “And this is one of the hidden first downs, where, if you return four punts and you get 40 yards and you get four first downs, that could win you a football game. …
“If we do that, then we’re going to pretty darn successful.”
Adams hasn’t had an opportunity to return punts on a consistent basis at Arkansas , tallying one return for zero yards in 2009. But the Razorback see plenty of big-play potential from the starting receiver.
Adams sounds eager and confident to man the role, too, after returning punts in high school. For instance: The junior was asked what he liked about the punt return job and his reply drew a laugh.
“Making somebody look stupid,” Adams said. “That’s the best part, putting somebody on a highlight reel.”
Adams also was told Arkansas hasn’t returned a punt for a touchdown since Jackson’s big play in 2003. He thinks that will change.
“I’m going to try to break that this year,” he said.
Of course, Adams can’t do it alone and Smith said the Razorbacks have worked hard on blocking in the return game this preseason. Arkansas has the luxury of experience, too, with several players returning who have been on the special teams unit in their careers.
So is this the year Arkansas’ misfortunes in returning punts changes? Is it possible that the Razorbacks are going to be a dangerous return team?
Smith was a little hesitant to comment until Arkansas actually gets on the field Sept. 4. But the work so far seems to indicate it can happen.
“Knock on wood, we’ll have a little more success,” Smith said.
A Closer Look At … SPECIAL TEAMS
Best of the Bunch: KR Dennis Johnson — As Arkansas’ specialists go, Johnson has the most experience and success in his career. He has returned two kickoffs for touchdown in two years, improving his average to 25.8 yards a return in 2009.
Watch Out For: P Dylan Breeding — The sophomore hasn’t let the punting job turn into a tight competition. No starter has been named, but Breeding has improved and Arkansas is expecting a big year.
Biggest Strength: Like many other positions, Arkansas has experience among its special team players. There are returners, cover men, protection men and kickers that have been on the field. It should help Arkansas improve across the board.
Biggest Question: Will Arkansas find consistency in its place kicking? The position has been watched closely and, although no starter has been named, the competition has produced better results in practices. But will it carry over to the field on gameday?
Projected Starters: KR — Dennis Johnson, Jr. (25.8-yard average); PR Joe Adams, Jr. (1 return, 0 yards); P Dylan Breeding, So. (38.7 yard average); PK — Alex Tejada, Sr. (16 of 22 on field goals); SNP — Rhett Richardson, Sr. (fourth season as deep snapper); Holder — Austin Tucker, Jr. (holder in 12 games)
Other Contributors: KR — Cobi Hamilton, So.; Maudrecus Humphrey, Fr.; PR — Jarius Wright, Jr.; Cobi Hamilton, So.; PK — Eddie Camara, Fr.; Zach Hocker, Fr.; P — Zach Hocker, Fr.
That Figures: 4 — Number of kickoffs, out of 86, that were downed for touchbacks by Arkansas’ opponents last season. It’s a number the Hogs are hoping to improve with Hocker and Tejada in 2010.
Quotable: “Coach Petrino and I meet on it and discuss it and chart it daily. Everything they do gets charted. … We want to put all these things together and come up with a decision.” — Smith on the three-way battle for the place kicking job between Tejada, Camara and Smith.
