FOUR DOWNS – NOTES FROM ARKANSAS’ PRACTICE
1. Reserve Concerns
Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson feels confident in his first-team group, which is made up of veterans like Jerry Franklin, Tramain Thomas, Jake Bequette, Jerico Nelson and Tenarius Wright.
But with less than two weeks remaining before the season opener, Robinson isn’t so certain about the strength of the rest of his defense.
“I have some real doubts about how deep we are yet because of not seeing the seconds really develop into a solid backup,” Robinson said. “They gave us great effort. That was the one thing that stood out, it seemed like the second group had fun playing, they weren’t just quite executing well enough.”
Robinson said the depth concerns aren’t limited to one spot, saying questions remain across the board on the line, at linebacker and in the secondary.
He said Arkansas continues to search for consistency from the unit, which include players like linebackers Terrell Williams and Bret Harris, defensive ends Chris Smith and Horace Arkadie, and defensive backs Ryan Farr and Greg Gatson.
It may be a work in progress, but defensive end Jake Bequette thinks the Razorbacks will have enough depth on defense when games begin.
“The depth is pretty solid,” Bequette said. “We’ve had some freshmen who are definitely going to come in here and help us in that second unit for sure.”
2. Itching For Contact
It’s no surprise Arkansas’ defensive players are counting down the days to the opener. The group, which hasn’t been permitted to tackle much during preseason practices, is ready for contact.
Robinson said he can see it in scrimmage work.
“When we finally get a chance to hit, we see a really talented football team that can run to the football and tackle you,” Robinson said. “I think it’s got to be frustrating that those times are few and far between, but, you’ve got to take care of your teammates as well. Time is drawing near.”
Arkansas’ quarterbacks have been off limits for contact in preseason practices. Running backs and receivers haven’t been tackled to the ground, either, except for the team’s scrimmage work.
Arkadie, a freshman, admitted it has been hard at times having to hold up. But there’s good news: the defense won’t have to wait much longer.
“That hurts. It does hurt,” he said. “But we’re just ready for Missouri State and when they call my number I’m going to be ready to go make a play.”
3. Freshmen on the Field
Robinson was asked how many freshmen he thinks will help the defense this season. While he couldn’t put an exact number on it, Robinson mentioned Arkadie, defensive end Trey Flowers and cornerback Tevin Mitchel as possibilities for playing time.
Arkadie believes he has been able to work his way into the mix after gaining nearly 40 pounds since arriving on campus. He is listed in the media guide at 235 pounds, but now tips the scales at 274 and is comfortable playing with the added weight.
“He’s a beast,” said Smith, who works with Arkadie on the second team. “That first day of camp when he came in, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ If he studies his playbook and everything like that, he’ll be a stud.”
4. Haman Out For Season
Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino broke down his 2011 signing class during a 20-minute video posted on the athletic department’s website this week.
In it, Petrino revealed some news about freshman linebacker Brock Haman, saying he is out for the season with a foot injury. Petrino said Haman, a Scottsdale, Ariz., native, already has undergone surgery and should be available in the spring.
“He will redshirt, come back in spring and have an opportunity to compete, I think, to start in spring ball because of his talent and speed,” Petrino said in the video. “And he has very good instincts.”
Quote of the Day
“It’s not very fun. We feed off the energy of our fans. We always say we have the best fans in the SEC and we feed off their energy. So we can’t wait for Sept. 3.” — Bequette, when asked about Arkansas’ preseason scrimmages taking place in an empty stadium with practices now closed to the public.
— Robbie Neiswanger • Arkansas News Bureau
