2008 Arkansas Razorbacks Preview

The Bobby Petrino Era at Arkansas begins with the promise of a newfangled, electrifying offensive system, which has resonated with the pass-parched patrons of Razorback football. Gone are the antics of the Darren McFadden-Felix Jones WildHog romping, running attack that brought the national spotlight to the Ozarks. The Petrino system will be much more comfortable calling and executing the forward pass, but it is committed to balance.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Razorbacks

At first glance, Arkansas appears too ravaged by departures on offense and too inexperienced in the back seven on defense to be a factor in the SEC West, much less the conference race. But the Razorbacks’ positions of power lie in the trenches on both sides of the ball — a solid foundation on which to build — and their presumptive starting quarterback, Casey Dick, has loads of experience. Bobby Petrino has been able to identify and accelerate skill-position stars, some previously unheralded, in all of his college stops, so he is very likely to find major contributors to run and catch in his heretofore prolific system. If the O-line blocks as hoped, the Razorbacks find a productive big back to team with the little-guy tandem of Michael Smith and Brandon Barnett, and Dick manages to mesh with the receiving corps, then maybe Arkansas can field an above-average offense in the rugged SEC. There are questions aplenty on defense as well, starting with a linebacking corps wracked by injury (Wendel Davis), suspension (Freddie Fairchild), position change (Chip Gregory) and inexperience through the spring. Given the Razorbacks’ difficult schedule, such as a road date at Texas in addition to the brutal SEC slate, a .500 overall record would seem like a reasonable debut for Petrino.

“The big thing we always do offensively is we call it FTS: Feed the Studs,” says offensive coordinator Paul Petrino.

The big question with the FTS plan: Who are the studs?

Petrino and company inherited a roster of skill-position talent on offense that few fans outside the Natural State will recognize. Auditions for offensive touches cranked up during the Hogs’ extra-physical spring drills and will carry through fall camp, when a signing class loaded with skill athletes will get its chance to compete.

Casey Dick returns at quarterback, and his forte has been game management, smooth handoffs, an occasional downfield block and the play-action pass — not triggering a precision, timing-based, all-quadrant attacking offense. He’ll get offensive help from a deep, talented tight end crew that features Andrew Davie, D.J. Williams and Ben Cleveland, as well as a highly regarded offensive front, led by Rimington Trophy winner Jonathan Luigs at center and guard Mitch Petrus.

The leading rushers and receivers will come from a mix of mostly unproven returning players, like tailback Michael Smith and receivers London Crawford, Lucas Miller and Reggie Fish.

On defense, the built-in strength is the front of the 4-3 alignment under new coordinator Willy Robinson. Ends Adrian Davis and Antwain Robinson and tackles Ernest Mitchell and Malcolm Sheppard have all earned their SEC stripes, while Damario Ambrose and other younger players should benefit from more playing time.

Quarterbacks

Dick has 22 starts under his belt, so he has the inside track on winning the No. 1 job. His accuracy rate of 57.3 percent must be improved for the Petrino system to function effectively. Last year, he threw for 1,695 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, with a high of 210 yards in a 66–7 win over North Texas. Only once in his three years at Arkansas has he topped the 200-yard mark against an SEC opponent — a 228-yard effort in a win at South Carolina in November 2006. The splashy transfer of Ryan Mallett from Michigan should bring benefits down the road, but he injured the thumb on his throwing hand in the second week of spring drills and did not seem likely to win his appeal to the NCAA for immediate eligibility. Junior Alex Mortensen and redshirt freshman Nathan Dick, Casey’s younger brother, will have to contend with signees Tyler Wilson and Jim Youngblood when fall camp commences.

Running backs

Smith is the heir apparent tailback, but at 5'7", 173 pounds, durability issues exist. He’s a breakaway threat who had an 81-yard score in relief duty last year. Two years ago, he gained 116 yards on eight carries in a win over Division I-AA Southeast Missouri State. Brandon Barnett is a bowling-ball-type with good speed and solid hands who posted a 100-yard game in 2007. He’s likely to be the top pass-catcher out of the backfield. Converted linebacker Chip Gregory’s move to become the “big back” lost steam with a high-ankle sprain early in the spring. Watch for the development of signees like De’Anthony Curtis and Dennis Johnson.

Receivers

The returning group has yet to distinguish itself, though Miller had three touchdowns among his 12 receptions in 2007. The best spring drills in the new regime belonged to Crawford, whose early career has been erratic; Marques Wade, who has no college catches; and Miller. Carlton Salters, Crosby Tuck and Fish also figure in the mix, along with a pack of highly touted newcomers that includes Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Cruz Williams. You have to count tight ends Davie and Williams in this mix, as well as Cleveland, because this position, which includes H-back duties, will get the ball. Williams had a banner spring, and Davie’s performance was also bright.

Offensive linemen

Luigs, who shared the SEC’s Jacobs Trophy as the league’s top blocker last year, is the unquestioned leader of this bunch at center. Luigs, Petrus, the left guard, and tackle Jose Valdez are returning starters. Valdez found himself in a good battle with Ray Dominguez and Michael Aguirre for the starting tackle spots, so the fall should be interesting. DeMarcus Love, who won modest playing time last year, should slot as the other guard starter for a line that will flop sides under new assistant Mike Summers. Strong play up front was a trademark of Nutt’s teams at Arkansas, and barring any significant injuries, the line should be a team strength in Petrino’s first season.

Defensive linemen

There is strength and athleticism to work with on the line, starting with outside rushers Davis and Robinson. Davis has a great frame for the position and makes plays in the running and passing game. Robinson has been in and out of the coach’s doghouse, but on game days he has a penchant for disruption and big plays as evidenced by three career touchdowns. Mitchell missed spring after knee surgery, but he’s a veteran plugger in the middle. Malcolm Sheppard has played inside and out and is the consummate team player. This group will need to tie up blockers to assist the slender linebacking corps.

Linebackers

What is probably the thinnest spot on the roster was depleted even more through spring with veteran strong-side backer Freddie Fairchild being dismissed from the team and the would-be starter in the middle Wendel Davis due to injury. Senior Elston Forte, a former safety, will likely grab a starting role on the strong or weak side. Young players such as Jerry Franklin, Ryan Powers, Jermaine Love and Aaron Fenton benefited with extra spring work, so there’s a silver lining of sorts if the more veteran players all return.

Defensive backs

The Razorbacks have a big batch of names here but not much returning experience. Jerell Norton, the team interception leader with five, projected as a cornerback starter, but he pulled a hamstring early in spring working as a punt returner, and watched as Jamar Love and Isaac Madison gained valuable time with the starting unit. Norton worked best as a nickel back last season and figures in the coverage mix. There are plenty of other corners vying for time, including Greg Gatson, Ramon Broadway, Shedrick Johnson and walk-on Darrell Glasper. The safety position could also be deep, as Rashaad Johnson, a late-season starter in ’07, battled through spring for a starting job with Matt Harris and Dallas Washington. With prized assistant Lorenzo “Whammy” Ward doing his thing, this unit should be a strength for the defense and special teams.

Specialists

Alex Tejada could develop into even a greater weapon as a sophomore kicker. Tejada made 17-of-23 field goals with a long of 47 last year and was 13-of-13 inside 40 yards until missing twice in the Cotton Bowl. Jeremy Davis is the returning punter after ranking sixth in the SEC with a 40-yard average. The Razorbacks’ 33.1-yard net punting — 93rd in the NCAA — must get better this season. Kick returns won’t be as explosive without Jones and McFadden, though Smith has burning speed and elusiveness. Punt returns have been abysmal, ranking 107th last year.

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