Ryan Mallett looked rusty at times, a little off with his throws and timing, but his left foot was not a problem Thursday as Arkansas took the field for the first day of fall camp.
For the first day of practice, the once-hobbled Mallett at least passed the eye test.
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett was rusty in his return to the practice field, but was not held back by his surgically-repaired left foot. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/MICHAEL WOODS)
“The leg is a little sore for the first full practice in a while, but other than that I feel good,” Mallett said.
Wait. Sore? The leg is sore?
“My muscles,” Mallett later explained, “not my bones.”
Mallett, who set or tied 16 school records last season and has been sidelined since he broke a bone in his foot in February, made sharp passes but was also off with a few throws. One high pass was tipped and intercepted by defensive back Tramain Thomas midway through his first day back on the field. Frustrated, Mallett punched the ball out of Thomas’ hands as he crossed the line of scrimmage.
“It’s been a while,” Mallett said. “I can tell I was a little rusty today but it’s a process in the fall camp anyway. Being out there with your team, it gives you a chance to enjoy the process and become closer. It feels great to be back out there.”
“I thought he was on balance,” Coach Bobby Petrino said. “Timing was pretty good. He made good throws for the most part. He was very very comfortable. It was great to have his leadership back out there, so it was a great start.”
Members of the media, along with players and coaches after the sun set, noticed that this first day of practice was amazingly crisp for the veterans. One member of the media opined that it was almost like Arkansas had continued spring practices into Thursday.
“When Coach Petrino doesn’t have much to say but ‘great day,’ after practice, you know you did something right,” defensive end Jake Bequette said.
The team captain, healthy foot and all, took it a step further.
“I thought that was the best mental practice, since I’ve been here, that we’ve had,” Mallett said. “To be able to do that, that just means we’re upgrading and upgrading.”
NOTABLES
— The battle for the job at punt returner is going to be heated. Six players lined up to return punts Thursday.
Freshmen Marquel Wade and Eric Bennett competed at the spot in the practice for newcomers, while Dennis Johnson, Cobi Hamilton, Jarius Wright and Joe Adams continued to compete in the veterans’ practice. The foursome vied for the job in spring drills as well.
— Arkansas looks to have found a scout team quarterback. Brian Beuhner of St. Xavier in Louisville, Ky., joined the team on the practice field Thursday. Beuhner, who was not listed on Arkansas’ roster entering camp, was erratic throwing the ball.
— Alex Tejada, by my count, hit 5 of 5 field goals at the end of practice today, his longest a 37-yarder. Freshman Eddie Camara, who practiced with the veterans, was 3 of 4 on field goals. His miss was a 37-yarder from the left hash.
— Sophomore quarterback Brandon Mitchell practiced with the newcomers.
— Who stuck out today to the veterans? “I was really impressed with the two punters,” said Mallett of Dylan Breeding and Eddie Camara. “I caught a glimpse of them when we were lifting weights and they were hitting them pretty good.”
— Jatashun “Big Tex” Beachum stayed after the newcomers’ practice for some more conditioning work. He looked slow and out of shape. Fullback Van Stumon also took part in extra work after the newcomers’ practice.
PLAY(S) OF THE DAY
Near the end of team drills, Joe Adams snuck behind the defense for a wide open catch,nearly falling to the ground while adjusting to the ball for the grab. The junior maintained his balance on the sideline, lifted himself up with his hands and sprinted to the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown from Tyler Wilson.
Wilson
PLAYER(S) OF THE DAY
Tyler Wilson, quarterback
The redshirt sophomore will always remain behind Mallett on the depth chart, but he continues to impress with his accuracy and decision making. With time in the pocket, Wilson’s reads were smart, including a great pass down field as one receiver gained a slight advantage near the sideline.
Wilson had five straight completions during one stretch ind rills.
INJURIES
Reserve defensive end Caleb Evans will sit out the season due to a recurring back injury. … Junior defensive tackle Zach Stadther did not attend practice because of a fever.
QUOTE ME
“I threw up a lot. Yeah, through the facemask. Y’all seen “Any Given Sunday?” I got it in, strapped up and locked down the next play.”
— Cornerback Isaac Madison, who vomited during practice
PIG’S EYE VIEW
Back on their feet
Arkansas began the first day of fall camp with a familiar face returning to the field without a hobble in his step — quarterback Ryan Mallett. The junior and Coach Bobby Petrino discuss the first day of fall camp for the Razorbacks.
Mallett in action
Video evidence that Ryan Mallett did, in fact, return to the field Thursday from his foot injury.
Make sure to check out WholeHogSports.com and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more coverage. You can also follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates with @bmarcello and @wholehogsports.
Sounds like a good first practice. Hopefully It dosn’t take Mallett long to get back into rythem. I saw where Bobby Petrino complimented Knile Davis on wanting to do everything as a running back (i.e. running, blocking, and catching). I wonder if this means he could be slightly standing out in the backfield.
Looks like the veterans on this team is starting Fall practice at a higher level of conditioning, confidence and execution that any team in recent memory. Still lots of questions to be answered but sounds like a positive start. Beachum’s lack of conditioning is disappointing though. Hope there aren’t many others that start camp that way… they won’t enjoy what the coaches are gonna dish out between now and September 4th.
GO HOGS and thanks for all the great work Brandon.
Great to have Ryan Mallett back in action. He looks great.
Might be a little rusty, but hey, who wouldn’t be?
Great to here Tyler Wilson is off to a good start. If Ryan were to go down with another injury, his improvement this fall would be vital to our season.
Also, great news on Alex Tejada going 5 for 5 on FGs. I hope this new competition from Eddie Camara keeps him focused.
Overall, I’m just pleased. If CBP is happy, I’m happy.
I’m glad everyone is positive, but man, those Nike pants are tight!