Razor Review (Day 2): Defense, 'Brick Squad' slow down offense

It’s the second day of practice. No one is wearing shoulder pads, play-calling selection is slim, contact is almost non-existent and tackling is off limits.

But there’s something to be said about Arkansas’ defense stepping up on Day 2 in the veterans’ practice. The defense broke up four passes, one of which was nearly an interception, and quarterbacks Ryan Mallett and Tyler Wilson had a tough time completing long bombs down field. The passes were mostly on target, but it was the cornerbacks and safeties making plays on the ball that led to bumbles and pass breakups.

It wasn’t surprising to some, including offensive coordinator Garrick McGee and tight end D.J. Williams.

Arkansas cornerback Ramon Broadway, the leader of the Razorbacks' "Brick Squad," had plenty to smile about Friday. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/FILE PHOTO)

“I just say that’s just understood competition,” Williams said. “We see them work and they’re not the same team they were last year. They’re the same players, but they’re different players at the same time. I wish you could have seen them work during the summer. They’re a completely different squad and I think they’re going to live up to their name.”

That name? The Brick Squad. Apparently, coaches hand out bricks and T-shirts with the word “Punish” on them when players make big plays. And there’s a competition brewing. Simply put, the secondary wants the most bricks, Williams said.

“The Brick Squad, that’s what they call themselves, led by Ramon Broadway,” Williams said, before adding in a fun tone, “I had to throw that out. Woop! Woop! All that.”

Was it frustrating for the offense? It can be at times, but as Williams said, it’s “understood competition.”

“What they’re doing a little bit defensively is they’re funneling a lot of stuff inside and kind of preventing the deep ball,” said Wilson, who tossed an interception in team work. “We’ve got to make sure our guys (receivers) understand … Told them we’re going to run some smaller stuff here in the next couple of days and take what they give us. I think we did a pretty good job of that day.”

“They’ve worked hard,” Williams said. “It’s unbelievable how hard they’ve worked. … Ramon kept them all out and made them work extra (after practice). They’re going to be ready to roll. They understand the expectations our team has this year and they’re not going to let their corps slow us down. They’re going to boost us in every way possible.”

The shorter routes worked, but the much-preached-about “big play” was not present at Razorback Stadium on Friday. One hesitates to write it on the board, but I’ll go ahead and say it: “Defense 1, Offense 0.”

For a team that garners headlines for its offense, the defense has seemed to sneak in a few times since spring drills. You may remember me writing in this space near the end of spring drills that the secondary looked improved. We even hit on it in our “Three 2 Watch.”

“When I said it seems like these kids have decided to really concentrate, focus, be more aggressive, I was not just talking about the offense,” McGee said. “Our practices are more competitive. Our team seems to be … you can just tell they’ve put in a lot of work this summer. You can see it, and I’m talking about everybody on the team. There’s no doubt about it.”

Andru Stewart stood out on defense, picking off a Wilson pass by jumping on an Austin Tucker route near the left sideline. He also had a pass breakup later in practice.

Broadway, the most vocal player on the defense and the man behind the “Brick Squad,” also had a pass breakup 55 yards down field at the 10-yard line.

“They’ve worked hard,” Williams said. “It’s unbelievable how hard they’ve worked. … Ramon kept them all out and made them work extra (after practice). They’re going to be ready to roll. They understand the expectations our team has this year and they’re not going to let their corps slow us down. They’re going to boost us in every way possible.”

NOTABLES

— The offense looked sharp on short routes, including a segment of team work that included six straight pass completions by Mallett. Wilson struggled early and his first pass during team work was intercepted by Stewart.

— The kicking competition is heating up. Maybe there is something to competition making everyone better.

Alex Tejada and Eddie Camara were both 5-of-6 on field goals. Camara missed a 46-yarder from the right hash mark. His longest conversion was a 47-yard kick.

Tejada was equally impressive, with his miss coming from 48 yards. He also hit a 47-yard kick. Both of their misses (on back to back attempts, mind you) bounced off the left goal post.

— Eric Bennett has really impressed me at punt return. If he keeps it up, he will push for a shot at the punt return job with the four veterans (Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, Cobi Hamilton and Dennis Johnson) once practices are combined next week.

— Freshman receiver Javontee Herndon (6-1, 185) was the sharpest newcomer in practice today. His routes were crisp, he made a great catch near the sideline past a defender and also saved a high pitch on an option play to the right side near the end of practice.

— Freshmen receivers Marquel Wade and Maudrecus Humphrey stayed after practice when positional groups broke apart, but didn’t do much conditioning.

— Fullback Van Stumon and offensive lineman Anthony Oden, who were both arrested on alcohol-related charges earlier this year, continued their apparent punishments after practice with some extra work.

— Jatashun “Big Tex” Beachum was asked to say after practice for the second consecutive day. He did several things after practice, including sprints and strength work on the ground.

— Spotted a random No. 24 today (he was out there as well Thursday). The man behind the facemask is kicker/punter Weston Cox of Jonesboro. He shanked a few punts to Bennett and Wade, and proved to be inconsistent.

— Sophomore linebacker Terrell Williams appeared at the tail end of the newcomers practice. He chatted with some Arkansas administrators, slapped a few players’ hands and got a warm welcome from inside linebackers coach Reggie Johnson as he took the field.

— I counted 45 players at the newcomers’ practice.

PLAY(S) OF THE DAY

Stewart

Andru Stewart‘s interception stood out, as well as a good chunk play on a pass from Mallett to Tucker for 30-plus yards. As you can tell, the defense got the best of the offense.

PLAYER(S) OF THE DAY

Andru Stewart, cornerback

The senior had an interception and jumped high off the ground near the right sideline to tip a ball for a pass breakup. But Stewart wasn’t safe for criticism. He placed the ball on the ground while running back with the interception.

“Don’t drop the ball, ever,” Petrino yelled. He also advised Stewart — and the entire team, for that matter — to hand the ball to the manager after such plays.

INJURIES

Tyler Wilson wore a wrist band on his right wrist, but he says the “sprain” is not a big deal and it’s not affecting his throws. The media joked that it could be as big a deal as Mallett’s previous foot injury, which leads us to our lighthearted quote of the day.

QUOTE ME

“Please don’t even report on it. It’s not worth it.”

— Quarterback Tyler Wilson, who laughed when talking about his hurt wrist.

ON TAP

Arkansas is scheduled to hold its annual media day at 8 a.m. on Saturday.We’ll have updates here on the Slophouse and WholeHogSports.com. Veterans will practice from 3 p.m. to 4:30, followed by newcomers at 6:30 p.m.

PIG’S EYE VIEW

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.

— Brandon Marcello