Opportunities to see Arkansas on the practice field are dwindling.
In fact, after today, the only open practice/scrimmage remaining on the docket will be Saturday at 9 a.m. Arkansas is scheduled to scrimmage Thursday at 7 p.m., but it will be closed to the public.
The Razorbacks also threw a curveball to the media this morning. Veterans will get the afternoon off and only the newcomers will practice at 4 p.m. to wrap up two-a-days on campus. Also, Coach Bobby Petrino spoke to the media this evening instead of special teams coach John L. Smith. He, of course, addressed “Hatgate.” His response can be viewed by clicking here.
Here are some updated notables from practice today:
— Linebacker Freddy Burton may be a senior, but that doesn’t save him from having to practice with the newcomers.
Burton drew the short straw, apparently, and had to practice twice today. The veterans practiced this morning and the newcomers, plus Burton, practiced this afternoon.
Petrino wanted to give Burton more reps after a lackluster practice by the third-year letterman Tuesday.
“I thought he came out this morning, did a nice job, was very focused,” Petrino said. “… We just need to get him some more reps today.”
— Freshman Zach Hocker hit 7 of 12 field goal attempts, including a 51-yarder from the middle of the field to end practice.
Hocker had six opportunities from 49 yards or more, and hit just 2 of 6 attempts. He hit his first 49-yard attempt. Hocker joined the placekicking competition Monday and hasn’t been pushing too hard for the starting job, but did impress with his leg.
Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino gave Hocker a couple extra opportunities to kick from 50 yards out, which excited the team. The Razorbacks moved in close, lined Hocker’s periphery and began singing the “Ole” chant heard at international soccer events.
He knocked a 51-yard attempt off the left upright but bounced back on the next kick to nail the 51-yarder.
Alex Tejada was 4 of 5 on attempts. His lone miss was a 26-yarder and his longest conversion was 34 yards. Eddie Camara was the most consistent and was a perfect 4 of 4 with a long of 43 yards.
Still, no one has the edge in the kicking competition, Petrino said.
“I do like what I’ve seen, though,” Petrino said. “I think we’re much better. … The competition has been good for everybody. It’s going to come down to consistency and who can do it on a consistent basis. There’s been flashes of good here, flashes of good there.”
The kickers’ legs may be getting tired, though, and Petrino plans to allow the trio to rest their legs after the scrimmage Thursday.
— Senior defensive tackle Patrick Jones was not at practice in the morning session. Safety Rudell Crim, who has slowly worked his way back after an injury Saturday, was back with the first-teamers at safety today. Anthony Leon, who moved from safety after the scrimmage Saturday, worked with the starters at a linebacker spot. Linebacker Jermaine Love was also back on with the first-team defense.
D.D. Jones and freshman Byran Jones worked first team at the defensive tackle spots.
— The punt returners had their best day of the preseason camp. Joe Adams, Marquel Wade, Jarius Wright and Eric Bennett did not fumble any returns. Wade, in my eyes, is making strides to take the job.
Wade told me after practice this evening he still has trouble “looking the ball in,” but feels he’s done a better job in recent practices of maintaining possession and making the right moves after the catch.
Dylan Breeding, whose punts have been impressive this week, appears to be ahead of Hocker at punter. We get to chat with special teams coach John L. Smith this evening, so I’ll make sure to get his take on the competition.
— Not a lot in the way of miscues from the offense today, but there were some gaffes.
Ryan Mallett overthrew a couple of open receivers in the middle of the field, but did well connecting with tight end D.J. Williams again. Wade fell to the ground on a route, allowing Ramon Broadway to come up with an easy interception off a Mallett pass.
Travis Swanson botched a snap on the goal line to Mallett, drawing criticism and the end to the potential scoring drive.
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, is Daunte Carr and Jarret Lake adjusting well so far?
Thanks for the updates Brandon
Did you get a chance to see Mallet’s footwork in those passes that were over thrown? That seems to be the only time he is off. He is dead on, when his footwork is done properly. From what I understand he is supposed to be taking shorter strides when he comes out from under center. I noticed this last year, but didn’t make the connection to bad footwork, until I read where Petrino had talked to Mallet about it. What do you think?
If Byron Jones and DD Jones start at the DT spots. We’ll have to come up with some clever phrase when they make plays like: “they couldn’t keep up with the Joneses”. Clever huh?
Also at DT is Patrick Jones, so teams will definitely have trouble “keeping up with the Joneses.” We have some quality depth at DT this year which excites me. Alfred Davis and Zach Stadther give us 5 very good DTs. I’m wondering about the other guys though. Any news of Lavunce Askew, Jared green, or Adam Pearce? Also, how has Jeremiah Jackson looked? I have heard nothing about him but last year ESPN had he and Byran both rated 78.
I really like the switch of Anthony Leon from safety to LB. It will help that group out temendously.
Any chance that Jerico Nelson will move to his more natural position of SS?
Brandon…you do a great job each and every day. I make sure your articles are part of my lunchtime links and I rarely miss one. There are several freshmen that I haven’t heard much about. Could you mention what you’ve seen from Darrell Smith and Daunte Carr at safety. Also, the CBs Eric Bennett and Alan Turner. The LBs we recruited haven’t been mentioned much either….Jarrett Lake and Braylon Mitchell. Courtney Gaston and Calvin Barnett had to go to JUCO I believe…were there any others? Is Chris Smith and Brad Hefley going to be a hybrid DE/OLB type? What are they doing with those guys? Thanks…appreciate your feedback!
Win….we have Tramain Thomas at SS…and he’s very good IMO. We also have Elton Ford that loves to hit. Jerry Mitchell is in that mix for a backup roll at S/CB. I think we should use Jerico just like we have been…he’s a great hybrid S/LB. Plus he makes a lot of plays on special teams. Somebody give this position a name! Is he a nickel back? Star/Jack LB?
you do a very good job Brandon,The Slophouse is one of the finest reads on Razorback football,Heres hopeing the Hog Defense plays lights out this year,and with new comers like Chris Smith at DE it will be better.
I was expecting T. Williams and Austin Moss to be big contributors AT LB…now they seem almost like an afterthought. Would really like to know what is going on with their developement (or lack thereof).
Hey, can any of you guys help me out here!? I’m looking to see if there is a Razorback Club here in Austin, TX. There use to be one and then the guy who led it – he did a great job by the way – moved to Dallas and I lost touch with anybody connected to the Hogs here in Austin. Is there a Razorback related website that keeps such info posted? Or do any of you know any Razorbacks here in Austin that you could get me connected to? I’d love to sit around a bar or someone’s house with 15-20-30+ Hogs cheering on the Razorbacks this year. Thanks!
Never mind guys – after some searching I’ve gotten connected to some Hog fans here in Austin – Austin Razorback Alumni Association. I’m excited. WPS!
hoginaustin,glad you got hooked up.
Footy player William Gallas probably doesn’t need speaking up for despite what some people are saying – his football continues to speak for itself. He rocks!
Really hope Zack Hocker can put some kickoffs in the end zone this year.
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I was so so happy to finally meet you and the rest of the BQ Babes. Im only bummed because I dont know when Ill next get to see yall!
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