FAYETTEVILLE — Defense takes on new look
The defensive shuffling on the first team earlier in Arkansas' camp was just a taste of the major moves that have taken place since Saturday's scrimmage.
Four defenders who entered that scrimmage on the first team have dropped back, though defensive coordinator Willy Robinson pointed out Wednesday the moves weren't necessarily permanent.
The most interesting move is the ascension of true freshman Terrell Williams to a starting spot at weakside linebacker. Jerry Franklin is still in the mix there, but the sophomore - and last year's tackles leader - is again taking reps at middle linebacker, where he ran ahead of Wendel Davis on Wednesday.
Junior college transfer Rudell Crim has moved from second team at boundary cornerback to first team at field cornerback, ahead of Greg Gatson, who was trying to win the spot opened up by Isaac Madison's season-ending knee injury.
Jerell Norton, who moved to a safety spot the first week of camp, took reps with the starters at Matt Harris' free safety position, and sophomore Jake Bequette edged back ahead of Damario Ambrose at one defensive end spot.
"We're going to make sure we get guys who will tackle," Robinson said. "That's the bottom line."
There had been other promotions and demotions in camp, but the tough evaluation of Saturday's scrimmage spawned wide changes.
"It's to the point where if you have one bad day, you're probably second or third team," defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard said. "A person like myself, it doesn't matter who you are. From Ryan Mallett to Malcolm Sheppard to Mike Smith, nobody's position is safe."
Robinson said he expected the demoted starters to battle back.
"Will they fight back and take the position?" Robinson asked. "We're going to establish depth. We're going to establish courage. We're going to haveexecution and guys running full speed to the ball." Terrell's run
Freshman Terrell Williams has not only made a switch from high school safety to college linebacker, he's also moved into the starting unit at weakside linebacker.
"I'm a competitive guy," Williams said. "Nothing wrong with a redshirt, but I knew as soon as I came here I was going to get a chance to play wherever I played. That was one of my key choices in coming here."
Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said Williams ran full speed, tackled well and had productive snaps in Saturday's scrimmage.
"I'm just trying to learn," Williams said. "I have a lot of great, experienced guys around me, and as a true freshman I'm just going out here to play as hard as I can and learn on the way." Worth noting
Sophomore receiver Joe Adams did not appear to be on the field for the opening 20 minutes of practice, the only viewing period for the media since two-a-days ended. There was no indication of what kept Adams off the field. Arkansas' offensive coaches did not speakto the media Wednesday.
The Live With Bobby Petrino radio show made its debut Wednesday night from the Catfish Hole restaurant in Fayetteville. The show will air weekly.
He said it
"I'm still hoping that we continue to battle at [weakside linebacker], and I still hope Matt [Harris] comes back and competes, and I'm still hoping we get that big, beautiful No. 1 [Anthony Leon] on the field too." - Willy Robinson, Arkansas defensive coordinator, talking about the number of depth-chart changes this week
Love connection
Strong side tackle DeMarcus Love, an eight-game starter at strong guard last season, has formed a good bond with Mitch Petrus, who is starting beside him at guard.
"We work good together, man," Love said. "We watch film all the time. As far as knowing what happens on the strong side, we go over everything that needs to be done every time before we go out to practice."
Petrus sat out last season to regain his academic eligibility after switching majors, so his return gives the Razorbacksanother veteran presence on the line.
"I'm so encouraged by them playing side by side," line coach Mike Summers said. "I think they feed off each other's toughness, and they provide leadership for that group because they try and do things the way I ask them to be done.
I can use them as an example to the rest of the guys."
Grant Cook has held down the starting slot at weakside guard for most of camp, while the tackle spot on that side has seen a spirited competition between Ray Dominguez and Grant Freeman, with Matt Hall also seeing limited time with the first team at both tackle positions.
Strong competition
The battles at linebacker have featured weekly, almost daily, fluctuations, with one exception.
Freddy Burton, a returning starter at strongside or Sam linebacker, has worked with the first-team defense all through camp.
"I'm just going out there, trying to do what the coaches ask me to do, taking care of my assignments," said Burton, who ranked third on the club with 66 tackles last season.
John L. Smith, who coaches the strongside linebackers, said he likes the versatility of the position, with Burton, 6-2, 231 pounds, more the running down force and sophomore Jerico Nelson, 5-10, 205, handling other packages.
"Sam all of a sudden can turn into a nickel," Smith said.
"Freddy is the guy we use on the regular stuff, and Jerico is the guy you use on all the other stuff in coverage and space."
Passing Scanlon?
Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino had a perfect answer when asked what completion percentage he'd like to see from his quarterbacks this season.
"One-hundred percent would be great," Petrino said.
"Wouldn't that be a heck of a deal? You go out there and complete 100 percent of your passes."
Petrino said a good goal would be to break the Arkansas season record for completion percentage of 66.2 (92 of 139)set by Kevin Scanlon in 1979.
"We had a function in Little Rock with Kevin, and he told me he still holds the record for completion percentage," Petrino said. "So we're searching to beat it."
Sports, Pages 22 on 08/27/2009