Arkansas Razorbacks football

UA players’ intensity showing

Members of the Arkansas offensive line Mitch Smothers (from left), Sebastian Tretola, and Denver Kirkland block Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, with tight end Hunter Henry (right) during practice at the university's practice field in Fayetteville.
Members of the Arkansas offensive line Mitch Smothers (from left), Sebastian Tretola, and Denver Kirkland block Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, with tight end Hunter Henry (right) during practice at the university's practice field in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Razorbacks have passed Coach Bret Bielema's early tests for practice tempo and are hitting his standard for physical play.

Thanks to making those marks, the Razorbacks had a morning walk-through and then engaged in their heavier practice Wednesday in Reynolds Razorback Stadium on the first day available for two-a-day work.

"It was a really heavy day mentally for our guys this morning," defensive coordinator Robb Smith said Wednesday afternoon prior to the evening practice. "I thought we were off to a great start to the day with our mental portion of it, and it's really got to pick up in terms of physical intensity."

Bielema assured his players they wouldn't face two grinding practices in a day if they pushed through workouts with the proper attitude and effort.

"We've had very good energy," offensive coordinator Dan Enos said. "Guys are practicing hard. I think Coach Bielema and the staff have done a great job of teaching these young men how to work, because we certainly have had some good, extended practices with a lot of work in them. We're not standing around. We work.

"I haven't heard one player complain or bat an eye about doing something. Obviously, the culture is very, very good and our players are not afraid of working hard, that's for sure, or being physical."

One of the aims this week is to have players in peak position for their first scrimmage this weekend.

"We're cutting back a little bit today simply because we want to have a good scrimmage on Saturday," defensive line coach Rory Segrest said. "I think Saturday is going to tell us a lot as far as where we are."

While the Razorbacks haven't had formal tackle-to-the ground periods so far, they have banged hard during inside-run periods and some of the work has put runners on the ground.

"Those guys, they've been tackled already," running backs coach Jemal Singleton said. "That's just the nature of the sport. Especially when we go to inside drills, those type of things, people go to the ground. It happens.

"I haven't been concerned that my guys haven't been hit enough. They're taking enough shots right now it's forcing them to have to take care of the football."

Linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves said there is a fine line between defenders needing to perform full tackles and offensive players not taking an exorbitant number of full-speed shots.

"We have to remember what we're doing, who we're going up against," Hargreaves said. "But also, those guys are as good as we're going to go against all year. So if we can put ourselves in position and at least be there to butt them up a little bit, at least wrap a little and get our feet moving, I think it'll give us more confidence for what's going to happen when it's live."

With the Razorbacks donning full pads starting Tuesday, there already has been plenty of opportunity for heavy duty blocking and fighting off blocks.

"With the guys we've got on the offensive side and what our philosophy is, you better be bringing it," Hargreaves said. "That's something I preach to my guys is, hey, you've got to come downhill man. Because those big old jokers are athletic and they'll swallow you up and they're all over 300 pounds and, guess what, if you're not the hammer, you're going to be the nail."

Offensive line coach Sam Pittman said the clashes between the front lines have been outstanding.

"Our defense is pretty good," Pittman said. "They're big and thick, so it's been a really good battle. Obviously we have good players and they do too.

"Right now we're not winning a whole lot more reps than what we're losing. It's been a pretty good battle. On the team things we've done a pretty good job, but on inside run those guys have been getting after us a little bit."

Segrest said the offensive line's abilities have helped bring out quality play in the trenches.

"Coach Pittman does a great job with those guys and they're technically sound," Segrest said. "Just being able to compete against that caliber of athlete every day is just going to make us that much better.

"The more reps we get, the better we'll get going against them."

Sports on 08/13/2015

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