Football returns to workouts

The University of Arkansas football team returned to the practice field Tuesday for its first workout of the week. Arkansas’s last practice was Saturday and the Razorbacks used a portion of it to scrimmage.

Following today’s session, UA offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach, Paul Petrino, was asked for his evaluation of Saturday.

“I think we did some real nice things running the ball and some guys did a good job breaking tackles,” said Petrino. “It showed that if you can run the ball and throw the ball deep you always have a chance to be successful. Now we’ve just to be more consistent in our timing and quick passing.”

Two of the three offensive starters lost from the 2008 season were on the offensive line as this year’s unit will use the spring to find replacements for Jonathan Luigs and Jose Valdez.

“It has to be a fist and be five guys that all work together,” said Petrino. “It is a growing process, but they just need to keep working hard and keep grinding. (Seth) Oxner and (Grant) Cook have been going back and forth day in and day out and if you have that at all five spots you are in great shape. That is where we are at with them and that’s where we want to get to. That’s really helped at the running back position. I think that battle is real good and it will make them both a lot better.”

Arkansas returns players that accounted for 97 percent of its receiving yards last year, and the unit is using the spring to build chemistry with the quarterbacks.

“We’re starting to see it,” said Petrino. “There are some guys (Ryan) Mallett feels good about and I thought Tyler (Wilson) made some nice throws today. He had a couple of good shots. They start getting a feel for the guys they like and it is just a matter of all of them getting a feel for each other.”

Fans are encouraged to check ArkansasRazorbacks.com for the latest information on UA athletics.– HOGS —