2008 Woodie Awards
Defensive questions need answers
Matt Watson
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Sports
The only thing certain about the Razorback defense for 2008 is that nothing is for certain.
With a new head coach known for his high-powered offense, a senior quarterback with everything to prove and a myriad of untested players at running back and wide receiver, the questions on the other side of the ball have been overshadowed thus far.
All four starters from last season's secondary graduated and three scholarship linebackers have been arrested in 2008. The team's leading returning tackler, Freddie Fairchild, was dismissed from the team in June after an arrest in March on battery charges.
But after last Friday's final fall scrimmage, head coach Bobby Petrino said he was pleased with the effort of the defense and their consistent effort and performance throughout fall camp.
After the first practice of the fall, defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said he was disappointed by the way the defense ran to the ball and promised he would fix that by the season opener.
Petrino said Friday's mock game was the best performance by the defense as far as getting to the ball carrier and tackling as a team.
The coaching staff released the depth chart for the game against Western Illinois on Saturday, and it showed that Petrino is going to give starting spots to those who earn it, including three freshmen on defense. Twenty freshmen made the 48-man two-deep roster for this weekend.
Petrino and Robinson have both said that starting spots are not guaranteed and can change at any time.
The 2008 Arkansas defense will be anchored by the line, which features two seniors and two juniors.
"The defensive line is the strongest unit. No doubt," Robinson said at the beginning of the fall.
Senior Antwain Robinson earned the starting nod at defensive end in fall camp after coming in as a backup. Rush end Adrian Davis will start on the other side of the line, with tackles Ernest Mitchell and Malcolm Sheppard in the middle.
With a new head coach known for his high-powered offense, a senior quarterback with everything to prove and a myriad of untested players at running back and wide receiver, the questions on the other side of the ball have been overshadowed thus far.
All four starters from last season's secondary graduated and three scholarship linebackers have been arrested in 2008. The team's leading returning tackler, Freddie Fairchild, was dismissed from the team in June after an arrest in March on battery charges.
But after last Friday's final fall scrimmage, head coach Bobby Petrino said he was pleased with the effort of the defense and their consistent effort and performance throughout fall camp.
After the first practice of the fall, defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said he was disappointed by the way the defense ran to the ball and promised he would fix that by the season opener.
Petrino said Friday's mock game was the best performance by the defense as far as getting to the ball carrier and tackling as a team.
The coaching staff released the depth chart for the game against Western Illinois on Saturday, and it showed that Petrino is going to give starting spots to those who earn it, including three freshmen on defense. Twenty freshmen made the 48-man two-deep roster for this weekend.
Petrino and Robinson have both said that starting spots are not guaranteed and can change at any time.
The 2008 Arkansas defense will be anchored by the line, which features two seniors and two juniors.
"The defensive line is the strongest unit. No doubt," Robinson said at the beginning of the fall.
Senior Antwain Robinson earned the starting nod at defensive end in fall camp after coming in as a backup. Rush end Adrian Davis will start on the other side of the line, with tackles Ernest Mitchell and Malcolm Sheppard in the middle.
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