2008 Woodie Awards
Loose cannon
Mallett's arm strength making impression in spring practice
Matt Jones
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Sports
Ryan Mallett didn't take long to make an impression on coaches and players at Razorback spring practice. It just took one pass.
The transfer quarterback from Michigan has stole the show at times during Arkansas' spring season with a strong arm and ability to put the ball in tight spaces.
Freshman Crosby Tuck says receivers have had to adjust to Mallett's arm.
"It's really hard to catch passes from him," Tuck said. "I've never seen someone my age throw that hard. He has a cannon on him. He really does."
Mallett, a high school all-American at Texas High School in Texarkana, said he never realized he threw the ball hard.
"People would tell me, 'You're throwing hard,'" Mallett said. "I didn't think I was really throwing it.
"It's definitely a strength. I think it's one of the best strengths I have."
But arm strength alone doesn't make a good quarterback, Mallett said. In fact, Mallett's arm has been a hindrance at times in the spring, overthrowing receivers and not taking enough heat off the ball in open spaces.
Both Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator Paul Petrino have worked with Mallett to tone it down, he said.
"Sometimes I've just got to turn it down a little bit," Mallett said. "I have to find the right times and what plays to turn it down, and what plays I can fire it.
"[Both Coach Petrinos] said, 'You don't have to throw it as hard as you can. We're going to catch it. We'll make plays. You don't have to bullet it in there every time.' That's what I've been trying to do."
Mallett is awaiting an answer from the NCAA on a waiver filed on his behalf for eligibility to play in the upcoming season. Per NCAA transfer rules, Mallett, who transferred after a coaching change at Michigan, would have to sit out one year before he's eligible to play at Arkansas.
Mallett can still practice with the team and says he'll prepare for the upcoming season whether he's eligible or not.
The transfer quarterback from Michigan has stole the show at times during Arkansas' spring season with a strong arm and ability to put the ball in tight spaces.
Freshman Crosby Tuck says receivers have had to adjust to Mallett's arm.
"It's really hard to catch passes from him," Tuck said. "I've never seen someone my age throw that hard. He has a cannon on him. He really does."
Mallett, a high school all-American at Texas High School in Texarkana, said he never realized he threw the ball hard.
"People would tell me, 'You're throwing hard,'" Mallett said. "I didn't think I was really throwing it.
"It's definitely a strength. I think it's one of the best strengths I have."
But arm strength alone doesn't make a good quarterback, Mallett said. In fact, Mallett's arm has been a hindrance at times in the spring, overthrowing receivers and not taking enough heat off the ball in open spaces.
Both Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator Paul Petrino have worked with Mallett to tone it down, he said.
"Sometimes I've just got to turn it down a little bit," Mallett said. "I have to find the right times and what plays to turn it down, and what plays I can fire it.
"[Both Coach Petrinos] said, 'You don't have to throw it as hard as you can. We're going to catch it. We'll make plays. You don't have to bullet it in there every time.' That's what I've been trying to do."
Mallett is awaiting an answer from the NCAA on a waiver filed on his behalf for eligibility to play in the upcoming season. Per NCAA transfer rules, Mallett, who transferred after a coaching change at Michigan, would have to sit out one year before he's eligible to play at Arkansas.
Mallett can still practice with the team and says he'll prepare for the upcoming season whether he's eligible or not.
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