PITTMAN: Razorbacks’ practice best yet.
FAYETTEVILLE — Coach Sam Pittman was enthusiastic about what he saw in training camp practice No. 6 on Thursday with the University of Arkansas wrapping up its first week of drills.
For starters, the players coped well with blazing heat that touched into the high 90s with the heat index reaching 103, and beyond that, they made plays, transitioned well on and off the field and appeared to avoid any significant injuries.
“I tell you what, in my opinion it was the best practice we’ve had this camp,” Pittman said. “I don’t even want to say they fought through the heat because you didn’t even notice they were struggling through it. We got a lot done.”
Pittman said the team conducted a lot of red-zone, third-down work and goal line and two-point play scenarios without tackling to the ground, but “thud” work, where defenders make contact with ball carriers but stay on their feet.
“We did a lot of specifics today, and they did a wonderful job of it,” Pittman said. “Started out with a pocket pass protection drill where the defense got after the offense.
“We’ve got to get better at protection. I’m not just saying we can’t protect. We’re violating our eyes a little bit, and between the backs and O-line we have to get better there because we can’t cut somebody loose on our quarterback. We have to get better at that.”
Pittman kept it pretty general when talking about who excelled.
“I think the team looked good,” he said. “In other words, we ran to the ball, we practiced hard, we stayed up in third and 1, we took care of each other.”
Pittman said there might have been a couple of twisted ankles “but nothing too big,” and that there weren’t glaring mistakes outside of the pass protection. “I feel like it was high tempo, good pace from everybody on the offense and the defense out there,” senior receiver Tyson Morris said. “Coach Pittman agreed. He felt we had a good practice, first day in pads and stuff like that. Real physical.”
Said nickel back Greg Brooks Jr., “I felt like we did good since it was so hot. First game is going to be just like that. So I feel like we adjusted really well and came out there and practiced hard.”