Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

7/29/2010 at 3:10pm

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas opens football camp in a week. Expect to see quarterback Ryan Mallett out there participating.

Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said Thursday they expect Mallett to be healed and ready to go following two offseason surgeries on his left foot. Petrino, McGee and defensive coordinator Willy Robinson met with media prior to the Petrino media/car dealer golf tournament.

Mallett is currently going through some controlled running situations on a treadmill. Petrino said the quarterback, who set or tied 16 school records last year, should be running “full speed” by Tuesday.

"We do expect it to be healed, ready to go," Petrino said. "All the reports from the doctors have been great, right where we need to be.”

Even so, Petrino said Mallett will not be rushed into action any sooner than needed. It’s more important for Mallett to be ready for the season than go all-out early in preseason and risk further damage to the foot.

“We do have to be a little bit cautions as we get started,” Petrino said. “We don’t want to do too much too early.”

There could be one minor hang up — Mallett’s conditioning. He has been swimming and doing other exercises to stay in shape, but hasn’t done the running that teammates have done in the summer heat.

Mallett has been participating in 7-on-7 work and even when he hasn’t been able to fully participate, he’s been a vocal part of the workouts.

McGee said conditioning the only issue he expects Mallett to have. Mallett missed all 15 spring practices after undergoing an initial surgery February 18 and has been limited this summer after having a screw replaced in June.

“He’s just going to need more reps to get himself in condition,” McGee said. “A lot of guys have been running and are in top condition. We’ve got to get him back in shape, get him in rhythm.

“I expect him to be out there the first day ready to roll.”

Arkansas opens camp Aug. 5 with newcomers and some younger players reporting from 3-4:30 p.m. Veterans will hit the field from 6-8 p.m.

KEEP AN EYE ON
Petrino was asked which players the strength and conditioning staff singled out for having good summers.

Sophomore defensive tackle Alfred Davis has reportedly had a good summer. Freshmen defensive linemen Chris Smith (end) and Byran Jones (tackle) have also impressed in the summer, according to reports Petrino has heard.

Coaches aren’t allowed to watch summer workouts, but get reports from strength coaches. Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said the defensive front would be a strength of the defense.

“We can’t wait to get rolling on the defensive line,” Robinson said. “We’ve got some depth up there.”

INJURY UPDATE
Knile Davis (shoulder) and Tenarius Wright (broken foot) are expected to be healthy and ready for fall camp.

QUOTABLE
“I told the staff if we’re going to run out of shot, let’s make sure we have second and long calls ready to go. We didn’t run out of it very well last year.”
—Petrino when asked if the ‘Shot’ formation was used in 2009.

Tagged: Arkansas Razorbacks, Ryan Mallett, Ryan Mallett's Foot, Bobby Petrino, Garrick McGee, Willy Robinson