Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

8/10/2010 at 9:11pm

FAYETTEVILLE — Coaches love to see how players will respond when pushed mentally and physically. The hotter the better during two-a-days, right?

There are limits.

With temperatures expected to hit triple digits in Fayetteville, Bobby Petrino moved Arkansas' afternoon practice indoors on Tuesday. Petrino also moved the morning practice session up thirty minutes to help matters as the Razorbacks were outdoors for their first workout.

"They always say to be careful what you wish for," Petrino said. "It's been really hot."

Granted, Walker Pavilion wasn’t air conditioned and comfortable. Players still had to push through heat uncomfortable enough that it slowed some players and appeared to make one physically ill.

Even with the heat, wide receiver Jarius Wright said the team responded well. Wright said practice went well; especially considering it was the first day of two-a-days.

“It was still a little stuffy, still a little humid, but going indoors I think helped motivate everybody for that second practice,” Wright said. “It gave us a little burst of energy.”

“You’d think it would be way harder than it was. Everything we did [in the summer] helped everything here basically take care of itself.”

Petrino was happy with what his team showed in the second session. Errors in execution typically came when second and third team players were mixed and matched on the field, he said.

"We've been executing extremely well," Petrino said when asked if there were more assignment errors now that the team is nearing the start of a second week of camp.

JUST AS BAD
One area Petrino was not pleased was with passes tipped by the offense into the hands of defensive players. It’s been an issue during several practices and was reportedly a major problem in the morning session.

Even the tips that didn’t result in an interception were upsetting to Petrino. Typically, the problems were the result of poor catches or badly overthrown balls.

“Tipped passes are interceptions,” Petrino said. “…We cannot have tipped balls. That’s always a concern.”

Seeing the defense make plays elicits mixed reaction from offensive players. It’s a sign the secondary is making much-needed strides, but it’s also …

“You’re happy they made the play, but you get down because it’s usually because a receiver dropped a ball or the quarterback made a bad pass. It’s a losing situation for somebody.”

NOTABLE
• Quarterback Ryan Mallett scored from about 15 yards out on an option run. Seems like his left foot is holding up just fine.

• Tight end Brad Hefley was working out in the injury corner again. He did not practice on Monday either.

• Defensive end Damario Ambrose, defensive tackle Jeremiah Jackson and offensive lineman Denton Simek did not practice Tuesday afternoon.

• Running backs Broderick Green, Jatashun Beachum and Van Stumon worked with position coach Tim Horton on catching the ball while most of the team was focused on kickoff and kick return drills.

• Punt return candidates appear to have been whittled down to Joe Adams, Dennis Johnson,

QUOTABLE
“I’d take him in a dark alley with me if I’ve got to fight somebody.”
—Ryan Mallett when told tackle DeMarcus Love was named the top offensive line prospect in the country by Sporting News.

QUOTABLE II
“Don’t get caught up too much with who is working with the ones and who is working with the twos. It puts pressure on them, but also so they get used to working with a different guy next to them.”
—Bobby Petrino on personnel chances in practice

UP NEXT
Arkansas will have just one practice on Wednesday from 9-11:30 a.m. Currently, it’s scheduled for outdoors.

Tagged: Ryan Mallett's Foot, Ryan Mallett, Bobby Petrino, DeMarcus Love, Jarius Wright