Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

7/18/2011 at 2:52pm

Years ago, an investment advertising slogan said, "When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen." These days, when Bobby Petrino talks, the media listens. When he talks, the media comes out in full force. When he shows up in Little Rock for a 10-minute press conference, even the media based in and around Fayetteville make the nearly three-hour trek to the capital city to hear the Arkansas Razorback head football coach address various topics.

As one media member noted wryly and sarcastically, "We get so many opportunities to interview him."

Meaning: When the word comes from on high that Petrino is available, the sportswriters and telecasters are sure to show up even if they have to drive a few miles to do it. President Obama may have more availability. But, then, he didn't have as good a 2010 as did Petrino.

Many of the same media will get Petrino again Wednesday in Hoover, Ala., when the Southeastern Conference Media Days begin. And he and his assistant coaches, who also joined the head coach Monday in Little Rock, will be addressing the media again next when when the coaches hold their annual summer golf tournaments and put an end to their short break from football, less than a week before the Hogs hit the practice field Aug. 4. There won't be much different for Petrino to say between now and then, but rest assured it will be reported.

Still, a meeting room at Chenal Country Club was packed at mid-morning Monday with TV cameras, radio personalities and their tape recorders and many of the state's sportswriters, waiting for Petrino.

The head coach and several of his assistants were in Little Rock to participate in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame's celebrity golf tourney fund-raiser at the spectacular Chenal Bear Den Mountain course, and later Monday Petrino and his aides would be the featured attractions for a $150-per-person "Talking Football With Bobby Petrino" event at Chenal, also to raise money for the Sports Hall of Fame.

It's sort of that calm before the storm for the coaches and for the football-covering media. All that's happened around Arkansas football is the dismissal of one player, offensive tackle Anthony Oden, and the release of preseason magazines touted the Hogs' chances in the SEC and national polls.

Petrino had the perfect retort to a question about all the Razorbacks showing up on various "watch lists" this off-season: "I think there is a lot of watch lists."

He said football sports information director Zack Higbee is regularly sending him texts about the newest Hog to be nominated for some "watch list," and some turn out to be lists Petrino didn't kinow existed.

As for the 14 Razorbacks named All-Preseason SEC last week in a coaches vote, tops in the conference, Petrino said it showed the Hogs have a lot of experience and talent back. But he wasn't concerned about the number or how Arkansas ranked vs. the rest of the SEC.

"I don't sit there and count how many All-SEC players each team had," he said smiling.

The dismissal of veteran backup offensive tackle Anthony Oden, who was competing for a starting position, and the relative youth throughout the offensive line, including two newcomers also vying for tackle positions, did not deter Petrino's enthusiasm for the coming season.

"Absolutely not," he said without hesitation to the question if his expectations were lowered for 2011.

"I know that as the season goes on we'll be a good offensive front," he said.

MILES-NASH BACK TO TE: The only personnel move Bobby Petrino discussed in the brief press conference was the shift of Colton Miles-Nash back to tight end from defensive end. Part of the reason was the security the coaches felt with defensive end, and part of it was putting strength back on the offensive edge to block for junior Knile Davis, Petrino said. Nash restores depth behind presumed started Chris Gragg, who is a receiving threat.

"We have to set the edge and get him outside where [Davis] can cut back," Petrino said.

The coaches had envisioned returning defensive lineman D.D. Jones playing some end, but "he may have gotten too big for end" and will be stuck at tackle.

From the reports he's received from strength coordinator Jason Veltkamp, the players have had a strong post-spring practice and summer preparing for the season. Everyone expected on the roster for Aug. 4 is on campus with the exception of one player wrapping up requirements to enroll. While Petrino couldn't name the player, a new recruit, it's reportedly junior college linebacker Robert Atiga.

All the incoming freshman, with the exception of two (Fayetteville tight end Demetrius Dean and Texas prep athlete Jeraurd Sims), will be eligible, we learned.

"I'm really excited about the freshman class we're bringing in," Petrino said.

NEW PERSONALITY: Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson, who is in the battle with sophomore Brandon Mitchell to secure the starting spot, has had a good summer. Chris Mortenson, ESPN's NFL insider, reported that Wilson had an impressive showing at the Manning Camp, run by brothers Peyton and Eli Manning and their dad, Archie.

In making a comparison of the offense led by Ryan Mallett to what he expects from Wilson, should he be the starter (listening to the media and their questions, Wilson would be a shoo-in), Petrino said, "You're always different when you're starting a new quarterback. The personality of the offense changes."

"That's why you hear, 'We'll do what the quarterback does well.' What I saw that I really liked n Tyler was that he really wants to lead this football team."

A season-opening slate of Missouri State, New Mexico and Troy to lead into SEC opener Alabama will afford Arkansas the chance to "get better," Petrino said. That will be the goal in those games. "We want to execute, play well and move into the next week wanting to be better."

IN HOOVER: On Wednesday, Bobby Petrino will address the SEC media along with three Hogs: senior receiver Jarius Wright, junior running back Knile Davis and junior defensive end Tenarius Wright.

Last week's report here on SEC Media Days listed the wrong players attending with Petrino.

WELL-TRAVELED KLENAKIS: Whether it's Otis Kirk or some other recruiting writer doing the reporting, the name seemingly most mentioned with recruits from California or from Florida seems to be offensive line coach Chris Klenakis. He joined Petrino's staff before last season from a stint at Nevada where he was credited with helping develop the "Pistol" formation.

Klenakis appears to be racking up the air miles these days, besides bringing along a young offensive line when he's back at base.

"I think we've shown that we will go wherever we have to go around the country to find football players who want to be Razorbacks," Klenakis said Monday before heading out to play golf at the Hall of Fame event.

Even with the recent dismissal of tackle Anthony Oden and with newcomers being counted on to fill the tackle spots, Klenakis believes the offensive line can be a strength.

"We've got the numbers. Wev'e got chemistry, I really enjoy this group," he said.

Echoing his head coach, who said youth can be an advantage in building the line, the upbeat Klenakis said, "I like the youth because, one thing about youth, they work hard. They're hungry, they're willing to learn, they're excited -- just that enthusiasm that youth brings. It's fun. It's exciting for me."

Tagged: Chris Klenakis, Bobby Petrino, Southeastern Conference, SEC Media Days, Knile Davis, Tyler Wilson, Colton Miles-Nash, Chenal Country Club Bear Den, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame