Arkansas Razorback Football Practice Report – Offense is Grinding

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas football team continued its second week of preseason camp Wednesday morning with the first Razorback football practice of the day.

Clear skies and sunny conditions greeted the Razorbacks in the morning, as the team held practice on its outdoor practice fields. Running backs coach Joel Thomas has had a positive impression of his position unit in preseason camp thus far.

“I see a group that works hard,” Thomas said. “They bring it to the table each day. They’re a physical group that wants to win football games. They’ve just been great since I’ve been here. We’re just trying to keep on maturing the group and get them better in our quest to win an SEC championship.”

With head coach Bret Bielema bringing his philosophy and style to the program, Thomas and the Razorbacks know that the backfield will be relied upon and displayed prominently in the offensive game plan.

“I hope we have a sense of urgency every single day,” Thomas said. “I don’t think a Monday should be any different than a Friday (or) than a Saturday. That’s what we have to bring to the table every single day.

“They know that it’s important to run the ball in this offensive scheme that we’re running. They know that their number is going to get called and everyone knows that they’re going to get the ball and we’ve got to get positive yards on it.”

With two-a-days in full effect, Arkansas Razorback football practice returned for the players Wednesday evening, taking to the outdoor practice fields for the second time on the day, calm and mild conditions awaited the Razorbacks. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jim Chaney spoke with the media after practice to provide an update on the team’s progress.

“X and O wise they seem to be grasping everything we want them to do on the offensive side of the ball,” Chaney said. “We’ve just got to try and keep some guys healthy and get them on the field and see what we can get done.”

Chaney was pleased with the offensive perormance during Arkansas’ first scrimmage last Saturday. With a solid foundation laid through the first week of preseason camp, Chaney said he is looking for continued growth and progression.

“They need to continue to do what they did and build on it,” Chaney said. “They played with a great attitude, a good effort and a lot of toughness last Saturday. I would hope that will continue. I think the nuances of the offense is what I’m looking for. The targets in the run game when we’re running and blocking, the depths in our routes (and) just all the details.”