Wednesday Practice Notes: It’s D(efense)-Day

Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson addressed the media after practice today, as did a host of defensive players. Before we get to that, let's get this one out of the way. Yes, there will be a running Razorback painted at midfield this season. The outline of the Hog is now on the field between the 40-yard lines — a bit smaller from the originally rumored 35-to-35-yard line paint job.

Anyway, here's what Robinson hit on after practice:

— Head coach Bobby Petrino said Monday that the defense had its best tackling scrimmage last Friday in a closed-to-the-public mock game. Was that the case?

"On the first unit I thought it was," Robinson said. "I thought we ran to the ball — still not as well as we need to — but better than we have in the past. We had some assignment errors but we did it full speed. But the one thing that did shine was our tackling. I thought (middle linebacker) Jerry Franklin had an exceptional day tackling. And (free safety) Elton Ford is going to be a wonderful player. We are going to have growing pains with him but he sees things and he breaks well. He’s another guy who stood out that day."

— Robinson has actually cut down Arkansas' defensive playbook this preseason and they may have something to do with all the youth. Three true freshmen are starting on a defense that was already in need of replacing a lot of departing seniors.

"Our experience is up front but we have all new starters at linebacker and all new starters in the secondary," Robinson said. "That’s kind of scary going into the first game. You aren’t so much scared but aware of what your opponent can bring to the table. That’s a fine football team we’re playing on Saturday."

— Robinson is especially aware of Western Illinois running back Herb Donaldson, who rushed for 1,400 yards or more in the last two seasons.

"According to the newspaper clippings, he’s one of the top five at his position," Robinson said. "And when you watch him on film, this one personnel group we saw, you would draft that kid off that one clip. The guy is an outstanding football player. He runs with his pads down and a forward lean. Very few times can the first guy tackle him. And he doesn’t fumble the football. They had 11 turnovers last year. That’s it for the whole season. And he’s not only a fine football player carrying the ball but he’s an exceptional receiver and sets up their screens very well."

— Robinson says he's very excited about the game Saturday.

"I can’t wait to feel the crowd and see what this place is all about," Robinson said. "I mean, shoot, we’re taking a young football team on the field. We’re going to sit down there and get after people’s butts. There is an excitement. Obviously it builds and builds, and it’s one of the few times in a long time that I feel an emotion about me about the game of football once again."

— Senior defensive nose tackle Ernest Mitchell (knee) spoke with the media for the first time this preseason after practice today.

"It feels great," Mitchell said. "I really enjoy y’all guys, I’ve really been missing you guys. Y’all are just wonderful guys and I’m back on the scene now. How y’all been doing?"

Mitchell is listed as a starter at nose tackle and said he's at about 90 percent with his health and that he's battling something with his sinuses. By Friday, he said, he feels he should be back to 100 percent.

Photo by Michael Woods, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

-- Brandon Marcello

Filed under: Arkansas Football by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: August 27, 2008 at 6:18 pm