Walt Beazley/ArkansasRazorbacks.com
With the media and public unable to watch any of the first week of spring practice, any tidbits from Bielema should be devoured. He held his first press conference since practice started on Friday and here are some highlights.
I thought the best way to handle this would be to take Bielema's quotes via twitter from the folks actually at the press conference and provide any commentary we see fit.
Bret Bielema: Couldn't' be more excited (about start to spring) His excitement "Multiplied by 1,000 since" intro P.C. on Dec. 5
Yay! Hopefully it will be up to 10,000 by the spring game.
Bielema on yesterday's practice: Got a little bit sloppy in the details but the effort and enthusiasm was unwavering.
Better than "enthusiastically sloppy"
Bielema says Brandon Allen and Brandon Mitchell have been "ahead of the curve" at QB. Says AJ Derby has shown ability to manage the game
Good to hear. The quarterback battle is obviously spring's biggest storyline, and coaches don't usually commit to one or the other until they have to. He probably won't give any public acknowledgements to one or the other being better or being the starter until fall. But it's good to hear he's happy with both.
Bielema says Demetrius Dean will get a chance behind Kiero Small at fullback.
Probably for the best. I'm interested to see what happens with Dean. Was offered as a sophomore by the previous staff then kinda ballooned according to various reports and didn't make it to campus immediately. He had to come a year later and received good reports last spring, so I'm hoping they can find a way for him to contribute.
Bielema: Jonathan Williams has been very impressive... Nate Holmes is one of the more explosive players I've been around.
We all know Williams is probably the most bankable offensive skill player coming back. Good to hear Bielema getting excited about Nate Holmes. Of course, all Razorback fans will be waiting to see how Alex Collins fits into the running back plan come August.
Bielema on RB Jonathan Williams: Has been very impressive. Changed Kody Walker's jersey 40 to 24; Kiero Small has been outstanding
For all the jersey watchers out there. Also good to hear Kiero Small is coming back strong.
Bret Bielema, an old linebackers coach, said linebackers have most room for improvement after three days of practice.
Seems like we hear this every year, but hopefully this will be the last time we hear this for a while. With Otha Peters and AJ Turner coming back, at least Arkansas has a couple of guys to be excited about in these spots. Hopefully the two JUCO linebackers they signed will be up to speed come September.
Bielema: The only thing that's made me mad (about Arkansas) is that I got a parking ticket the other day.
Dammit. Parking in Fayetteville is so stupid.
Bielema: I watched a little bit of film just to watch SEC play... I watched a lot of SEC vs SEC that didn't involve us.
Added, "Watched all the teams on Arkansas' schedule this year except Auburn because they weren't worth a damn last year. Y'all think Arkansas quit, should have seen those guys on The Plains. Oh and Les Miles, what a loon."
Bielema: If (Travis) Swanson isn't the best center in CFB … (and he's been around good ones) .. he's going to be right there with them
We're all about some Travis Swanson. "Keith, Travis Swanson has absolutely put this team on his back!" "I know, Chuck."
Bielema: "Myke Tavarres is by far our most athletic linebacker." Says Randy Shannon has spent a lot of time teaching Tavarres fundamentals.
Fundamentals. Got to know those fundamentals. Like tackling. We're big on practicing tackling.
Bielema says he got rid of junior day in favor of smaller groups of recruits. "I believe in the personal touch in recruiting."
Do what you gotta do coach, just get them to commit.
Bielema: You can't tap somebody on the head and make them go play physical. We have to teach them what that means.
I'd say it depends how hard you touch them on the head. If they're wearing helmets, you can touch them pretty hard.
Bielema: @jonesbyran and @42arkansas (Smith) are showing leadership). Jones has come into office multiple occasions with thoughts and ideas.
I like the thoughts and ideas. Shows ownership. Shows innovation. For it.
Bielema on installing offense: As we move on, we'll put some nuances in... Slow it down and make it great. Don't hurry and make it average.
They seem to still be in the fundamentals stage than the installing scheme stage. That's fine.
Bielema: Everything I've seen from (incoming freshman) Books Ellis indicate he might be able to help us at linebacker.
Ellis might help at linebacker because Arkansas really has so few on the roster. Remember, just a year ago they tried to transfer a defensive end and a fullback, good ones, to the linebacker position? And that was before Alonzo Highsmith was injured for the year.
Bielema plans on having a 25-35 play practice and a 40-60 play scrimmage with officials on Saturdays.
That seems so incredibly short compared to the last few years. It's hard to remember that's normal.
Bielema says players that commit presnap penalties in practice have to sit out a play and have "physical repercussions."
After watching last year, I'm guessing there's been a lot of repercussions handed out this first week.
Bielema: There's going to be a couple kids we talk to about position switches. It won't be anything drastic like switching sides of the ball
Good to know the Keiro Small-to-linebacker idea hasn't been renewed. Let's keep our All-SEC calibur players at their natural positions, howsabouts?
And that appears to be about it. Feel like you've learned anything?
---
Doc Harper is the managing editor of Arkansas Expats and is a regular contributor to College Football News and Sporting Life Arkansas. You can email him hereand follow him on Twitter.
There are 4 Comments. Load Now.
Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.
C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read
R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next
Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read
Comment Settings
Live comment alert: Hide it!
Comments for this post are closed.