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Petrino scores two touchdowns Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008 By Harry King LITTLE ROCK - The beginning of spring football practice is two days away and Bobby Petrino has already scored two touchdowns in the arena of pr. The new football coach did himself proud with a warning and a welcome. His much-publicized suspension of linebacker Freddie Fairchild was blunt with a clear message for other Razorbacks - do right or else. Petrino's invite to fans to attend spring practice received less publicity, but Hawgs Illustrated publisher Clay Henry documented that speech and some nuggets from his story tells us something about Petrino and his ways. Fairchild was suspended after he was arrested on misdemeanor charges of battery and false imprisonment. In a statement, Petrino said, "He will not be allowed to participate in any team activities during the suspension. We will allow the legal process to take its course on this matter, and Freddie will be provided the appropriate support during this time." There is no waffling in that statement. The fact that the first offender on Petrino's watch is a returning starter at a key spot only punctuates the coach's no-nonsense policy. In his speech to about 800 at a church in Rogers, Petrino said the welcome mat is out for any and all who want to watch spring football and that it would be great to see 750 or 800. If the crowd gets too big, he said, the practices will be moved inside Razorback Stadium. "Having a lot at practice will help them learn that they are on a big stage here," he said. With or without people watching, Petrino will make that point, and this quote from his speech leaves no doubt: "What I will tell you is that we will practice harder, smarter than anyone else. And, we will grade each practice in several areas, one of them will be an effort grade. At times, we will set the depth chart entirely based on the effort grade." In other words, there is no room for slackers. Everything will be on tape and the video does not lie, he said. "We live in a show me world," he said. "People love to talk, but talk is cheap. My office is always open and if players don't like where they are on the depth chart, they can come talk to me. I will put in the video and show them why they are third team." In other words, no whining. Before he got to that part of his talk, he explained that handling a crisis goes along with the territory. There is no if, he said, just a when. With his preparation and anticipation, he will be ready. As for the on-field stuff, one of the intriguing pursuits of the spring is identifying the playmakers and Petrino's new-look offense only adds to the mystery. In recent years, Arkansas fans have approached this season or that, comfortable that Fred Talley, Matt Jones, Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were proven commodities. Incoming freshmen could contribute, but if you need names, here are three - one who did a little, one who was talked about a lot and one who played defense. In order, they are tight end Andrew Davie, wide receiver Marques Wade and running back Chip Gregory. Davie, a 25-year-old junior who spent four years in the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system, caught two passes in 2006, and 14 more last year. To appreciate the potential of Davie, forget the history of tight ends at Arkansas and remember this is a new day. With the departure of Marcus Monk, Arkansas needs a big receiver and it could be Wade. Week after week during the 2007 season, Arkansas coaches raved about the 6-foot-3 Wade. Each Saturday, nothing. He is the guy who averaged more than 22 yards per catch playing in a run-oriented offense in high school. Petrino loves a big tailback and Gregory fits the bill at 6-foot-3, 225 or so. The other returning candidates are Michael Smith and Brandon Barnett, both a couple of inches less than 6-foot. Recruited as a linebacker, Gregory has some experience running the ball and Petrino would not have moved him just for fun. As a senior at Allen, Texas, Gregory took time off from defense to carry 35 times for 503 yards and seven touchdowns. ------- Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media's Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com. |
