April 21, 2008

Fayetteville, AR (UWIRE) -- The first spring season under Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino hasn't been stressful. In fact, some Razorback players say they are more at ease this spring than ever before.

"This is probably the most comfortable as a team we've felt in a while," Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick said Saturday following a scrimmage inside Reynolds Razorback Stadium. "It's really comfortable and everyone is starting to know what they're doing."

The Razorbacks enter their final week of spring practice this week, which will be capped by the Red-White Game Saturday night at 6 p.m., inside Razorback Stadium.

Dick, a 3-year starter who has been working with the first-team offense throughout the spring, said he can't put a reason on the level of comfort.

"We're getting a lot of reps, a lot of plays, a lot of extra film study," Dick said. "The more times you look at it, the more comfortable you get running it."

By his own account, this is Dick's best spring practice with the Razorbacks. In Saturday's scrimmage, Dick completed 26-of-39 passes for 309 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Petrino said he has seen improvement from the likely 2008 starting quarterback.

"I liked what I saw from Casey," Petrino said following the scrimmage. "I think he's taken a step forward. Obviously, I didn't like the interceptions...but he showed some things today where he understood the progressions, understood the coverage looks and distributed the ball opposite coverage. He really made some strides forward and is executing what we want him to in our offense."

London Crawford, who hauled in a 31-yard touchdown fade pass from Dick in the scrimmage, said the team has come a long way.

"When we came in here last year, we could barely throw the ball," Crawford said. "We'd throw the ball, but inconsistently.

"But when you have a coach that's willing to push you...and make you a better player regardless of whether you want to be a better player or not, it makes you a better team." Crawford had two touchdown catches on the day after missing last weekend's practice with a hamstring injury.

"We need London to be a good player for us," Petrino said. "He's got to be a guy we can rely on to make the big play. I think right now when you look at our receivers, he's the guy who runs the best with the ball after the catch.

"Physically he's very strong and has real good hands at the line of scrimmage, so if you come up and press him, he's got a chance to win."

Crawford was the beneficiary of good days from all three Razorback quarterbacks. Nathan Dick finished the day 10-of-17 for 155 yards and a pair of scores, while Alex Mortensen finished 11-of-24 for 129 yards for two scores and an interception.

Petrino said Nathan Dick has come a long way in the last 10 days.

"He's really improved his ability to throw the ball," Petrino said. "I think (quarterback) Coach (Garrick) McGee is doing a nice job with his technique and he's getting the ball out of his hand quicker."

Defensively, Petrino was most impressed by the emergence of walk-on cornerback Darrell Glasper.

Glasper, a transfer from LSU, had two interceptions in the scrimmage in place of injured cornerback Jamar Love. Petrino said he wasn't surprised by the 5-foot-8 sophomore's performance.

"They've been pushing him from day one," Petrino said. "He's very quick and smart. Today what he did was kept his eyes in the back in the backfield and made some good plays."

Petrino said he was still concerned about the Razorbacks' pass rush, but noted it's hard to evaluate the rush with quarterbacks off-limits to contact. He said the interior line needed to get better to help the rush.

Arkansas returns to the practice field Tuesday afternoon for the 12th of the 15-practice spring.

(C) 2008 Arkansas Traveler via UWIRE