Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

News and notes from Tuesday’s post practice media availability.

I. No Break From Football
Spring break meant time away from school and football practice for Arkansas players. They didn’t necessarily take the entire week off from football, however. 

Many players said they found time to work out, study their playbooks, run routes or some combination of the three. Even the Razorbacks who found their way to Panama City, Fla., didn’t turn their attention away from football.

Running backs Ronnie Wingo Jr. and Knile Davis were among those that made their way to the beach. And they worked to stay sharp for their return to spring practice.

“It’s like even when we leave the football field we're always competing against each other,” Wingo said. “We were having a little fun at the beach and still doing something so we wouldn’t come back today and be out there dead.”

Davis was pleased with what he saw from his teammates Tuesday.

“I think we had a good practice, especially coming from spring break,” Davis said. “I thought it would be slow, but it actually went good. It looked like guys actually worked out over the break and we just took off where we left off.”

Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino was also happy with the first practice since March 16. There was retention of the packages installed the first two workouts and players seemed sharp.

“They did a good job of studying and knowing what was going on today,” Petrino said. “I thought we executed well today, did a good job.”

II. No Surprise
It didn’t surprise Brandon Mitchell to find himself as the No. 3 quarterback entering spring practice after splitting time between football and basketball.

“Once you leave your sport and you go play two sports, that’s something that’s going to happen anywhere you go,” Mitchell said. “I don’t care if you’re the starter or not. You have to earn everything you get. It’s something I like.”

Mitchell worked with the second team first on Tuesday. Freshman Brandon Allen was listed as the No. 2 prior to spring practice and the two are splitting reps as Tyler Wilson’s backup, Mitchell said.

“[We are] keeping each other on our toes and making each other better,” Mitchell said. “We know if one has a bad day it can be a drop on the depth chart.”

Mitchell said he is focused on football for the time being. He’ll evaluate playing basketball again following the 2012 season.

III. Davis Ready
Knile Davis said he is ready for contact. Whenever it might come.

Coach Bobby Petrino hasn't told Davis, who did not play last season after shattering his ankle, if the running back can participate in Friday's scrimmage.

“I don’t know what coach is going to do. I haven’t asked, he hasn’t talked to me and I really don’t care," Davis said. "I’m just ready to go get the first lick. It’s football. I love contact. That’s what football is all about.”

Davis hasn't participated in contact since the first live scrimmage of fall camp last August. Running backs coach Tim Horton said there is "no question [Davis] is 100 percent healthy."

Speaking Out
"You just step up and play on. You worry about who's out on the field and coach who's out on the field. That's what we always do."
—Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino on the team's depth at tackle with Jason Peacock indefinitely suspended, following an arrest on a felony theft charge.