Razorbacks report

FAYETTEVILLE — Mallett requests feedback

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett said Tuesday he’s among the many third year college players who have submitted paperwork to an advisory committee that assigns grades for the NFL Draft indicating where a player is likely to be selected.

“I’ve sent the paperwork in, but just to see the grade,” Mallett said.

“That’s it.”

Mallett, a redshirt sophomore, said he has “no idea”where he’ll be projected as a potential draft pick.

Asked if there is a slot that would cause him to lean toward returning to Arkansas or entering the draft, Mallett said he’s focused on the Razorbacks’ game against East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl on Jan.

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“I’m not even worried about [a draft grade] right now,” he said. “That was just a preliminary thing that a lot of juniors do, so I did it just to see what they have to say.”

The advisory committee usually has feedback for the players by early January.

‘Little late’

Ryan Mallett confirmed he was “a little late” for a team meeting last week, after which backup quarterback Tyler Wilson worked with the first-team offense in practice.

Mallett said he was “running behind” and that he respected the decision by Coach Bobby Petrino to give first-team work to Wilson.

“I take full responsibility for being late,” Mallett said.

“It won’t happen again. It was just a freaky thing.”

The fact that Wilson, rather than Mallett, got first-team work drew a lot of attention from media and fans. Mallett said he wasn’t aware of the buzz the situation created.

“That’s y’all’s job,” he said with a smile to reporters.

“I’m just living my life.”

Garrick McGee, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, said he’s proud of how Mallett handled the situation.

“You know he had a setback, but he was mature enough to keep moving and apologize and get back to practice and get back to work,” McGee said. “He hasn’t been a distraction at all.

“Really, the last couple of days, he’s been as impressive as he’s been on the practice field.”

Getting physical

Arkansas has been having physical practices with plenty of contact, including a scrimmage last Saturday with tackling to the ground.

“We wanted to make it live,” offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “It’s tough when you’re going to play a game - and you haven’t played in a long time - to get back in the rhythm of being physical and making contact and bringing guys to the ground and running through tackles.

“I think our kids really responded well. They did not take it as a negative.

They took it as a positive, and I think we got a lot better.”

Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said he thought the scrimmage “was a great idea” by Coach Bobby Petrino.

“Our players were ready for it. There was a lot of excitement,” Robinson said.

“We flew around.” Practice, practice

Tuesday was Arkansas’ 10th and final on-campus Liberty Bowl practice. The players will reassemble Sunday night in Memphis and have their first on-site practice Monday.

“It’s getting ready for the game and getting ready for next year, and we have to outcompete every other team,” running back Broderick Green said. “There are a lot of teams that had this week off, but we’re going out and maximizing each day we have.”

Finals ended last week, so the football players are among the few people on campus.

“It’s like a ghost town around here,” defensive end Jake Bequette said. “All the students are home, the campus is shut down, and we’re up here practicing.

“It’s kind of like we’re in the pros right now. Football is the only thing we’ve got to worry about.”

The Razorbacks were scheduled to practice today, but Coach Bobby Petrino canceled it and allowed the players to go home for Christmas a day early.

Christmas wish?

Some of the Razorbacks were asked after Tuesday’s practice what they’d like to get for Christmas.

“I wish I could get an Escalade ... but right now I can’t get that,” Joe Adams said.

Ryan Mallett said what he wants most is Christmas dinner with his family.

“It’s always a good thing for the team to get a break from each other,” Mallett said. “We see each other every day, and the coaches need a break, too. Everyone’s looking forward to it.”

Broderick Green said what he wants most for Christmas is a victory in the Liberty Bowl.

Daily thanks

Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson cracked up reporters when asked if he’s looking forward to getting a short break from work.

“I don’t care,” Robinson said. “As long as my feet hit the ground in the morning, I’m happy as hell. Give me one more day, brother.”