Mallett staying in tune as foot heals

Quarterback has filed paperwork for insurance policy to protect body

By Brandon Marcello

Posted: April 10, 2010 at 3:42 p.m.

Michael Woods
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett tosses a pass during the first day of spring practice March 30.

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FAYETTEVILLE — Back on his feet but not in the huddle, Ryan Mallett has taken the time to absorb his environment, study film and focus in team meetings to better understand defenses this spring.

The quarterback, sidelined and in a protective boot this spring after breaking his left foot in conditioning drills in February, has also noticed a change in attitude with the Razorbacks.

"The way they come out here and work, every year it gets better as far as putting in the tough work," Mallett told WholeHogSports.com. "The first year, it was kind of lackadaisical and then last year it was more intense. This year, it's just getting more intense. That's really what I'm impressed with. The guys are coming out to work."

And Mallett, who set or tied 16 school records last season and faces the talk of a Heisman campaign next August, says he's doing fine with his rehab. He's scheduled to undergo X-Rays on his foot next week and the protective boot, which Mallett debuted the first day of spring practice March 30, may come off as early as next week, he said.

Either way, Mallett expects to be completely healthy and medically cleared once the Hogs start voluntary summer workouts in May or June.

"I'll be back soon," said Mallett, who threw for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns last season.

Mallett underwent surgery Feb. 18 on his broken foot, which is actually more focused on his small toe. The quarterback felt discomfort with the foot last August and again during bowl preparations in December, but the injury never hindered his performance until he felt a pop during a change-of-direction drill during an early-morning workout Feb. 17.

The Texarkana native hasn't been standing still, either, since putting the boot and weight on his foot after ditching a scooter for transportation and support in late March. Arkansas' most vocal and go-to leader can be seen during Arkansas' practices throwing passes on the sideline and congratulating and critiquing teammates during scrimmages.

He even physically pulled a teammate out of a scuffle the first week of practice.

"It's a little different with Ryan not out there," offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. "Ryan is the leader of this team. But this is the time we need to develop some leadership within."

Get the latest Razorback news and views from Brandon Marcello on The Slophouse blog.

Off the field, Mallett is taking care of his body. He's doing as much weight work as he can physically and is also following a strict diet.

"Now that I'm able to walk, I'm just trying to get back to normal, getting into rehab and staying in there as long as I can before class," he said.

He's also taking precautionary measures to protect himself in the future. Mallett recently filed paperwork for an insurance policy to cover his body in case a future injury keeps him from pursuing an NFL career after college. It's a career that seems like an almost certainty after next season, as Mallett is projected to be one of the top three quarterbacks in the NFL draft next year.

Until then, it's more of the same for Mallett, who's been forced to sit out in some capacity for the better part of three years. His first year on campus, of course, was the result of NCAA transfer rules and a hurt thumb in the spring.

The itch Mallett may be feeling underneath his boot isn't the only one he wants to scratch.

"You always want to play when your team is out there," Mallett said. "You don't want to be sitting on the sidelines. It's like when you're a little kid. You're not going to sit inside and play — well, when I was young, you're not going to sit inside and play video games when all your buddies are out there playing."

Mallett contends that he's "seeing the defense a lot better" this spring. He makes it a point to stand behind the quarterback and running back during practice to watch backups like Tyler Wilson and Brandon Mitchell's mechanics as the defense stretches and evolves during plays.

"Being able to sit back and watch and learn from watching is really helping me," Mallett said.

In the film room, Mallett has paid extra attention this spring. The playbook has expanded with offensive line coach Chris Klenakis' implementation of the popular Pistol formation. Called Shot in Arkansas' playbook, the Razorbacks have slowly adjusted and had success in the formation that has the quarterback lined up much like in the shotgun but with the running back tucked behind him off the ball.

Wilson, and especially Mitchell, have had success in the formation by reading the defense and deciding to tuck and run or pitch to a running back or receiver. It's a formation that Coach Bobby Petrino hopes improves Arkansas' running game, which ranked 10th in the SEC (136 yards per game) last season.

Mallett, who's the very definition of a pocket passer and isn't very mobile on his feet, has yet to line up in the formation. The common perception is that Mallett won't be running with the ball when the Hogs call for the Shot next fall.

"I'll be running the same plays," Mallett said. "I just won't look as fast as (Mitchell)."

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