Chemistry the key to UA defense
BY TERRY J. WOOD Northwest Arkansas Times
When asked what the strength would be of the Arkansas Razorbacks ’ defense, Dave Wommack, the Hogs’ defensive coordinator, did not mention specific players or even positions.
Wommack said chemistry is the bond that will hold the Hogs together. "I know you want me to say the secondary or linebackers or the defensive line, but I think our strength is chemistry," Wommack said. "The guys all work well together and support each other. I think that is going to be key for us this year."
Wommack moved into the familiar role of defensive coordinator in January when John Thompson left the position to take a similar role at Florida.
But the role of coordinator is not a new one for Wommack, who also held the position at Southwest Missouri State, UNLV and Southern Mississippi. "To me it’s not a big dif- ference," Wommack said. "I’ve always approached coaching defense as a ‘we’ situation and not an ‘I.’ We’ve got great coaches here with Bobby Allen [linebackers coach], Chris Vaughn [outside linebackers coach], Kacy Rodgers [defensive line coach] and Matt Graves [graduate assistant]. I depend on them and we depend on each other. It’s a group effort."
Wommack said to continue to look for multiple schemes with the Razorbacks this season and possibly more blitzes. "We would like to have more depth on the defensive line, but there are things we can do with our linebackers to create pressure and plug the run," Wommack said. "There is more than one way to skin a cat."
The Razorbacks will miss Carlos Hall and Curt Davis from last season’s line, but Wommack is expecting big seasons from returning starters Jermaine Brooks and Raymond House. "Brooks and House are two seniors who are proven players and who we are counting on for leadership," Wommack said. "Keith Turner is returning to the team and that will help us at defensive end."
The Razorbacks are counting on young linemen like Arrion Dixon and Elliot Harris as well as old heads like Pervis Osborne to step forward this season.
The Razorbacks boast a smallish but aggressive linebacking corps led by outside linebacker Tony Bua and inside linebacker Caleb Miller.
Bua is known for his intensity and tenacity. Miller is experienced, rangy and recovered from a lower abdomen injury that slowed him in the latter portion of the 2001 season. "Caleb is doing well and has been picking up weight the last two months," Wommack said. "I believe he will be fine."
Jeb Huckeba has added muscle to his 6-5 frame and weighs in at 243. Gavin Walls is also expected to vie for playing time in the middle along with Pierre Brown and Clarke Moore.
With the reinstatement of safety Ken Hamlin to the team, the Razorbacks are two deep in the secondary and Wommack said that should help in a number of areas. "We’re going to play everyone that earns playing time," Wommack said.
Hamlin is an all-conference if not all-American candidate at free safety, and he will be backed by promising redshirt freshman Lerinezo Robinson.
Jimmy Beasley and Bo Mosley make a strong pair at the strong spot and Wommack considers the two costarters there.
With Marvin Jackson, Eddie Jackson, Lawrence Richardson and Ahmad "Batman" Carroll at the cornerback spots, the Hogs are stacked with speedy talent. "We’re going to keep people fresh, but I think the place that improves the most when you have depth in the secondary and at linebacker is special teams," Wommack said. "There is no telling how much a cornerback is going to run in a game and to double them up on special teams takes its toll. But we’ve got talent and depth at those positions and that should help both on defense and with our special teams."
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