Rocker kicks out Robinson

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coaches aren’t kidding about expecting maximum effort.

Starting defensive end Antwain Robinson left practice early at the behest of defensive line coach Tracy Rocker for “not competing.” Robinson had a tender knee but was told to “head to the house” by Rocker.

Rocker said Robinson was playing tentatively because of his knee, but the coach didn’t see that as an excuse for poor effort from Robinson, who already was in the doghouse because of an off-season arrest. Robinson pleaded guilty

11 to a misdemeanor shoplifting charge in Fayetteville District Court.

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“Some guys tend to get comfy,” Rocker said. “He’s got a slight knee [injury ], but you can’t get comfy around here. We like competition. That makes us a better team. We’re going to get that.”

Robinson’s early exit allowed Donnell Sanders increased practice time with the first unit opposite Chris Wade as the Razorbacks wrapped up their final practice of the week. Arkansas scrimmages at 6 tonight.

Wade was driven off the field late in practice after getting hit under the chin and sustaining what was thought to be a concussion. Sanders likely would have split time with sophomore Adrian Davis, who missed practice after sustaining a concussion in a physical Thursday workout.

Defensive line play will be a focus for coaches in tonight’s scrimmage. Coaches are looking to solidify backup positions behind Wade and tackles Malcolm Sheppard and Ernest Mitchell.

“It will be a pretty big one,” Coach Houston Nutt said. “We are going to give [the starters ] 20 to 25 plays and then really extend the seconds and thirds and all the freshmen.” So far so good

One week into the camp, Coach Houston Nutt evaluated what he’s seen from the team.

“I like when we put the pads on they went to another level of intensity, another level of hitting, ’’ Nutt said. “ You like that. You’ve got to be tough in this league, as you know.

“ Offensively, I think we’re improving — pass protection, I think we’re throwing and catching better. I think that’s been probably the biggest improvement we’ve made. Are we there ? No.”

Arkansas will continue to look for a No. 2 option at wide receiver behind injured Marcus Monk. Improving the passing game is a point of emphasis for Arkansas, which ranked fourth nationally in running, but 108 th in passing. Chip cashing in

Arkansas got a good look at redshirt freshman linebacker Chip Gregory in Friday’s fullpad workout.

Gregory, a 6-3, 225-pound native of Allen, Texas, filled in for Freddie Fairchild, who missed practice to attend an aunt’s funeral in Little Rock. Gregory missed the 2006 season after dislocating his shoulder on the first day of full pads last August.

Razorbacks coaches got their first look at Gregory with the first team during contact portions of spring practice. Fairchild was still rehabbing a knee injury.

Fairchild tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Utah State last season. Cleveland missing

Tight end Ben Cleveland missed the entire practice after aggravating a nerve injury between his shoulder and neck Thursday.

It is unknown when Cleveland will return, but Coach Houston Nutt said the team missed the sophomore All-SEC thirdteam pick from Springdale.

“Ben is an awfully tough guy,” Nutt said. “He’s fighting through it. He wanted to practice today. We need him back on the field.” A leg up

After a day off Thursday, freshman kicker Alex Tejada came back and booted some long-distance field goals, mostly with accuracy.

“I thought Jeremy Davis and Tejada came back strong,” Coach Houston Nutt said. “Alex really kicked some good balls today. ’ ’

As for the punting, Davis had what was probably his best day of camp with several boomers. Nutt said the competition between Davis and Mitchell Smith was a good one. Worth noting Second-team offensive linemen Wade Grayson, Michael Aguirre, Joey Crossland, Mike Moffitt and Ray Dominguez were punished for poor showings during a team portion of practice. Offensive line coach Mike Markuson ordered them off the field and into the north end zone for 50 “ up-downs.”

Arkansas will have a light walk-through at 10 a. m. today, then scrimmage in Razorback Stadium at 6 p. m. The scrimmage is open to the public.

Casey Dick was intercepted by junior cornerback Jamar Love during Friday’s workouts. Coaches whistled the play dead, but Love’s interception likely would have been returned for a touchdown.

Known for his speed and running ability, tailback Michael Smith showed off his receiving ability with a catch over safety Matt Hewitt. Smith had one catch for 3 yards last season, but averaged 7. 1 yards a carry. Information for this report was contributed by Tom Murphy, Bob Holt and Chris Bahn of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.