Monk ‘doubtful’ for SEC opener at Alabama

BY NATE ALLEN Northwest Arkansas Times

Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2007

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/nwat/56607/

Arkansas senior wide receiver Marcus Monk underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday for the second time this month.

This second surgery renders Monk “ doubtful, ” trainer Dean Weber said Tuesday night, for the Razorbacks ’ Sept. 15 SEC opener at Alabama. Monk had been ruled out of Saturday’s 6 p. m. season opener against Troy University in Fayetteville since injuring his right knee during Arkansas’ first preseason practice in pads Aug. 9.

The first surgery on Aug. 13 repaired extensive cartilage damage. Tuesday after noon’s diagnostic surgery, stemming from sharp pain Monk first felt at home Monday night, removed two loose bodies of cartilage wedged in the meniscus, Weber said, but also revealed healing since the original surgery.

“ The lateral femoral condyle that had been damaged before is showing growth, ” Weber said. “ That’s encouraging. There is healing. Is this going to set him back a little bit, yeah ? How much is hard to say. Obviously he will miss the Troy game and he’s doubtful for the Alabama game. ”

Coach Houston Nutt said he’s taking an optimistic view.

“ Naturally, I wish he hadn’t needed another scope, but after talking to Dean I’m very optimistic because there has been healing and they didn’t have to do much other than remove the loose bodies of cartilage, ” Nutt said after Tuesday’s practice.

Monk had reported to the training room at 5: 30 a. m. Tuesday and had an MRI at 7: 30 a. m. revealing that arthroscopic surgery was advisable. Since Arkansas only ranked 108 th nationally passing last year even with Monk catching 50 passes for 962 yards and 11 touchdowns, the Hogs have been working with myriad receivers they hope will step up.

Sophomore London Crawford appears to be leading a pack that also includes fellow split end Crosby Tuck, a freshman from Shiloh Christian, and flankers Robert Johnson and Reggie Fish.

“ London has had a real good last six practices, ” said offensive coordinator David Lee. “ He’s finishing plays and catching the ball. ”

Junior starting quarterback Casey Dick has never gone into a game without under duress looking for Monk like a stranded traveler in the Alps looks for the rescuing St. Bernard. However, Dick maintains Johnson, a senior moved to wideout last season, and junior two-year letterman Fish and Crawford have proven themselves before and improved this preseason.

“ All those guys have figured out where they need to be and have made plays for us, ” Dick said. “ You miss a guy like Monk, but having these guys step up means when he gets back we’ll just be that much better. ”

Dick said this first year working under Lee, also Arkansas’ quar terbacks coach and formerly a quarterbacks coach of the Dallas Cowboys, has made a fundamental difference.

“ Some of the small things will make a big difference: shorten the stride, bringing your hips through the ball to create more power, ” Dick said. “ Fundamentally I’m better. I’m a lot more comfortable in this offense. It’s a lot more complex. We’ve got a lot more options to change the play if you need to or different things like that. ”

Lee said with freshman quarterback Nathan Dick practicing but not throwing as effectively since being bothered by a hip flexor, Nathan Emert is back working at second team quarterback.

Starting cornerback Jerrell Norton, out toward the end of last week with a sprained ankle, returned to Tuesday’s practice in pads and looked close to full speed, Nutt said, and should be ready against Troy. Starting senior strong safety Matt Hewitt missed Tuesday’s workout because of a virus but likely will practice today.

Backup redshirt freshman offensive guard DeMarcus Love continues convalescing from a dislocated kneecap and apparently will join Monk and sophomore tight end Ben Cleveland (injured nerve in his neck ) on Saturday’s sidelines.

Ex-minor league baseball player Andrew Davie, a letterman last year, and freshman D. J. Williams are the respective No. 1 and 2 tight ends in Cleveland’s absence. In addition to being counted upon heavily at split end, Crawford joins redshirt freshman defensive back Ramon Broadway as the gunner on the punt team, Nutt said Tuesday.