STRENGTHS: Arkansas has utilized at minimum three tailbacks the last two seasons. The same entourage of tailbacks duplicates the same steady process and the group has a consistent knack for moving the chains. The injury bug has never failed to bite at least one or two of these gifted players through out their careers. Returnees Fred Talley, Cedric Cobbs, and Brandon Holmes all have spent episodes in the training room instead of on the field for periods at a time. All three were healthy for spring practice. Coaches have noticed that Cedric had his best spring yet. After battling off legal issues as well as injuries, Cedric Cobbs has been know to make acquaintance with a few past Heisman lists. He won't garnish any of that hype this summer, but his skills haven't disappeared. Holmes will be splitting time at fullback.Depth will be a welcome site at the receiver position as Houston Nutt barely had enough receivers to scrimmage with last fall. The words to use may be quantity as well as quality. The leading receivers from last fall are back when talking about Richard Smith and George Wilson. Look for some modified and upgraded Razorback receiving schemes for 2002 in order to take advantage of the depth and talent at the wide out locations. Some newcomers will really assist the group as well. DeCori Birmingham is going to benefit the Razorback's present and future. Last year's inconsistencies with backups Breeden and Hamilton appear to be on the mend.

CONCERNS: Finding a starting quarterback has proven to be tougher as the months roll one. No one is quite sure if Houston Nutt even has a depth chart for the position. University officials still won't name the number one man among sophomore Matt Jones, sophomore Ryan Sorahan and freshman Tarvaris Jackson, who was granted a medical hardship because of a shoulder injury that sidelined him last fall. This is the one main area that seems to never take hold and generate signs of domination. It seems as though coaches have been satisfied this spring with the play of the three. Jones made his way over from playing basketball and still needs work on his throwing ability but has solid running skills, Sorahan became more comfortable running the option, and Jackson has tremendous arm strength. One of the things that is beneficial would be that all of them are young. Coach Nutt remarked, "We throw short, to the tight end, hand to the fullback, the tailback," Nutt said. "The quarterback is going to be asked to run 1,2,3 times a game, asked to pitch the ball, drop back in the shotgun and throw the ball down the field, throw crossing routes and post routes ... all three of them can do that." If Jones doesn't win the job, look for him to move out to receiver so the Razorback offense can make use of his size and speed. The offensive line made some leeway in the spring as the running backs started picking up yardage. If progress continues at this pace, much of the pressure facing the passing game will receive some much-needed relief.

STRENGTHS: For most of the entire spring Eddie Jackson, Lawrence Richardson, and Ahmad Carroll ran track, and the star of the secondary, Ken Hamlin was limited with a broken thumb. That would translate into the fact that all four starters were MIA. But that will not distract from the fact that this group is as talented as any team when discussing the top rated SEC defensive units. On the positive side of the absences, coaches were able to find the depth needed to be more than competitive. Look for the defense to stay with mostly the single coverage opponents saw last fall with a combination of 8-man fronts to take advantage of the secondary skills. Coach Dave Wommack has now moved from secondary coach to defensive coordinator. Noting positive linebacker news: weakside linebacker Tony Bua already can be seen on a few All-SEC First Team Preseason Award lists.

CONCERNS: The defensive line has a few gaps due in large part to the departures of Carlos Hall and Curt Davis, but stopping the run hasn't been a problem. The defense as a whole was very inconsistent last year, moving from 10-3 scores against powerhouses such as Oklahoma, to 41-point giveaways such as at LSU. Depth up front was lagging as evidenced in the seven-overtime victory over Ole Miss last year, just not enough quality bodies to rotate with. Coaches claim the group has improved fundamentally while learning how to throw different looks at the offensive opponents. Look for captain Raymond House to keep the intensity flowing in the trenches. The defense is going to feel the loss of middle linebacker Jermaine Petty. However the men on the outside of the haystack are solid. Coach Wommack must decide what to do with senior Gavin Walls, who could play middle linebacker, strong-side linebacker, rush end or some combination of the three. Also moving will be redshirt freshman Jeb Huckeba from outside linebacker to middle linebacker after Huckeba packed on nearly 30 pounds of muscle since he reported last summer. It's tough to say the middle of the defense is really a concern. On paper this group looks to spell more victories than last year.