Familiar Faces
Rocker, Herring lead d-line with familiar style
Clover Birdsell
Issue date: 4/7/05 Section: Sports
Loafing around is certainly not a plausible issue on the practice fields, as Herring has introduced a new system that awards players "loafs" for missed assignments or for not going 100-percent during practice. On his first day with the defense during spring practice, Herring counted 140 loafs and promptly began awarding pink jerseys to those credited with six "loafs" or more. Last Friday, Herring counted 20 loafs - a drastic improvement, he said.
"We're still so far away, but we're better from the day we started to the fifth day," Herring said. "That's what you look for - little pecks of chipping away and chipping away at getting better."
Several linemen have adjusted well to Herring's new defensive scheme and position changes. Since his arrival in December, Herring has moved three linebackers to defensive end to help replace the void left by graduate Jeb Huckeba at the left end spot and sophomore Marcus Harrison, who has since moved over to defensive tackle, on the right side.
"The brightest thing right now after one week is Desmond Sims," Herring said. "Sims will put a smile on your face."
Sims, a junior, is competing with Zach Snider for the spot at left end, but if recent practices and a stellar performance at Arkansas' first public scrimmage Saturday are any indication, the Lilbourn, Mo., native will be Herring's first choice at the spot come August.
"If he'll put on 15 pounds, he'll be a draft pick some day," Herring said. "He is so fired up and excited. He gives us so much more speed off the edge, and we're lacking that."
In his first game-type action since moving to the new position, Sims recorded two tackles during Arkansas' first scrimmage of the spring Saturday, including a quarterback sack and one pass breakup.
"It's been a really easy transition," Sims said. "Coach Herring explains everything down to a 'T.' He has been a great help to all of us."
With less than a week under his belt at the new position, Herring has been very pleased.
"We're still so far away, but we're better from the day we started to the fifth day," Herring said. "That's what you look for - little pecks of chipping away and chipping away at getting better."
Several linemen have adjusted well to Herring's new defensive scheme and position changes. Since his arrival in December, Herring has moved three linebackers to defensive end to help replace the void left by graduate Jeb Huckeba at the left end spot and sophomore Marcus Harrison, who has since moved over to defensive tackle, on the right side.
"The brightest thing right now after one week is Desmond Sims," Herring said. "Sims will put a smile on your face."
Sims, a junior, is competing with Zach Snider for the spot at left end, but if recent practices and a stellar performance at Arkansas' first public scrimmage Saturday are any indication, the Lilbourn, Mo., native will be Herring's first choice at the spot come August.
"If he'll put on 15 pounds, he'll be a draft pick some day," Herring said. "He is so fired up and excited. He gives us so much more speed off the edge, and we're lacking that."
In his first game-type action since moving to the new position, Sims recorded two tackles during Arkansas' first scrimmage of the spring Saturday, including a quarterback sack and one pass breakup.
"It's been a really easy transition," Sims said. "Coach Herring explains everything down to a 'T.' He has been a great help to all of us."
With less than a week under his belt at the new position, Herring has been very pleased.
