Jay_Lupo
07-29-2005, 11:19 AM
Some good news here about Dedrick Poole. Breakaway speed is what Howard and Hillis lack. McFadden certainly has that, but he's a true freshman. Poole was an enormous recruit out of LR Central, whose career has been plagued by injuries. With him running well, that gives us 4 very solid and highly capable backs to work with.
By Nate Allen
For the Razorbacks this hot summer, a dip in the "Poole" isn’t just refreshing. It’s a miracle.
There’s no other suitable way to describe Dedrick Poole, the Razorback running back running intact after his career last autumn literally was torn apart. "He’s a walking miracle," Arkansas strength coach Don Decker said. "Really, a running miracle."
During last season’s 38-20 loss to SEC champion Auburn, Poole tore a hamstring like you’d tear chicken off a drumstick. "It was completely torn off the bone," Poole and Arkansas trainer Dean Weber both said.
Poole’s 2004 season ended immediately. Some thought his whole career ended, too, even with surgery performed Nov. 29 by Cincinnati-based orthopedist Dr. Angelo Colasimo.
Yet here Poole is this summer, running so well in the voluntary workouts that running backs coach Danny Nutt counts on him to push De’Arrius Howard and Peyton Hillis for the starting tailback job and augment their power with much-needed speed. "Last fall they said it was a 50-50 chance," Nutt said. "But Dedrick Poole has had his best summer so far. That’s what Don Decker says. He’s back to full speed. I can’t wait to see him run. He’ll be full contact, full speed. He’ll be ready to go." It’s a long way from how Poole felt after Weber helped him off the field at Auburn, Ala. "I had hamstring pulls and strains," Poole said, "but when I pulled it that Auburn game, I told Dean, ‘It’s done. There’s going to be some serious work on it.’ Of course I didn’t know
how serious it was.
" But now everything is back in place and I’m ready to roll. Dr. Colasimo went in there and did his thing and everything turned out right. A couple of doctors had told me this would probably be a career-ending injury, but you’ve just got to put your trust in God and good things pay off. "
A healthy Poole certainly would pay off for Arkansas.
Technically a senior, though he can petition to get a hardship year in 2006 for his 2003 season that ended with shoulder surgery after three games, Poole, 5-10, 195, is Arkansas’ lone experienced speed back to complement power backs Howard, Hillis and Kyle Dickerson.
The other sprinter-type backs, Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Michael Smith, are true freshmen.
Poole is the bridge, both head coach Houston Nutt and Danny Nutt assert, the Hogs need between veteran power and rookie speed. A two-year letterman, Poole last year as a reserve carried 31 times for 115 yards with 3 catches for 51 yards. He was having his best game, 7 carries for 44 yards, against Auburn’s powerhouse defense.
" He’s a slasher, "Danny Nutt said." He can stretch it and pop it and he can see it. He’s a natural tailback. "
Poole credits Dr. Colasimo, Weber, Decker and some input from Razorback track coach Lance Brauman for his rehab and restoring his speed.
Houston Nutt, forbidden by NCAA rules to watch the summer workouts, knows Poole’s speed is back and not just from Decker.
" Darius Vinnett [Arkansas ’ senior cornerback] has been raving about Dedrick Poole, "Houston Nutt said." He and [senior safety] Vickiel Vaughn keep talking how fast he is. "
Just how fast is he?
" I’m running full speed every day, "Poole replied." When it’s time to time me, I’ll get timed and hopefully put up a good time. But right now, I think I’m doing fine. "
Don’t look for a Poole 40-yard time any time soon.
" I don’t think we’ll time him, "Weber said," because of the risks associated with things like that. I don’t think we have to. When you are running away from folks, that’s fast enough. "
By Nate Allen
For the Razorbacks this hot summer, a dip in the "Poole" isn’t just refreshing. It’s a miracle.
There’s no other suitable way to describe Dedrick Poole, the Razorback running back running intact after his career last autumn literally was torn apart. "He’s a walking miracle," Arkansas strength coach Don Decker said. "Really, a running miracle."
During last season’s 38-20 loss to SEC champion Auburn, Poole tore a hamstring like you’d tear chicken off a drumstick. "It was completely torn off the bone," Poole and Arkansas trainer Dean Weber both said.
Poole’s 2004 season ended immediately. Some thought his whole career ended, too, even with surgery performed Nov. 29 by Cincinnati-based orthopedist Dr. Angelo Colasimo.
Yet here Poole is this summer, running so well in the voluntary workouts that running backs coach Danny Nutt counts on him to push De’Arrius Howard and Peyton Hillis for the starting tailback job and augment their power with much-needed speed. "Last fall they said it was a 50-50 chance," Nutt said. "But Dedrick Poole has had his best summer so far. That’s what Don Decker says. He’s back to full speed. I can’t wait to see him run. He’ll be full contact, full speed. He’ll be ready to go." It’s a long way from how Poole felt after Weber helped him off the field at Auburn, Ala. "I had hamstring pulls and strains," Poole said, "but when I pulled it that Auburn game, I told Dean, ‘It’s done. There’s going to be some serious work on it.’ Of course I didn’t know
how serious it was.
" But now everything is back in place and I’m ready to roll. Dr. Colasimo went in there and did his thing and everything turned out right. A couple of doctors had told me this would probably be a career-ending injury, but you’ve just got to put your trust in God and good things pay off. "
A healthy Poole certainly would pay off for Arkansas.
Technically a senior, though he can petition to get a hardship year in 2006 for his 2003 season that ended with shoulder surgery after three games, Poole, 5-10, 195, is Arkansas’ lone experienced speed back to complement power backs Howard, Hillis and Kyle Dickerson.
The other sprinter-type backs, Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Michael Smith, are true freshmen.
Poole is the bridge, both head coach Houston Nutt and Danny Nutt assert, the Hogs need between veteran power and rookie speed. A two-year letterman, Poole last year as a reserve carried 31 times for 115 yards with 3 catches for 51 yards. He was having his best game, 7 carries for 44 yards, against Auburn’s powerhouse defense.
" He’s a slasher, "Danny Nutt said." He can stretch it and pop it and he can see it. He’s a natural tailback. "
Poole credits Dr. Colasimo, Weber, Decker and some input from Razorback track coach Lance Brauman for his rehab and restoring his speed.
Houston Nutt, forbidden by NCAA rules to watch the summer workouts, knows Poole’s speed is back and not just from Decker.
" Darius Vinnett [Arkansas ’ senior cornerback] has been raving about Dedrick Poole, "Houston Nutt said." He and [senior safety] Vickiel Vaughn keep talking how fast he is. "
Just how fast is he?
" I’m running full speed every day, "Poole replied." When it’s time to time me, I’ll get timed and hopefully put up a good time. But right now, I think I’m doing fine. "
Don’t look for a Poole 40-yard time any time soon.
" I don’t think we’ll time him, "Weber said," because of the risks associated with things like that. I don’t think we have to. When you are running away from folks, that’s fast enough. "