SEC Football 2008: Arkansas : govolsxtra.com

Bobby Petrino hasn't coached a game in the SEC, but he already knows the lingo.

That "P" word, you know the one thrown around every time the last coach to jump from the NFL to the SEC opened his mouth, is already a part of Petrino's lexicon.

During SEC media days last week in Hoover, Ala., the first-year Arkansas coach described his new job the same way Alabama's Nick Saban did a year ago.

"I do understand that it's a process," said Petrino, who left the NFL's Atlanta Falcons in December to replace longtime Arkansas coach Houston Nutt. "I think I do understand in the game of football, building and changing a program, that it's a process."

And at Arkansas, two years removed from an SEC West title, it doesn't figure to be any easy job, at least in year one.

The Razorbacks lost two tailbacks in the first round of the NFL draft - former Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. On top of that, Arkansas will have new starters at two linebacker positions and four new starters in the secondary.

The bright side for Petrino is depth on both lines of scrimmage.

Arkansas has four defensive linemen with starting experience, led by tackle Malcom Sheppard, who started 12 games last season.

On the offensive line, despite losing starters at left tackle and right guard, the Razorbacks still have center Jonathan Luigs (last year's Rimington winner) as well as guard Mitch Petrus and tackle Jose Valdez.

Even those returning players haven't had it easy in Petrino's new offense.

"They're a good group that is very used to coming off the ball and run-blocking," Petrino said. "The newness to the techniques of pass protection and the different types of pass protection is something that they've worked extremely hard at."

The Razorbacks, who finished 8-5 last season, will have to work at finding skill players, too.

Michael Smith (5-foot-7, 173 pounds) and Brandon Barnett (5-10, 206) have the unenviable task of taking over for Jones and McFadden at tailback, while Lance Thompson has the equally difficult task of replacing Peyton Hillis at fullback.

Wide receiver is no different.

The Razorbacks will have three new starters - likely Marques Wade, Carlton Salters and London Crawford, although Reggie Fish should be in the mix as well - in a brand new scheme. There is promise from the tight end position with Andrew Davie and D.J. Williams.

Operating the offense is senior Casey Dick. Despite finishing fifth in the SEC last season in passing efficiency (behind only Tim Tebow, Erik Ainge, Andre' Woodson and Matthew Stafford), few consider him a big-time player.

Razorbacks linebacker Elston Forte sees another side to his team's quarterback.

"To me, Casey Dick has gotten better and better each year," Forte said. "We went against him in the spring, and I was like, man. With him and the backs we have to help him, we're going to have an explosive offense."

That's what Luigs thinks, too.

"I think we're going to surprise people with our offensive attack," he said. "Coach Petrino is known for a high-powered offense and putting points on the board, so we're going to continue that here at Arkansas."

In four seasons at Louisville, Petrino made a quick turnaround. The Cardinals ranked fifth in the nation in total offense and 15 in scoring offense in 2003, his first season as head coach there.

But that process was then - and in Conference USA - something Petrino readily acknowledged.

"Each week, week in and week out, it's much more difficult (in the SEC)," he said. "You don't have a game where you actually might feel like you step on the field and you have better players than the guys across from you.

"And I think that's what's going to make it so competitive and such a great challenge."

Drew Edwards may be reached at 865-342-6274.

SEC Football 2008: Arkansas

Petrino knows he hasn't been dealt a full deck