Lee Adds Schemes During Open Week

FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas' coaches have had an extra week to prepare for Alabama.

With so much time, offensive coordinator David Lee said Tuesday that he was able to implement some new schemes that weren't seen in the 46-26 win over Troy University on Sept. 1.

"Obviously, you have a chance to add things when you have an off week," Lee said. "I won't give any of that away, but there are some concerns that you try to do too much in an open week."

Arkansas' players have had to learn a new playbook since Lee was hired in mid-January, and there were several missed assignments in the season opener.

Lee admitted after the win over Troy that he withheld some parts of the playbook. His reasoning was that he didn't want to give away too much to Alabama.

Lee didn't want to say specifically what was implemented during the open week, but he said he'd look at the new schemes Tuesday night and decide what should be used Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

"We'll evaluate what we've put in and what we have for this week tonight," Lee said. "My concern is that we may be trying to do too much."

Lee said quarterback Casey Dick, who had a difficult time finding his wide receivers in the season opener, has made progress over the past week.

How much, though, will be determined Saturday night when No. 16 Arkansas (1-0) travels to Alabama (2-0) for a critical Southeastern Conference game.

"He's improved over the last week," Lee said. "He got better in the open week."

Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, meanwhile, said his players have had two good days of practice after their lackadaisical effort last Thursday. They had Friday and Saturday off.

"I thought our guys had a very good concentration level today and really came out here with a sense to get better," Nutt said. "I like what we've seen so far from Sunday and then to care over to Tuesday."