Razorbacks' Tubbs tries to shake off rust

LITTLE ROCK - Zac Tubbs has modest goals for spring practice this year. After missing almost a season-and-a-half with injuries, he&#39;s trying to become familiar with his position again.<br> <br> ``I&#39;ve been off the field for a little while,&#39;&#39; the Arkansas lineman said. ``So it&#39;s just good to get back out there and move around.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Tubbs hasn&#39;t played regularly since the first part of the 2004 season, but after injuries to both legs, the 6-foot-6 offensive tackle says he&#39;s recovered and looking forward to returning next season as a fifth-year senior.<br> <br> ``I&#39;m back to a hundred percent now,&#39;&#39; Tubbs said Friday. ``I&#39;m just trying to get my feel of the game back.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Spring practice began March 27. The spring scrimmage is April 15.<br> <br> Tubbs started the first five games of 2004 before breaking his left fibula in practice. That began a stretch of horrible luck.<br> <br> He had surgery to repair the first injury which included ankle ligament tears. Then, during his rehabilitation, he developed a blood clot in his leg that spread to his lungs. He ended up on breathing support.<br> <br> After leaving the hospital, he recovered and was a preseason second-team All-SEC selection in 2005. Then he sprained his right ankle in practice before the season even started.<br> <br> ``It was just like a fluke thing once again in two-a-days when I hurt my other ankle,&#39;&#39; Tubbs said. ``Sprained my other ankle really bad.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Tubbs played once briefly in a 70-17 loss at Southern California in the Razorbacks&#39; third game but eventually had surgery and called it a year.<br> <br> Tubbs entered spring practice atop Arkansas&#39; depth chart at right tackle, proof the Razorbacks are confident he hasn&#39;t lost much because of his injuries. But returning to peak form will take time.<br> <br> ``He&#39;s rusty,&#39;&#39; offensive line coach Mike Markuson said. ``You can tell he hasn&#39;t played football in a while.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Tubbs has impressed coaches with his work ethic. Markuson said he has lost around 50 pounds from about 385 to about 335 a development that has coach Houston Nutt excited.<br> <br> ``He has made a real sacrifice and commitment to staying in shape over Christmas and spring break,&#39;&#39; Nutt said earlier this week. ``He looks real good.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Tubbs returns to an offensive line with a lot more experience than when he last played. The other projected starters on the depth chart all started in 2005 guard Stephen Parker, tackle Tony Ugoh, center Jonathan Luigs and guard Robert Felton.<br> <br> ``We&#39;ve all played,&#39;&#39; Tubbs said. ``There&#39;s definitely a lot of experience there, which is good.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> This season, the offensive line must adjust to new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn. The Razorbacks&#39; running game was dominant at times last season led by Southeastern Conference freshman of the year Darren McFadden. Malzahn who won a state title at nearby Springdale High School last year with a spread offense wants Arkansas to have more balance.<br> <br> Spring practice began with an emphasis on passing. For an offensive lineman, pass blocking is different from run blocking. But Tubbs says the difference shouldn&#39;t be a major factor for him.<br> <br> ``It&#39;s just footwork and hands,&#39;&#39; Tubbs said.<br> <br> All the more reason his feet need to stay healthy. And while Tubbs hasn&#39;t quite regained his old form yet, when it comes to his health so far, so good.<br> <br> ``It&#39;s been going really well,&#39;&#39; he said. ``It feels good to be back out there.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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