April 14, 2008

Fayetteville, AR (UWIRE) -- A lot comes with being the starting quarterback. With wins, fame and credit come your way. Losses equal blame and despair.

But Casey Dick has seen more than just wins and losses throughout his tenure in Fayetteville.

From being thrown into the fire as the starting quarterback with just four weeks left in his freshman season, to injuries and controversy at his position, with four separate offensive coordinators, big wins and low losses scattered in between, Dick has endured more than an average quarterback in the last three years.

But now, after ushering the Razorback football program through some of its darkest hours without complaint or comment, the senior-to-be is preparing to usher Arkansas into a new era, crediting the adversity early in his career to making him a better quarterback - and a better person.

"You learn not to listen to the outside world so much," Dick said. "You learn to listen to the other players and the people who care about you. You learn to block it out and just keep on moving. You don't worry about what everyone else is saying and just do what you have to do to get better."

And Dick has shown his improvement this spring with a more-lively arm and has built on late season success in 2007.

First-year Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said Dick is progressing with each snap.

"I think he's made good strides," Petrino said. "He's getting more comfortable with the offense."

Dick showed the most consistency of the quarterbacks in Arkansas' Friday scrimmage at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Petrino said. Dick completed 23-of-39 passes for 281 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 150-plus play scrimmage, the Razorbacks' longest of the spring.

Petrino said he was pleased with Dick at the helm of the first-team offense.

"There were a couple of times we settled for field goals when we could make a little bit better decisions...and make sure we get it in the end zone," Petrino said. "But I think the more and more reps he's getting, he's improving. He's starting to feel a little more comfortable and I think he's definitely improved."

Petrino said the offense ran every play it has been taught from the new playbook Friday. While pleased with the performance, Dick said he knows he has a lot left to learn.

"We got a lot of things accomplished," Dick said. "It was a really long scrimmage, probably the longest I've ever been a part of...We still have a way to go with some things and we've got to come out and execute better."

Petrino's playbook is the fourth one Dick has had to learn in as many off-seasons. Dick said that variety has made him a more rounded quarterback.

"It's a challenge," Dick said. "At the same time, you get a variety of things to look at.

"This is a tough offense to learn and a tough offense to grasp, but you've got to take it day-by-day and just keep going," he said.

Dick has seen steady improvement over the duration of his career, but perhaps none more-so than last season.

In the first half of the 2007 Southeastern Conference schedule, Dick completed 47-of-94 passes for 509 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

Arkansas entered the backside of its conference schedule with a 1-3 record.

But Dick's numbers improved in the second half of the season, despite throwing fewer passes, completing 44-of-67 passes for 519 yards combined against South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi State and LSU.

Dick also threw seven touchdowns to two interceptions in that span, which the Razorbacks went 3-1.

Grueling off-season workouts for the quarterbacks' shoulders and arms have helped make Dick a more durable passer, he said, and help symbolize the changes he has made heading into his senior season.

Even a new facemask, which helps guard against concussions, has made Dick feel more at home in his role that hasn't always exuded comfort.

"I feel more comfortable every day I go out there," Dick said.

(C) 2008 Arkansas Traveler via UWIRE