Quick hitters from the Arizona Wildcats’ media availability after spring practice No. 3 Wednesday afternoon:
* Tailback J.J. Taylor, who's recovering from a broken ankle, said he's about 80 percent of his usual self at this point. Taylor missed the final eight games of last season.
* Despite Taylor's assessment, running backs coach Calvin Magee said Taylor looks quicker than before his injury. Magee said he’s giving Taylor and Nick Wilson (who’s recovering from a knee injury) less work initially because he knows what they can do.
* Magee said he wants to get the younger backs as many reps as possible. He said big, bruising freshman Nathan Tilford (6-2, 203) is more agile than he thought he'd be.
* Arizona practiced in pads today for the first time, including live scrimmaging at the end. I heard quarterback Brandon Dawkins and the offense had a good day.
* Improving the passing game isn't just on the QBs, per UA coach Rich Rodriguez. "It's all of us," he said. Rodriguez reiterated the importance of the quarterbacks and receivers putting in extra work this summer.
* Rodriguez said senior receiver Cam Denson is among the veteran players whose "time has come. ... I think Cam is poised to have a big year."
* Rodriguez said big receivers Shawn Poindexter (6-5) and Zach Benjamin (6-4) "have shown some good stuff” through three practices. He expects both to have meaty roles this year.
* Rodriguez is Arizona's acting receivers coach. He said he's trying to keep things simple for that group, although he wants all of them to learn all four receiver positions.
* Linebacker Jacob Colacion has been unable to practice because of a concussion, Rodriguez said. Colacion redshirted last year after suffering a knee injury as a senior in high school. He jogged to the locker room after today’s practice.
* Offensive lineman Michael Eletise has progressed from a yellow jersey to a green one, indicating a greater level of participation. Eletise has been limited by an undisclosed injury.
* Rodriguez said the two worst four-letter words in the UA program are “lazy” and “soft.” Said RichRod: "You can’t be lazy and soft and play at Arizona. I think our guys understand that."
