Quick hitters from the Arizona Wildcats’ media availability after their 10th practice of spring Monday afternoon:
* UA coach Rich Rodriguez said running back is the position he feels best about in terms of depth (assuming reasonably good health) and experience.
* Regarding injury-prone senior tailback Nick Wilson, Rodriguez said: "When he’s been healthy, he’s played well. But he hasn’t been healthy that much. It’s been uneven simply because of the injuries. I think Nick is determined to have a great year to get back to having the kind of production he had as a freshman."
* Rodriguez said "some guys were still about half on spring break mentally" in the team's first practice since having a week off. Overall team conditioning is not where Rodriguez wants it, but he's confident that won't be an issue come August.
* Offensive line coach Jim Michalczik said he feels better about the depth of his group than at any time since he's been at Arizona.
* Rodriguez expects center Nathan Eldridge to have more confidence in taking control of the line entering his second season as Arizona's starter. Eldridge, who will be a redshirt sophomore, said he's "100 percent" more comfortable now vs. last year thanks to extensive film study and technique work.
* Rodriguez said right tackle Gerhard de Beer hasn't been able to practice this spring. De Beer missed time at the end of last season (knee).
* The following offensive linemen, all redshirt freshmen, are practicing after missing time earlier in camp: Michael Eletise (car accident), Harper Sherman (ankle) and Keenan Walker (ankle).
* As was the case before spring break, receiver Cam Denson had a walking boot on his right foot. The injury is not believed to be serious.
* Defensive end Jalen Cochran again had a yellow jersey on as he left practice, indicating he still isn’t back from an undisclosed injury.
* Nose tackle Parker Zellers, who has been limited, exited practice wearing pads and carrying a helmet, a possible sign that he’s back to full strength.
* Rodriguez again mentioned an expanded role for the tight ends. They will be split it out more, creating less of a need to sub and enabling the offense to play faster.
* Does Arizona's basketball success help football? "When our name is out there, I think it helps everybody,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a positive."
