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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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Hogs Have To Show What They're Made Of By Ron Jumper The Arkansas Razorbacks are in a tough spot as a football team. Darren Mcfadden is out for an uncertain, lengthy amount of time. Many would say this is a devastating loss, even big enough to throw away the season. The thought of the most talented player returning from a team that went 4-7 is somewhat scary in principle. However, this may be a sort of blessing in disguise. Yes I know, this is the part where you say to yourself, “What in the world is he talking about?” However, you really should at least hear me out…  With the new no-huddle, spread offense Gus Malzahn is adding to the mix as new offensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas, not having a running back that you have to give 25 carries a game to might actually speed up the transition process. Mcfadden is all-world and an unbelievable talent but, wouldn’t Felix Jones have done pretty close to the same thing if he had gotten the same amount of carries as Mcfadden? On another note, can you see Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis being a somewhat comparable combo to a Reggie Bush and Lendale White? A thunder and lighting if you will. It is ironic considering we are playing USC in the season opener. Gus Malzahn has to make the offense work though because, without Mcfadden, the offense should be allowed to open up. With that being said, if the offense doesn’t work after the enhancements and additions to the playbook then Malzahn has no one to blame but himself. On the other hand, it puts Houston Nutt in a bind. He does get a great excuse to use if the team struggles but, at this point, I really don’t see Frank Broyles giving him the room for another losing season even if he has to play with the cheer squad. So what does that mean? Does that actually move all the criticism to Gus Malzahn without people even realizing it? If so, do you really see Coach Nutt sitting back and letting his fate be decided by a high school coach? I see trouble brewing at the University of Arkansas and it could be ugly. On the flip side, if the offense works wonderfully and Arkansas wins 8+ games the entire state will be behind what Arkansas is doing. Lets be honest, very few of us are not at least just a little curious if the University of Arkansas made the right changes to the coaching staff. I just can’t wait to see what the future unfolds for this team. With the best young talent in the SEC and an amazing offensive line, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “They made all those coaching changes but this might have been the year that what they have been doing would have worked anyway…” They had a defense that was coming on strong, to go along with by far the best combination of running backs and offensive lineman in the SEC. Yes, I did say by far. The Razorbacks have depth at tailback and fullback that could compare with anyone in the country. The offensive line has loads of experience and has proven to be able to produce in the SEC, as was seen by numerous preseason All-SEC lineman by various publications. With all that being said, I really don’t know what to think about this season. If we win 4 games and the offense struggles, we will just blame Mcfadden and Malzahn. If we win 8+ games, we will all say how we told you so from the beginning because we just had so much young talent and a favorable home schedule. My thought is that it really all depends on the USC game. I know it is crazy to put all the pressure on the first game but just listen. If Arkansas gets beat bad, I just don’t see any real way to keep this whole thing glued together. Everyone will start pointing fingers and blaming one another. If Arkansas keeps it close but loses in the end, I see the team pulling together and having a respectable season. If we do the unthinkable and beat USC, the Razorbacks will go on to have one of their better seasons in the Nutt era with the possibility of winning 9 or 10 games. ****** The death of Paul Eells was a great tragedy. The unexpected nature of his death made it all the more devastating. I can’t picture anyone else being the voice of the Razorbacks. He can’t be replaced and will be missed. Eells was driving back from Fayettville when his car crossed over the median and hit an oncoming car. The crash caused him and another woman to lose their lives. My prayers go out to both families, as this has to be a difficult time for both of them. August 1, 2006 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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