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Kickers And Coaching And Quarterbacks, OH MY! By R.C. Houston Nutt can't do it. I don't mean he's just not very good at it; he is absolutely and positively incapable of doing it. He cannot develop quarterbacks, and cannot recruit/develop kickers.  Think back to the last time Arkansas had a great quarterback. And when I say quarterback, I mean a guy that gets the offense out of bad plays and into good ones (at the line of scrimmage), makes good decisions with the ball, and manages the game. Who was the last one? Clint Stoerner. Some would argue Matt Jones, but I think it's pretty obvious he was just an incredible athletic-talent running around in the backfield. He never looked off to his third read, never changed the play at the line, never had great accuracy, etc. He just made plays with his speed and elusiveness. The fact that he's playing wide receiver in the NFL, and doing it well, speaks volumes to what is Matt's true position. Meanwhile, while Matt Jones was playing out of position (even though he did it very well), a guy by the name of Tavaris Jackson was sitting on the bench. For those that don't remember, Jackson transferred after his freshman year to Alabama State. That wouldn't be significant, except that Jackson was taken in the NFL draft and started as a rookie quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings this year. I think it's pretty obvious what should have happened with these two players. Jackson should have been kept at quarterback and developed, and Jones should have been moved to receiver. But that would have made too much sense for our Houston Nutt. We don't need a quarterback that is good enough to start in the NFL as a rookie throwing to a receiver that is good enough to be drafted in the first round. No, we need to have that NFL receiver play quarterback and basically force the NFL quarterback to transfer. Brilliant! Thanks, Houston Nutt. Now, look at the current quarterback situation. One of the top high school QB's in the country, whom EVERYONE wanted, is on campus with his freshman year under his belt. Yet, I (and no one else) feels comfortable with our QB situation. How could that be? It's because after starting strong, Mustain showed nothing but regression throughout the year. Anyone remember the Vanderbilt game, when Mustain threw three touchdown passes and everyone was talking about how they couldn't remember the last time an Arkansas QB did the things he did? I do, but barely. I remember finally being excited because we had a TRUE quarterback on campus. But, as the season went on Mustain only got worse, which isn't surprising considering Nutt's track record with quarterbacks. Now, look over to Georgia, and Florida, who also have stud freshman QB's that logged significant playing time. Both improved throughout the year. Matt Stafford for the Dogs has everyone excited because of the strides he made throughout the year, and Tim Tebow at Florida could run for mayor of Gainesville – and win. Mustain, however, is being much maligned as "not the answer," despite starting strong early. Let me say it again: Thank you, Houston Nutt. Now, let's play the same game with the kickers: who is the last good kicker Arkansas had? This one is without debate, the answer is Todd Latourette. Ever since, Arkansas has struggled at the kicking position. I can think of ten games during Nutt's career - off the top of my head - where huge kicking lapses probably cost Arkansas the game. Why? Because Nutt refuses to place emphasis on recruiting kickers and developing kickers! The one time he did decide to go after a kicker, he gave a scholarship to Brennan O'Donahoe, who turned out to be a bust (surprised? I'm not). And who can blame him for being a bust? It's been widely reported that kickers are pretty much just left alone to practice on their own, without any coaching. Again: Thank you, Houston Nutt. Now, what do both Clint Stoerner and Todd Latourette have in common? It's obvious: neither was recruited by Houston Nutt, and neither was developed by Houston Nutt. Which leaves me with one extremely frustrating conclusion: Houston Nutt has never recruited and developed a true quarterback or quality kicker as coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. ********* Hogs Off-Season Report By Ron Jumper What does Houston Nutt need to do between now and next season? Well I'm about to give you the run down on what should be Houston Nutt's checklist. While I'm not Houston Nutt's #1 fan, I think he is in a managable situation. Here's the rundown: 1. Keep the current talent intact: With Chris Houston and Jamal Anderson already leaving for the draft, there are 4 guys still on the list for Nutt to keep on campus. FB Peyton Hillis, DT Marcus Harrison, CB Matterial Richardson, and WR Marcus Monk are all very important for Arkansas next year. Not to be left undiscussed, it is highly important that no other players decide to transfer. While Mustain and Cleveland maintain that they are staying, that isn't a gurantee. 2. Sign LT Lee Ziemba His committment would give the Hogs the difference maker that this class doesn't have yet. The Hogs have to be able to get one of the top 3 prospects in the state to committ. That shouldn't be too much to ask. RB Broderick Green and QB Kodi Burns are leaving the Natural State. 3. Sign A Quarterback It doesn't matter who. Make a late push for Roger's Kody Kirby if you have to, who is currently committed to Missouri State. The Hogs only have 2 scholarship QBs on the roster. With Dick about to be a junior, the Hogs need more than 2 gun slingers at their disposal. However, it makes recruiting a QB for next season's class a lot more desirable to recruits if one isn't found in the next month, though I'd prefer not to have such a risk going into next season if at all possible. 4. Settle The Current QB Controversy I don't care if you decide to play both by alternating series or if you pick one and stick with him, but this has to be done by the end of spring practice. Both quarterbacks need to know the situation and be able to focus on whatever their roles may turn out to be. Also, if one decides to leave they can do so before next season begins. 5. Find Another Big Back Next season will be McFadden's last season in Fayetteville almost without question. Felix Jones and Michael Smith are small running backs with great speed. Incoming JUCO standout Brandon Barnett is also a speed back at only 190 pounds. It doesn't have to be a halfback either, as losing Peyton Hillis to the draft would be a huge loss to overcome for the entire offense. Speaking of Hillis, people didn't give him enough credit this season for his role as fullback, halfback, wide receiver, tight end, kick returner, and punt returner. Without Hillis, it caused the running game to lean more towards the "Wildcat" because there wasn't that great lead blocker out of the I-formation. In the passing game, notice that there were no longer those 3 or 4 short reliable catches a game that can make a world of difference in a QB's confidence. If Hillis goes, he will be missed greatly. Be checking between now and August to see what goals of these are checked off the list. Hopefully, Houston Nutt can surprise us all and settle these 5 issues.  January 9, 2007 |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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