Arkansas Razorback Football: Hogs Spring Practice Starts on Wednesday

Who will replace Bequette and Adams?

College football fans despair no more, spring football practices are starting across the country over the next couple of weeks as teams prepare for the 2012 campaign. Arkansas Razorback head coach Bobby Petrino will begin molding his players for the 2012 season starting on Wednesday.

After Petrino led No. 5 Arkansas to an improbable 11-2 season in 2011 capped by beating then BCS No. 8 Kansas State 29-16 in the Cotton Bowl, he now faces higher expectations entering 2012. With uncertainty at key positions who will earn important starting positions during spring practice is the focus of the Arkansas coaching staff as well as the Razorback fans?

The known production of the Tyler Wilson, the Hogs’ defensive line, and core returning offensive linemen has the makings of another 11 plus win for Arkansas. Filling in the gaps left by graduation could prove to be harder than most Razorback fans expect.

New defensive coordinator Paul Haynes had a crash course with his defensive unit the weeks leading up to the Cotton Bowl after the dismissal of former DC Willy Robinson. If Haynes sticks to the type of schemes ran against KSU the Hogs will spend the spring working on blitzing from the linebacker position and stunts by the defensive line; defensive production that was missing under Robinson.

Haynes will have to replace All-SEC middle linebacker Jerry Franklin and outside linebacker Jerrico Nelson. The only sure bet at starter in 2012 is Alonzo Highsmith Jr. starting at outside linebacker unless moved to the middle by the coaching staff to help stop the run.

Early talk has mid-term junior college transfer defensive end Austin Flynn (6’4”, 250 pounds) getting reps at middle linebacker. The Hogs are deep at defensive end with the return of Tank Wright, Chris Smith, and Trey Flowers.

Returning linebackers Braylon Mitchell and Jarrett Lake will get plenty of opportunities to win a starting job this spring.

The Hogs have three highly recruited linebackers coming to school in the fall to help fill any possible depth issues discovered during the spring- A.J. Turner, Otha Peters, and Vin Ascolese. The difference between immediate playing time in the linebacker rotation, action on special teams and redshirting will depend on the readiness of each newcomer come August.

Both safety spots will be scrutinized after the loss of Tramain Thomas and Elton Ford to graduation.

Canadian export Brett Weir was recruited as a safety in 2011. Will his size put him at safety, linebacker, or on the offensive side of the ball?

Where will Ross Rasner play in 2012? He lined up at outside linebacker last season but has the ability to play safety. Filling the greatest need come August will ultimately determine Rasner’s final position.

Petrino added two safeties to his 2012 recruiting class that could see playing time this year- Will Hines and Defonta Lowe.

On the checklist for a successful spring for the Razorbacks will include finding quality receivers to replace the 2,009 receiving yards totaled by Jarius Wright, Joe Adams, and Greg Childs. Added to the pressure of losing that trio is finding a punt returner to fill Adams’ All-American shoes.

Cobi Hamilton will be counted on as the lead receiver for the Hogs. All he will have to do is replicate what Jarius Wright did when Wright led the SEC in receiving yards (1,117) and receiving touchdowns (12).  

Hamilton has been known more for his big play ability and yards after the catch than his strict route running and sure-fire hands. The big question that will not be answered until the regular season begins is can Hamilton adjust to life in the SEC as a No. 1 receiver?

He has the size, speed, and ability to do it. Within Petrino’s offense Hamilton could be poised for an All-SEC season next fall.

After Hamilton, Petrino has so many wide receiver prospects to choose from it is hard to know where to start. Javontee Herndon had the most in-game experience when he added eight catches for 137 yards last year. His 17.1 yards per catch average was tops on the team. Julian Horton and Marquel Wade both earned game time in 2011 as well.

Wade’s speed and field vision could help Hog fans recover from the loss of Adams on special teams. Wide receiver Keante Minor is another speedster that will get a chance to return punts for Petrino.

Quinta Funderburk, Davyon McKinney, Kane Whitehurst, and Maurdecus Humphrey are all capable of earning playing time with their efforts in the spring. New comers Keon Hatcher, Eric Hawkins, Mekale McKay, D’Arthur Cowan, and junior college transfer Demetrius Wilson will add more competition to an already talented squad in August.

McKay 6’6” and Wilson 6’3” have the size and speed to become the next Greg Childs kind of receiver. Childs and former Razorback quarterback Ryan Mallett played jump ball in the corner of the end zone before Childs’ injury in 2010. McKay and Wilson could add that red zone threat missing last year.

The warm feeling of knowing Tyler Wilson is back under center has to allow Petrino a full night’s rest. Also knowing he has three starters returning in the backfield between Ronnie Wingo, Jr., Dennis Johnson, and All-SEC running back Knile Davis should bring a smile to his face while he sleeps.

The only thing that could possibly derail Petrino’s running attack is the growth of true sophomore linemen Mitch Smoothers and Brey Cook. Both players will have to replace graduating seniors Grant Cook and Grant Freeman.

Cook and Smoothers both saw extensive playing time early in the 2011 season. Losing a redshirt on both players may cost the Hogs in the long run but what the team gains from their game experience should pay dividends early in the 2012 season. That experience and a quick start to the Hogs running game could be the difference between a SEC Championship game berth or just another great season for the Razorback football team.

The Hogs will take the field for 14 practices before playing their Red-White game on April 21. 

For more Arkansas Razorback sports information check out Razorbackers.com!

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Trying to Understand Arkansas’ Route to Paul Haynes over Randy Shannon as New DC

Tuesday December 6, Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino announced Willy Robinson was “resigning” from his position as defensive coordinator with the Razorbacks. The following day sources close to the Razorback program let it known that Randy Shannon, the former head coach at the University of Miami, was in line to be the next defensive coordinator for the Hogs pending financial agreements.

Razorback fans are now led to believe that Paul Haynes was Petrino’s top choice for defensive coordinator all along? Haynes hiring raises more questions than it provides answers. Something is amiss with this story.

The spin on Haynes selection as defensive coordinator is one of the best to come out of Arkansas in some time. To save face Razorback fans are now supposed to believe that it took Petrino four days to hire Paul Haynes as the new defensive coordinator at Arkansas.

Haynes had a nice title before leaving Ohio State, co-defensive coordinator. Haynes was promoted to co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State before the 2011 season after Luke Fickell left his co-defensive coordinator position to become the interim head coach for the Buckeyes.

Fickell shared co-defensive coordinators duties with Jim Heacock from 2005-2010 until former OSU head coach Jim Tressel left the program May 30, of this year following a major NCAA scandal surrounding the football team.

Haynes worked under Fickell and Jim Heacock during the past six years primarily coaching the secondary for the Buckeyes.

Between the two new co-defensive coordinators, Heacock was the defensive play caller during the 2011 season, not Haynes.

The next question to ask regarding Haynes hire at Arkansas is, “How great of a coach was Jim Tressel?” Or maybe the better question to ask is, “How bad was the staff under Tressel?”

This year could prove to be one of the worst football seasons in Columbus, Ohio, since 1999 when the Buckeyes finished 6-6. OSU finished the 2011 regular season 6-6 with a chance to finish with either a winning or losing record after they face off against the Florida Gators in the Gator Bowl January 2.

Should OSU lose to the Gators their season record would be the worst finish for the program since 1988 when they finished 4-6-1.

An argument in support of the Buckeye’s coaching staff could be made because five of their players were suspended for the first five games of the season or left the program before the season started. The big headline loss for the team was former starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Arkansas fans do not need to be reminded that the Razorbacks lost starting quarterback Ryan Mallett, Mackey Award winning tight end D.J. Williams, and three starting offensive linemen after the 2010 season to graduation or the NFL.

The Hogs also lost All-SEC running back Knile Davis to injury before the season began. Two more running backs would miss significant game time as well due to injuries – Dennis Johnson and Broderick Green.

The Razorbacks losses did not stop with those players on offense as four starters on defense missed games due to injury in 2011- Jake Bequette, Darius Winston, Tank Wright, and Isaac Madison.

Petrino managed to lead Arkansas to a 10-2 regular season record, in arguably the toughest conference in college football, despite all of the adversity he faced due to player injuries.

Looking closer at the two program’s defensive numbers, Ohio State’s defense was No. 24 in total defense this season allowing an average of 328.58 yards per game. The Buckeyes scoring defense finished No. 26 giving up 20.75 per game.

Arkansas’ scoring defense was No. 37 allowing 22.75 points per game. The Hogs total defense was No. 51 giving up 371.42 yards per game. There is not a major difference between the team defenses statistically.

Arkansas faced two opponents, Texas A&M and Alabama, ranked in the Top 30 in total offense. Ohio State faced one – Wisconsin.

What recruiting help can Haynes bring to Petrino’s staff?

Ohio State is a school that recruits itself on a national level. According to Rivals.com, OSU is currently ranked No. 15 in recruiting. Arkansas is No. 25.

Of the 16 recruits that have orally committed to the Buckeyes 14 are in-state recruits. In 2011 14 of the 24 OSU recruits were from Ohio, which led to a No. 14 national recruiting ranking. Will Haynes be able to parlay his time in Ohio with top recruits for Arkansas?

Arkansas fans also do not need to be reminded that in last year’s Sugar Bowl, Petrino’s offense racked up 402 yards of total offense against the Buckeyes. Ryan Mallett threw for 277 yards with two touchdowns against Haynes’ secondary.

Next question: If Randy Shannon was not at the top of Petrino’s list, why wasn’t he?

Shannon was the head coach at University of Miami from 2007-2010. He was the defensive coordinator for the Hurricanes from 2001-2006.

During his tenure as defensive coordinator Miami’s defense ranked No. 7 or better in 5 out of 6 years. Arkansas’ defense finished 2010 ranked No. 36 and No. 51 in 2011.

For his defensive coaching efforts, Shannon won the 2001 Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in college football. That same year Miami won the BCS National Championship Game as the Big East Conference Champions over Nebraska in the 2002 Rose Bowl.

Shannon had Top 20 recruiting classes every year he was a either the defensive coordinator or the head coach at the University of Miami.

Shannon would have been able to help open new doors for the Razorback program in the state of Florida with top recruits.

Most SEC recruits want to know that their coaches can help them “make it” to the NFL once their collegiate career is finished. Shannon was an assistant with the Miami Dolphins from 1998-1999 and their linebackers coach in 2000. He would’ve brought extra credibility to the Razorback staff with his NFL background.

Another area Shannon could have helped in recruiting is the state of Texas. Shannon played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1989-1990. Although his playing career was short-lived, he was still part of “America’s Team” which carries a lot of weight in Texas.

If his resume was not impressive enough, Shannon was one of the starting linebackers for Jimmy Johnson’s 1987 University of Miami’s National Championship team.

Still we are supposed to believe that Paul Haynes was the top choice for Petrino over Shannon?

Leaked information from sources close to the Razorback program said Shannon’s hire was hinging on money. Regardless of the current spin centering on Haynes over Shannon, this seems credible. Bottom line, Arkansas does not pay their assistants on the level of other SEC teams. If Shannon wanted a top coordinator’s salary, why didn’t the Razorbacks pay him?

Former Arkansas offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn makes $1.3 million per year as Auburn’s OC. Auburn’s football assistants will make a total of $4, 085,000 for the 2011 season.

Charlie Weis, the former offensive coordinator for the University of Florida, former head coach at Notre Dame, and offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots was set to make $765,000 this season and a total of $2.6 million over three years, including a $100,000 signing bonus to join the Gator’s staff. Weis was hired as the head coach at University of Kansas over the weekend after one year in Gainesville.

Paul Petrino was hired back as Arkansas’ offensive coordinator at $425,000 per year plus $50,000 for appearance fees, the same salary Garrick McGee was receiving before he took the head coaching job at University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Arkansas already has one of the best offensive minds in college football on staff in Bobby Petrino. What they do not have is the defensive coordinator to match Petrino’s offense.

Will Haynes be the answer for Arkansas’ defensive woes? Time will tell. On paper, Arkansas did not necessarily improve their defense by letting Willy Robinson “resign” and hiring Haynes. The truth is the Razorbacks hired the co-defensive coordinator for the sixth best defense in the Big Ten.

Would Petrino add more confusion to Arkansas’ staff after the loss of Garrick McGee and John L. Smith if he did not already have a new coordinator in mind? If the new coordinator was Haynes, again why did it take four days to hire him?

Another truth is Haynes worked with John L. Smith at Louisville in 2002 and at Michigan State in 2003-2004. Petrino, it seems, shook the coaching family tree he loyally supports after talks with Shannon stopped.

One more puzzling question, why would Haynes take four days to accept the job at Arkansas when a demotion of some sort was sure to come his way at Ohio State? This is assuming new OSU head coach Urban Myer was even planning on keeping Haynes on his staff after the end of the season.

Luke Fickell and Jim Heacock were co-defensive coordinators before this season. Assuming Myer kept all three defensive coaches on staff one would expect that Fickell and Heacock would resume their previous roles as co-coordinators – right? That means that even if Haynes kept the title of co-defensive coordinator his role on the staff would be diminished in game planning at the very least; thus a demotion.

If Randy Shannon was not on the top of Arkansas’ list in favor of Paul Haynes because of money, Arkansas has showed that they talk-the-talk about wanting to win but don’t walk-the-walk when it comes time to pay for experienced coordinators like the other winning programs in the SEC. This only makes Petrino’s task more difficult.

Petrino has taken Arkansas to new heights over the past two seasons not seen since the 1980’s. He has proven his desire and dedication to making Arkansas an elite program. With Petrino on the sidelines Arkansas will always have a shot at winning.

If Petrino feels Haynes is a good hire for the team, then Haynes deserves the support of Razorback Nation.

As fans we may never know the truth about how Paul Haynes came to be the new defensive coordinator for the Razorbacks other than one positive spin article in hopes of rallying support around the new hire.

Should the Hogs defense falter in upcoming seasons, perhaps the Razorbacks will pay for what they want next time, a complete coaching staff that can help them win a BCS National Championship. 

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