Category: NFL
NFL Draft: Greg Childs Impresses at Arkansas Pro Day
Former Arkansas Razorback wide receiver Greg Childs continued to show healthy improvement on his injured knee from the end of the Hogs 2011 regular season through the NFL draft combine to Arkansas’ Pro Day.
Childs improved his forty-yard scout combine run of 4.55 to 4.41 in front of NFL scouts Tuesday inFayetteville. His forty-time would have tied him for seventh best at the combine, the same time as former Baylor quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.
Childs, listed at 6’3”, 219 pound, recorded a long jump of 10’7” at the pro day, besting his 10’5” at the combine, which would have tied him for sixth best among all players. His 40.5” vertical jump would have been the second best during the Feb. 22-28 event.
Childs benched 225 pounds 19 times placing him sixth best among all receivers at the combine. He graded out at 53.5 put in one week’s time has shown improvement in all areas. Some NFL team will take notice.
All-American punt returner Joe Adams tried to improve upon his 4.55 forty-yard dash at the combine but ran the same time at 4.55. He graded out at an 82.5 in front of scouts in Indianapolis.
The 2011 Arkansas Razorback media guide listedAdamsat 5’11” 190 pounds. At the combine he weighed 179 pounds. He projects to be a slot receiver at the next level so being undersized is not as big of an issue. The big question is will the increased weight gain teams will put him through slow his explosiveness on the field in the return game.
Jarius Wright turned in a top 10 performance in the shuttle 20-yard shuttle run during the combine at a timed 4.03. His 4.42 forty-yard dash run was tied for 14th best among all athletes and 9th best among wide receivers. His impressive display of speed and agility during the combine allowed him to sit out of speed drills Tuesday.
Wright graded out at 68.7 during the combine. His speed and quickness are a noted plus as a slot receiver at the next level, his strength off press coverage and ability to sustain blocks worry NFL scouts.
Wright’s vertical jump of 38” was ninth best for his position at the combine.
All receivers participating in receiving drills got help from an old friend. Former Arkansas quarterback and 2011 third round draft pick Ryan Mallett was on hand to throw to his former teammates.
Jake Bequette was a top performer in the three-cone and 20-yard shuttle runs at the combine posting a 6.90 and 4.07 respectively. His 20-yard run was second best among defensive ends (Bruce Irvin, West Virginia, 4.03) while his vertical jump was tied for 11th best (34.0”).
Bequette’s 4.82 40-yard dash was well below his previously listed 4.5 timing. He did not participate in speed drills during the pro day. Reports are he will hold a private workout for scouts in the upcoming weeks.
Recording a grade of 53.7 at the combine had to be frustrating for the first team All-SEC defensive end. In post season all star games and during his pro day scouts have looked at Bequette as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Bequette’s ability to show scouts he can drop into coverage could be the deciding factor on where he ends up in the draft.
How NFL.com projects the grades of all players regardless of position:
100-96, top pick, future Hall of Fame player
95-85, first round pick, immediate starter
84-70, 2nd to 3rd round pick, eventual starter
69-50, 4th to 7th round pick, draft worthy
49-20, free agent player, not draft worthy
Notable 2012 Combine Grades:
Quarterbacks:
Andrew Luck, Stanford, 97
Robert Griffin III, Baylor, 95
Russell Wilson,Wisconsin, 68.5
Darron Thomas, Oregon, 55.0
Case Keenum, Houston, 53.5
Kellen Moore, Boise State, 51.0
Jordan Jefferson, LSU, 40
Running Backs:
Chris Polk, Washington, 86.0
LaMichael James, Oregon, 78.5
Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M, 75.5
Doug Martin, Boise State, 74.2
Chris Rainey, Florida, 73.7
Fozzy Whittaker, Texas, 51.2
Vick Ballard, Mississippi State, 50.5
Wide Receivers:
Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, 89.5
Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma, 84.0
Tight Ends:
Colby Fleener, Stanford, 85.2
Orson Charles, Georgia, 79.0
Cornerbacks:
Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, 92.0
Morris Claiborne, LSU, 91.5
Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina, 84.0
Offensive Linemen:
Matt Kalil, Southern California, 94.0
David Decastro, Stanford, 92.5
Cordy Glenn, Georgia, 72.5
Donald Stephenson, Oklahoma, 53.5
Adam Gettis, Iowa, 52.2
Linebackers:
Luke Kuechly, Boston College, 91.0
Dont’a Hightower, Alabama, 85.0
DeMario Davis, Arkansas State, 51.2
Defensive Linemen:
Melvin Ingram, South Carolina, 90.5
Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, 77.0
Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, 72.5
Safety:
Charles Mitchell, Mississippi State, 54.7
Kelcie McCray, Arkansas State, 51.5
For more Arkansas Razorback information check out Razorbackers.com!
Arkansas Football: Former Razorbacks Prepare for Grueling NFL Combine
Every year around this time 300 plus former college football players eligible for the NFL Draft close in on a six to eight week workout process in preparation for the combine in Indianapolis.
During the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine held from Feb. 22-28, former Arkansas Razorback players Jake Bequette, Joe Adams, Greg Childs, and Jarius Wright will participate before the league’s 32 teams, their coaches, and key personnel in hopes of improving their draft status and in some cases getting drafted period.
An invite to the combine does not assure a player the opportunity of being drafted but the opportunity certainly enhances their chances.
At the 2011 NFL combine, four Razorbacks showcased their talents. Quarterback Ryan Mallett, tight end D.J. Williams, and offensive lineman DeMarcus Love were drafted in the third, fifth, and sixth round respectively.
Offensive lineman Ray Dominguez went undrafted after attending the combine but signed a free agent contract with the Green Bay Packers after the draft.
Each combine invitee can choose to participate in the series of mental and physical tests, physical drills, and in some cases interview with perspective teams.
The interview process allows each team to meet with up to 60 different players for a maximum of 15 minutes. Topics of conversation during the interviews range from football knowledge to character concerns centered on the individual player.
Made even more popular by the Madden NFL video game is the Wonderlic Test. The assessment shines the spotlight on those players that perform well and those that test poorly.
The Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test is a 12 minute timed aptitude test with 50 questions. The word test is designed to gain a better idea of an individual’s ability to problem solve and their overall intelligence level.
The common score of most football players is 20 denoting average intelligence. A testing performance of 10 means the person is considered literate.
A score of 24 is the median national average. A high test score of 31 corresponds with chemist and related fields.
According to Paul Zimmerman’s The New Man’s Thinking Guide to Pro Football the average Wonderlic test scores are broken down per positions:
- Offensive tackle- 26
- Center- 25
- Quarterback- 24
- Offensive guard- 23
- Tight end- 22
- Safety- 19
- Linebacker- 19
- Cornerback- 18
- Wide receiver- 17
- Fullback- 17
- Running back- 16
Over the last 10-15 years the medical tests players endure have been a subject of controversy.
Most NFL teams throw up a red flag on players with an injury history. Even if a player has been productive at the collegiate level and scored well on the physical performance tests during the combine, said players tend to slide down team’s draft boards once their doctors are able to perform orthopedic and MRI exams.
In the past medical information was traded freely between college team doctors and NFL teams. Now, due to medical privacy laws college teams can no longer hand over personal medical information on any given person.
What happens on the field during a game can be observed and documented most of the time. What happens on the practice field cannot. For this reason over 600 MRI are performed yearly at the combine. That is an average of two MRI per player each year.
The physical and speed drills tend to grab the headline attention at the combine. Fans drool over 40-yard dash times and player bench press reps while teams focus on 10-yard and 20-yard split times, vertical jumps, and three cone drills.
Heading into this week’s combine Joe Adams is listed as the seventh best wide receiver on Draftcountdown.com. Adams stock has risen over the past two months from a thought fifth round draft pick to a possible second rounder.
Adamsis listed at 5’11”, 190 pounds with 4.39 40-yard dash speed.
The second fastest wide receiver among the 66 compiled in the 40-yard dash is Jarius Wright. Wright is listed at 5’10”, 180 pounds with a 40-yard dash time of 4.33 just two one hundredths off Connecticut’s Kashif Moore’s 4.31.
Wright is ranked No. 25 out of the 66 receivers attending the combine.
Greg Childs is the bigger receiver of the Razorback bunch and the bigger prospect of the group until he hurt his knee during the 2010 season. After a slow start Childs picked up his pace in the LSU and Kansas State games at the end of Arkansas’ 2011 season.
Childs has a great opportunity to improve his draft stock at the combine. He is ranked No. 35 on the board. His 6’3”, 217 pound frame along with his production early in his Razorback career will attract attention.
If he can improve upon his 4.55 40-yard dash and show explosiveness in his breaks while running routes he could see his name called during the NFL Draft.
Childs will get to answer his fair share of questions about his knee during the scouting combine. Perspective teams will poke, prod, and examine his knee before the week is through to make sure he has fully healed from his injury before risking a draft pick on him.
After Jake Bequette’s first team All-SEC performance in 2011 it is hard to understand why he is not listed higher than the 14th best defensive end in the draft.
Bequette’s hamstring injury aside, he posted 10 sacks during the season tying him for the SEC lead withSouth Carolina’s defensive end Marvin Ingram. Both players were tied for the ninth best sack total during the 2011 season.
Ingram is ranked as the second best defensive end.
Bequette enters the combine as the fastest defensive end among the 42 invitees having run a reported 4.59 40-yard dash. His 6’5”, 271 pound frame makes him an ideal 4-3 defensive end in the NFL.
When the combine announced their list of invitees for 2012, a couple of Razorbacks were surprisingly missing- linebacker Jerry Franklin and safety Tramain Thomas.
Franklinled the Hogs in tackles in each of the past four seasons compiling 100 or more tackles during his senior and junior years.
Thomas was tied for 13th in Division I with five interceptions during his senior campaign. He also was second on the team and tied for 10th in the SEC with 91 tackles while playing through a shoulder injury much of the season.
Razorback players attending the combine and those that were not invited will have one last opportunity to showcase their abilities before the NFL Draft at Arkansas’ pro day on March 6.
Last year 18 former Razorbacks performed at Arkansas’ pro day including quarterback Ryan Mallett. This year senior offensive linemen Grant Cook and Grant Freeman, linebacker Jerrico Nelson, cornerback Isaac Madison, safety Elton Ford, running back Broderick Green, and defensive lineman Zach Stadther along with others will get their chance to perform combine drills for the NFL scouts on hand.
If the combine tells fans and future NFL hopefuls anything, it’s no matter where you attend college that if one works hard enough and plays well enough the scouts will find you.
One of the more shocking 2012 combine players scheduled to attend is Shawn Loiseau, a former linebacker at Merrimack. Loiseau’s invite is not shocking because of his ability to play but due to the size of Merrimack’s college.
Better known for their hockey teams, Merrimack is a small school inNorth Andover, MA with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,064 students. The Warriors compete in the Northeast 10 Conference, a Football Championship Subdivision conference formerly called Division II.
In-state Arkansas football fans will be happy to know that safety Kelcie McCray and linebacker DeMario Davis of Arkansas State are scheduled to attend the combine as well.
McCray is listed as the 14th best safety at the combine whileDavisis ranked as the 16th best linebacker.
Arkansas State will hold their pro day on March 27.
The 2012 NFL Draft is April 26-28.
Super Bowl XLVI Broadcast Features Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Part Two?
The iconic 80’s movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off gets the best thing closest to a sequel come Super Bowl Sunday when the New York Giants and New England Patriots square off inIndianapolis.
Super Bowl XLVI fans will get a taste of what Ferris Bueller has been up to all these years later in a Super Bowl commercial. The newly released teaser even has the blood pumping theme song Oh Yeah made famous in the 1986 feature film:
One can only hope that the Super Bowl ad, reportedly a Honda commercial, will spark enough interest from the powers that be to see Ferris (Matthew Broderick) skip work with his pal Cameron (Alan Ruck) and wife Sloane (Mia Sara) 26 years later in a full length theatrical release.
No word if school Principal Ed Rooney, played by Jeffery Jones, stalks the happy go lucky Ferris in the commercial.
The cost of a 30-second commercial during this year’s Super Bowl is reportedly worth $3.5 million.
The game is set to kickoff at 6:30 EST on NBC with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth covering the game.
Kelly Clarkson is scheduled to sing the National Anthem and Madonna will perform at halftime.
Listing the Top 37 SEC Players Eligible for 2012 NFL Draft
During the 2011 NFL Draft 37 players from the SEC heard their name called by NFL teams, 10 in the first round alone. 51 total seniors from SEC schools have been invited to participate in the four different post season all-star games. Underclassmen are already preparing for this year’s NFL Combine by hiring strength and fitness instructors to help them display their athletic abilities.
How many SEC players will hear their names called during the 2012 NFL Draft?
Here’s a list of the top 37 players that can equal last year’s impressive transition from college football into the NFL.
*Denotes underclassman
Running Backs:
*Trent Richardson, 5’11”, 224 pounds, University of Alabama
Workhorse, power runner, game changer, break away back, the total package… However you want to describe Richardson as a dominate running back take your pick. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield. The only thing that will keep him off the field as a rookie in the NFL is if he does not show the ability to pick up the blitz on passing downs.
Richardson led the SEC in rushing yards (1,679), rushing attempts (283), and rushing touchdowns (21). He also led the SEC to their sixth straight BCS National Championship.
Draft Worthy Mentions:
RB Vick Ballard, Mississippi State
RB Tauren Poole, Tennessee
RB Chris Rainey, Florida
FBBroderick Green, Arkansas
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends:
*Alshon Jeffery, 6’4”, 229 pounds, University of South Carolina
Jeffery is a big target which NFL scouts like and he’s great at jumping over defenders, especially in the red zone. Jeffery lacks the blazing speed coveted by NFL teams and his route running is not crisp.
Even with the instability at quarterback for the Gamecocks, Jeffery was able to finish the season ranked No. 5 in the SEC in total receiving yards. His eight touchdown receptions were tied for third best in the SEC.
*Orson Charles, 6’3”, 242 pounds, University of Georgia
Charles may be the best tight end available in the NFL Draft much less the best tight end in the SEC. He has the speed, height, and athletic ability for the next level. His ability to stretch the field and pump against linebackers will help his draft status.
Charles was No. 12 in the SEC in total receiving yards with 574 while hauling in 45 passes and five receiving touchdowns.
Jarius Wright, 5’10”, 180 pounds, University of Arkansas
Wright is smaller wide receiver than what most scouts want in a No. 1 receiver. InArkansas’ offense he was accustomed to running routes across the middle of the field which is something he will have to do on the next level as a No. 2 option or as a slot receiver.
Wright finished the 2011 season leading the SEC in receiving yards (1,117) and receiving touchdowns (12). He was one catch shy of tying Da’Rick Rogers (Tennessee) for most receptions-Rogers67, Wright 66.
Joe Adams, 5’11”, 190 pounds, University of Arkansas
Adamswas a consensus All-American as a punter returner in 2011. He led all players with four kickoff returns for touchdowns and his yardage per punt return average of 16.89 was second in college football. Some team will take a chance on Adams for his return ability alone. His 4.3 40-yard dash helps too.
Do not overlook Adams’ ability as a receiver. He was No. 4 in the SEC in total receptions (54) and No. 8 in total receiving yards (652).
Draft Worthy Mentions:
Greg Childs, Arkansas
*Reuben Randle, LSU
Offensive Linemen:
Cordy Glenn, 6’5”, 348 pounds, University of Georgia
Glenn has the size of a NFL tackle but played guard for the Bulldogs since his sophomore year. Either way he’s a beast to contend with especially on running plays.
He has started since his freshman season and has played against top quality defensive linemen throughout his college career. Glenn should be a late first round draft pick.
Draft Worthy Mentions:
OT D.J. Fluker, Alabama
C Ben Jones, Georgia
OG Will Blackwell, LSU
C William Vlachos, Alabama
OT Bobby Massie, Ole Miss
Linebackers:
*Dont’a Hightower, 6’4”, 260 pounds, Alabama
Hightower is a hard nosed tackler with size and good speed. If he did not have a history of being injured (tore ACL in left knee in 2009) Hightower might be considered the top outside linebacker in the NFL Draft. As it is he still will go somewhere in the first round.
Courtney Upshaw, 6’2”, 265 pounds, Alabama
Upshaw is anotherAlabamaproduct that projects high in the NFL Draft. Upshaw is an excellent fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 NFL defensive scheme. He led Bama with 9.5 sacks this season and seven in 2010.
Upshaw was a four year player for the Tide. He has 4.6 speed to go with his massive frame.
Chris Marve, 6’0”, 242 pounds, University of Vanderbilt
Marve is a typical SEC middle linebacker, always in on a play and a sound tackler. He had an off senior year due to injuries. Still he finished with 91 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Unless Marve shows tremendous speed at the combine he is likely going to drop into the third round.
Draft Worthy Mentions:
Jerry Franklin, Arkansas
Danny Trevathan, Kentucky
Defensive Linemen:
Melvin Ingram, 6’2”, 276 pounds, University of South Carolina
Ingram was the senior leader of a three-headed defensive end rotation that terrorized the SEC- Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney. Ingram had nine sacks as a junior and 10 sacks as a senior.
He has a knack for making big plays. His speed is average for a defensive end his size (4.6 40-yard dash). If he can show off some superior atheism at the combine he could work his way into a solid second round pick.
*Michael Brockers, 6’6”, 306 pounds, LSU
A disruptive force for offensive lines to deal with, Brockers easily dominates most blockers in one-on-one situations. He gets up field in a hurry and commands double teams.
He converted from defensive end to defensive tackle while inBaton Rouge. He is short on overall experience but has a ton of upside. If he does well at the combine he should hear his name called in the first round.
Josh Chapman, 6’1”, 310 pounds, Alabama
Chapman anchored the line for a great Alabama defense throughout his colligate career. His size is a little undersized for a nose tackle. His real weapon in the trenches is his speed. He clocked a 4.92 40-yard dash.
Chapman should go before the second round his over. Early third round if he has a bad NFL Combine or pro day.
*Fletcher Cox, 6’4”, 295 pounds, Mississippi State
There is nothing bad to say about the abilities of Fletcher Cox. He has a motor that does not stop, he is quick off the ball, and played through double-teams throughout his college career. He posted 5 sacks in 2011 and 2.5 in 2010.
NFL teams will want to beef Cox up once he is drafted. Look for Cox to go somewhere in the second to third round.
Jake Bequette, 6’5”, 271 pounds, University of Arkansas
Bequette is an experienced college player having redshirted before becoming a four-year starter for the Hogs. He finished the 2011 season with 10 sacks in 10 games as a hamstring injury forced him to miss three games during the early part of the season.
Bequette is fast but not necessarily strong for a defensive end. He has been clocked at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. He might end up being a weak side defensive end in the NFL.
Draft Worthy Mentions:
DT Malik Jackson, Tennessee
DE Tim Fugger, Vanderbilt
Defensive Backs:
*Dre Kirkpatrick, 6’3”, 192 pounds, University of Alabama
Kirkpatrick has the size and speed NFL scouts drool over for cornerbacks. His background at Alabama will help him play man defense and zone defense at the next level.
Kirkpatrick had zero interceptions in 2011 but had three in 2010.
His ability on the field makes him a first round draft pick. Getting busted for marijuana in Bradenton, Florida may drop his draft status.
*Morris Claiborne, 6’0”, 185 pounds, LSU
Claiborne is considered the best corner in college football with the ability to be a shut-down corner on the next level. His speed, toughness, and athletic ability will make him a first-round pick for some lucky NFL team.
Claiborne had six interceptions during his junior campaign with one returned for a touchdown. He had five interceptions in 2010.
*Jonathan Banks, 6’1”, 185 pounds, Mississippi State
Banks is a legitimate cover corner ready for the next level. He had three picks in 2010 and five in 2011 with one returned for a touchdown. He also registered three sacks this season.
His ability to move up in draft status will depend on how well he competes at the NFL Draft Combine.
Draft Worthy Mentions:
*CB Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia
CB CaseyHayward, Vanderbilt
SS Mark Barron, Alabama
FS Tramain Thomas, Arkansas
Is Arkansas the most Influential State for College Football of All-Time?
Razorback Stadium
Since the first football game was played November 6, 1869, between Rutgers and Princeton, football fans have battled over whose team is better, which team has the best players, and why for over 100 years.
The most overlooked area in college football and perhaps the most important is what state is the most influential. What makes your criteria, the most Heisman Trophy winners per state, the most first round NFL draft picks, or the coaches that got those players to their prominent positions?
Based on coaching, would you believe Arkansas may be the most influential college football state of all-time?
PennStatefans will argue about the legacy of Joe Pa, Florida State fans will “Tomahawk” you to death with Bobby Bowden all the while Bill Walsh and Cardinal fans will nickel and dime you down the field in the West Coast offense. But if one looks closely at the coaches born in the state of Arkansas or those that cut their teeth coaching at the University of Arkansas, you might change your mind.
Here are a few coaches that have made their mark in the world of college football after passing through the great state of Arkansas.
Paul “Bear” Bryant
Who is arguably the greatest college football coach of all-time? Most fans, especially those who support Alabama, will tell you Paul “Bear” Bryant is the end all be all and for good reason. Coach Bryant won six national championships at Alabama and 15 conference titles between the SEC and Southwest Conference.
When Bryant retired he owned a 323-85-17 coaching record; that is a winning percentage of 76. After his passing in 1983, Super Bowl XVII was dedicated in his honor. The National Coach of the Year Award is even named in his honor.
Three coaches that got their start under Coach Bryant went on to win National Championships – Danny Ford, Gene Stallings, and Howard Schnellenberger. Other notable head coaches that got their start under Bear Bryant include David Cutcliffe, Jackie Sherrill, Pat Dye, Sylvester Croom, Jim Owens, Charles McClendon, and Neil Callaway.
What does Coach Bryant have to do with Arkansas? He was born in Fordyce, Arkansas. Alabama and college football fans, you are welcome.
Frank Broyles
The next great Arkansas coach would have to be Frank Broyles. Coach Broyles was the head coach at the University of Arkansas for 19 years compiling a record of 149-62-6 (69 winning percent) making him the all-time winningest coach in school history.
Coach Broyles won a national championship in 1964 and seven Southwest Conference titles from 1958 – 1976.
His showdown against University of Texas in 1969 was considered “The Game of the Century” before this year’s Alabama and LSU teams were even a consideration. There was so much national attention on the game President Nixon showed up inFayettevilleto watch.
Broyles was in the broadcast booth with Keith Jackson on ABC from 1977-1985 influencing generations of college football fans watching the games at home.
In 1996 college football started the Frank Broyles Award to honor the top college football assistant in the nation. Past winners include Randy Shannon, Norm Chow, Gene Chizik, and Gus Malzahn.
Broyles helped Johnny Majors (Tennessee), Joe Gibbs (Washington Redskins), Barry Switzer (Oklahoma and the Dallas Cowboys), and Jimmy Johnson (University of Miami and the Dallas Cowboys) all get their start in coaching. Between the four coaches they have won five college football national championships and six Super Bowls.
Of the players Coach Broyles mentored over 30 have gone on to coach at the college or pro levels.
As the athletic director for Arkansas in 1992, Coach Broyles led Arkansas to college football’s first mega-conference when they departed the now defunct Southwest Conference for the Southeastern Conference.
Lou Holtz
Lou Holtz succeeded Coach Broyles in 1977 as the head coach at Arkansas after stops at William and Mary, North Carolina State, and a one-year stint as the New York Jets head coach. Coach Broyles gave the embattled coach an opportunity to get back into college coaching before taking Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988.
Holtz won the Paul “Bear” Bryant Award in 1977 after leading Arkansas to a 1978 Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma. Had Oklahoma won the game that would have been the third national championship in four years for the Sooners. OU was coached by Barry Switzer.
Younger generations may only know of Coach Holtz from his work on ESPN’s College Football Score Board and College Football Live or his time asSouth Carolina’s head coach (1999-2004).
HoustonNutt
Recruited by Broyles and played under Lou Holtz, Houston Nutt not only was born in Arkansas and played for the Razorbacks but he was also the head coach at the University of Arkansas from 1998-2007. Coach Nutt won three SEC West titles and was named SEC Coach of the Year three times.
In 1998 Coach Nutt was awarded coach of the year by The Football News for leading Arkansas to a 9-3 record after being picked to finish last in the SEC West during the preseason.
Coach Nutt had eight winning seasons while at Arkansas, two as the head coach at Ole Miss. Nutt’s teams have appeared in seven New Year’s Day bowl games.
He coached Darren McFadden to back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Heisman Trophy Award – 2006 and 2007.
Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson played his college ball at theUniversityofArkansasbefore becoming the defensive coordinator under Broyles from 1973-1976. Johnson went on to be the head coach at Oklahoma State University(1979-1983) and University of Miami (1984-1988) before going to the NFL.
Coach Johnson won the 1987 national championship atMiamibefore taking over as the Dallas Cowboys head coach in 1989. While inDallas, Johnson won the Super Bowl in 1992 and 1993. The foundation Johnson laid for the Cowboys set up another Super Bowl win in 1995.
Johnson’s coaching tree includes native Arkansans Tommy Tuberville and Butch Davis. Johnson also helped start the careers of Norv Turner, Dave Wannstedt, and Dave Campo.
Randy Shannon was the starting linebacker for Johnson’s national championship team. Shannon was the head coach at University of Miami from 2007-2010.
Barry Switzer
As the head coach at University of Oklahoma from 1973-1988 Barry Switzer had a college record of 157-29-4 winning three national championships (1974, 1975, and 1985) and won 12 Big Eight Conference Titles.
Coach Switzer won 82 percent of his games at OU. His teams finished in the Top 10 of the AP Poll 12 times during his tenure.
He won Super Bowl XXX in 1995 as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Switzer played for the Razorbacks from 1956-1960 before taking a position as an assistant from 1961-1965 with the Hogs.
Coach Switzer was born in Crossett, Arkansas.
Ken Hatfield
Ken Hatfield was born in Helena, Arkansas. He played at Arkansas under Frank Broyles, was the head coach atArkansasfrom 1984-1989 compiling a record of 55-17 with three 10 win seasons – 1985, 1988, and 1989.
Hatfield was also the head coach at Air Force, Clemson, and Rice.
ButchDavis
Coach Davis was a defensive end for the Razorbacks before starting his coaching career at Fayetteville High School in Arkansas.
Coach Davis helped turn the University of Miami program around and laid down the tracks for success for Larry Coker and their BCS Championship winning team in 2001. Davis was the head coach at Miami from 1995-2000 before taking over as the head coach for the Cleveland Browns (2001-2004).
Davis was recently the head coach at North Carolina– 2007-2010.
He won three Big East Championships while at Miami– 1995, 1996, and 2000.
Butch Davis recruited Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Reggie Wayne, Clinton Portis, Bryant McKinnie, Antrel Rolle, Sean Taylor, and Jeremey Shockey, just to name a few of the more noteworthy NFL players under his mentorship.
Hayden Fry
Coach Fry got his big coaching break when Frank Broyles brought him on staff as his offensive backfield coach in 1961. After Arkansas was the Southwest Conference co-champions that same year, SMU hired Fry as their head coach for the 1962 season.
Fry is most remembered as the head coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes (1979-1998). Fry won one Southwest Conference title (1966), one Missouri Valley Conference title (1973), and three Big Ten titles (1981, 1985, and 1990).
Johnny Majors
Coach Majors may be considered “Mr. Rocky Top” but before he became the head coach at Tennessee he was an assistant under Frank Broyles from 1964-1967. Majors parlayed his time atArkansasto a head coaching position at Iowa State (1968-1972) before two stints at University of Pittsburgh (1973-1976 and 1993-1996).
Majors won the SEC three times (1985, 1989, and 1990). His coaching record for the Volunteers was 116-62-8. In 1985 his Tennessee team finished the season ranked No. 4, his highest post season ranking.
Head Coaches Born in Arkansas
Fred Akers
Fred Akers was born in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was a running back, kicker, and punter for the Hogs before becoming a coach.
Akers is best remembered as being the head coach atUniversityofTexasfrom 1977-1986. He also had head coaching jobs at Wyoming (1975-1976) and Purdue (1987-1990).
Akers twice led the Longhorns through undefeated seasons only to lose their bowl game each time – 1977 and 1983.
Gus Malzahn
Gus Malzahn, from Jonesboro, Arkansas, was the offensive coordinator for Arkansas, Tulsa, and Auburn before taking the head coaching position atArkansasState.
He won the 2010 BCS National Championship as the offensive coordinator forAuburn.
As offensive coordinator, Darren McFadden had a runner-up finish in the 2006 Heisman Trophy Award and in 2010 quarterback Cam Newton won the Heisman while atAuburn.
Charlie Strong
Coach Strong was born in Batesville, Arkansas and attended University of Central Arkansas before embarking on his coaching career. Strong made a name for himself as a top SEC defensive coordinator atSouth Carolina(1999-2001) and Florida (2002-2009) before taking the head coaching job at Louisville in 2010.
Tommy Tuberville
The “Riverboat Gambler” was born in Camden, Arkansas and played safety at Southern Arkansas before beginning his coaching career at Arkansas State.
Coach Tuberville has been the head coach at Ole Miss (1995-1998) and Auburn (1999-2008) before taking the Texas Tech position in 2010. While coaching in the SEC Tuberville won one SEC Conference Title and five SEC Western Conference Division Titles.
In 2004 he led the Tigers to a 13-0 record. That same year he won the Paul “Bear” Bryant award. He was twice named SEC Coach of the Year – 1997 and 2004.
Fitz Hill
Coach Hill was an assistant on the Razorback staff from 1992-2000. He played collegiately at Ouachita Baptist (NAIA) in Arkansas. He was the head coach of San Jose State from 2001-2004 before returning to Ouachita Baptist as the school’s president.
Coaching Assistants at University of Arkansas
Joe Gibbs – Running backs coach 1971-1972, three time Super Bowl winner with the Washington Redskins.
Garrick McGee – Quarterback coach from 2008-2009, offensive coordinator from 2009-2010, and now the head coach at University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Monte Kiffin – Defensive coordinator from 1977-1979, parlayed stint atArkansasinto head coaching job at North Carolina State. He is considered the “father” of the Tampa Two defense. Kiffin is the current defensive coordinator at University of Southern California.
Pete Carroll got his first big coaching break as a graduate assistant coaching the secondary atArkansasunder then head coach Lou Holtz. On staff was Monte Kiffin who taught Carroll the “4-3 Under” defense and the principal of the Tampa Two defense. Carroll was the 2003 National Coach of the Year while at USC.
Arkansas’ Influences in other Areas of Football
Jerry Jones grew up inNorth Little Rock,Arkansasand played on Frank Broyles 1964 national championship team. In 1989 Jones bought the Dallas Cowboys and immediately made waves throughout the NFL by firing legendary head coach Tom Landry.
Jones has taken “America’s Team” to new heights in popularity while winning three Super Bowls as the team owner – 1992, 1993, and 1995.
He is also the general manager for the Dallas Cowboys.
Pat Summerall was a place kicker, tight end, and defensive end atArkansasfrom 1949-1951. He spent 10 years in the NFL before working NFL telecasts in 1962. Summerall and John Madden became the definitive broadcast voices for NFL football covering 22 years.
In 1994 the Pro Football Hall of Fame awarded Summerall the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for his contributions to football through radio and television.
From USC to Tennessee and Seattle to Miami, the coaching tree continues to spread its influence on college and pro football making Arkansas the most influential state in college football.
Arkansas Athletes in the News
Kind of Picky Aren’t You?
Tyrell Johnson (Rison, Arkansas State) was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated Tuesday morning inMinneapolis,Minnesota. The Vikings safety was stopped around 2:00 a.m. for failing to signal merging onto an interstate ramp.
Minnesota State Patrol conducted a breathalyzer test on Johnson which registered 0.12. The legal limit inMinnesotais 0.08.
No comments have been made by the Minnesota Vikings regarding Johnson’s arrest.
Just to Clarify
He was pulled over for not signaling on an on ramp? Is there any other direction to go on an on ramp? Far be it to start a controversy but it seems like the police officers were looking to make an example out of a high profile person in town.
Word to the wise, at two o’clock in the morning and a couple of drinks in, use your turn signals.
Making Room
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams (Fordyce) has finished his two-game suspension for testing positive for a banned weight-loss drug. The Vikings waived defensive end Adrian Awasom so Williams would have a spot on the roster.
One and Done in Kentucky
Guard Archie Goodwin (6’4” 181 lbs) of Sylvan Hills High School in Arkansas committed to the Kentucky Wildcats this week. Goodwin let the world know via Twitter. Goodwin, a five-star recruit according to rivals.com, is rated the 12th best high school player in the nation.
Just to Clarify
One should always follow their heart as long as it makes sense. Goodwin said he would always represent Arkansas because of his love for the state. Not sure why he can’t do that in a Razorback uniform if he only plans to play on the college level for one year?
Kentucky’s men’s head basketball coach John Calipari has proven he can get to the Final Four but has not proven he can win “the big game”. Calipari’s players will have to take the memories with them because all of his March Madness success has been wiped off the books due to his teams NCAA violations at the University of Massachusetts and University of Memphis.
Sports Quick Hits
Resting
Former Major League Baseball pitcher and current Texas Rangers president, Nolan Ryan, was hospitalized over heart issues Sunday morning. Ryan was taken to aHoustonhospital for further test where he will stay for a couple more days.
Ryan had a double by-pass in 2000.
Party Like a Cincinnati Bengal
Cedric Benson, a NFL free agent running back, was arrested for the second time in a year in downtown Austin on an assault charge Sunday morning. Benson had a fight with one of his former roommates. Because the person whom Benson fought with was a former roommate the Austin police charged Benson with a misdemeanor assault with bodily harm with family violence. Benson was released on a $10,000 bail.
The former University of Texas player led the Cincinnati Bengals in rushing for the past three seasons.
This is the second arrest of a Bengals player in a week. “Pac-Man” Jones was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor charge, in Cincinnati after trying to leave a downtown bar.
Shootout Ends a Dream
Sounds dramatic? Well it was. The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team lost 2-2, 3-1 in a shootout against Japan in the Women’s World Cup on Sunday. The Women’s U.S. Team was the number one ranked women’s team in the world going into the tournament played in Germany.
The U.S. women’s team missed their first three shots losing 3-1 in the shootout.
Japan bested the number 2 ranked team in the world,Germany, the number 5 ranked team,Sweden, and the U.S. team in the final.
To All HogManInLA Readers:
Sorry to provide a link but the copying and pasting of links and URLs are proving to be a greater task than hoped. I have posted a link to another blog site I write with a list of great and funny beer commercials.
http://hogmaninla.blogspot.com/2011/07/few-reasons-why-sports-fans-drink-beer.html
Funny or Die presents Field of Dreams spoof
Field of Dreams Spoof
There have been many Field of Dreams jokes and spoofs since the iconic film was released in 1989. Funny or Die.com has released their “Field of Dreams” spoof in response to the NFL lockout and it’s worth the 3:09 of your life to watch.
Taylor Lautner reprises the role of Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner in the original film, as theIowafarmer that hears voices telling him, “If you build it, they will come”. Not knowing who will come, he builds a football field and current NFL players start to show up… and take over! (There’s nothing better than an orange soda joke!)
The spoof is complete with “Corn League Network” commentators Rich Eisen and Marshall Faulk, Ray Liotta, Dennis Haysbert, and a surprise cameo at the end.
Just to Clarify, if Marielle Jaffe had been in the original Field of Dreams, regardless of the fact that she was born in 1989, that movie may have been considered one of the top 10 movies of all time!
Enjoy.
The Lighter Side of Sports
They Said What???
Former NFL All-Pro fullback Lorenzo Neal was arrested for a DUI on Tuesday inFresno,Californiawhen his truck went off the road and crashed into a pole.
The arresting officer said, “Neal just ran off the road, struck a pole. Nothing real major about it. Luckily, he didn’t hit anyone else.”
If there’s nothing “real major about it”, why arrest him for a DUI?
Neal issued a statement in conjunction with the company he works for stating, “Lorenzo feels drinking and driving is a major problem and affects people from all walks of life and all segments of society.” Really? That’s a noble position to take after the fact.
Just to Clarify, Neal is lucky that the company he works for helped issue that statement for him and is seemingly supporting him. By the way, Neal works as the chief information officer of Safe Rides Solutions. Part of Safe Rides Solutions main focus is a DUI prevention program and professional driving services. Safe Rides Solutions is operated by law enforcement officers.
I wonder where Neal will be serving his community service hours… not that the classes and information being taught there have affected him in any way so far?
Former MLB pitcher Larry Andersen was asked, “Who was the one hitter you never wanted to face?”
His answer, “The hitter I feared the most was anyone that took a bat to the batter’s box, as my stuff for the majority of my career wasn’t good enough to let me feel comfortable on the mound without a screen in front of me.”
Larry Andersen played for 7 different teams during his pro career which lasted from 1975 to 1994. He appeared in 699 games, primarily as a reliever, and compiled a win-loss record of 40-39. He is most remembered inBostonand inHoustonas one of the players thatHoustontraded to get would be 1991 Rookie of the Year and 1994 NL MVP, Jeff Bagwell. Andersen is the current color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Speaking of the “Killer B’s”
Craig Biggio, a 7-time All-Star, future Hall of Famer, and former MLB player for the Houston Astros was asked, “Who are the top three home hitters of all time?”
Biggio answered, “Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, and Mark McGwire.”
Just to Clarify, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and Biggio shared his. Bonds was not a great home run hitter, consistent but not great. Not even when he started taking PEDs and/or steroids. In fact Bonds only had one season where he hit more than 50 home runs; in 2001 he hit 73. McGwire, when healthy, was a prolific home run hitter; seems his rookie season may have been his only clean season in MLB. Who knows how much of McGwire’s career was tainted with steroid use? It’s troubling that former MLB players give credit to the players that cheated the game and other players, past, present and future.
Biggio is the head baseball coach for a Houston area high school. What kind of message does that send to the kids on his teams?
Stuff that dreams are made of
Cal Ripken was asked, “What was your most memorable home run?”
Cal responded with, “The first one of my career inKansas City. I got to shake my brother’s hand at home plate and my dad’s hand in the dugout. You can’t get better than that.”
Cal’s brother Billy Ripken played in the Bigs from 1987-1998 for 4 different teams, primarily as a second baseman. Billy must have been a ball boy for the Orioles at the time asCalhit his first home run in 1982. Cal Ripken Sr. was the third base coach for the Orioles at the time of Cal Ripken’s first home run.
Huh, Really?
Philadelphia Phillies’ first baseman Ryan Howard was recently asked, “What’s the best ballpark to hit in”?
Howard said, “Our park, Cincinnati, Yankee Stadium, Boston. Those are the hitter’s parks. But you know, a lot of times you can get sucked into that. You walk in and people say you have to be licking your chops at that right field line. That can make a guy change his approach. Sometimes it’s better playing in a bigger park. You say, All right, I have to stay with my approach. You do that and usually good things happen.
Just to Clarify, That’s too funny! Has Ryan Howard ever changed his “approach” to hitting? It’s a home run or a strike out when Howard is at bat. In each of his 6 full major league seasons, he’s struck out more times than the total number of games he’s played in. Teams use the Shift on him defensively when he’s at bat; teams will place their second baseman in between the right fielder and the typical spot where a second baseman lines up and they move their short stop to play over second base.
Howard led the league in strike outs in 2007 with 199. Had Arizona Diamondback’s Mark Reynolds (2008 – 204 strike outs, 2009 – 223 so, 2010 – 211 so) not been in the league over the past three seasons Howard would have led then as well.
Mike Decourcy of the Sporting News recently had these kind words about Dick Vitale, “Dick Vitale is such a kind, generous man it is easy to embrace the notion of his receiving another honor.”
Decourcy is trying to get the Detroit Titans, University of Detroit, to honor Dick Vitale in some way. Vitale coached at University of Detroit from 1973 to 1977. Vitale only made one NCAA tournament appearance, 1977, during his coaching days. After the 1977 season was completed he took over as athletic director for the Titans. And we all know what a power house he turned the Detroit Titans into. Who are the Detroit Titans again? By the way, Vitale started calling games for ESPN in 1979. Just because Vitale is a recognizable person that was once employed at the University of Detroit does not mean the University of Detroit should honor him because he’s a celebrity of sorts.
Just to Clarify, Vitale is a one trick pony… he’s a yeller. His enthusiasm for college basketball helped ESPN during the ‘80’s and early ‘90’s but his shtick has gotten really old. The only games he seems to be interested in are the Duke and North Carolina matchups; his love affair with Duke and Coach K is borderline obsession; talk about a bromance. And somehow everyone on any team, good or bad, is a PTPer, “prime time player”, or a “Diaper Dandy”, seems he goes into a production meeting and asks the head coach “which of your players is the best. Okay, I’ll talk about him for 40 minutes during the game, even though I know nothing else about this kid other than what the stat sheet says and what you just told me.”
HogManInLA knows some inside dirt on Vitale. Several Sarasota, Florida residents, where Vitale resides, have reported to HogManInLA that they have witnessed Vitale routinely throwing temper tantrums when “his” table is occupied by someone else, he’s rude to the servers, and is a horrible tipper (less than 10% horrible).
What’s not to honor about Dick Vitale? One NCAA Tournament appearance, one and done in that appearance, 4 years as a college basketball head coach, and he’s rude when the cameras are not on… Decourcy, do you know who Dick Vitale really is?
HogManInLA 