We lack experience but depth is reaching new heights under Bielema in year 4!

[luke hawg]

This is the first time when our available roster in the spring more than likely will make up the entirety of our 2 deep. The depth at QB, WR, and TE is elite. RB depth is a step below but probably the easiest spot for freshman to contribute early. Devwah Whaley and TJ Hammonds were huge gets. The Oline isn't where Beliema wants but at the end of the day some talented kids are going to be back ups (Merrick, Rogers, Malone, Ramirez, and Gipson).

Defensively is where Bielema has really upgraded our depth. The defensive line is simply loaded with bodies. It's possible Guidry can break into the 3 deep at the 3 technique otherwise this group is set. At linebacker Ellis, Greenlaw, Jackson, Ramsey, Eugene, Hackett will make up your starters. The young guys coming is will have a chance at the 2 deep but will have to beat out Josh Williams, Josh Harris, and Tyler Phillips for special teams spots first. The defensive back crew is also set with little chance of a freshman not redshirting. Tutt and Floyd if he returns will battle for 3rd spot at safety or corner depending on where K Richardson ends up.

At end of the day with the progress of the walk on program some scholarship players may find themselves outside the 105. I remember being shocked that Marks was left off the 105 last year. Arkansas leaving a defensive tackle on scholarship off the 105! Are you serious? There will be a couple more this year. There is actually competition to get on the bus  now. Good times are ahead.......woo pig!

[TomBigBeeHog]

I'm with you on the optimism train. Great post bro.  :razorback:

[LZH]

Well I don't do the rah-rah thing, but the gist of your post is right on. Apparently Big Boy hasn't signed a knock-your-socks-off class yet, but he has improved our depth, and upgraded the talent in that depth. This may be something we haven't seen since Hatfield was here.

[Snizzzo]

Good post, Luke. 

[LAHOG1962]

Right on the money. Good post Luke.

[bigdaddyhawg]

This is the first time when our available roster in the spring more than likely will make up the entirety of our 2 deep. The depth at QB, WR, and TE is elite. RB depth is a step below but probably the easiest spot for freshman to contribute early. Devwah Whaley and TJ Hammonds were huge gets. The Oline isn't where Beliema wants but at the end of the day some talented kids are going to be back ups (Merrick, Rogers, Malone, Ramirez, and Gipson).

Defensively is where Bielema has really upgraded our depth. The defensive line is simply loaded with bodies. It's possible Guidry can break into the 3 deep at the 3 technique otherwise this group is set. At linebacker Ellis, Greenlaw, Jackson, Ramsey, Eugene, Hackett will make up your starters. The young guys coming is will have a chance at the 2 deep but will have to beat out Josh Williams, Josh Harris, and Tyler Phillips for special teams spots first. The defensive back crew is also set with little chance of a freshman not redshirting. Tutt and Floyd if he returns will battle for 3rd spot at safety or corner depending on where K Richardson ends up.

At end of the day with the progress of the walk on program some scholarship players may find themselves outside the 105. I remember being shocked that Marks was left off the 105 last year. Arkansas leaving a defensive tackle on scholarship off the 105! Are you serious? There will be a couple more this year. There is actually competition to get on the bus  now. Good times are ahead.......woo pig!

Love this, but I want to point out just how excited we were before last season, so we need to keep a certain perspective.

I think k CBB is upgrading the team, but it's not going to be a giant leap forward. But hopefully it will be by degrees.

[ricepig]

Love this, but I want to pointnitt just how excited we were before last season, so we need to keep a certain perspective.

I think k CBB is upgrading the team, but it's not going to be a giant leap forward. But hopefully it will be by degrees.

I think that's the mantra of most fans, to be excited. Of course, we have our realists to come in here and tells us not to be excited. Now, by being excited doesn't mean one is predicting a NC, or a SEC championship, just looking forward to a good year.

[Pig in the Pokey]

Well I don't do the rah-rah thing, but the gist of your post is right on. Apparently Big Boy hasn't signed a knock-your-socks-off class yet, but he has improved our depth, and upgraded the talent in that depth. This may be something we haven't seen since Hatfield was here.

truth right there. "building it the right way" seems a lot more like what's actually going than it does propaganda at this point. They have recruited to needs extremely well, with the exception of the O-Line, which actually looks pretty good 2-deep. It is a position, like D-Line, where it helps to be 3-deep. Of course, that can be mitigated by a little good luck from the injury bug this year.

[secneahog]

Sosa Agim!!

[luke hawg]

I understand that the sunshine pumping needs to tempered at times so expectations don't become unreasonable. This being said my post is based an objectivity. The only excitement is related to achieving depth. The acknowledgement of lacking experience in crucial areas was my attempt to prevent wild predictions of a undefeated or 1 loss season. I'm hoping for a 7-9 win season which would continue are improvement.

[ChitownHawg]

This is the first time when our available roster in the spring more than likely will make up the entirety of our 2 deep. The depth at QB, WR, and TE is elite. RB depth is a step below but probably the easiest spot for freshman to contribute early. Devwah Whaley and TJ Hammonds were huge gets. The Oline isn't where Beliema wants but at the end of the day some talented kids are going to be back ups (Merrick, Rogers, Malone, Ramirez, and Gipson).

Defensively is where Bielema has really upgraded our depth. The defensive line is simply loaded with bodies. It's possible Guidry can break into the 3 deep at the 3 technique otherwise this group is set. At linebacker Ellis, Greenlaw, Jackson, Ramsey, Eugene, Hackett will make up your starters. The young guys coming is will have a chance at the 2 deep but will have to beat out Josh Williams, Josh Harris, and Tyler Phillips for special teams spots first. The defensive back crew is also set with little chance of a freshman not redshirting. Tutt and Floyd if he returns will battle for 3rd spot at safety or corner depending on where K Richardson ends up.

At end of the day with the progress of the walk on program some scholarship players may find themselves outside the 105. I remember being shocked that Marks was left off the 105 last year. Arkansas leaving a defensive tackle on scholarship off the 105! Are you serious? There will be a couple more this year. There is actually competition to get on the bus  now. Good times are ahead.......woo pig!

So if I read between the lines you are saying we are a dark horse for the national title. 

[ChitownHawg]

Well I don't do the rah-rah thing, but the gist of your post is right on. Apparently Big Boy hasn't signed a knock-your-socks-off class yet, but he has improved our depth, and upgraded the talent in that depth. This may be something we haven't seen since Hatfield was here.

Now you did it. All of the Hatfield naysayers will point out his teams played against weak teams.

And I will point out as a student playing against a weak team didn't stop the party we were having in the stands as we rolled up the wins. 

[Vantage 8 dude]

I think most everyone can agree that the depth situation is on the upswing. However, the REAL key to improved consistency and competition also centers around building QUALITY of depth. If you can solve the challenge of having your seconds and maybe even thirds come in with little drop off in performance and effectiveness then you've really unlocked the key to success. Note 'Bama does this better than virtually anyone.

[LZH]

Now you did it. All of the Hatfield naysayers will point out his teams played against weak teams.

I am always looking to start a good argument.

[Bacon_Bitz]

Like every team we will need some things to fall in place and some lucky breaks, but CBB is building a solid deep roster all around. I can reasonably expect the Hogs to be competitive week in and week out now.

We haven't lost a game by two touchdowns or more in 25 games now. I would like to know the last time we had a streak like that this long. Probably Hatfield years. Somebody please figure it out.

[razorbackkid]

So if I read between the lines you are saying we are a dark horse for the national title. 

I'd bet my 1982 Ford Lawn Tractor on it.  It has a 10 hp motor on it and new belts.

[Bacon_Bitz]

Like every team we will need some things to fall in place and some lucky breaks, but CBB is building a solid deep roster all around. I can reasonably expect the Hogs to be competitive week in and week out now.

We haven't lost a game by two touchdowns or more in 25 games now. I would like to know the last time we had a streak like that this long. Probably Hatfield years. Somebody please figure it out.

I looked it up. This is indeed the longest streak w/o a 14+ point loss since we went 35 games from '87 Miami to '90 TCU.

[ChitownHawg]

I am always looking to start a good argument.

Yes you are. 

[ChitownHawg]

I'd bet my 1982 Ford Lawn Tractor on it.  It has a 10 hp motor on it and new belts.

Now that is a high stakes bet! 

[swineology]

This is the first time when our available roster in the spring more than likely will make up the entirety of our 2 deep. The depth at QB, WR, and TE is elite. RB depth is a step below but probably the easiest spot for freshman to contribute early. Devwah Whaley and TJ Hammonds were huge gets. The Oline isn't where Beliema wants but at the end of the day some talented kids are going to be back ups (Merrick, Rogers, Malone, Ramirez, and Gipson).

Defensively is where Bielema has really upgraded our depth. The defensive line is simply loaded with bodies. It's possible Guidry can break into the 3 deep at the 3 technique otherwise this group is set. At linebacker Ellis, Greenlaw, Jackson, Ramsey, Eugene, Hackett will make up your starters. The young guys coming is will have a chance at the 2 deep but will have to beat out Josh Williams, Josh Harris, and Tyler Phillips for special teams spots first. The defensive back crew is also set with little chance of a freshman not redshirting. Tutt and Floyd if he returns will battle for 3rd spot at safety or corner depending on where K Richardson ends up.

At end of the day with the progress of the walk on program some scholarship players may find themselves outside the 105. I remember being shocked that Marks was left off the 105 last year. Arkansas leaving a defensive tackle on scholarship off the 105! Are you serious? There will be a couple more this year. There is actually competition to get on the bus  now. Good times are ahead.......woo pig!

And right before we reach SEC euphoria the NFL will come calling and snatch Coach B from us.

This is Arkansas Football.

[luke hawg]

And right before we reach SEC euphoria the NFL will come calling and snatch Coach B from us.

This is Arkansas Football.

This should be the pessimist argument. Will he give us enough time before trying out the NFL?

[Pork Twain]

I don't want a cookie or anything but this has been my stance from the beginning.  CBB builds depth through his red-shirt and walk-on programs and must have a low miss-rate on those he signs.  That is the only way you can build a team that can compete with the Bamas of the world, because we will never out-recruit them annually.

[luke hawg]

I don't want a cookie or anything but this has been my stance from the beginning.  CBB builds depth through his red-shirt and walk-on programs and must have a low miss-rate on those he signs.  That is the only way you can build a team that can compete with the Bamas of the world, because we will never out-recruit them annually.

Someone get this man a cookie

[luke hawg]

7 years is how long it will take to complete for a SEC title.

[DeltaBoy]

Over all we have improved the Roster and that always a good thing.

[threeNout]

We can take a small step back offensively, and two steps forward defensively, and be better than last year.

[Pork Twain]

Someone get this man a cookie

Dammit, I said no cookie!  I have already gained too much weight since retirement.

[Hardcore Hoggy]

Love the way Bielema is going abut building our team.