First Post/ What are your main worries about the hogs?

[Rick Swines]

I've been a lurker for years.  I was talking about this with some co workers today and thought I'd post my thoughts and see what ya'lls are. 

1st Problem
If Brooks Ellis goes down I don't know what the staff would do.  From what I understand he gets everyone lined up and is the leader of the defense.  Plus he is the only Linebacker with any kind of experience.  I think we will be ok there if he can stay healthy but last season he went down against Georgia I believe and we couldn't get lined up right all game. 

2nd Worry
Our tackles getting beat by good defensive ends.  I know a good defensive end will win his share of the battles but last year it seemed our tackles were dominated by Missouri and Georgia.  It really hinders play calling when that is happening consistently. 

My positives from this year
1. No cheney-  I was so tired of watching that toss play to the short side of the field.  And the middle school route combinations.  I can't believe he can keep getting oc jobs

2. Bodybyherb- I can tell by looking at the linemen they look like bamas, aubs, and LSU.  2 years ago when LSU barely beat us I remember thinking good lord their DLine looked like grown men.  Now ours does. 

3. Reed/JoJO- It wasn't a secret last year our recievers/qb play was at times atrocious.  But with the addition of Reed and JOJO I feel like teams won't be able to stack the box making the run more effective. 

[scruf]

I've been a lurker for years.  I was talking about this with some co workers today and thought I'd post my thoughts and see what ya'lls are. 

1st Problem
If Brooks Ellis goes down I don't know what the staff would do.  From what I understand he gets everyone lined up and is the leader of the defense.  Plus he is the only Linebacker with any kind of experience.  I think we will be ok there if he can stay healthy but last season he went down against Georgia I believe and we couldn't get lined up right all game. 

2nd Worry
Our tackles getting beat by good defensive ends.  I know a good defensive end will win his share of the battles but last year it seemed our tackles were dominated by Missouri and Georgia.  It really hinders play calling when that is happening consistently. 

My positives from this year
1. No cheney-  I was so tired of watching that toss play to the short side of the field.  And the middle school route combinations.  I can't believe he can keep getting oc jobs

2. Bodybyherb- I can tell by looking at the linemen they look like bamas, aubs, and LSU.  2 years ago when LSU barely beat us I remember thinking good lord their DLine looked like grown men.  Now ours does. 

3. Reed/JoJO- It wasn't a secret last year our recievers/qb play was at times atrocious.  But with the addition of Reed and JOJO I feel like teams won't be able to stack the box making the run more effective. 

It's your first post so I'm going to go easy on you but when you post emotionally without stats or facts to back up your position then it makes you look troll-ish and/or manic/depressive. That said, let me respond to some of your thoughts:

o Josh Williams got extensive snaps at LB as the season wore on, as did Eugene and Hackett (they both logged snaps in mop-up duty).

o I don't remember our tackles losing us any games outside of A&M last year and that had nothing to do with the tackles getting beat.

o Atrocious is a strong word. If a QB tossed back to back pick sixes our a WR dropped every uncontested pass I would call that atrocious. While Brandon Allen struggled in the Missouri game after getting hurt against Ole Miss, I can't remember him having a terrible outing. He only threw for 61 against Texas Tech but he really didn't need to.

[razorbackkid]

Defensive Backs and Safety.  We could have Atwater, Bua, Hamlin, and a host of other former greats and that position still scares me the most.  It's not that I think we are bad at these positions, we should be pretty good, but at these positions we need to be good all the time.  In this conference it only takes one slip up to lose a game.  LSU 2013 comes to mind.

[hawgwild child]

It's your first post so I'm going to go easy on you but when you post emotionally without stats or facts to back up your position then it makes you look troll-ish and/or manic/depressive. That said, let me respond to some of your thoughts:

o Josh Williams got extensive snaps at LB as the season wore on, as did Eugene and Hackett (they both logged snaps in mop-up duty).

o I don't remember our tackles losing us any games outside of A&M last year and that had nothing to do with the tackles getting beat.

o Atrocious is a strong word. If a QB tossed back to back pick sixes our a WR dropped every uncontested pass I would call that atrocious. While Brandon Allen struggled in the Missouri game after getting hurt against Ole Miss, I can't remember him having a terrible outing. He only threw for 61 against Texas Tech but he really didn't need to.

i wouldn't say our tackles lost us any games, but against georgia and missouri we were getting beat pretty handily on pass protection. against georgia the first has was pretty pathetic and the 2nd half against missouri our pass protection was breaking down.  shane ray was a big outcome in that game.  just my opinion tho 

[MJ2]

Main worries-

The rest of the conference.    We're should be better, but so will they.

Got to develop a killer instinct.    Didn't see it until late last year but needed it vs A&M and MSU.

[Dwight_K_Shrute]

No worries mane.

[hawg IQ]

I've been a lurker for years.  I was talking about this with some co workers today and thought I'd post my thoughts and see what ya'lls are. 

1st Problem
If Brooks Ellis goes down I don't know what the staff would do.  From what I understand he gets everyone lined up and is the leader of the defense.  Plus he is the only Linebacker with any kind of experience.  I think we will be ok there if he can stay healthy but last season he went down against Georgia I believe and we couldn't get lined up right all game. 

2nd Worry
Our tackles getting beat by good defensive ends.  I know a good defensive end will win his share of the battles but last year it seemed our tackles were dominated by Missouri and Georgia.  It really hinders play calling when that is happening consistently. 

My positives from this year
1. No cheney-  I was so tired of watching that toss play to the short side of the field.  And the middle school route combinations.  I can't believe he can keep getting oc jobs

2. Bodybyherb- I can tell by looking at the linemen they look like bamas, aubs, and LSU.  2 years ago when LSU barely beat us I remember thinking good lord their DLine looked like grown men.  Now ours does. 

3. Reed/JoJO- It wasn't a secret last year our recievers/qb play was at times atrocious.  But with the addition of Reed and JOJO I feel like teams won't be able to stack the box making the run more effective. 

I think not many of us know what our worries is just yet !  Its a brand new year and we won't be tested for a few games. once we get into sec , we will all know the worries by then, if there are that many, we'll see.

[go hogues]

Linebacker depth
Specialists, particularly FG kicker
Running back depth if we lose another guy

[supersaint]

My Sunday morning hangovers.

[ErieHog]

Quarterback injury would cripple this team;  its far thinner than linebacker.

Lack of dynamic edge playmaking in the front 7.  This year should see an upgrade in depth of talent, but there are times when you need a guy to make a play on the edge, and nobody just jumps off the page and says 'we know this guy will make a play when we need one, defensively'   -- it can be unnecessary,   but at least as often as not,  not having that reliable playmaker is a bad thing

[Hollywood_HOGan45]

Brutal schedule which happens every year anyway.

But we are the one and only SEC team that plays two back to back roadies.

[TOM "tbw1"]

 

Main worries-

The rest of the conference.    We're should be better, but so will they.

Got to develop a killer instinct.    Didn't see it until late last year but needed it vs A&M and MSU.

I have worries.  MJ are you ok?  Kind of mild response.

[woodrow hog call]

I've been a lurker for years.  I was talking about this with some co workers today and thought I'd post my thoughts and see what ya'lls are. 

1st Problem
If Brooks Ellis goes down I don't know what the staff would do.  From what I understand he gets everyone lined up and is the leader of the defense.  Plus he is the only Linebacker with any kind of experience.  I think we will be ok there if he can stay healthy but last season he went down against Georgia I believe and we couldn't get lined up right all game. 

2nd Worry
Our tackles getting beat by good defensive ends.  I know a good defensive end will win his share of the battles but last year it seemed our tackles were dominated by Missouri and Georgia.  It really hinders play calling when that is happening consistently. 

If brooks goes down you are Bant, for life!

Another good thing about having Kody Walker in the backfield for 1/2 to 1/3 of the snaps on offense, will be seeing him flatten out some DE's that are trying to speed rush around our tackles. Having Skipper or Kirkland partially engaged on their inside shoulder, then having KW come up and put a solid lick on them will slow down a pass rush.

Most Defensive Ends are not used to a running back that is as big as Kody, coming up for to check them.

[razorbackkid]

My Sunday morning hangovers.

Lol.....depending on the outcome of the game whether that hangover is even realized until midweek. 

[Albert Einswine]

I have no worries. I think we'll see moderate to significant improvement via natural progression in all phases.

What can I say? I'm an optimist.

[Mike Irwin]

You might want to dial down your expectations for Jo Jo. He's not listed on the two deep at any of the three receiver spots.

[hawginbigd1]

I've been a lurker for years.  I was talking about this with some co workers today and thought I'd post my thoughts and see what ya'lls are. 

1st Problem
If Brooks Ellis goes down I don't know what the staff would do.  From what I understand he gets everyone lined up and is the leader of the defense.  Plus he is the only Linebacker with any kind of experience.  I think we will be ok there if he can stay healthy but last season he went down against Georgia I believe and we couldn't get lined up right all game. 

2nd Worry
Our tackles getting beat by good defensive ends.  I know a good defensive end will win his share of the battles but last year it seemed our tackles were dominated by Missouri and Georgia.  It really hinders play calling when that is happening consistently. 

My positives from this year
1. No cheney-  I was so tired of watching that toss play to the short side of the field.  And the middle school route combinations.  I can't believe he can keep getting oc jobs

2. Bodybyherb- I can tell by looking at the linemen they look like bamas, aubs, and LSU.  2 years ago when LSU barely beat us I remember thinking good lord their DLine looked like grown men.  Now ours does. 

3. Reed/JoJO- It wasn't a secret last year our recievers/qb play was at times atrocious.  But with the addition of Reed and JOJO I feel like teams won't be able to stack the box making the run more effective.

Not a bad post IMO, atrocious is too strong an adjective unless you are considering the last 2/3 of the Missouri game, that indeed was atrocious QB play and we know why, the coach had his head up his rear!

Your 2nd worry plus bullet 1 is a big part of your perception of bullet #3! Glad to have Reed and JoJo, but our receiving corps is much better than they get credit for being without those 2.

Many on here overhype our OL across the board so you dare not point out there pass pro deficiencies without being smited. Never mind the coaches seen fit to move an AA guard to the LT position to improve the teams pass pro, many don't want facts to get in the way of a good perception.

My concerns:
1. Injuries at RB and LB
2. QB play
3. LB play
4. Pass pro

RB, TE, WR, DL, OL overall, Secondary I have no concerns with these areas other than injury.

[razorbackkid]

Not a bad post IMO, atrocious is too strong an adjective unless you are considering the last 2/3 of the Missouri game, that indeed was atrocious QB play and we know why, the coach had his head up his rear!

Your 2nd worry plus bullet 1 is a big part of your perception of bullet #3! Glad to have Reed and JoJo, but our receiving corps is much better than they get credit for being without those 2.

Many on here overhype our OL across the board so you dare not point out there pass pro deficiencies without being smited. Never mind the coaches seen fit to move an AA guard to the LT position to improve the teams pass pro, many don't want facts to get in the way of a good perception.

My concerns:
1. Injuries at RB and LB
2. QB play
3. LB play
4. Pass pro

RB, TE, WR, DL, OL overall, Secondary I have no concerns with these areas other than injury.

May want to read this before pointing fingers at the coach...just sayin'.

http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=597187.0

[PonderinHog]

You might want to dial down your expectations for Jo Jo. He's not listed on the two deep at any of the three receiver spots.

Does that have anything to do with his half-game suspension?

[010HogFan]

You might want to dial down your expectations for Jo Jo. He's not listed on the two deep at any of the three receiver spots.

Suspension

[hawginbigd1]

May want to read this before pointing fingers at the coach...just sayin'.

http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=597187.0

Oh I read it. Still doesn't excuse playing a QB against a salty opponent at their place with basically one arm and leg tied behind him while his helmet is on backwards. If I am the coach I would feel it my responsibility to have someone who can replace my injured QB ready to go.

[wholehog92]

May want to read this before pointing fingers at the coach...just sayin'.

http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php?topic=597187.0

That doesn't relieve coach of his responsibility to put a QB in the game when it's necessary; and it was.  You can't leave Brandon out there injured when our tackles were struggling to pass protect and you dang sure can't let Cheney call pass play after pass play.

I'm certainly glad to hear Austin has developed some confidence and the coach is feeling better about him, but that's not really the point of his post.

[Biggus Piggus]

1st Problem
If Brooks Ellis goes down I don't know what the staff would do.  From what I understand he gets everyone lined up and is the leader of the defense.  Plus he is the only Linebacker with any kind of experience.

2nd Worry
Our tackles getting beat by good defensive ends.  I know a good defensive end will win his share of the battles but last year it seemed our tackles were dominated by Missouri and Georgia. 

1. Ellis no longer plays middle linebacker, so it no longer is his responsibility to get everyone lined up. That falls to Josh Williams, who does in fact have the kind of experience that consists of playing in games.

2. Legitimate worry, if you are backwards-looking and see no chance of any improvement vs. the state of the team at its worst last season. If this problem persists, we have a coaching problem.

As for your positives:

I was willing to give anybody a chance over Chaney, but that will fade quickly, and then Enos will stand on his own merits. Eager to see what improves - hope the passing game is more efficient. Hope that makes the run game better. Not sure it will happen.

Players' offseason development - Definitely making progress there.

Receivers - The starters are people you call atrocious. Reed is a bit player for now. JoJo will play in the second half and otherwise - when not being punished - is the starting slot receiver, when they need one. That also makes him a role player.

[razorbackkid]

Oh I read it. Still doesn't excuse playing a QB against a salty opponent at their place with basically one arm and leg tied behind him while his helmet is on backwards. If I am the coach I would feel it my responsibility to have someone who can replace my injured QB ready to go.

That doesn't relieve coach of his responsibility to put a QB in the game when it's necessary; and it was.  You can't leave Brandon out there injured when our tackles were struggling to pass protect and you dang sure can't let Cheney call pass play after pass play.

I'm certainly glad to hear Austin has developed some confidence and the coach is feeling better about him, but that's not really the point of his post.

I was frustrated as heck also, but didn't know what was going on behind the scene in that Missouri game.  I'm sure if you wanted to check my post history (especially that game thread) you'd see I was aggravated as crap with the decision to not pull Brandon out.

I suppose for me the article I referenced was something I didn't know at the time, thus, as Paul Harvey is famous for saying, 'now you know the rest of the story'.

The argument that we didn't have another qb ready to go is valid though.

[code red]

LB play...stopping folks coming down hill and kicking game

[Hoggard]

This season is going to be either great or average depending on our offense. I'm not sure how such an obvious thing like getting a new offensive coordinator who hasn't coached a single game in the SEC gets overlooked.

If Dan Enos is as effective of a hire as RS was then we are going to be tough to handle. If he's as bad as JC we are in trouble.

[010HogFan]

This season is going to be either great or average depending on our offense. I'm not sure how such an obvious thing like getting a new offensive coordinator who hasn't coached a single game in the SEC gets overlooked.

If Dan Enos is as effective of a hire as RS was then we are going to be tough to handle. If he's as bad as JC we are in trouble.

Can't be any worse than Chaney. His situational play calling might as well have been picking plays out of a hat and saying RUN IT

[AirForceHog]

My biggest worry. Receivers. I would love to see better separation. I'm not knocking the wide outs just want to see better routes and separation.

[Uncommon]

Injuries at OL or LB.  LB more so than OL.  Injuries at either spot and we're counting on players that haven't played that much.

[bphi11ips]

No worries, mon.  College football starts tonight!


P.S. - Good first post aside from the word "atroscious".

[HeismanHawg]

I never understand why some fans seem to become enamored with certain players every year for no reason (Its been JO JO for 2 years). It was Vinnie Ascolese (sp?) a while back. Whatever star rating jo jo had its obvious others are ahead of him for whatever reason on and off field.


Biggest worries.....offensively being able to get chunk plays and long runs. Finishing games in the 4th qtr. I have zero concerns about our defense. I think we start close to where we finished last year and maintain all season.

[KennyForAD]

I'm mostly worried that they will still have those awful 'tusks' on the jerseys.
 

[PorkSoda]

i wouldn't say our tackles lost us any games, but against georgia and missouri we were getting beat pretty handily on pass protection. against georgia the first has was pretty pathetic and the 2nd half against missouri our pass protection was breaking down.  shane ray was a big outcome in that game.  just my opinion tho 

while we are still a big oline, they have slimmed down some in the offseason in attempt to better at dealling with smaller quicker Dlines, as well as be able to run screens and other plays that require more quickness.

[Biggus Piggus]

I am not scare, but I believe these factors could prove decisive.

Injuries - Must have some luck there. Did not start well. Arkansas is not low on depth, but injuries could change a lot.

Wide receivers - Arkansas is not bringing in the superstar pass catchers. Calvin Ridley, top-rated receiver, went to Alabama. Christian Kirk and Tyron Johnson went to TAM and LSU. Damarkus Lodge is at Ole Miss. Preston Williams, Tennessee. Daylon Charlot, Alabama. Van Jefferson, Ole Miss. Darius Slayton, Auburn. Eight of the top 15 went to our SEC foes.

In general, it seems the quality of the best true freshmen is getting good enough that more are able to start right out of the gate. Just when you think you are catching up, they raise the bar again. Only a few schools are going to get freshmen who can start.

I will be surprised if Arkansas can contend without having any receivers who are on that level. Makes our margin for error slim. Such opponents can flop around, then burn you on third and long. Maybe our juco transfer can do that. Hope he gets to speed soon.

Finally, I would hate to go through another season where we are punting from the opponent's 32. Horrid.

[PorkSoda]

Finally, I would hate to go through another season where we are punting from the opponent's 32. Horrid.

uggh, we need to just go for it at that point. 

[NaturalStateReb]

1.  Producing enough points
2.  Brutal schedule
3.  Linebackers

[PorkSoda]

1. LB's
2. Special Teams
3. J-Will factor. ( I know we got more rbs, but you don't loose your best player and it not have an effect)

[MJ2]

I have worries.  MJ are you ok?  Kind of mild response.

I have worries.  MJ are you ok?  Kind of mild response.

Really was.    I get hammered for being "negative" all the time so I toned it down.

[hammer66]

My main worry is we'll be so dominating that the SEC will vote to kick us out of the conference because of our overwhelming advantage we'll have in future years.

Kickoff really needs to get here!!

[threeNout]

Linebacker depth
Specialists, particularly FG kicker
Running back depth if we lose another guy

my thoughts exactly,

my worst fear is needing a 40-45 yd FG to win a close game.

but overall, I echo the thoughts of many, not overly worried about any position, let's kick this season off!

[tigerinhogtown]

i wouldn't say our tackles lost us any games, but against georgia and missouri we were getting beat pretty handily on pass protection. against georgia the first has was pretty pathetic and the 2nd half against missouri our pass protection was breaking down.  shane ray was a big outcome in that game.  just my opinion tho 

Mizzou had 0 sacks and only 1 QB hurry in that game.  The Dline was tasked with making sure AR Oline didn't get to the 2nd level so our LBs & CBs could make the tackles on the RBs.  It will be the same this year.

[PORKULATOR]

My main concern is that Ole Stanky was hand picked by Mike "The Crook" Slive. That could mean that the SEC officiating might still show great bias to protect the conference.

[HoggusMaximus]

I've been a lurker for years.  I was talking about this with some co workers today and thought I'd post my thoughts and see what ya'lls are. 

1st Problem
If Brooks Ellis goes down I don't know what the staff would do.  From what I understand he gets everyone lined up and is the leader of the defense.  Plus he is the only Linebacker with any kind of experience.  I think we will be ok there if he can stay healthy but last season he went down against Georgia I believe and we couldn't get lined up right all game. 

2nd Worry
Our tackles getting beat by good defensive ends.  I know a good defensive end will win his share of the battles but last year it seemed our tackles were dominated by Missouri and Georgia.  It really hinders play calling when that is happening consistently. 

My positives from this year
1. No cheney-  I was so tired of watching that toss play to the short side of the field.  And the middle school route combinations.  I can't believe he can keep getting oc jobs

2. Bodybyherb- I can tell by looking at the linemen they look like bamas, aubs, and LSU.  2 years ago when LSU barely beat us I remember thinking good lord their DLine looked like grown men.  Now ours does. 

3. Reed/JoJO- It wasn't a secret last year our recievers/qb play was at times atrocious.  But with the addition of Reed and JOJO I feel like teams won't be able to stack the box making the run more effective. 

[Cinco de Hogo]

Elevators!!!

[HoggusMaximus]

Elevators!!!

Sudden dibilitating injuries out of nowhere!!!

[Dominicanhog]

Main worries-

The rest of the conference.    We're should be better, but so will they.

Got to develop a killer instinct.    Didn't see it until late last year but needed it vs A&M and MSU.

exactly,  other than AU, UA, MSU,OM, Tenn. A&M,LSU & missery.. not much else.

[Overtheroadtruckdriver]

Welcome aboard! Good first post.  I personally look forward to hearing more of your thoughts throughout the season.

Atrocious is a fine word.  Most of us here don't know too many big words which is why everbody is jumping on you about it. 

Keep up the good work, Slick.

[Porked Tongue]

First post and you waited to post your concerns?

Life is to short. 

[PorkSoda]

Sudden dibilitating injuries out of nowhere!!!

snipers

[bigbadhog]

Offensive balance and the passing game...