Damian Williams Transfers from Hogs

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

Apparently Mitch Mustain and others are not happy with the direction Houston Nutt is leading the program, and neither are their parents.

Hogville peeps are all saying MM will most likely transfer to somewhere he can start asap, apparently they are also worried about losing Gus Malzahn (spelling?).

http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php/topic,100686.0.html

[SeanVol]

Apparently Mitch Mustain and others are not happy with the direction Houston Nutt is leading the program, and neither are their parents.

Hogville peeps are all saying MM will most likely transfer to somewhere he can start asap, apparently they are also worried about losing Gus Malzahn (spelling?).

http://www.hogville.net/yabbse/index.php/topic,100686.0.html


Where's Malzahn going to?

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

Dunno, but if you go through the first page of threads, it seems like the final outcome of this will most likely be:

-Keep HDN, Malzahn, MM, possibly other teammates leave.

Apparently McFadden/Jones and others like Nutt, but the majority of fans and the players who are feeling excluded do not.

Hogville is by far the most up to the minute/legit place for hog info, and the people who run the site are actual reporters who post recruiting info. etc. These latest reports definitely hold some water.

[WAR DAMN EAGLE]

If Borges leaves,I would live to have Gus at Auburn.But does MM have to come with him?

[Imhotep]

LOL--Nutt's last ditch effort to keep the states top two players(Burns and Ziemba) from embarrassing the entire Arkansas coaching staff when they sign with Auburn on signing day. Sorry Houston, only a Bammer would believe that absurd story.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/AllSeeingEye11/jerry_laugh.jpg

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

LOL--Nutt's last ditch effort to keep the states top two players(Burns and Ziemba) from embarrassing the entire Arkansas coaching staff when they sign with Auburn on signing day. Sorry Houston, only a Bammer would believe that absurd story.


Actually MM is pissed that he hasn't been taking snaps.. this story is legit news. Kodi Burns is an auburn lock, he's not even going to visit Arky anymore. Ziemba will be ours after his visit to the plains =)

[Imhotep]

Actually MM is pissed that he hasn't been taking snaps.. this story is legit news. Kodi Burns is an auburn lock, he's not even going to visit Arky anymore. Ziemba will be ours after his visit to the plains =)

You are free to believe all of the ridiculous rumors coming from every single Arkansas message board if you like. I happen to know for a fact, that both Burns and Ziemba will sign with Auburn on National Signing Day. Arkansas is currently in desperation mode and are starting rumors that are 100% blatantly FALSE...It's also another sad way to get publicity for the book that is coming out on the Springdale High School team of last year.

Just sit back and let Nutt embarrass himself like he always does...

No worries...


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/AllSeeingEye11/jerry_laugh.jpg

[CrimsonTide12xs]

You guys are worse than bammers. If you believe that hogwash then you all have brain tumors. Have you forgotten that the Razorbacks handed your A$$es to you this year? The look on Tubby's face and the silence in Jerdan-Hare or whatever you call that pasture was absolutely priceless.

[AUFootball24]

You guys are worse than bammers. If you believe that hogwash then you all have brain tumors. Have you forgotten that the Razorbacks handed your A$$es to you this year? The look on Tubby's face and the silence in Jerdan-Hare or whatever you call that pasture was absolutely priceless.

In all seriousness, how does that relate to the topic at hand?

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

You guys are worse than bammers. If you believe that hogwash then you all have brain tumors. Have you forgotten that the Razorbacks handed your A$$es to you this year? The look on Tubby's face and the silence in Jerdan-Hare or whatever you call that pasture was absolutely priceless. Almost as bad as the look on every face in Jordan-Hare West aka Bryant-Denny as the final ticks rolled off the clock and Sylvester Croom completed the stomping of the team that should have been his. :starwars:


We lose to the eventual SEC West champs, you lose to a team that hadn't won a SEC road game in 20+ tries....

Blake - 1 Bamzo - 0



p.s. I'm not starting rumors, nor do I dislike Arkansas. This is an Arkansas website, and this story is huge in Arkansas.

[CrimsonTide12xs]

Almost as bad as the look on every face in Jordan-Hare West aka Bryant-Denny as the final ticks rolled off the clock and Sylvester Croom completed the stomping of the team that should have been his. :starwars:


We lose to the eventual SEC West champs, you lose to a team that hadn't won a SEC road game in 20+ tries....

Blake - 1 Bamzo - 0



p.s. I'm not starting rumors, nor do I dislike Arkansas. This is an Arkansas website, and this story is huge in Arkansas.

This sums it up the Barner aggression towards Bama...
http://www.littlegallery.com/img543/products/l_coins.jpg

The Barn 1/2 shared with OSU.

[AUFootball24]

This sums it up the Barner aggression towards Bama...
http://www.littlegallery.com/img543/products/l_coins.jpg

The Barn 1/2 shared with OSU.


Explain to me how that matters or relates to this year and the coming years.

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

Once again, CrimsonTide12xs lives up to the Bama strategy of "Oh, I just realized how retarded my last statement was, so uhhh, lets pull out the 12 illegitimate national championships that hold no credibility with anyone" statement.




12 "National Championships", No coach, with no proven coach in the U.S.A. with any desire to coach there. Priceless.

[scunyon]

OK, so now what about MM leaving? I followed a thread about a month ago stating the same thing, but nothing came out of it. So what's the real deal in the Arky locker room?

[Imhotep]

These rumors are as worthless as the Bama coaching rumors...Have you read this entire thread?

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/AllSeeingEye11/jerry_laugh.jpg

[CrimsonTide12xs]

Once again, CrimsonTide12xs lives up to the Bama strategy of "Oh, I just realized how retarded my last statement was, so uhhh, lets pull out the 12 illegitimate national championships that hold no credibility with anyone" statement.




12 "National Championships", No coach, with no proven coach in the U.S.A. with any desire to coach there. Priceless.

You are the tard down there feeding chickens and dating your sister, not me. So, you are saying they are all non-legit. Typical barnzo statement. Rub tubby's ears, it might make you and him feel better.

[UTVOLINSIDER]

This sums it up the Barner aggression towards Bama...
http://www.littlegallery.com/img543/products/l_coins.jpg

The Barn 1/2 shared with OSU.
THATS GREAT...I THINK YOU GUYS SHOULD SAY TO HELL WITH FOOTBALL AND JUST PLAY RE-RUNS OF THE GLORY DAYS ON SAT!
IT WOULD HELP THE SUSPENSION ON MY CAR...59 SOUTH IS A ROUGH RIDE EVERY OTHER YEAR TO BEAT YOUR A$$! ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT HAVE YOUR PROGRAM IN THE SHAPE ITS IN TODAY..NO-ONE CARES ABOUT THOSE POSTERS AND TEE-SHIRTS AND PICTURES OF WHAT YOU USED TO BE!
MY GRANDFATHER POINTED OUT THIS OLD LADY THE OTHER DAY AND SAID SHE USED TO BE FINE AND WAS A GOOD LAY....BUT NOWS SHE IS 70...LOOKS LIKE SH!T...WEARS DEPENDS...AND IS ALMOST DEAD!
SOUNDS LIKE THE BAMA FOOTBALL PROGRAM!
GO VOLS!

[CrimsonTide12xs]

THATS GREAT...I THINK YOU GUYS SHOULD SAY TO HELL WITH FOOTBALL AND JUST PLAY RE-RUNS OF THE GLORY DAYS ON SAT!
IT WOULD HELP THE SUSPENSION ON MY CAR...59 SOUTH IS A ROUGH RIDE EVERY OTHER YEAR TO BEAT YOUR A$$! ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT HAVE YOUR PROGRAM IN THE SHAPE ITS IN TODAY..NO-ONE CARES ABOUT THOSE POSTERS AND TEE-SHIRTS AND PICTURES OF WHAT YOU USED TO BE!
MY GRANDFATHER POINTED OUT THIS OLD LADY THE OTHER DAY AND SAID SHE USED TO BE FINE AND WAS A GOOD LAY....BUT NOWS SHE IS 70...LOOKS LIKE SH!T...WEARS DEPENDS...AND IS ALMOST DEAD!
SOUNDS LIKE THE BAMA FOOTBALL PROGRAM!
GO VOLS!

Don't be Hatin'

[timNem]

THATS GREAT...I THINK YOU GUYS SHOULD SAY TO HELL WITH FOOTBALL AND JUST PLAY RE-RUNS OF THE GLORY DAYS ON SAT!
IT WOULD HELP THE SUSPENSION ON MY CAR...59 SOUTH IS A ROUGH RIDE EVERY OTHER YEAR TO BEAT YOUR A$$! ITS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT HAVE YOUR PROGRAM IN THE SHAPE ITS IN TODAY..NO-ONE CARES ABOUT THOSE POSTERS AND TEE-SHIRTS AND PICTURES OF WHAT YOU USED TO BE!
MY GRANDFATHER POINTED OUT THIS OLD LADY THE OTHER DAY AND SAID SHE USED TO BE FINE AND WAS A GOOD LAY....BUT NOWS SHE IS 70...LOOKS LIKE SH!T...WEARS DEPENDS...AND IS ALMOST DEAD!
SOUNDS LIKE THE BAMA FOOTBALL PROGRAM!
GO VOLS!Coach Fulmer, is that you?:laugh:

[lLandonhog]

From today's paper... I don't really know what to think about all this... It sounds like angry soccer moms, but they probably were misled... They state they don't want to transfer, but I'm afraid these kids are racking up too much negative publicity... ??

The thing that shocks me the most is that the parents were actually able to call a meeting with Broyles... We have two 1,000 yard rushers and the #2 Heisman, and they want us to throw to our TE 60 times... I don't get it...

See what you think...

http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/175675/

Parents voice concerns over Hogs’ offenseBY BOB HOLT

Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Email this story | Printer-friendly version


FAYETTEVILLE — Parents for Arkansas freshman football players Mitch Mustain, Damian Williams and Ben Cleveland met with Razorbacks Athletic Director Frank Broyles last week to discuss concerns about the direction of the football program.

Rick Cleveland, Ben’s father, confirmed Tuesday that the meeting took place last Thursday in Broyles’ office and lasted about an hour. The meeting included Rick Cleveland, Beck Campbell (Mustain’s mother ), David and Karen Williams, and Broyles.

The meeting centered on whether Arkansas offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn will get more say in how the offense is run, Rick Cleveland said, and if it will be more pass-oriented.

Mustain is a quarterback and Cleveland and Williams are receivers, and all three played for Malzahn at Springdale High School, where they excelled in a Spread, no-huddle offense to help the Bulldogs go 14-0 last season and win the Class AAAAA state championship.

“The reason for the meeting was very simple,” Rick Cleveland said. “We wanted to know what is the direction of Arkansas ’ football program ? Are we eventually going to get to Gus ’ offense ? Or are we going to stay with the way we are at present ?”

In going 10-3 this season and winning the outright SEC West title, Arkansas’ offense has been built around sophomore tailbacks Darren McFadden, a consensus All-American who was the Heisman Trophy runnerup last week to Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, and Felix Jones. They are the third duo in SEC history to each rush for 1, 000 yards, with McFadden at a school-record 1, 558 and Jones at 1, 018.

It was a big bounce back season for the Razorbacks after they went 5-6 and 4-7 the previous two years to put Coach Houston Nutt’s job status in jeopardy.

Nutt, who hired Malzahn last December to be offensive coordinator and call the plays, was voted SEC Coach of the Year by the media and coaches after the Razorbacks’ six-victory improvement.

“For us, personally, we have nothing against Houston Nutt, nothing against Arkansas ’ program,” Rick Cleveland said. “Every school and its head coach has the full authority to run the offense that they want. That’s what they go recruit people for, to run what they’re comfortable with.

“ That’s not the issue with us. Arkansas has every right to run that and do what they want.”

Cleveland said the issue for the Springdale players and their parents is that the offense isn’t what they were led to believe it would be during the recruiting process.

After Malzahn was hired, Ben Cleveland and Damian Williams switched their commitments from Florida to Arkansas and Mustain recommitted to Arkansas after reopening his recruiting.

“With our kids going to Arkansas, it’s basically like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole,” Rick Cleveland said of the offense. “When Gus came onto the scene, the very first question we would ask was, ‘Do you have full control of the offense and do you have full control of the personnel ?’ Which we were told, ‘Yes.’

“ I don’t believe Gus lied to us. But as the season has progressed, it’s very obvious that this is not Gus Malzahn’s offense and Gus does not have full control of the personnel or the play calling.

“ From our perspective — and it’s only our perspective — it seems as if you’ve been sold a bill of goods.

“ We never would have committed here knowing that this was the offense, because we knew our boys wouldn’t be happy.”

Rick Cleveland said the response from Broyles was that Nutt continues to be in charge of the team.

“His exact words were that experts have told us that Coach Malzahn’s offense will not work in the SEC and for it to work the quarterback has to run the ball 15 to 18 times a game,” Cleveland said. “That made it pretty clear that things are going to stay the way they are and Malzahn’s offense is not going to be run here.”

Broyles said Tuesday he had told the parents they needed to meet with Nutt, not him, but he agreed to see them when they showed up at his office anyway.

“I didn’t want to be rude,” said Broyles, who declined to discuss any details of the meeting.

Nutt declined comment Tuesday about the parents’ meeting but said he doesn’t expect any players to transfer. Malzahn couldn’t be reached for comment.

Rick Cleveland said the parents wanted to meet with Broyles “because he’s the one who ultimately controls everything” at Arkansas.

“Why not go to the person who’s totally in charge ?” Cleveland said. “It was a very pleasant meeting. There was no confrontation whatsoever.”

Since Malzahn was hired, he and Nutt have said publicly the offense would be a combination of what has worked well at Arkansas in the past with additions brought in by Malzahn and new quarterbacks coach Alex Wood, a former NFL offensive coordinator.

Malzahn has said the running backs are Arkansas’ best players and the team would play to its strengths, and his greatest contribution has been putting together an offense that enables McFadden and Jones to be on the field at the same time.

The Razorbacks have run numerous trick plays for big gains and excelled in a “Wildcat” package with the versatile McFadden at quarterback.

Nutt and Malzahn also have said they expect the passing game to continue to progress next season.

David Williams, Damian’s father, declined comment on the meeting and whether his son is considering transferring from Arkansas.

“To be honest with you, I don’t think any of the boys want to transfer. They love Arkansas,” Rick Cleveland said. “But as a ballplayer, you want to be used to the best of your abilities.”

Ben Cleveland and Damian Williams each made the SEC All-Freshman Team and are among Arkansas’ top six receivers.

Williams is tied for second on the team with 19 catches for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a score that put Arkansas ahead to stay just before halftime in its SEC West title-clinching 28-14 victory at Mississippi State.

Cleveland is tied for fourth on the team with 11 catches for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the game-tying reception in overtime against Alabama before Jeremy Davis hit the winning extra point in a 24-23 victory.

Mustain has completed 64 of 122 passes for 853 yards and 10 touchdowns with 8 interceptions. He started eight games, all victories by the Razorbacks, before being replaced by sophomore Casey Dick.

While the three Springdale freshmen have played key roles in the Razorbacks’ season, Rick Cleveland said they anticipated having more impact on the offense.

“It’s a very fluid situation,” Cleveland said of whether he expects any of the Springdale players to transfer. “These are 18-year-old kids. One day they want to stay. One day they’re upset and want to leave.

“ What the coaching staff has to understand is that they can’t keep telling these kids, ‘This is going to happen, this is going to happen, this is going to happen,’ and it doesn’t happen.”

Rick Cleveland said his son and Damian Williams want to play in an offense where they’ll catch 60 passes per season.

J. J. Meadors, with 62 catches in 1995, is the only Razorback with 60 or more catches in a season in the program’s history.

Five SEC players have 60 or more catches this season; three had 60 or more last season.

“Our boys are used to catching 60 passes a year,” Rick Cleveland said. “They want to go to a college where they get the same opportunity. Whether they’re good enough to do that or not is a whole different question. They have to earn that.

“ They are team players... but they’re saying, ‘Hey, I don’t know if I’ll be happy being in this offense, catching 10 balls a year or 15 and blocking 90 percent of the time.’”

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

There you go Imhotep, more truth as to why MM is actually thinking about transfering and it has nothing to do with trying to recruit Ziemba or Burns.

[lLandonhog]

Not that I think we'll get him, but someone noted that Kodi wouldn't visit Arkansas anymore... If we have any shot, MM would have to leave...(could happen) I'm still holding out hope for big Lee, though....

http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/175620/

KODI
One big name on the visitors’ list this weekend is Fort Smith Northside quarterback Kodi Burns, 6-2, 190 pounds, 4. 6 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Burns has orally committed to Auburn, but Arkansas continued to pursue him and will get a chance to change his mind.

LEE
Offensive linemen will also be on display, including the state’s top prize in Rogers tackle Lee Ziemba, 6-7, 295, 5. 17. Other offensive linemen heading to Fayetteville are Jonesboro’s Grant Cook, 6-6, 310, 5. 19, Harrison’s Wade Grayson, 6-4, 260, 5. 16, and 1 Monticello’s Seth Oxner, 6-4 / 2, 295, 5. 19. Ziemba has narrowed his decision down to Arkansas and Auburn while the others are all Arkansas commitments. Little Rock Catholic’s Jake Bequette, 6-5, 255, 4. 89, could play defensive end, tight end or even on the offensive line at Arkansas. He committed to Arkansas much earlier in the process. Bequette will be the fourth member of his family to play for the Razorbacks.

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

Not that I think we'll get him, but someone noted that Kodi wouldn't visit Arkansas anymore... If we have any shot, MM would have to leave...(could happen) I'm still holding out hope for big Lee, though....

http://www.wholehogsports.com/adg/175620/

KODI
One big name on the visitors’ list this weekend is Fort Smith Northside quarterback Kodi Burns, 6-2, 190 pounds, 4. 6 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Burns has orally committed to Auburn, but Arkansas continued to pursue him and will get a chance to change his mind.

LEE
Offensive linemen will also be on display, including the state’s top prize in Rogers tackle Lee Ziemba, 6-7, 295, 5. 17. Other offensive linemen heading to Fayetteville are Jonesboro’s Grant Cook, 6-6, 310, 5. 19, Harrison’s Wade Grayson, 6-4, 260, 5. 16, and 1 Monticello’s Seth Oxner, 6-4 / 2, 295, 5. 19. Ziemba has narrowed his decision down to Arkansas and Auburn while the others are all Arkansas commitments. Little Rock Catholic’s Jake Bequette, 6-5, 255, 4. 89, could play defensive end, tight end or even on the offensive line at Arkansas. He committed to Arkansas much earlier in the process. Bequette will be the fourth member of his family to play for the Razorbacks.
Yeah a little off topic, but, Kodi said that he has never officially made plans to visit but that he had talked about going with Lee because Lee had said he didn't want to take a visit not knowing anyone. An Arkansas recruiting official penciled Kodi in when he had never made contact with Arkansas to make an official trip.


Personally I think Ziemba is coming to Auburn, simply because he is obviously good friends with Kodi, and it has been said that the two shared an interest in going to the same team. His parents being AU alumns will also help (even though his recent interview he said they weren't trying to influence his decision).


On Topic:

Houston Nutt needs to go to the media and explain the situation asap, or he's going to find himself minus one blue chip QB and other players, possibly a coach.

[WDavE]

If I were Nutt, I would be pissed at Broyles. The football program belongs to me and the parents should have met with me first. Then, if they didn't like my answers then you see the AD!

Burns will not be visiting Ark. from what I understand. Although, I wish he were. It would help with Ziemba. In-State presure is tough to beat as it is. Having a friend there that is already going out of state would help.

[OvertheHill]

If I were Nutt, I would be pissed at Broyles. The football program belongs to me and the parents should have met with me first. Then, if they didn't like my answers then you see the AD!

I think Broyles actually refused to setup a meeting with the parents but the parents just "showed up" anyway. And FB "didn't want to be rude" so he met with them.

Personally, I'm tired of all the drama. Not saying it's all been started by the fans... I'm just saying I'm tired of the drama. It's sad that I can't sit here and enjoy the season that we just went through and look forward to our Jan 1 bowl game.

I'm not against either side of this debacle. There's a lot of things Houston has done this year that I've called him an idiot for - but I think it would be even more stupid to fire a coach who has gone 10-3 maybe 11-3. Who in the world would want to coach at a school who just fired a 10-3 coach??? As for the players, I understand that they may feel lied to. A school hires their HS coach and promises a certain type of offense and then turns around a year later and says "sorry... we've decided that offense won't work". So if they feel it's best to transfer, I'd say... let 'em go. They probably will do better somewhere else.

But the two people I feel the worst for? Malzahn and McFadden. I know a lot of people who are personal friends of Malzahn. All I've ever heard is that he's just a really classy guy. Never complaining, never blaming. But this guy gets hired, gets promised control of an offense, and then gets told that his offense will not work in the SEC. I wouldn't blame him if he had another opportunity and took it. And for McFadden... he's probably our best player we've ever had at this school, and his #2 Heisman finish is getting dwarfed by freshmen rallying for an unrealistic 60 passes/year. I've hated the ground-bound offense of Ark. as much as the next guy... but why would anyone switch to a spread pass attack (even with a blue chip qb and up and coming receiver core) when you've got a Doak Walker winner/#2 Heisman sophomore rb with a 1,000+ yard backup?

[uscrebel]

If I were Nutt, I would be pissed at Broyles. The football program belongs to me and the parents should have met with me first. Then, if they didn't like my answers then you see the AD!

Burns will not be visiting Ark. from what I understand. Although, I wish he were. It would help with Ziemba. In-State presure is tough to beat as it is. Having a friend there that is already going out of state would help.

Dave,
You are more tolerant that I. I was annoyed enough as a youth coach with parents of 12 - 15 y/o's telling me how to coach. I can't imagine even listening to the parents of 19 & 20 y/o's.

Having said that, I think that the worst thing that happened for Arkansas was this year's success, it probably means a couple more year of Nutt. When FB dies, retires, or whatever, they might be able to get rid of him.

[WDavE]

Dave,
You are more tolerant that I. I was annoyed enough as a youth coach with parents of 12 - 15 y/o's telling me how to coach. I can't imagine even listening to the parents of 19 & 20 y/o's.

Having said that, I think that the worst thing that happened for Arkansas was this year's success, it probably means a couple more year of Nutt. When FB dies, retires, or whatever, they might be able to get rid of him.

Don't laugh but I promised myself this year that I would take some time off this coming year. Why? You ask..

My last junior team was made up of kids that will be going to basically two different high schools next year. I am taking time off to watch both schools 9th grade football tryouts and practice. Down here everybody that goes out for the team makes it.

I want to watch the kids and then the parents:
1. When the kids get yelled at and cussed at by some of the coaches. (I know them at both schools)
2. I hope to be there in person when mom or dad asks the coach why little Johnny is not playing.

I had a parent ask me this last year why I pulled his son out of a game after just two plays. The kid was very timid when playing. The first play he was at CB and the pulling guard hit him and his feet cleared the ground as he flew backwards. The second play he was hit while standing straight up by the runningback on a sweep. He rolled about 4 yards on the ground

My first thought was to get him out before he got really hurt. I told his dad this when he asked later and yet he went to the league commissioner to complain. The league commissioner asked to try and play him more. I did! Noseguard....LOL!

[roosterbooster]

I am with the parents. As a Gamecock we would appreciate it if you would appreciate it if you just left McFadden on the bench for our game.

[lLandonhog]

I am with the parents. As a Gamecock we would appreciate it if you would appreciate it if you just left McFadden on the bench for our game.

Ha! I'm starting to notice on several SEC boards, that this is the reoccurring sentiment! :laugh:

[OvertheHill]

The timing of all this truly sucks for Razorback fans. Fans have clamored for a balanced offense for years. We finally get some decent receivers and a blue chip qb who are upset because we still haven't changed offensive styles. Unfortunately... now is not the time to abandon the running game - we have the Heisman runner-up rb. I can see the upset players leaving, McFadden getting drafted (next year) and then we're really screwed. Because not only will we have (once again) a poor one-dimensional running attack, but we'll have very little hope of signing any more good qb/wr/te recruits. Why would they want to come? We've already seen how determined FB is at keeping this craptastic ground-bound offense.

[WDavE]

Ha! I'm starting to notice on several SEC boards, that this is the reoccurring sentiment! :laugh:

I may be in the minority here.....

My hope or wish is that your QB play stays about equal to this years output.

I hope to watch our front seven develop some before then and may the best team win... With you still having McFadden.

On another note:

Any of you Razorbacks fans have any idea for the news conference later today?

My guess is that your OC is going to North Carolina

[OvertheHill]

Any of you Razorbacks fans have any idea for the news conference later today?

My guess is that your OC is going to North Carolina

you watch your mouth

[BamaDude06]

Did Mustain's parents watch the same Arkansas team I saw this year? I guess they didn't see him throw 3 picks. There is a reason They stayed with the run. IT WORKED. If I was a player and my parents did this (be in the news and all) I seriously would consider never speaking with them again because of the embarrassment.

[bamafan0001]

Imagine that, the actual college football experience is nothing like the recruiting process?

Wonder what Arkansas record would be with Malzahn in total control, MM taking every snap this year, and either throwing to Ben Cleveland or D Williams...I know I wasn't the least bit impressed with MM when he played us.

[AuburnPawnTiger]

Did Mustain's parents watch the same Arkansas team I saw this year? I guess they didn't see him throw 3 picks. There is a reason They stayed with the run. IT WORKED. If I was a player and my parents did this (be in the news and all) I seriously would consider never speaking with them again because of the embarrassment.

I totally agree. If my parents did something like that I would flip out. It reminds me of playing little league baseball and kid's parents whining at the coach.

[uscrebel]

Don't laugh but I promised myself this year that I would take some time off this coming year. Why? You ask..

My last junior team was made up of kids that will be going to basically two different high schools next year. I am taking time off to watch both schools 9th grade football tryouts and practice. Down here everybody that goes out for the team makes it.

I want to watch the kids and then the parents:
1. When the kids get yelled at and cussed at by some of the coaches. (I know them at both schools)
2. I hope to be there in person when mom or dad asks the coach why little Johnny is not playing.

I had a parent ask me this last year why I pulled his son out of a game after just two plays. The kid was very timid when playing. The first play he was at CB and the pulling guard hit him and his feet cleared the ground as he flew backwards. The second play he was hit while standing straight up by the runningback on a sweep. He rolled about 4 yards on the ground

My first thought was to get him out before he got really hurt. I told his dad this when he asked later and yet he went to the league commissioner to complain. The league commissioner asked to try and play him more. I did! Noseguard....LOL!

I love it. The last time I had a parent complain to me about playing time was in basketball. I told him I would contribute $5 to his favorite charity every time his son drove the lane during the next game. By league rules I had to play him for two of five periods (yep...five periods). I played him for three and did not have to cough up a penny.

Hell, I benched my boys several times over the years...even though their mother complained about it, I have long since learned how to tune her out.

[Cianne]

Ha! I'm starting to notice on several SEC boards, that this is the reoccurring sentiment! :laugh:

McFadden is allowed to stay in the backfield against Ole Miss as much as he wants as long as he's running the ball. You can't throw swing passes to him or Hillis for that matter.

[jbuzbee]

You are free to believe all of the ridiculous rumors coming from every single Arkansas message board if you like. I happen to know for a fact, that both Burns and Ziemba will sign with Auburn on National Signing Day. Arkansas is currently in desperation mode and are starting rumors that are 100% blatantly FALSE...It's also another sad way to get publicity for the book that is coming out on the Springdale High School team of last year.

Just sit back and let Nutt embarrass himself like he always does...

No worries...


http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/AllSeeingEye11/jerry_laugh.jpg


Sorta like that embarrassment he spewed all over Auburn in the plains a few months ago.

[Cianne]

I totally agree. If my parents did something like that I would flip out. It reminds me of playing little league baseball and kid's parents whining at the coach.

I actually told my parents to stay out of the little league lobbying process. It kept me from making the all-star teams as kids with daddies who jumped up and down and whined made it, but I didn't want to feel like my father got me the spot and not my actions on the field.

[WDavE]

I actually told my parents to stay out of the little league lobbying process. It kept me from making the all-star teams as kids with daddies who jumped up and down and whined made it, but I didn't want to feel like my father got me the spot and not my actions on the field.

I had to do it once for my youngest.

Before he went out for football the first time. All he wanted to do was be a FB. Before the season started his older brother and I worked on hand-offs and blocking responsibilities with him.
The first week of practice the head coach at the time took all the boys who wanted to be RB's and they ran 40's. My son is not very fast but he is very quick. Needless to say he was moved over to another postion.

I went to the head coach the second week of practice and asked the head coach to give me a shot at fullback. I told him that if you try him there and then still don't like it that he was free to do whatever he wanted with my son and I would never say another word.

Well! He has now been starting fullback for three straight years. That very same coach gave him the nickname DTrain. The reason for the nickname is because if the offensive linemen don't move their man. He will run through them lead blocking also.

One more funny note.

After he named my son starting FB. He told him that when he carried the ball he wanted nothing fancy and to run right through and over people. One game on a fullback dive he broke into the clear and the safety was all he had to beat. The safety was playing more to the wide side of the field and when my son saw him he turned to run right at him. I like to died laughing when the coach explained what he really meant and wanted.

[goallthewayua]

I may be in the minority here.....

My hope or wish is that your QB play stays about equal to this years output.

I hope to watch our front seven develop some before then and may the best team win... With you still having McFadden.

On another note:

Any of you Razorbacks fans have any idea for the news conference later today?

My guess is that your OC is going to North Carolina

The news conference is about the Capital One Bowl. It doesn't have anything to do with the Springdale freshmen or the drama that’s going on right now.

On the Mahlzan leaving rumor: Gus is fixing to become one of the highest paid OC's in the SEC so I doubt he leaves and if he did it wouldn't be to North Carolina considering Butch Davis has hired Charlie Williams and Steve Hagan in the last couple of weeks and he also has Dave Brock as an assistant coach.

That being said, I still don't think that Mahlzan has complete control over the offense, but he does have a majority of the influence. I've watched Nutt's offense's for the last nine years and what we are running is a different scheme. A lot of the power I formations, the off tackles and pulling guards are all old HDN plays, but the misdirection’s and the passing formations are Gus's. I'm sure Mahlzan isn't happy about not having complete control over the offense, but I don't think his credentials are impressive enough yet to land him another OC position at a major school. A position coach would be a definite, but it would be a substantial drop in pay from what he is about to start earning and he would have less control over that offense then he does now. Bottom Line, I think he sticks around for at least another year.

The hardest thing to swallow is the parent meeting with Broyles. I can't believe that parents of players for a major college program would have the stones to do that crap. I would have a hard time believing that this type of thing would happen even in high school. Now I know a major reason that Nutt hired Mahlzan was to get the Springdale recruits and I also believe that these recruits were probably lied to and told that we would be running a more pass friendly offense, but it was unrealistic of them to think that we wouldn't rely on our rushing attack for the bulk of our offensive production. Mahlzan's philosophy is to get all of your playmakers on the field at the same time and figure out ways to get them the ball by identifying weaknesses in the opposition's defense to take advantage of. That’s pretty much it. The HUNH is a small part of it. The reason he ran so much HUNH at Springdale was because of the talent level of Mustain, Williams, and Cleveland. Not for the soundness of the offensive philosophy. Now I do believe that the Springdale recruits will be all stars by the time its all said and done, the fact is that at this time, they are not the best playmakers we have. To sacrifice the success of the team and program just because your son was mislead toward how big of a role they were going to play during their freshman year is weak and selfish and I hope it isn't true.

Not only that, but I think it was b.s. to go over Mahlzan and Nutt's head and hold the meeting with Broyles while HDN was at his mother-in-law's funeral. If they were so conscerned they should have waited until after signing day to bring this up and therefore putting the good of the team above any their personal gain. The timing of this whole deal is also absolutely perfect considering almost all of our major recruits are taking their official visit this weekend. Not to mention how big of a distraction to the rest of the team this drama must be when they are preparing for our bowl game.

Unfortunately it is a very strong possibility that Mustain and Cleveland may transfer. From what I've heard Damian's Dad was reluctantly dragged to the Broyles meeting and Damian is happy with his role as a freshman in our offense. Now if Cleveland and Mustain do transfer it looks like the leading candidate is Oklahoma. There is little chance of them transferring to another SEC school. If it does end up this way then I say whatever. If they aren't mature enough to handle the situation any better then they need to go. However, my personal opinion is that this whole thing blows over without any transfers. What I have heard is that Beck Campbell went to the meeting for more of an assurance that Mustain wasn't going to have any negative reproductions about his comments from Year of the Dog and the Cleveland's parents were more concerned with their son's playing time and the direction of the offense. I also heard that Mustain apologized to the players and to Nutt for his comments and has been working hard to regain the starting QB position.

On recruiting, Ziemba and Kodi Burns are both taking their official visits this weekend. Ziemba didn't ask Kodi Burns to attend so he would know someone. Lee goes to Rogers which is about 15 minutes away from the University. He probably knows the Springdale players better than he knows Burns. That being said, if I was an Auburn fan I wouldn't worry about Burns decommitting. I think yal have him, but I would be very surprised if you get Ziemba after its all said and done.

I swear I actually have to work for a couple of weeks and everything goes to pot.

[CrimsonTide12xs]

Sorta like that embarrassment he spewed all over Auburn in the plains a few months ago.

I would take anything Bubba Hotep says with a grain of salt, he's just flaming.
:flaming: Everything he says is copied from somewhere else. He has no real opinion. Just other people's that he makes his own. Go Hoggs Go.

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

On recruiting, Ziemba and Kodi Burns are both taking their official visits this weekend. Ziemba didn't ask Kodi Burns to attend so he would know someone. Lee goes to Rogers which is about 15 minutes away from the University. He probably knows the Springdale players better than he knows Burns. That being said, if I was an Auburn fan I wouldn't worry about Burns decommitting. I think yal have him, but I would be very surprised if you get Ziemba after its all said and done.

I swear I actually have to work for a couple of weeks and everything goes to pot. Incorrect sir! Kodi Burns (per rivals) is not taking an official to Arkansas and was quoted saying he had talked to Lee about visiting with him, but decided against it (a hog recruitment specialist misinterpreted burns and set him to visit this weekend). Lee and Burns have become great friends over the recruiting process, and I have a good feeling that Lee's parents and Burns will have a good influence on his decision!

Lee is however visiting Arkansas. Apparently he wants to get a free dinner and a look at the campus before he bids UA farewell! ;)

[goallthewayua]

Incorrect sir! Kodi Burns (per rivals) is not taking an official to Arkansas and was quoted saying he had talked to Lee about visiting with him, but decided against it (a hog recruitment specialist misinterpreted burns and set him to visit this weekend). Lee and Burns have become great friends over the recruiting process, and I have a good feeling that Lee's parents and Burns will have a good influence on his decision!

Lee is however visiting Arkansas. Apparently he wants to get a free dinner and a look at the campus before he bids UA farewell! ;)

Well he isn't going to be alone. Damian Williams (are second leading receiver/Freshman all-SEC) is trasferring. Just announced. Sounds like Mustain and Cleveland are going to, but that hasn't came out yet.

[Kevhugh]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2696812

The story is beginning to show up in national news. In my opinion, this is bush league even for high school parents.

Important quotes from the ESPN story:

When asked about the possibility of the Springfield kids transferring, Ben Cleveland's father called the situation "fluid".

Another interesting quote:

"Rick Cleveland, the tight end's father, said the parents understand Arkansas can run whatever offense it's comfortable with, but he's concerned the Springdale players might have been sold "a bill of goods" during recruiting."

[WDavE]

Well he isn't going to be alone. Damian Williams (are second leading receiver/Freshman all-SEC) is trasferring. Just announced. Sounds like Mustain and Cleveland are going to, but that hasn't came out yet.

I'm hearing also that Hillis has issues with the coaching staff and is considering his options.

[goallthewayua]

I'm hearing also that Hillis has issues with the coaching staff and is considering his options.

Well man, its hard to tell exactly what is going on now. All I know for fact is that on the 2nd punt return of the Tennessee game he got hit and suffered a deep thigh bruise and hasn't played since. Thats not entirely uncommon except that not only has he not played, but he didn't even travel with the team to Starkville or to Atlanta. So it is strange that you've got a player who came back in two games after breaking his back, but hasn't even traveled with the team for three weeks with a thigh bruise.

I do know for fact that he has been working out for the last couple of weeks and today was his first day at practice.

All the talk so far is that Williams might go to another SEC team possibly back to Florida, but nobody knows anything else yet.

Aparently there was a meeting this afternoon where Nutt drew a line in the sand and basically stated "you are either with us or against us". All three stated that they were staying. After the meeting Williams went to Mahlzan and quit the team. Mustain and Cleveland practiced today.

Out of all of them Williams was the one that everyone thought wouldn't transfer.

[goallthewayua]

Here's the news video on whats going on incase your interested:

http://www.4029tv.com/sports/10529106/detail.html

[Cianne]

Guess he shoulda stayed at Florida to take over when Caldwell and Baker are gone.

[AFWarrior83]

All Nutt has to do is let Mustain handoff to McFadden, and everyone will be happy =)

[Cianne]

Except Mustain.

[CrimsonTide12xs]

Except Mustain.

Mustain needs to understand this is not High school football. He is good at what he does. He just needs to let things simmer down. I don't think Nuttz is so dumb as to not realize Mustain is a weapon, he just needs experience and some seasoning. And surely Mustain is not so cocky as to think he is going to come into Fayetteville and run the show either. It sounds like Mustain or his parents need to expect some realistic goals.

[AFWarrior83]

This is off the subject, but has Bama found a HC yet? Last I heard Rodriguez bailed on ya'll... I've been outprocessing the base, so I have not been on the internet in a while.

[Cianne]

It sounds more like Nutt more or less "lied" to the Springdale group. Of course, this is recruiting and of course it will take more than one season to bring in more passing into a throwback Hog offense. Regardless though, it's all silly.

And for AF, no Bama has not found a coach yet and there's no telling who is on the list right now.

[CrimsonTide12xs]

It sounds more like Nutt more or less "lied" to the Springdale group. Of course, this is recruiting and of course it will take more than one season to bring in more passing into a throwback Hog offense. Regardless though, it's all silly.

And for AF, no Bama has not found a coach yet and there's no telling who is on the list right now.

Joe Paterno
:laugh:

[gatorunvrsty]

Joe Paterno
:laugh: Offer him a job. He's only a little older than the "Bear" himself. And, he's :icon_lame

[AFWarrior83]

I thought they were going to go after the HC from Tulsa? I bet for the right $$$ Nutt could learn to love Bama's helmet more than Arkansas helmet...

[Razorbabe]

Williams granted release from Hogs; Mustain, Cleveland to stay on
BY NATE ALLEN Northwest Arkansas Times
Posted on Thursday, December 14, 2006

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/nwat/48083/

Freshman wide receiver Damian Williams, Arkansas’ second-leading receiver, is leaving the Razorbacks, but his old Springdale High School teammates, freshman quarterback Mitch Mustain and freshman tight end / receiver / fullback Ben Cleveland, have recommitted to be Razorbacks, Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said before the Razorbacks practiced Wednesday night for their New Year’s Day Capital One Bowl game against Wisconsin.

The happiness of Mustain, Cleveland and Williams and their old Springdale coach, first-year Arkansas offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, has been the fodder of Internet and talk show rumors practically upon from the minute the three players signed with Arkansas last February.

Rumors became more than rumor when it was revealed inWednesday’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that the parents of the three Springdale players had met last week with Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles questioning the direction of the Razorback offense not being like what Malzahn had coached at Springdale, last year’s undefeated Arkansas AAAAA State champion and that the three pondered transferring.

“ Damian Williams, ” Nutt said, “ unfortunately could not accept things the way they are. He has asked for his release and I have granted his release and he will have that tomorrow morning. I wish him the best. ”

Both Williams and Cleveland had committed to Florida in recruiting before changing late to sign with Arkansas.

Mustain had been an early commitment to Arkansas then decommitted but recommitted shortly before the signing date.

Williams departs after catching 19 passes for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns. He could not be reached for comment.

Mustain and Cleveland confirmed they are staying. Malzahn, who never has publicly disagreed with Nutt, asserted he and the head coach and offensive staff are on the same page with doing what’s best for the personnel at hand.

The current Razorbacks, enjoying their first 10-win season in Nutt’s nine Arkansas seasons and the first since 1989, are 10-3 and the SEC West champions. They’ve built a run-oriented offense around 1, 000-yard plus rushing tailbacks Darren McFadden, runnerup in the Heisman Trophy voting and the Doak Walker Award winner as the nation’s best running back, and Felix Jones and gone mainly to junior receiver Marcus Monk (49 catches, 949 yards and 11 touchdowns ) when they did throw.

Mustain, the 2005 National High School Player of the Year, started eight Razorback games before being benched after throwing an interception on the first series against South Carolina. He has been a reserve behind sophomore starter Casey Dick the last four games and had been under pressure, Nutt said, because of derogatory comments he made about Nutt as a high school senior that were revealed last week in a forthcoming book by The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas sportswriter Kurt Voigt about Springdale’s undefeated 2006 season.

Mustain and Nutt confirmed Mustain apologized last Monday night to Nutt for those comments.

Nutt said that issue is behind them but that he thinks his “ little bit of digression” at midseason “ was the book, he was worried about it.

“ He was talking about the book. It’s easy to see why the two weeks prior to South Carolina, why there was a little bit of digression. He had a lot on him. It was the book. He was worried about it. ”

Mustain said the book may have subconsciously affected him and that he is glad the air is cleared.

“ I felt as a Christian I owed him an apology, ” Mustain said. “ I asked him to forgive me and I think he did. It’s been a lot better since that happened. ”

Mustain also said he hopes and believes it cleared the air with his teammates, too.

Malzahn said he “ felt responsible” since he had granted access for the author to write the book.

“ Originally, ” Malzahn said, “ permission was asked to write a book about a season. And we felt like we had a chance to win a high school national championship. That was kind of a theme and that’s what I granted access for the writer to do. And it seemed somewhere down the line it turned into a little bit more of a recruiting situation — especially when I came on board here at Arkansas. It’s unfortunate. It’s hurt some people and that’s not what it was intended to do. ”

Mustain, 64 of 122 for 853 yards with 10 TDs vs. 8 interceptions, got half the reps with Dick in Wednesday’s practice.

Cleveland, 11 catches for 98 yards and 2 TDs including an overtime game-winner from Mustain against Alabama, said he’s “ a Razorback the next three years. ”

Rick Cleveland, Ben’s father, was the parent quoted by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Bob Holt concerning the meeting with Broyles, but Ben Cleveland said “ everything is straight” now.

Cleveland said he and Mustain apologized to Nutt for any distractions they have caused to the coaches and team.

All content copyright 2006 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact Us

[WallyGoat]

Williams is transfering, but to where?

[Razorbabe]

I love message boards for the sheer entertainment of the rumors. When all is said and done, one freshman transfers. Yawn. Nothing to see here of importance. It happens all the time. Kids get disenchanted when they come out of the atmosphere of being a star in high school and then don't get the same playing time at the next level, and it wouldn't bother me to lose Beck Mustain and the whole "my kid is so great he's greater than the entire Arkansas program" mentality. It's a team sport, and if some players and their parents cannot put that into perspective in Fayetteville, they won't have it in perspective at a different location. Attitude is everything, and it follows you wherever you go.

[Razorbabe]

I am hearing with Butch Davis to North Carolina.

[WallyGoat]

I love message boards for the sheer entertainment of the rumors. When all is said and done, one freshman transfers. Yawn. Nothing to see here of importance. It happens all the time. Kids get disenchanted when they come out of the atmosphere of being a star in high school and then don't get the same playing time at the next level, and it wouldn't bother me to lose Beck Mustain and the whole "my kid is so great he's greater than the entire Arkansas program" mentality. It's a team sport, and if some players and their parents cannot put that into perspective in Fayetteville, they won't have it in perspective at a different location. Attitude is everything, and it follows you wherever you go.

You want to get rid of Beck Mustain, does that also mean you want to lose Mitch Mustain? Just curious.

[CrimsonTide12xs]

Them boys sound like a couple of mama's boys . How can you come out of High school and expect to start, which both of them did. Maybe I need to rephrase that, their parents sound like their the problem. Suggestion to Cleveland and Mustain's parents...keep your big nose out of things you don't understand and let Nutt and Malzahn do their jobs.

[WallyGoat]

I am hearing with Butch Davis to North Carolina.

Didn't see that coming. I figured he would stay in the confines of the SEC. But there is less pressure in the ACC, and at UNC he'd be capable of producing a star effort and grabbing a starting position.

[WallyGoat]

Them boys sound like a couple of mama's boys . How can you come out of High school and expect to start, which both of them did. Maybe I need to rephrase that, their parents sound like their the problem. Suggestion to Cleveland and Mustain's parents...keep your big nose out of things you don't understand and let Nutt and Malzahn do their jobs.

The parents sound a lot like Tim Tebow's father. I remember reading an article about Urban Meyer telling Bob in so many words, "Back off, I got it. I know what I'm doing." when his father became an annoyance during practices.

Houston Nutt should have done the same from the beginning. "Nip it the bud, Andy."

[TaySC]

Parents discuss offense with Hogs AD
Dec. 13, 2006

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- The mother of Arkansas freshman quarterback Mitch Mustain said Wednesday that players' parents who expressed concern about the Razorbacks' offense respect coach Houston Nutt's prerogative to shape the team's strategy.

The team's offense was discussed in a meeting between athletic director Frank Broyles and the parents of several freshmen.

Beck Campbell, Mustain's mother, said in a statement that she discussed concerns about her son's future as a football player. Campbell said she did not seek promises or guarantees, and that playing time was not an issue.

"It was agreed by all parties involved that the head coach has the valid right to determine the direction of the program and the manner in which the team would develop," she said. <== THANKS FOR SHARING WHAT 99% OF AMERICA HAS ALREADY FIGURED OUT.

The No. 12 Razorbacks rode the running of Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, another 1,000-yard rusher, to a surprising Southeastern Conference title game appearance this season.

Campbell, along with the parents of tight end Ben Cleveland and receiver Damian Williams, visited Broyles last week. The three athletes played together at Springdale High School last year under Razorbacks offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who was hired by Nutt after the 2005 season.

On Wednesday night, Nutt said Williams will be given his release to transfer.

At Springdale, Malzahn used a spread offense that leaned heavily on the passing game.

Rick Cleveland, the tight end's father, said the parents understand Arkansas can run whatever offense it's comfortable with, but he's concerned the Springdale players might have been sold "a bill of goods" during recruiting.

"Our boys are used to catching 60 passes a year," Cleveland told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. "They want to go to a college where they get the same opportunity."

Williams caught 19 passes this year for 235 yards while Ben Cleveland caught 11 for 98 yards. Both were named to the All-Southeastern Conference freshman team. Only one Arkansas receiver has caught more than 60 passes in a year.

Mustain started eight games for the Razorbacks -- all wins -- before being replaced late in the season by Casey Dick.

Rick Cleveland described the situation as "fluid" when discussing the possibility any of the Springdale players could transfer.

Nutt has not talked about the complaints. Broyles said he had told the parents to meet with Nutt, but they came to his office anyway and he "didn't want to be rude." He has not discussed the details of the meeting.

Mustain was the Parade magazine high school Player of the Year in 2005 and one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation before signing with Arkansas. Malzahn became Arkansas' offensive coordinator shortly before Mustain signed.

Campbell said Mustain "loves his teammates, and he feels a deep sense of regret and sadness that his presence on this team has created a division in a state he loves."

NEVER, I mean NEVER allow a recruit or players parents to start dictating what a team should or should not do.

ARK better get a grip on this quickly...........

[Razorbabe]

Well, it's worse in the case with Mustain. It's the mother.

[Razorbabe]

You want to get rid of Beck Mustain, does that also mean you want to lose Mitch Mustain? Just curious.

If the concept of "team" is something he can't hook up to while telling his mother to sit down and behave like a lady, yes. My understanding is that this situation is under control now, after being stirred up by parents. We'll see.

[CrimsonTide12xs]

Well, it's worse in the case with Mustain. It's the mother. Hate it for the guy. Mother trying to run the show has got to be frustrating as well as embarrassing.
:brick:

[WDavE]

As a follow up here is an open letter to the media from Mitch's mom....

Mitchell has been very proud to be a part of this team and we have all been
extremely proud of the success of the entire team this season. It has been
a true honor to be associated with kids of their caliber and he has been
blessed to have teammates who have grown to respected him and who have
supported him in light of the expections under which he entered this
program.
Mitchell has never had a concern regarding playing time, either during his
tenor as a starting quarterback or during his time as a back-up quarterback.
Casey and he have always been supportive of each other and have always
encouraged one another as players and friends. His greatest conflict at this
very moment is his love, respect and admiration he has for his teammates and
the devotion he feels towards the program and his state.
With regards to our appointment with Coach Broyles this past Thursday, this
meeting was to be private and we had no intention and made no effort to make
it public. I was there strictly to discuss my personal experiences over the
course of the season and seeking the truth about issues that were of
concern.
I made it very clear at the first of the meeting that I was not there
seeking assurances, promises, or guarantees about the future of the program.
There was never discussion by any parent regarding the playing time of any
player. We discussed matters that would be of any concern to a freshman
parent such as academics and curfews. Several of these matters had already
been addressed with members of the staff and had not been resolved. Since
the football program controls those aspects of our child's lives I felt it
appropriate to address those issues with the head of the program.
I discussed as well my concerns regarding Mitchell's future as a football
player. However, they were confined to my perception of the desire and the
ability of this program to develop his skills and abilities in a manner
which would provide him with the best opportunity to succeed on the field in
order to help his team succeed at the highest level.
It was agreed by all party's involved that the head coach has the valid
right to determine the direction of the program and the manner in which the
team would develop.
I would like the fans of Arkansas to understand that Mitchell has dedicated
his heart and soul to this team and has worked diligently to represent this
team in a postive manner. He loves his teammates, and he feels a deep sense
of regret and sadness that his prescence on this team has created a division
in a state he loves.
I personally want to apologize for any role I may have played in the
division that has been created and any reflection my behaior may have had on
the team and my son. As a parent, I have always encouraged and supported my
children in managing their own relationships. However, I truly believed, in
light of many issues that had come to light over the course of the season,
Mitchell needed the support of his family and friends in seeking the truth
regarding the direction of the program in general and his role as a
Razorback."

[Cianne]

It's probably hard for some parents to have a coach come in and promise a bunch of things only to completely reneg on that promise especially when your child is rated the best player in the country.

[UA0509]

its kinda hard to complete 60+ passes to all your receivers when you don't have a good and experienced QB throwing to them. Im guessing Monk was the one with 60+ passes thrown to him. I hate to break it to the parents, but there is a difference between the high school game and the college game, and it takes some adjusting to. Just because your kid caught 60 passes for 1200 yards or whatever he did in high school, means absolutely nothing in college.

the other problem for arkansas...with mcfadden and jones, who really wanted to pass the ball anyways, play to your strengths, thats how you win games

[timNem]

NEVER, I mean NEVER allow a recruit or players parents to start dictating what a team should or should not do.

ARK better get a grip on this quickly...........Yeah that is looking ugly. I almost feel the situation at Bama is better than that.

[goallthewayua]

Well the whole situation was handled poorly on all sides. The parents of those players should have never thought it was acceptable to go over Nutts head and hold a meeting concerning the direction of the offense with Broyles. Thats what I'm pissed about the most. I also agree that they should have put the wellfare of the team first instead of individual gain. I think the distraction this has caused to the rest of the team while they prepare for the Badgers is equally as bad as the negative image it portrays before a huge recruiting weekend. Last, I would have accepted the whole situation better if none of it was made public.

However, Nutt also should share a responsibility for a lot of what has gone on also. If you believe all the rumors, HDN should have never sold the kids on an offensive scheme that he never had any intention on running. If we would have lost one or two of those players because of it, then thats life. At least the program's integrity wouldn't be in question. Second, Nutt should have never let a personal issue with a player have any impact on that players role on the team. If you don't think that Mustain's comments in Year of the Dog didn't have any influence on him being benched then your naive. We should expect more maturity out of our coach. He should have been the bigger person. We've all know this was coming since pre-season and I guarantee you that the Head Coach did as well. He should have taken a proactive approach and nipped the situation in the bud by addressing the problem with his players. Instead we have a big embarassing mess that we will be lucky to lose just one potential star player because of. Oh and don't try to say that losing a 4-star recruit who is freshman all SEC and our second leading receiver right before our bowl game isn't a big deal and it happens all the time. Something is wrong with our program and it all starts with the person in charge.

[shanksta13]

The parents sound a lot like Tim Tebow's father. I remember reading an article about Urban Meyer telling Bob in so many words, "Back off, I got it. I know what I'm doing." when his father became an annoyance during practices.

Houston Nutt should have done the same from the beginning. "Nip it the bud, Andy."

Ok, we already covered Tebow's dad in another thread much earlier in the year. Pretty much everyone agreed that the writer was pissed that he couldn't get a decent interview, so he tried to stir up stuff. Bob Tebow is nothing more than supportive of Tiny Tim.

[BamaDude06]

Ok, we already covered Tebow's dad in another thread much earlier in the year. Pretty much everyone agreed that the writer was pissed that he couldn't get a decent interview, so he tried to stir up stuff. Bob Tebow is nothing more than supportive of Tiny Tim.

Florida fans agreed that the writer was pissed. Other fans found the story at least somewhat believable.

[blues_cap]

As a follow up here is an open letter to the media from Mitch's mom....

Mitchell has been very proud to be a part of this team and we have all been
extremely proud of the success of the entire team this season. It has been
a true honor to be associated with kids of their caliber and he has been
blessed to have teammates who have grown to respected him and who have
supported him in light of the expections under which he entered this
program.
Mitchell has never had a concern regarding playing time, either during his
tenor as a starting quarterback or during his time as a back-up quarterback.
Casey and he have always been supportive of each other and have always
encouraged one another as players and friends. His greatest conflict at this
very moment is his love, respect and admiration he has for his teammates and
the devotion he feels towards the program and his state.
With regards to our appointment with Coach Broyles this past Thursday, this
meeting was to be private and we had no intention and made no effort to make
it public. I was there strictly to discuss my personal experiences over the
course of the season and seeking the truth about issues that were of
concern.
I made it very clear at the first of the meeting that I was not there
seeking assurances, promises, or guarantees about the future of the program.
There was never discussion by any parent regarding the playing time of any
player. We discussed matters that would be of any concern to a freshman
parent such as academics and curfews. Several of these matters had already
been addressed with members of the staff and had not been resolved. Since
the football program controls those aspects of our child's lives I felt it
appropriate to address those issues with the head of the program.
I discussed as well my concerns regarding Mitchell's future as a football
player. However, they were confined to my perception of the desire and the
ability of this program to develop his skills and abilities in a manner
which would provide him with the best opportunity to succeed on the field in
order to help his team succeed at the highest level.
It was agreed by all party's involved that the head coach has the valid
right to determine the direction of the program and the manner in which the
team would develop.
I would like the fans of Arkansas to understand that Mitchell has dedicated
his heart and soul to this team and has worked diligently to represent this
team in a postive manner. He loves his teammates, and he feels a deep sense
of regret and sadness that his prescence on this team has created a division
in a state he loves.
I personally want to apologize for any role I may have played in the
division that has been created and any reflection my behaior may have had on
the team and my son. As a parent, I have always encouraged and supported my
children in managing their own relationships. However, I truly believed, in
light of many issues that had come to light over the course of the season,
Mitchell needed the support of his family and friends in seeking the truth
regarding the direction of the program in general and his role as a
Razorback."

whether he transfers or not, mustain will officially be referred to as "mitchell"(out of principle alone) whenever on the road in the upcoming years.

thanks, "mom".

[blues_cap]

Florida fans agreed that the writer was pissed. Other fans found the story at least somewhat believable.

yeah, these same fans are the ones who were saying how this would blow up in uf's face sometime this year(speaking of blowing up, yall got a coach??)......these fans carry the same characteristics as the fans who are still pissed b/c tebow acted like he might consider gracing bama with his presence.

[Razorbabe]

Anybody who thinks this is the HC's fault for not "nipping things in the bud" has never spent an evening with Beck Mustain. All I can say. She's a piece.

[goallthewayua]

Anybody who thinks this is the HC's fault for not "nipping things in the bud" has never spent an evening with Beck Mustain. All I can say. She's a piece.

No, I haven't spent very many evenings with Mustains mom. As far as her being a piece, I'll take your word for it I guess. I'm not saying what she and the other parents did was right. Actually I'll say what they did was far from it, but Nutt deserves a lot of the blame in this too. Not only did he not take a proactive approach, but if he also lied to some of the Springdale recruits for the sake of his job security then he is unethical and dishonest and should be replaced in order to save the integrity of the program.

[GatorHunter]

Someone needs to inform the "Springdale Trio" that they played for the conference Championship a couple of weeks ago...:(

I have to say, it is somewhat poetic justice for UF fans...Cleveland had committed to UF...but his grades would've likely kept him from coming to UF...but Damian Williams was one of our bonifide targets last seaon...he told our coaches up until the night before the dead-period prior to NSD that he was all Gator...then, switches to Arky, basically preventing UF from signing a replacement and costing the Gators the #1 recruiting class in the process...now, he has doubts and UF has won the SEC Championship and is playing for the MNC...gotta be a hard pill to swallow... :happy:

[gatorunvrsty]

Someone needs to inform the "Springdale Trio" that they played for the conference Championship a couple of weeks ago...:(

I have to say, it is somewhat poetic justice for UF fans...Cleveland had committed to UF...but his grades would've likely kept him from coming to UF...but Damian Williams was one of our bonifide targets last seaon...he told our coaches up until the night before the dead-period prior to NSD that he was all Gator...then, switches to Arky, basically preventing UF from signing a replacement and costing the Gators the #1 recruiting class in the process...now, he has doubts and UF has won the SEC Championship and is playing for the MNC...gotta be a hard pill to swallow... :happy:
:brick: You know what they say, " What goes around..."

[Razorbabe]

No, I haven't spent very many evenings with Mustains mom. As far as her being a piece, I'll take your word for it I guess. I'm not saying what she and the other parents did was right. Actually I'll say what they did was far from it, but Nutt deserves a lot of the blame in this too. Not only did he not take a proactive approach, but if he also lied to some of the Springdale recruits for the sake of his job security then he is unethical and dishonest and should be replaced in order to save the integrity of the program.

Look, you made it clear early-on in the season what a Houston Nutt fan you are not, and that's fine. But, why would you be sold that the parents were "lied to" about the type of offense Arkansas would be running? If they did any investigative homework at all, Arkansas has not been a predominantly passing offense during Nutt's tenure, and no freshman is ever told they will start. Damian Williams caught the second-highest number of passes to Marcus Monk as a mere freshman, he was a starter, named to the all-SEC freshman team, and he was lied to?

As for the Florida fan who thinks he would have been better off signing with Florida, how many passes would he have caught there? More than at Arkansas, with the high level of talent at Florida? You have to believe if he and his parents weren't satisfied to a trip to Atlanta when Arkansas was picked #4 in the SEC West preseason and are headed to the Capital One Bowl that they would have been far more disenchanted with virtually no playing time at Florida even with a trip to the NCG. Because it is all about them and the attention they get, and not about the team.

No, I don't buy that this is anything but the parents' collective fault, as engineered by Beck Mustain who is the worst type of attention whore.

[azamugg]

I will say that when Arky/Nutt hired Mustain's HS head coach as OC (mulz? i cant ever remember how to spell his name) that whole situation became suspect.......an obvious sellout to get a player so while I don't support a damn whiny parent bitching about PT I do believe that Nutt overpromised and underdelivered

[WallyGoat]

I will say that when Arky/Nutt hired Mustain's HS head coach as OC (mulz? i cant ever remember how to spell his name) that whole situation became suspect.......an obvious sellout to get a player so while I don't support a damn whiny parent bitching about PT I do believe that Nutt overpromised and underdelivered

Gus Malzahn is the name. Write down for reference when you make fun of him next time. :laugh: jk

[GatorHunter]

Arky did fine this year...I think Razorbabe hit the nail on the head...what you have is 3 families that believe their children are bigger than the team...and I never said Williams would have been happier at UF...as a matter of fact, he would have likely RS because he would have been about 6-7th in line. But he was a primary target of the recruiting class...he was one of UF's first committments and he stuck with it until the last minute. That's my "beef"...UF would have had the #1 class had he done the honorable thing and de-committed prior to the "dead period"...but he waited until the last minute and Meyer was unable to fill his spot because coaches aren't allowed to contact recruits during that time. Having the #1 class is huge for recruiting...especially the following year.

[Razorbabe]

Arky did fine this year...I think Razorbabe hit the nail on the head...what you have is 3 families that believe their children are bigger than the team...and I never said Williams would have been happier at UF...as a matter of fact, he would have likely RS because he would have been about 6-7th in line. But he was a primary target of the recruiting class...he was one of UF's first committments and he stuck with it until the last minute. That's my "beef"...UF would have had the #1 class had he done the honorable thing and de-committed prior to the "dead period"...but he waited until the last minute and Meyer was unable to fill his spot because coaches aren't allowed to contact recruits during that time. Having the #1 class is huge for recruiting...especially the following year.

Yes, and sorry that I didn't respond earlier to that part of your post by saying that the class (lack thereof) of this athlete was shown early during the recruiting process, since that type of behavior is a big "no-no". I knew I left something out.

[WDavE]

Let me be the first to put this in print...

Any school/coach that ever comes to my house to recruit either of my two sons. Better not make promises that he doesn't keep or Mitchel's mother will look like a saint.

We went to a preseason team meeting once for traveling baseball team. The two coaches basically talked about the amount of effort and dedication they were looking for in all their players. One of the coaches then said "We don't want anybody who doesn't love to play and we want no kids that their parents were making them play". These teams typically play 50-60 games in a year. Then they asked all the players if they wanted to play. One little boy said he liked baseball but his dad was making him play. After about ten minutes of pep talk the player and the coaches then seemed happy about all the circumstances.

We left the meeting that night and I called one of the coaches when we got home and told him we couldn't play for him. "Why" he asked...

My response was short and sweet. You stated in the meeting about not wanting kids being forced to play. A kid spoke up and yet because he is fairly good. You left him on the team.
That is not what I am trying to teach my son. Sorry!

I guess all in all, I would with hold my own opinion on this whole episode at Ark. The reason being I have no idea what the kids or parents were told when they were recruited.

[goallthewayua]

Look, you made it clear early-on in the season what a Houston Nutt fan you are not, and that's fine. But, why would you be sold that the parents were "lied to" about the type of offense Arkansas would be running? If they did any investigative homework at all, Arkansas has not been a predominantly passing offense during Nutt's tenure, and no freshman is ever told they will start. Damian Williams caught the second-highest number of passes to Marcus Monk as a mere freshman, he was a starter, named to the all-SEC freshman team, and he was lied to?

As for the Florida fan who thinks he would have been better off signing with Florida, how many passes would he have caught there? More than at Arkansas, with the high level of talent at Florida? You have to believe if he and his parents weren't satisfied to a trip to Atlanta when Arkansas was picked #4 in the SEC West preseason and are headed to the Capital One Bowl that they would have been far more disenchanted with virtually no playing time at Florida even with a trip to the NCG. Because it is all about them and the attention they get, and not about the team.

No, I don't buy that this is anything but the parents' collective fault, as engineered by Beck Mustain who is the worst type of attention whore.

Way to call a razorback player's mother a whore. That shows a lot of class. How about I book both of yal on the Springer Show so you can continue to prove how classy you really are. You should be ashamed for such a comment. Do me a favor, if you go to any games next season, and if and when Mustain is throwing all over the field, after every Touchdown please stand up and say "Hurray you son of a whore." "Now go transfer because you called Nutt a dork and said he should be fired." I'm sure that will go over like a pregnant pole vaulter.

As far as Williams, I'm not saying that Arkansas should have implemented the HUNH considering the running game we have. That would almost have been as stupid as calling Mustain's mom a whore, almost anyway. I'm also not saying what the parents did was right. Actually far from it. Parents should not and don't have any influence on how a football program is run. If I was Broyles or Nutt I would have laughed all of them out of my office.

And ya, if Damian would have kept his commitment to Florida he probably would have been red shirted this year and more-than likely would have seen a lot less playing time then he saw at Arkansas in year's to come, but bottom line; if Nutt told a recruit or recruits that we were going to change our offensive philosophy, throw the ball more and run the HUNH or a variation of it and had no intention of doing it, then that is unethical. Hence, if he had never made those comments in his sales pitch in the first place, Williams probably wouldn't have decommitted from Florida, London Crawford would have taking his spot as the #2 wide receiver and we would not have had this whole nationally embarrassing deal in the first place.

The really bad part is think about how bad this is going to hurt recruiting if we have a coach that not only new recruits can't respect, but they can't trust him as well. The good news is that we are currently ranked 10th in the SEC in that insignificant category called recruiting so worst case scenario we can only drop two places. Recruiting and lack of team leadership are my two biggest criticisms of Nutt by the way.

So, I'm not saying the parents are not at fault. Hell they are, but what I'm also saying is Nutt shares responsibility as well. If he wouldn't have lied about the direction of our offense this year, then none of this would have happened.

[Razorbabe]

Thanks for your post, goalltheway. Again, I state with fans like you, we don't need adversaries. No doubt you went to Arkansas State. Or perhaps you just hate it that a female likes football and likes to talk about it.

Calling someone an attention whore is far from questioning their sexual morality. That's what Beck Mustain is, and I would most likely tell her that to her face. Assuming she hasn't already gotten the impression that I think that.

The quote you misrepresent in your signature by me was actually regarding who can keep up with speed in a matchup. Maybe I should have modified the sentence to read, "We do not have a defensive player on our squad who can match up with the speed of OL Andre Smith" and you would have been able to understand. Normally my sentence modifiers are in the correct position to make my comments clear, and this time they weren't. But rest assured that, as a life-long athlete and football fan and the daughter of a former pro player, I know a little about the difference. I also know from first-hand experience what it takes to be a winning athlete and how to be a team player.

You show your true colors as someone looking for ammunition to hate a coach when you act as though you know for a fact that he misrepresented the style of offensive and amount of playing time to a family or to a prospective athlete. You don't know that, and you even use the word, "if" in your post, then go on to rake Houston Nutt over the coals by concluding that it is his fault that recruits can't respect him and can't trust him.

By the way, I would be ashamed of my predictions given your track record based upon the beginning of the season vs. mine and so naturally you favor such a low-handed swipe. But the evidence tells me perhaps it's you who needs a refresher course on what makes a good football program.

[Cianne]

It looks more like you refuse to even entertain the notion that Houston Nutt might have promised the three kids that there would be a switch in the style of offense and used Malzahn is proof of it. You have just as much blind hate against him as you say he has against Nutt.

[goallthewayua]

Thanks for your post, goalltheway. Again, I state with fans like you, we don't need adversaries. No doubt you went to Arkansas State. Or perhaps you just hate it that a female likes football and likes to talk about it.

Calling someone an attention whore is far from questioning their sexual morality. That's what Beck Mustain is, and I would most likely tell her that to her face. Assuming she hasn't already gotten the impression that I think that.

The quote you misrepresent in your signature by me was actually regarding who can keep up with speed in a matchup. Maybe I should have modified the sentence to read, "We do not have a defensive player on our squad who can match up with the speed of OL Andre Smith" and you would have been able to understand. Normally my sentence modifiers are in the correct position to make my comments clear, and this time they weren't. But rest assured that, as a life-long athlete and football fan and the daughter of a former pro player, I know a little about the difference. I also know from first-hand experience what it takes to be a winning athlete and how to be a team player.

You show your true colors as someone looking for ammunition to hate a coach when you act as though you know for a fact that he misrepresented the style of offensive and amount of playing time to a family or to a prospective athlete. You don't know that, and you even use the word, "if" in your post, then go on to rake Houston Nutt over the coals by concluding that it is his fault that recruits can't respect him and can't trust him.

By the way, I would be ashamed of my predictions given your track record based upon the beginning of the season vs. mine and so naturally you favor such a low-handed swipe. But the evidence tells me perhaps it's you who needs a refresher course on what makes a good football program.


No, you got it all wrong. I don't dislike you because you are female and claim to have football knowledge. Erin Andrews is my favorite ESPN personality. Hell, My girlfriend tries God bless her, but she isn't there yet. Still I would take her opinion over yours any day of the week. The reason I dislike you is because you try to act like a "big shot" on an internet message board and arrogant enough to think that it actually means something. I used to get a big kick out of it when you would talk about how much money you donate to the university or how your a former cheerleader and especially when you would break out the thesaurus for some really big words to make yourself look more intelligent. I especially like the I'm the daughter of a pro athlete above. That's classic. Let me ask you; what bearing does that have on anything even if it is true. Let me put my ASU education to the test and say that you bring these things up not as a resume to back up your opinions. You state them to brag to people that more than likely you will never meet. Personally I could care less if you were a thirty year old guy living in his parents basement. My biggest problem with you is I despise people with the mentality you often portray. I may be wrong, but in my experience the more people try to impress the bigger their inferiority complex really is. A bit of advice, don't do those things around people. It not only embarrasses you, but it makes you look weak as well.

I also dislike you because you are an unconditional Nutt supporter and I feel that people who actually have a say so in how the University is run ,and who share your opinion, are being detrimental to a team that I care a lot about. Not only that, but a lot of the hardcore Nutt supporters have a tendency to go as far as to throw some of the players under the bus to support the coach, and I won't tolerate that. Now, your right in saying that no one has came out and confirmed what was or wasn't said during the Springdale players recruitment, but when they say things like "we feel like we were sold a bill of goods and it turns out that it was false," and "I realize that college football is a business and they were saying anything they could to get me." then ya, I think Nutt lied or mislead those players during their recruitment, but it has never been stated as fact and probably never will be. Major college programs don't have this 9th grade, Mickey Mouse crap at their schools. Why do we and who is ultimately responsible for it?

As far as whatever predictions you are referring to, ya I was off on a lot of things, but that’s why we actually play the games. For the record, I had L.S.U. winning the West when everyone and their mom's had Auburn. I had Arkansas 3rd (and if there is anyone on here that had them picked to win the division I'll buy them a drink) I had bama 4th (not only did I have them 4th I had their record at 6-6, but with a loss to Ole Miss instead of State. Guess I really shanked that one.) Then I had the Rebs 5th and State 6th. In the East I had the Vols first and I will probably pick them again next season. Then I had Florida and Georgia battling for 2nd and 3rd. The reason I didn't have Florida winning their division was because of their schedule. I had South Carolina 4th with Kentucky and Vanderbilt in the bottom half. For further reference I don't care if you predicted everything that happened this year. Kudos, I guess, and I have more of a life than to be ashamed of any college prediction I've ever made.