insideyournwa.com

Mitch Mustain, Damian Williams, and Ben Cleveland were the class of 2006.  Coming off an amazing run through the state of Arkansas high school football ranks, these three freshman became the prized recruits of your Arkansas Razorbacks.  However, early in the recruiting process, most were contemplating playing elsewhere.  Why?  Well, you can go to Starbucks, have a latte, and read the new book “Year of the Dogs”, or you can save yourself a lot of time and let me sum it up.

These “boys” wanted to be big time.  They excelled in an innovative passing game from Gus (Now uf A Offensive Coordinator).  Arkansas was a joke.  They ran, ran, and ran.  These boys have been handed silver platters since they were in junior high and believe that their success will transend to college and the NFL without problems.  So long as they have their cake and eat it too.  In order for them to stay in state, Arkansas would need to pass.  And in order to pass, they would need Gus…because Houston Nutt was a dork.

I know that all sounds elementary.  And it is.  But in fairness to the super fresh, they were still in high school.  They were still boys.  There parents played vital roles in their development.  They could be picky.  They could commit and then not commit.  As the saying goes, “boys will be boys.”

Enter fall of 2006.  The three Super Fresh show up on campus, and all three have flying footballs in their head.  They knew what we all knew, if the passing game was going to be implemented, then they could suffer some losses but everyone would talk about their potential in a few years.  They would be the center of attention.  It’s all they’ve ever known.

But something strange happened.  Darren McFadden became a “man” and has clearly become the most dominant college football player in the country.  Sure Malzahn and Nutt has planned to implement a more consistent passing game.  But in college football, you ALWAYS do everything you can to put the ball in the hands of your superstar.  And it worked.  Arkansas ran through the SEC West and surprised the nation.  Strangely, their last two losses lead to a tremendous amount of respect nationally.  They finished 10-3, are playing on New Year’s Day, and are being talked about as a preseason top 5 team and DMac winning the Heisman next year.

Somewhere in the middle of the tremendous season, someone forgot to tell the three Super Fresh that they can’t be “boys” anymore.  I agree that the offensive system didn’t turn out to be what they had been promised.  I would be concerned as well.  I agree that Mustain’s leash as quarterback was too short.  And I agree that we need a threat of a passing game.  Agreed.  Agreed. Agreed.

But in the midst of Arkansas’ most successful season in years, an incredible running back, an area united around the program, these “boys” and their parents are crying foul.  The Super Fresh and their p’s went to athletic director Frank Broyles and asked if the offense was going to stay the same, because if so, then they were considering a transfer.

GROW UP BOYS.  The U of A was around long before Springdale High was winning state championships.  If your greed is so great that you will sacrifice the team for your gain, then I imagine the Razorbacks can live without your exploits.  If you have concerns, leave your parents at home, and sit down with Mr. Nutt and Mr. Malzahn.  You have that right.  That’s what men do. 

Darren McFadden nearly lost his toe before the season.  He was told, that despite his great Freshman year (he had already proven himself), that the passing game was needed so that you three would agree to come.  He had every reason to lose his motivation and just be an “average” SEC running back.  But no.  Darren McFadden is a man.  He sucked it up, lead the SEC in rushing, was named an All American, and finished second in the Heisman.  That is being a man.  Take a lesson.

If these boys are suggesting that next year Darren McFadden needs to be a smaller part of the offense or they will tranfer…then good bye.  This mentality will ruin a program and the cancer will spread quickly.  Rather than focusing a Wisconsin, we are playing with mommy and daddy and telling them we want a new team for Christmas.  I have an idea…buy some manhood.