Razorback practices begin in earnest as Hogs strap on the pads

Everything the Arkansas Razorbacks have done in their previous four practices has been important. The Hogs have installed and run plays, worked on timing, labored on technique and run drill after drill.

It’s important and necessary work, particularly for the freshmen and transfers who are just learning the Razorback way under head coach Bret Bielema and his crack coaching staff. The last four days will give them the chance to compete starting today when the Hogs strap on pads for the first time since the spring and truly get down to business.

Bielema loves the game of football. It’s evident every time he speaks, but never more so than Sunday when he was asked about putting on the pads.

To paraphrase, he said if putting on pads doesn’t make the game easier, if the gear doesn’t make you a better player, if it is a nuisance, then Arkansas is not the program for you.

That is heartening information to Hog fans. It should sound borderline erotic to borrow Bielema’s own phrase. It speaks to the physicality of the Razorback program under Bielema, and to his brand of ball whose roots run deep in college football.

I won’t say that I don’t enjoy watching the spread football teams, who employ a lot of what I call basketball techniques to set up one-on-one matchups on the field. It’s a style of football. It can be a talent equalizer, and it can be played in a physical manner, too. However, Bielema’s brand of football is based on imposing its will on the opponent, and it should bear more and more fruit as his program matures, as depth is built and better talent is gathered.

Going into Bielema’s fourth season, the question that some asked when he was hired is still out there. “How can Arkansas out-Alabama, Alabama?”

It remains a valid question. Bielema’s Hogs have threatened the Crimson Tide but not beaten them. Bielema’s Razorbacks have yet to topple Mississippi State or Texas A&M either. Mental and communication breakdowns hurt the Razorbacks’ chances against the Aggies and Bulldogs last season. Both games were nip-and-tuck affairs, and while every game on the Hogs’ schedule is big — yes, even the two rent-a-win games — to me State and the Aggies stand as two very important hurdles for the Hogs.

Certainly, the nonconference trip to No. 14 TCU and the home games against No. 1 Alabama, No. 6 LSU, No. 12 Ole Miss, and No. 25 Florida are more attractive on paper, but to me getting over the hump against A&M and State would show distinct improvement and that Bielema’s Razorbacks are advancing as a program. Before a team can be great, it has to be consistent, and clearing the mental and physical hurdles of beating the Aggies and Bulldogs would show that.

Now, that said, neither opponent should be underestimated. While it is clear that Kevin Sumlin has had issues in his locker room at A&M when considering his top two quarterbacks transferred out last winter and the shameful misconduct of two assistant coaches at a recent booster event, the Aggies have recruited very well in recent years, and that talent could begin to show up more and more on Saturdays.

As for Mississippi State, the loss of quarterback Dak Prescott is considerable. Some consider him the best Bulldog in the program’s history. Sometimes when great players matriculate, programs prove to be even better. Tennessee won its most recent national title with Tee Martin under center rather than Peyton Manning. It will be interesting to see what kind of team the Bulldogs will put on the field this season.

The same goes with Arkansas. The Razorbacks lost an abundance of offensive talent last season with stars and stalwarts such as Brandon Allen, Alex Collins, Hunter Henry, Sebastian Tretola, Denver Kirkland, and Jonathan Williams exiting the program. Most teams would have trouble overcoming that kind of a loss.

However, it’s clear Bielema believes this year’s squad will be better than the last because of the process he’s taken in building his program and how much better he knows the players. We will see if he’s right.

Part of Bielema’ process is being physical, and his Hogs will start doing that today. It was good to learn that the Razorbacks will practice smart by tackling above the knees, but that the coaching staff won’t be overprotective with its running back corps.

Rawleigh Williams III is the odds on favorite to be the lead back in what appears will be a running back-by-committee approach this season. Every running back needs to absorb hits and be tackled to prepare for the season, and even through Williams is returning from what could have been a catastrophic neck injury against Auburn last season, he needs to prove himself to his coaches, teammates and most importantly himself.

Likewise freshmen Devwah Whaley and T.J. Hammonds must prove their merit in practice before earning playing time. They are the most exciting pair of backs to join the Razorbacks since 2005 when Darren McFadden and Felix Jones arrived on campus. That’s not to say that they will develop into All-Americans, but they will earn whatever playing time they receive this year while wearing pads not in shorts and shells.

Also an offensive line can’t be rebuilt without actually blocking. While it seems first-year offensive line coach Kurt Anderson developed a solid four in the spring with Frank Ragnow at center, Hjalte Froholdt and Colton Jackson at left guard and tackle respectively and Dan Skipper at right tackle, the Hogs have yet to find a right guard. It also wouldn’t be surprising if changes emerge at other spots while the Hogs work to find their best starting five. Ragnow is a versatile and experienced player. He could switch from center to guard if that makes for a better whole.

It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out. The Razorbacks may even have to play some games to sort through it.

While running backs need to experience being tackled and offensive lineman need to be able to block to prepare for a season, it’s just as important for defenders to be able to tackle live.

Arkansas had a down year defensively last year after ranking in the national top 10 in overall defense for the 2014 season. Inexperience, depth and questionable techniques were the culprits. That has to improve this season for Arkansas’ program to hold its ground or hopefully advance.

Like any other skill, tackling must be practiced and while much of that can be accomplished in drills and against scout teamers, Arkansas’ defenders need to see top-caliber speed and power before the season starts. That can only be accomplished with a measure of live scrimmaging in training camp.

When there is live tackling, there will be injuries. It’s an unfortunate consequence of preparing for the season. Here’s hoping the Razorbacks make it to their Sept. 3 season opener against Louisiana Tech relatively unscathed.