LITTLE ROCK — Just because Arkansas’ new defensive coordinator has a name does not change the gist of this column. Until Paul Haynes was confirmed, the point was that whoever was in charge would not have immediate success simply because he installed a different set of Xs and Os.
Arkansas needs more impact players on defense.
There was an evening in the 1970s when Larry Lacewell’s work as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma was being lauded in The Arkansas Gazette sports department and the late Kim Brazzel interrupted with a cryptic critique. Sure, he said, Lacewell’s instructions are, “Sic ‘em Lee Roy. Sic ‘em Lucious. Sic ‘em Dewey,” referring to the Selmon brothers from Eufaula, Okla.
At Georgia, Todd Grantham’s 3-4 became more effective after 350-pound John Jenkins arrived from a junior college to anchor the middle.
At LSU, Broyles Award-wining defensive coordinator John Chavis has been quoted as saying he wouldn’t trade sophomore tackles Michael Brockers and Bennie Logan for NFL standouts John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth who played side by side for Chavis at Tennessee.
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At Alabama, Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw are considered two of the top five linebackers in the NFL draft.
In April, LSU’s Morris Claiborne is expected to be the first cornerback selected. Also projected in the top 15 are Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron, both of Alabama.
Arkansas does not have such players. Note that end Jake Bequette was the only Razorback on the coaches All-SEC first team defense.
More than once, I have asked a Willy Robinson critic to name the Razorbacks who can start for either of the top two teams in the nation. Usually, Bequette’s name is followed by silence.
Understandably, Robinson got blamed for a defense that did not live up to expectations. After all, he was in charge and both Robinson and head coach Bobby Petrino projected improvement from 2010.
Many of those positive vibes were based on a large number of returning starters. Experience does not necessarily translate mean better. After a year or two, a player might know where to be and what to do, but that doesn’t mean he has the physical skills to get the job done.
Rarely is a team complete. For example, if LSU or Alabama had Tyler Wilson or Aaron Murray at quarterback and Jarius Wright and Joe Adams at wide receiver, historians would be comparing them with the best of all time.
Les Miles and Nick Saban rely on defense to carry their teams; Petrino believes in offense. All three win.
Early on, former Miami head coach Randy Shannon was all the rage to be Arkansas’ coordinator. Despite the relationship between smoke and fire, Shannon was knocked down by beat writers quoting a source as saying that Petrino did not interview Shannon.
Maybe they talked; maybe they didn’t. Maybe Shannon asked for free reign over the defense or maybe he wanted too much money. A south Florida guy all his life, maybe he saw the snow in Fayetteville. Who knows?
The new man will inherit end Tenarius Wright and others up front, plus All-SEC Freshmen end Trey Flowers and defensive back Tevin Mitchel.
Haynes should become involved quickly in Arkansas’ preparations for the Jan. 6 Cotton Bowl vs. Kansas State.
Rest assured, the Arkansas offense won’t miss a beat despite the departure of quarterbacks coach-offensive coordinator Garrick McGee. Petrino’s brother, Paul, who has a reputation for being a splendid wide receivers coach, will step in for McGee. As always, big brother will be hands on with the quarterbacks and the play calling.
Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media’s Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com.