By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
HOOVER, Ala. — Three Arkansas players were named to the Southeastern Conference Media Days All-SEC team.
Quarterback Ryan Mallett and tight end D.J. Williams earned first-team honors from media members attending the three-day event, while offensive lineman DeMarcus Love was a second-team selection. All three Razorbacks were also part of the coaches’ preseason All-SEC team, which was released earlier this week.
Mallett’s selections made him the first Arkansas quarterback to earn first-team All-SEC honors since the Razorbacks entered the league in 1992.
Defending national champion Alabama led all teams with 12 players voted to the preseason All-SEC team.
Once again, no Arkansas wide receivers were named to the All-SEC first or second teams. It’s a topic Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino addressed Thursday, when asked if he thought the group would use the perceived All-SEC snub as a source of motivation.
“I know our receivers will take it personal,” Petrino said of Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Cobi Hamilton. “They’re motivated. They think they’re a good group. They think they’re good as individuals. It will be a great motivating factor for them.”
The SEC also unveiled the media’s predicted order of finish. Alabama was the overwhelming favorite to win the SEC championship after receiving 143 of 177 votes.
Florida received 17 title votes. Auburn had seven and Arkansas earned three SEC championship votes.
The Razorbacks were predicted to finish second in the SEC West behind Alabama. Arkansas edged Auburn for second place in the SEC West standings, earning 726 total points to Auburn’s 691. Six media members predicted that Arkansas would win the SEC West title.
Paging Dr. Phil
Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt knows about enormous expectations. The Rebels struggled with them last season after opening the year ranked in the top 20 and several key starters returning.
So when Nutt was asked about the expectations building at schools like Arkansas and Auburn this season, he offered a word of warning.
“You want to embrace it, but at the same time, you’ve got to be ready to help your team if the bubble pops,” Nutt said. “When that bubble popped, that’s where you better have some Dr. Phil in you.
“You better be ready to go, to help your team, because expectations are so high.”
Those expectations won’t be placed on the Rebels this season. The preseason media poll predicted Ole Miss would finish last in the SEC West standings.
“I understand somebody told us you picked us last,” Nutt said. “Thank you. That’s all right.”
Continuity Key
Auburn coach Gene Chizik believes the retention of his entire coaching staff is something that will benefit his players this season.
“There’s guys on our football team right now that, for the first time in their career have the same coordinator, offense and defense, for the second year in a row,” Chizik said.
Arkansas fans, of course, are familiar with Chizik’s offensive coordinator. Former Arkansas offensive coordinator and Springdale High coach Gus Malzahn is entering his second season with the Tigers.
There is one area of concern on offense, though. Chizik said it must find a way to stay on the field longer to help a defense that tired in 2010.
“There are big-play and big-strike capabilities,” Chizik said. “How can we sustain longer drives? … That means getting first downs. That means driving the football, running the football, doing the things that can keep our defense off the field a little bit more.”
QB Departure?
Nutt is hoping to convince a quarterback to remain with the team a month before the season begins.
Redshirt freshman Raymond Cotton, who is competing with sophomore Nathan Stanley for the starting job this season, is pondering his future right now.
“He’s been there a very, very short time,” Nutt said of Cotton. “You’re a freshman now. You have a chance to compete for a job. So there’s no need to make one of these rash, bad decisions. …
“Hopefully we’ll get it all corrected and he’ll get back on board and we’ll go from there.”
Say What?
“I get a college education in exchange for my services on the field. I think that’s going to prove to be more valuable than a few hundred thousand dollars here right now. I’m not hurting for money. I’ve got a roof over my head. I’ve got a bed to sleep in. And, obviously, plenty of food, I’m OK. I’m all right.” — Auburn offensive lineman and Arkansas native Lee Ziemba when asked if he thinks the NCAA should distribute some of the money it makes to athletes.
Up Next (Year)
Ole Miss and LSU wrapped up the third and final day of the 2010 SEC Media Days. But if you’re wondering what the schedule looks like for 2011 SEC Media Days, the league has you covered.
The three-day event will be held in the Wynfrey Hotel from July 20-22. Arkansas is scheduled to meet with the media on the first day of the event and in the first rotation with Florida.
