FAYETTEVILLE — If there was any doubt as to whether Bret Bielema will put his top running backs through heavy contact in August, they were settled Thursday afternoon when he met with the media before the first Arkansas practice.
When full pads go on next Tuesday, the running backs will get plenty of contact. That goes for Kody Walker, Rawleigh Williams, Damon Mitchell, Devwah Whaley and T.J. Hammonds.
Walker suffered a broken foot during the spring, while Williams hasn't been tackled since last October when he suffered a season-ending neck injury against Auburn.
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“We'll be very smart about it,” Bielema said. “We know some have had injuries in the past. Kody is in his sixth year with us for a reason. He's had some injuries. Rawleigh is coming off an injury and hasn't had contact in quite some time. But they need to be hit.”
That made me smile. I've heard critics say that it's important to get the top players to the bus. Don't risk injury to running backs in camp.
Arkansas has lost Knile Davis and Jonathan Williams for the season with camp injuries in the past few seasons. Critics shook their heads in disgust over those August injuries.
However, it's my opinion that backs must be tackled in camp. They must be put through tough contact to make sure they will hold up in early-season games.
Remember the 2006 season when Houston Nutt didn't allow Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis to be tackled? The first game against Southern Cal was a fumble fest.
Don't hit them and they will be sure to fumble. Louisiana Tech doesn't need turnovers to be dangerous, but fumbles can be deadly in September. I want these backs tested before Tech and the trip to TCU.
The smart part is obvious. Defenders are not allowed to cut below the waist in camp. So the knees and ankles will be protected for the most part.
“We just need to get them some good reps with contact,” Bielema said. “The freshmen need contact. We are going to hit them all the time. We just won't cut tackle.
“But yes, we will tackle. We are going to tackle, 100 percent.
“Obviously, some have not been hit in a long time so that's a big concern.”
Williams did not have any serious contact in the spring, but did practice. He is 100 percent cleared for contact now. He's had second opinions that match the thoughts of UA doctors indicating he's fully recovered.
“When you hear 'broken neck' you think it's over,” Bielema said of Williams. “Then they said he would be back for spring ball. I told them to find them another doctor they were comfortable with and the opinion matched perfectly with what we were told here.
“The next conversation I had was with Rawleigh's dad because he's on the Dallas police force. I reached out to him to make sure he was OK and he was.
“I guess what I'm saying is that we are being cautious and that's understandable. Even last spring when he was out there, we didn't have him in pass protection, situations where you'd stick your face in there. But he's doing it all now. He's ready.”
Juan Day, who has suffered two torn ACLs, is not part of the 105-man roster welcomed into camp. He'll join the practices when school begins in two weeks when the roster goes to 120. Bielema said it's just a case of the running back “not being up to speed. He might be 105A. We are only bringing in seven running backs, five tailbacks and two fullbacks. It's just a matter of how many can get work and where the numbers fall.”
There were plenty of questions about the offensive line, although that's not area that seems to “concern” Bielema because of his experience in rebuilding that area of a team when heavy losses hit. He reminded that one of his Wisconsin teams lost three O-line starters to the draft and rushed for 3,200 yards in the next season.
“I don't get too worried,” he said. “I love the attitude of our offensive line. (Assistant coach) Kurt Anderson was a perfect fit. He comes at a time when we are bringing in new blood.”
Bielema indicated that Texas transfer Jake Raulerson would open camp behind Frank Ragnow as the second-team center.
The goal is to find the top seven offensive linemen over the first week of camp so that chemistry and bonding can take place up front over the last two scrimmages. Those are set for the second and third Saturdays of August.
Without pads the first two days, Bielema will take extra time to polish the throwing game, slating an extra period for skeleton drills. I love that. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos has proven he'll use the time wisely.
“You really can't find out about (offensive linemen) until you put on the pads,” he said. “That's what we've found out. So the first two days we have added an extra (pass skeleton) period. We did extra throwing last year and that really helped us in critical situations.”
Bielema continued to praise starting quarterback Austin Allen. The fourth-year junior replaces older brother Brandon. Austin Allen is going to have a big year, in my opinion.
“Without a doubt, Austin is our best quarterback,” Bielema said. “When people hear that, they say, 'Wow! How can you say that?' Well, first all of the other quarterbacks here know it.
“Austin has done a really good job this summer of leading us. I was in the weight room at 6:30 yesterday (morning) and there were about 12 in there. One of them was Brooks Ellis. I asked him how it's going. He talked about Austin. He said, 'Coach, he worked out three times yesterday in throwing drills because not all of the wide receivers could be there at the same time.' That's a good sign.”
There is one blip on the radar. Returning starter Tevin Beanum won't be part of the 105 invited to campus because of a “slight setback” two weeks ago. Bielema said it's likely Beanum would join the team two weeks before the first game when the roster is expanded to 120 at the start of school.
“Because he's played, that won't hurt him much,” he said. “But it does change the depth chart for now.”
Strong linebacker Randy Ramsey (6-4, 228) would work some at rush end with Beanum out. Ramsey joins Karl Roesler, McTelvin “Sosa” Agim and others on the side opposite Deatrich Wise. I like the idea of turning Ramsey loose on the edge and getting Agim in as many matchup nightmares as possible. Speed on the edge is going to be the best weapon against spread teams.
“We can move Deatrich there, too, and move Agim inside, or move Jeremiah Ledbetter out there,” Bielema said, noting the depth in the defensive line is a strength.
Practices on Thursday and Friday are set for around 6:30 p.m. As some players finish up summer school classes. Bielema said the cumulative GPA for the first summer school session was 3.1.