FAYETTEVILLE — There was some discussion during Bret Bielema's radio show Thursday night that both safety Santos Ramirez and offensive guard Hjalte Froholdt have a chip on their shoulders.
Both started for the first time last season. They thought they underperformed in a 7-6 season that included busts on assignments.
That prompted the question Friday to Bielema, the fifth-year Arkansas football coach: Is the “chip” carried by others?
“We all do,” Bielema said. “If you own it, you breathe it and live it.”
Bielema said the failures in the last two games helped the focus and intensity in preparation for this season, perhaps beyond where it would be if the Razorbacks had held on to beat Missouri and Virginia Tech.
“If we had won nine, people would be talking different,” he said. “They would be saying, 'They are making a push.' It's so different of an outlook. Since we didn't capitalize on it, it's different now.”
Yes, there's that chip on the shoulder.
Froholdt said his group, the offensive line, doesn't want to be considered the weak link, as many thought last year. Ramirez wants the defense to display passion that perhaps was missing last season.
The squad seems healthy with the first game six days away. Key players Jared Cornelius and T.J. Hammonds are both practicing again and in the game plan. Cornelius, a senior wideout, has been out with a sore back all of fall camp. Hammonds sustained a knee sprain early in camp, but has practiced at both wideout and tailback this week.
Bielema said a final decision on their availability for Florida A&M would be made on Tuesday. Offensive coordinator Dan Enos seemed confident both will play.
“I have trust and confidence in Jared,” Enos said. “He's so smart.
“Hammonds looked really good this week. The last practice we had he worked at both running back and wide receiver. Every day he gets a little more confidence (in the knee) and is getting more strength back. He's really engaged. Last year, he was just immature and that kept his playing time down. We've seen his growth.”
Both Bielema and Enos were asked if the running game is clicking. It wasn't early in camp. Offensive tackle Brian Wallace was called out by line coach Kurt Anderson in early August for inconsistent play. That has improved.
“(The run game) has been good,” Enos said. “Once we got into the structure of the Florida A&M scheme, our blocking improved. The backs have run much better, especially the three new backs. They understand the tempo, the land marks and the reads. We understand their strengths better.”
Bielema said the O-line has “made nice strides” in the run blocking. He also noted that Johnny Gibson, the starting right guard, has taken some snaps at right tackle, perhaps lighting a fire under Wallace. That move became available with the burst from true freshman Ty Clary at right guard, someone Froholdt said “has been knocking some heads off” in practice.
“Ty might get an opportunity at guard,” Bielema said. “That gives us a chance to have Johnny and Brian work together at (right) tackle.”
Defensively, there has been improvement on the edge both at outside linebacker and cornerback.
Dwayne Eugene and Randy Ramsey are the starters at outside linebacker. Bielema said both were inconsistent last year but that new assistant coach Chad Walker has erased those issues.
“Chad has taken those two guys and made them consistent,” Bielema said. “Eugene has had a really good camp. He and Randy have been good.”
Eugene may have struggled because of his perceived versatility. He worked at several spots last year, moving from inside to outside sometimes playing three different spots last year.
“You cloud him playing all three,” Bielema said. “You didn't get as much from him.”
Defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads agreed.
“That's accurate,” he said. “I think it's exciting what he's doing at outside linebacker. He's more natural outside than inside. We saw he does a nice job on the tight end and Randy is better in the open field.
“We have seen with Dwayne how good he can be just playing one position. We've seen a tenacity at that spot when he lines up on a tight end.”
As far as cornerbacks, Ryan Pulley and Henre' Toliver have been solid, but there is depth with Britto Tutt and true freshmen Kamren Curl and Chevin Calloway.
“I've always said if you have one corner, you have none,” Bielema said. “If there are two, then you have something. We have challenged Ryan and Henre' to go to another level.”
Rhoads said there is a chance that the Hogs could play more base because of the versatility of the 3-4 and less nickel packages.
“I think we could play more base than last year,” he said. “I think that will be true against one back or against two tight ends. If we see four wideouts, then you have to match personnel and go nickel. I just think the versatility of Randy and Dwayne will allow more base than last year.”