Though 2007 is not

yet six weeks old,

a theme of sorts has already developed for the Arkansas Razorbacks’ football team, and it seems to be “ Here and Now. ” Don’t expect it to be officially adopted by the UA’s marketing department and plastered across promotional posters, but in both of Houston Nutt’s media appearances over the last month the “ Here and Now ” has been his focus.

At his news conference Wednesday announcing the Razorbacks’ 2007 signing class, Nutt stressed how the 27 signees wanted to be Razorbacks. Similarly, in a Jan. 16 news conference when he confirmed that Mitch Mustain had asked for a scholarship release, Nutt said “ we only want the players who want to be Razorbacks. ”

However, many Arkansas football fans are not ready to turn the page concerning the tumultuous aspects of the 2006 football season.

Some can’t or won’t see the promise the 2007 offers. They had rather wallow in what was lost — and yes the departure of Mustain and Gus Malzahn was a loss — but it was far from a defining moment for Razorback football or even the 2006-07 season.

If you are looking for that, consider ESPN Gameday’s trip to Fayetteville for a grand thumping of the Tennessee Vols or perhaps Darren McFadden’s runner-up status in the Heisman voting.

When the dust settles and it eventually will, Mustain and Malzahn will only be a footnote in the program’s history, a brief experiment that was undone for a variety of reasons and perhaps one that never should have been tried, despite the good intentions of all involved.

Either way, it is over and done. Those who continue to fret over the situation are only wasting their energy. One doubts Malzahn and Mustain are too worried about the Razorbacks at this point. They are concerned with the “ Here and Now, ” too.

As for Nutt and his staff, they are proud of the recruiting class they put together. It will not be ranked among the nation’s best or even among the best in the SEC.

But the coaches will tell you they signed a promising crop of offensive and defensive linemen for the future and that they addressed some — not all — of their needs.

Two signees that are virtually assured of seeing playing time this fall are Springdale kicker Alex Tejada and Rockwall, Texas, deep snapper Rhett Richardson. Razorback coaches hope the two will form a dynamic duo that will provide pressurerelieving points any time the Hogs reach the opponent 30-yard line.

Quarterbacks Nathan Dick (6-4, 210 ) and Joe Chaisson (6-3, 185 ) will have the opportunity to compete for a spot on the travel squad and possibly rise to the back-up role.

The Razorbacks need instant help in the secondary at cornerback and unfortunately that is the area where the Hogs’ came up short in their recruiting.

Isaac Madison (6-0, 180 ) is a tall corner out of Dallas who will have every opportunity to step in this season, and defensive back Greg Gatson (5-10, 170 ), safety Bret Harris (6-0, 205 ) and safety Walner Leandre (6-2, 215 ) will also get extended early looks as will several of the more mature defensive linemen and linebackers. Could Arkansas’ recruiting class have been better ? Sure, Nutt and his staff would have loved to have signed Lee Ziemba, Kodi Burns and another topflight cornerback. Would a little more harmony on the Hill have helped ? No doubt. “ Damage control” is not a term any coach likes to hear during the final weeks of recruiting. But, Nutt and his staff have to deal in the “ Here and Now, ” and that means taking the young men who want to be Razorbacks and working them into the best team they can.

• • •

While the news conference was only open to staff, a few close friends of the program and the media, one special guest on hand was Shawn Andrews.

The former Razorback All-American offensive tackle, who is now an All-Pro guard for the Philadelphia Eagles just three years into his pro career, looked quite svelte, though he is still a mountain of a man.

Nutt was thrilled to have his former pupil back in town.

“ Here is a man who could go anywhere in the world, ” Nutt said. “ But he came back here to our campus, our facilities. We love having him back and the type of influence he can have on our guys in the weight room. ”

Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.