Hogs’ future isn’t bright with Bielema, Long
Pride. Passion, Perseverance. Predominance and psyche … there is a sequence to success in college athletics. Jeff Long doesn’t know that; there is no Arkansas connection for either Long or Coach Bielema. Long’s commitment of a gigantic buyout for Bielema’s contract is just more proof that Long is focused on money. No matter what the diminishing scale, it’s still a lot of money. I feel sorry for the chancellor and board members who gave in to Long’s extended-term agreement for Bielema. In any event, building a high-cost stadium [addition] with box seats that exclude most of the Razorback faithful is only a way to count dollars. Since Long personally negotiated the buyout windfall for Bielema, maybe they can share in the benefits. In my opinion, suffering that contract dollar loss is better than the cost of moderately effective teams. Case in point: All Arkansas opponents have to do is execute four to five sacks and they win the game. There is no pass protection, thanks to the tackle-to-tackle, run-structured, Big 10 heavyweight line. Austin Allen has paid the price. All of our current players are talented, if used properly with effective play selection. Maybe Long and Bielema are a fit for Division I college football, but it isn’t at Arkansas. Perhaps Long can use his ill-advised Razorback Foundation as the source for their buyout. Maybe they should consult the environment in the 1974 USC game in War Memorial Stadium. USC came in ranked No. 2 in the nation. They left with a 22-7 loss. USC’s quarterback, Pat Hayden, didn’t complete a pass until the end of the third quarter. He said the fans were in on every play from beginning to end. He said you don’t find that kind of environment on the west coast. “On your toes, Razorbacks, to the finish, carry on with all your might! For it’s A-A-A-R-K-A-N-S-A-S for Arkansas. Fight! Fight! Fight!”
TOM GOLDSBOROUGH Bella Vista