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SEC Coaches Aren't High On Hogs

Last updated Monday, July 21, 2008 7:09 PM CDT
in Razorback Central

By Alex Abrams
THE MORNING NEWS

FAYETTEVILLE -- The football coaches in the Southeastern Conference have spoken, and apparently they're not too high on the Hogs, or at least the talent returning to Arkansas for the upcoming season.

Only three Razorbacks were named Monday to the 2008 SEC Coaches Preseason All-SEC Team, one more than Vanderbilt, which finished last in the league with just two of the top 81 players chosen.

The coaches voted unanimously that Arkansas senior Jonathan Luigs, who won the Rimington Award as the nation's top center last season, belonged on the All-SEC first-team offense. But the Razorbacks weren't represented much after that.

Offensive guard Mitch Petrus made the All-SEC second-team offense, and defensive end Antwain Robinson earned a spot on the third-team defense despite being listed as a backup on Arkansas' post-spring depth chart.

"You really get up here and it kind of opens your eyes. You're not the biggest fish in the pond anymore," Luigs said following an offseason workout late last month. "Everybody is pretty similar."

The SEC's coaches had a much different opinion of the Razorbacks a year ago. Arkansas tied with LSU for the most players on the coaches' 2007 All-SEC preseason team with 12, including Luigs, Robinson and star running back Darren McFadden.

Not surprisingly, Luigs was picked as one of the two Arkansas players who will accompany first-year coach Bobby Petrino to the SEC Media Days, which begin Wednesday in Hoover, Ala. Linebacker Elston Forte will also be there.

LSU again led the SEC with 14 players named to this year's All-SEC team, followed by Florida with 10. Quarterback Tim Tebow, who beat out McFadden to win last year's Heisman Trophy, highlights the group for the Gators.

While the Razorbacks weren't represented much on the All-SEC team, a pair of Arkansas natives playing for other schools earned a spot on the list. Auburn offensive tackle Lee Ziemba, a Rogers High graduate, was named to the All-SEC's second-team offense, along with LSU center Brett Helms of Stuttgart.




Reader Comments (2 comment(s))


The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsibility of their authors. The Morning News does not review comments before their publication, nor do we guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy. If you see a comment that violates our policy, please notify the web editor.

LRHog wrote on Jul 22, 2008 5:58 PM:

" In another NWA newspaper story you can call a very nice young man a "bus driver"? in print? Maybe you should email it to him as well. That is wrong matter who is doing it. The context in which it was published was a mask for calling a UA player a bus driver, why not garbage man or janitor? all terms that are not unlike intercep... oh wait cant say that or you will get your post taken off here and some reporter will cry over the breakup or hurt feelings to get readers. Oh the upcoming season is going to be rich! The new coach according to everything we read in these newspapers sounds like the elite of play callers, recruiter.. the whole pie, why does he stumble out of the gate? -insert red white bore..Shouldnt even need any help. Ever hear of Steve S at USC he will eat your lunch calling plays. Will they beat TU? what a joke to even ponder at least in the Big 12 it is, or the West, oh wait maybe every division. Last year we beat the mighty LSU, this year we might have a slight chance to win three. Going to be a big fat I told you so when he falls into the ranks of those before Nutt built the house. As Reggie put it something like you tore apart what we were building at UA. Try matching the stats. Awards, recruits, NFL, SEC stats, game day money. "

CO-Hog wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:39 PM:

" Okay, okay Teresa we'll see - we'll see. Arkansas will have more than three wins this season, although it is a rebuilding season. One win, for Bobby's inagural season, that will occur is that Arkansas will beat Houston Nutt's Mississippi Rebels. Take that one to the bank. "


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