Jimmy Chitwood
Hall of Famer
Mitchell Bailey started at tailback for the "white" team in Arkansas' Red-White spring game. the White team was made up of expected back-ups and other players expected to be on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th team depth chart.
Bailey carried the ball 11 times, and he was hit behind the line-of-scrimmage on 9 of those carries. he also had 1 reception, and he was hit behind the line-of-scrimmage on it, as well. still, despite getting hit behind the line on 10-of-12 touches, he only lost yardage on 2 carries (for minus 6 yards), andhe picked up a net of 27 yards rushing, and managed to get back to the line-of-scrimmage on the reception.
that right there shows you how hard the kid runs.
also, he was the ONLY running back in the game who didn't have at least one fumble.
if the Arkansas coaching staff truly wants to put the best players on the field, he deserves a LONG look behind an o-line that can open up some holes. he didn't get an opportunity to succeed on Saturday, but he still stood out as a good looking back.
meanwhile, the black backs for the Red team looked terrible, aside from expected #2 tailback D. Curtis, and even he didn't exactly shine. Curtis and fellow overrated running back D. Johnson each fumbled twice and dropped multiple passes. Curtis did run well when he didn't drop the ball, though. all-hype team member Broderick Green (a transfer from USC who has been drooled over for several months by the in-state media) looked even slower than his listed time of 4.7, andhe showed neitherquick feet nor the ability to change direction. how in the hell this guy is considered a legitimate tailback is beyond me!
he's big, but he's slower than evolution, and if he had paler skin no one would even know his name.
from the way the running backs were used, i'm afraid Mitchell Bailey will only get a chance to carry the ball in the regular season if the Hog running backs get injured like last year's Denver Broncos.
Bailey carried the ball 11 times, and he was hit behind the line-of-scrimmage on 9 of those carries. he also had 1 reception, and he was hit behind the line-of-scrimmage on it, as well. still, despite getting hit behind the line on 10-of-12 touches, he only lost yardage on 2 carries (for minus 6 yards), andhe picked up a net of 27 yards rushing, and managed to get back to the line-of-scrimmage on the reception.
that right there shows you how hard the kid runs.
if the Arkansas coaching staff truly wants to put the best players on the field, he deserves a LONG look behind an o-line that can open up some holes. he didn't get an opportunity to succeed on Saturday, but he still stood out as a good looking back.
meanwhile, the black backs for the Red team looked terrible, aside from expected #2 tailback D. Curtis, and even he didn't exactly shine. Curtis and fellow overrated running back D. Johnson each fumbled twice and dropped multiple passes. Curtis did run well when he didn't drop the ball, though. all-hype team member Broderick Green (a transfer from USC who has been drooled over for several months by the in-state media) looked even slower than his listed time of 4.7, andhe showed neitherquick feet nor the ability to change direction. how in the hell this guy is considered a legitimate tailback is beyond me!
from the way the running backs were used, i'm afraid Mitchell Bailey will only get a chance to carry the ball in the regular season if the Hog running backs get injured like last year's Denver Broncos.
