Hogs place chip to side as 2016 arrives

FAYETTEVILLE — Good thing media meetings with the Arkansas Razorbacks and their coaches expired at midweek.

Otherwise, one more “chip on their shoulder” question perhaps could have resulted in a chipped shoulder.

Not literally, of course, but figuratively the chip on Arkansas’ shoulder has done its time. A long, long time for an Arkansas secondary ready to put last year in the rear-view mirror starting with today’s 3 p.m. season opener vs. Louisiana Tech at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

The 2015 Razorbacks ranked dead last in SEC pass defense, which inspired questions since spring about whether the defensive backfield had a chip on its shoulder.

Even when they weren’t asked, the defensive backs were eager to communicate their “chip-on-the-shoulder” zeal for atonement.

It’s a chip Paul Rhoads, Iowa State’s head coach from 2009-2015 who was hired in the winter by Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema as the defensive backs coach, appreciates. Rhoads relished the motivational angle through spring practice, summer-conditioning workouts and into the August preseason.

“I thought it was a group that was very eager to be coached when I arrived and upgrade what’s been thought of their play here recently,” Rhoads said. “I think that would be the case in my early time here.”

As the games begin, Rhoads said let the chips fall where they may. Ruminating over now-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in November passing for 508 yards in a 51-50 Mississippi State victory in Fayetteville isn’t going to help the Hogs today against superb Louisiana Tech receivers Trent Taylor and Carlos Henderson.

The atonement chip is off the table.

“I think as we’ve built culture in the room and become more confident in what our abilities are and what the defense is capable of, I don’t know if that’s in our vision anymore,” Rhoads said. “Quite honestly, I don’t think it should be. I don’t think you play with the clarity that you need to if you’re worried about that. We need to play one play at a time knowing what our alignments are and our assignments are.”

Besides, says third-year Arkansas defensive coordinator Robb Smith, no aspect of defense is played alone.

It wasn’t just Arkansas’ defensive line and linebackers but the secondary, too, playing excellent defense against the run last year. Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry of Alabama and current Heisman hopeful running back Leonard Fournette of LSU both failed to reach 100 rushing yards against the Hogs.

Conversely, Arkansas’ D-line and linebackers played parts in the porous pass defense.

“I think everybody, all parts of our defense, wears a chip on their shoulder,” Smith said. “Things have got to change. We have a standard, an expectation, and we are going to hold ourselves accountable to that. This is our first opportunity to do that this Saturday.”