Hogwired.com: Houston Nutt Press Conference – Mustain to Start Against Utah State
“I just had a visit with Robert Johnson. I want to get this really clear. Robert Johnson has shown so much character and integrity and this is what makes coaching hard. He has done everything we have asked him to do. I think he played well. He did some good things. He had some balls dropped. We had some balls put on the ground that weren’t his fault. We are asking him to go to wide receiver right now. He’s accepted that with class and we are going to go with Mitch (Mustain) right now (at quarterback). We are going to get him ready and Casey (Dick) will be right behind him.”
Also:
- AP: Freshman Mustain to start at QB for Arkansas
- ARSN: ARSN Video Player – Mustain Named Starter
- Alex Abrams: Mustain Era Has Arrived
- Scott Cain: Arkansas makes move to Mustain
- Nate Allen: Mitch is the man
Updated 9/4/06 10:15 a.m.
Right move. I have been critical of a lot of Nutt's decisions so I have to complement him on this one. Not to take anything away from this but it looks like this was the plan all along. That's why we need some new leaders at the top. Looks like the coaches never believed the team could compete with USC. Now let's move on and let Gus call ALL of the plays and personel
boy does this have the makings of something that was pre-planned, don't play him (in meaningful minutes) against SC where he can get used; then have him play against USU and Vandy… something smells fishy here
Something is not right. Either Robert Johnson was benched because of his performance yesterday or this was predetermined. I can't believe it was the former because I honestly didn't think Johnson played horrible. Sure, he made some bad passes, but there were some good throws and decisions in there that he did not make last year… and this is against one of, if not the best, defenses in the nation.
Now, I just watched the ESPN footage for the first time tonight. If Johnson was benched because of his performance I place the blame solely on Felix Jones and Marcus Monk. Those guys blew his shot at success. Felix, obviously with his two fumbles, both on our side of the field and one on the first drive when we have all the momentum and were moving the ball. Monk, because after watching the film, drop two critical passes (two more that weren't on the money but he should've caught) right in his hands. Both would've given us a first down and the second bounced off his chest (how much more on the money does it have to be) and intercepted.
All you need to know about what Johnson can do is the drive right before the half that we scored on. He made some great throws and decisions and led us down the field.
The defense played OK. I still don't see the secondary as a strength as some say (wide open receivers all night) and our D-Line was adequate… better than last year, but nothing to think they're going to dominate a game. LBers left TE's and RB's out of the backfield open all night. People can try to say all they want about how they were tired and that's why we gave up so many points in the second half, but what about that "manhood" they took from us last year… even though the game was lost can we not keep fighting? And what about the drive at the end of the half after we finally scored on what was a GREAT drive… the defense totally allowed the momentum be killed by allowing USC to get a FG.
And to those fans who booed Robert Johnson… listen here you bunch of classless idiots!!! I wish you would sell your tickets for the rest of the year and stay home… and that includes all you fools in section 121 in the SEZ where I sit… yeah you know who you are. Although I doubt you'll read this as you probably don't have enough sense to know what the internet is, much less what a decent QB looks like. And before you make some lame excuse about how you were booing the coaches and not RJ, do you really think there's a difference. Do you think those 200 recruits in the stadium could tell a difference after RJ threw the INT (of which Mustain threw one just as bad… where were the boos after that???)? You people are a joke… flat out joke.
Now, I'm not so naive as to think that Mustain was going to be the backup all year, but starting him right now and moving RJ to WR is a little much if you ask me. But, no one did, so we move on. I hope Mustain doesn't get hurt and I hope Casey Dick will stay. But, my guess is, after this weekend that RJ will stay at WR, Dick will transfer after this year, and Kodi Burns after watching us boo RJ and seeing how it doesn't matter how many mistakes Mustain makes he's still going to be take the place of our former hero MJ as the Great White Hope. So, as long as Mustain doesn't get hurt over the next three years we'll be fine. Way to go fans! You got what you want.
Keep your head up RJ, you don't deserve the negativity that has come your way. I'm glad you stayed a hog and gave it one more shot. I don't know what else to say.
To Kodi Burns, my alma mater's 5 star QB (second in six years), I hope you don't take the actions of the fans this weekend as the norm and what even a fraction of the fan base really thinks. Come on up here. There's plenty of room for you. Mustain is not going to be here forever and God forbid he gets hurt, you would be the man.
Amen 10K! You read my mind! Johnson does not deserve this kind of treatment. And I'm talking about the treatment of those idiot fans (booing) AND the coaches. Johnson's performance does not deserve to be demoted to WR..and I'm sure it's 8th string WR. For the most part, he did a decent job. It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either. How is the guy suppose to get any kind of rhythm and flow for the game when Felix is spiking the ball and the WR's aren't making it any easier for him? What's the harm in letting Johnson start against Utah St? Let him get more game reps against a cupcake.
As for Mustain, I'm as big a fan of him as anybody, but to name him the starter less than 24 hours after the game is a little much. Is there something going on behind the scenes that we aren't seeing? Mustain looked VERY impressive on 'the drive'. But he looked like a true freshman on the very next series.
I just think it's way to quick to pull the plug on Johnson. And I also think there is something going on behind the scenes that the fans don't know about.
My question is … was it the coaches that asked Johnson to go to WR or did Johnson ask to go to WR? I wouldn't doubt it if he asked… I know I wouldn't want to be the Arkansas QB right now if I didn't have Mustain on the back of my shirt. No matter what you do you will not be as good as Mustain. But, that's to be expected… it happens all the time in the business world.
If a company is not seeing results, regardless of what extraneous circumstances outside of the CEO's control are going on, Wall Street and all the shareholders want to see a change. And usually, they want the total opposite of the previous CEO. The new CEO comes in and makes a few moves that even a low man on the totem pole like myself can see and all of a sudden he's the savior. So goes the life of a division I QB….
I also forgot Cedric Washington's pass that was in his chest and Peyton's two passes that he dropped… granted one he probably couldn't catch, but you know what they say "if you can get your hands on the ball you should probably be able to catch it"….
OH! And another thing to Tipster… this whole theory that Johnson throws the ball "too hard" and can't get touch on the ball. Seems I remember another recent QB getting the same rap… And I was one of them saying it. But, when said QB went to a lower division school with lower division WR's they seemed to catch the ball pretty darn good and now said QB is second string for the Minnesota Vikings and said QB will probably start before the season is over since they have a 90 year old QB in Brad Johnson. So, my theory is we just need to get new WR's … of which I think we have. None of the freshman… really just Damien
… dropped the ball.
10KHog…I wish Tarvaris well in Minnesota. He did turn it around after he left here. And you know how those NFL guys love arm strength. (Sometimes I think that's all they care about.) Of course, it didn't exactly look good when they fired the guy who drafted him the next day.
According to today's news reports, it was Nutt who wanted to move RoJo to WR because he (Nutt) had been a backup quarterback in the past and didn't want to "waste" RoJo's skills at third string QB.
I'm okay with that explanation but, as usual, some people are reading that as a demotion. I'm guessing RoJo liked the idea of still being able to contribute even though I'm sure he was disappointed at losing the starting QB postion.
Having said all that…I do think there were some "outside influences" here. I think Nate Allen summed that up best with a great opening line from his story today (linked above):
"When you can't sell victory, you need to sell hope."
If I can see this then surely there is a problem in Hogland. HDN and the boys are seriously putting the screws to RoJo
Since USC tickets became non-existent, a great lot of us anxiously watched this game on ESPN. A bunch of things had to unfold with everything that has happened to the HOG football team in just the last 45 days from big toes to vertebrae to a QB race.
One can’t help but wonder how things would have turned out had Casey (Dick) been able to make the turn and make the USC start. Doubtful that ROJO would be suckin’ wind as a 9th string WR right now. But he’ll take one for the team with class – some consolation huh? He had help getting there during this game didn’t he?
And think about it, while most everyone has been “chompin” for the Mustain ERA – without Casey’s injury, Mitch could STILL be on hold. Mind you that I’m more than just as exited as thousands of other fans to see this kid grow up right in front of our eyes and darn ready for it.
Hopefully HDN (and Gus) will let Mitch throw a morsel or two to ROJO in the Utah State game but ya kinda doubt it don’t ya? But here again that could be Mitch’s decision – IF ROJO gets into the game?
Oh, I was talking about the ESPN telecast – right or wrong, every sideline shot that I can remember of the coaching staff was dominated by the same old HDN hand signals giving the perception that Gus was still playing second fiddle. Who really called this game? The perception is….
Suggestion for the next press conference – you handed over HALF of the REINS to a new quarterback. Now complete the cycle and let your new offensive coordinator have the OTHER HALF…
10K, I can normally see where you are coming from, but on this one, you have lost your mind.
Forget about what MM brings to the table, and he is the future of the program. Let's just break it down here…Robert Johnson has proven to be a very good practice player over the course of the last two seasons. When you turn the lights on though, you get what you saw Saturday night. Saturday night was one of the best games I have ever seen him play…12-25, 110 yds, 2 ints. He is one of the best dump-off passers this school has ever had. He is a master at hitting the WR designated as the "first read". Forget about throwing to those guys that are streaking 15-25 yards down the field, some wide open. Throw it to that first guy, so he can get that ball out of his hands.
10K, if you really care about the well-being of this kid, you should be thankful for, and welcome this move to WR. He cannot perform at a high enough level to play QB in the SEC. Life is not fair. His feelings may be hurt. I feel bad for him, but I doubt he or the coaches will be booed when he lines up at WR.
I agree with you 100% Walking on Sunshine
It is a sad day when arkansas fans determine the qb. How can anyone play when they are constantly booed and chants to play the future (Mitch) are heard throughout the crowd. We dont even give rojo a chance. Blame Fragile Felix or Block hands Marcus. Mitch is not ready to play. He watch the receiver he is throwing as soon as he says hut. Terrible. When he throws 3 or 4 picks in the Vandy game you will be wishing for Rojo.
Mitch didn't lose 7 games last year as starting QB, Its time for a change and to be perfectly honest with u If I made the big bucks to call the shots ROJO would have not been my starting QB. I did not think he did a horrible job sat but for some reason our offense doesn't click when he is QB. I hope ROJO makes a good WR.
Ha… click? How do you get an offense to click when one of your star RB is treating the football like a hot potato and your star WR has butter fingers… the one time the WR's did catch the ball consistently and the RB's did hold onto the ball we marched down the field (including 3 passes over 10 yards) 80 yds and score…. I don't buy this "the offense doesn't click" when RJ is in. MM scored against the 2nd and 3rd team defense, including a busted assignment by the safety and then the next series eyes the WR from one hash to the other side of the field and throws it into the WR's hands.
While some people laugh at me and think I'm crazy for defending RJ, I think it is just as laughable to think or expect an 18 year old kid to be the savior of the program… will MM be a good one, I have no doubt. But, to say he's ready right now is a stretch to say the least.
At the same time I think MM will throw for 300 yds this weekend… I also think RJ could throw for 300 yds this weekend.
RJ could throw for 300yds this weekend??
I want what your smokin!!!! There were seven starters in when MM made the TD drive. RJ faced the same D Mitch did the series before the TD.
10K I total understand everything you are saying. I am a die hard Razorback fan but if my son had a chose the Razorbacks would be the last. The coaches right now couldn't coach there way out of a paper bag. I mean at one point we had MJ and TJ one went to the NFL as a QB and it looks like he might be starting by the end of the year and one as a starting receiver now you tell me why we could not have made that work in the scheme of things here. I think if RJ stays he is the fool because it is obvious to me he was set up to fell but if not for some of his teammates would have turned that plot around on them. They go the whole week long praising him and then one poor performance by your team and your a receiver. Not to take anything away from Mitch but your playing against 3rd screen guys, the sec schedule is approaching fast then you will gain more of my respect. And last but not least the defense the db's looked like garbage to me their receivers did what they wanted when they wanted all night. RH has been all over the news when he should have been at practice getting them together because there are no more excuses for him or Nutt.
This was premeditated murder! They set Robert Johnson up for failure. The Trojans defense would have done alot better against Mustain. I think Johnson could have done just as good against Vandy and that community college as Mustain did, or better!!! This reminds me of that movie Remember the titans.