I'm an unfeeling cur

I'm going to sound like a uncaring cur but, I am what I am. I'm sick of seeing retired football players on television talking about their health issues. Bret Favre is on some show today talking about his memory loss. Tony Dorsett was on last week, weeping as he revealed the serious after effects of his career. They even played sad music during the Dorsett interview. I'm not saying the stories of retired NFL players aren't sad. But guess what, welcome to the real world. Most people in their fifties are having health issues. And guess what again, most people in their fifties with those health issues didn't make enough money in their twenties and thirties to live on for the rest of their lives. My father died because his lungs were eaten up by asbestos that he worked in for thirty years. Where was his pity party? You expect me to feel sorry for athletes who earned millions of dollars playing a game they loved? Professional athletes were blessed with physical gifts that allowed them to make more money in a year than normal folks earn in a lifetime. Trust me, if I could've run a 4.2, I would've been in the NFL and I would gladly live with the consequences. Or, died with them. Nothing is for free. Everything has a price. Millionaire athletes live lives others fantasize about. But, at the end of the day, we all have a price to pay. Their bill doesn't come until they're in their fifties. Some of us pay on a daily basis. Junior Seau committed suicide after his career ended. I know three friends who committed suicide and they never played a down in the NFL. Why should I feel sad for Seau? You want to tug at my heart strings? Give me stories about the 19- and 20-year-old soldiers who died in combat. Tell me about the young fireman who died saving a life. Do a documentary about the young women battling cancer. But, please spare me the sob stories of millionaire athletes who suddenly realize, they're mortal, just like everybody else.

I back Bret ... but ...

Let me preface this blog by saying, "I back Bret." I think Bielema was a great hire as football coach at the University of Arkansas. Despite the Hogs' woeful season thus far, I think he's going to get it turned around. I believe the Razorbacks, under Bielema, will contend for the SEC title one day. The Hogs don't have the talent, especially defensively, to beat the heavyweights of the SEC. Most of that blame can be laid on Bobby Petrino's doorstep. Fact is, it was obvious Arkansas had nothing on defense a year ago when they were ready to use fullback Kiero Smalls at linebacker. This ain't Sparkman. Guys don't go both ways at the SEC level. It will take Bielema some time to recruit the kind of talent he needs to compete in the premier league in the country. But, the Razorbacks could compete better, right now, if the quarterback situation wasn't so bleak. I think Bielema made a mistake when he named Brandon Allen the starting quarterback way back in the spring and pretty much eliminated any sort of competition for the position. When he did that, both Brandon Mitchell and Taylor Reed took the hint that they weren't going to even get an opportunity to compete for the job and did what any competitive person would. They looked for a place that would allow them to compete for the job. Mitchell went to North Carolina State and Reed is at UCA. Now, I'm not saying either of them would've beaten out Allen, although I think both are just as good. But, one thing I do know, both of them are miles better than current Arkansas backup A.J. Derby. Allen is a mediocre, at best, SEC quarterback. Derby is a mediocre, at best, Sun Belt quarterback. I don't remember a time when the Razorbacks were so weak at the position. It's too bad, too, because Arkansas has good backs and a young but talented offensive line. But, it doesn't matter because the Razorbacks have no passing game. When Derby entered Saturday's game, I could practically hear Auburn's linebackers laughing on a play-action pass. In their defense, Arkansas' receivers suck. I can't blame Bielema for that. Can't even blame Petrino. Fact is, the Razorbacks' style of offense is not going to attract big-time receivers. I'm hoping the tight end will become a bigger part of the passing game. But, until Arkansas gets a quarterback, it doesn't matter. I've seen Mitchell play this season and I watched Reed play at Memphis. You will have a hard time convincing me they aren't just as good as Allen. I will never believe they can't compete with him. If they had been given that opportunity, even if they weren't starters, they'd be very good backups. I back Bret. Most of the issues on the hill were there when he arrived. But, the quarterback position shouldn't be as bad as it is. For that, the new coach has to take responsibility.