LITTLE ROCK — Admittedly, an explanation was offered before the University of Arkansas athletic department released its spring practice policy for media and fans.
That was appreciated, and much was understood.
Yet, with all the fanfare and Bret Bielema fever - T-shirts that state “I’m a Bielemer” are selling very well - it was hoped the iron curtain of Bobby Petrino might fall completely.
Make no mistake, there is a different environment surrounding the Razorbacks football program now. It is much more like that of Mike Anderson and the basketball program - open and as obliging as possible.
The reign of terror has ended in football, and it is much more about the current players and the future of the program than it has been in several years.
Still, there will be less news initially from the Razorbacks’ spring practices by the statewide newspaper, television stations, radio shows and social media.
A lot of the limited access to college athletes and coaches has to do with social media, which does not usually include trained journalists who know and respect the phrases like “off the record”and “don’t quote me.”
Programs across the country were established because people take an interest in the student-athletes and want to know everything about them. They practically adopt the kids.
Eddie Sutton, Nolan Richardson and Ken Hatfield wanted their players in the spotlight.
A few years ago, I was at Joe Kleine’s house for a cookout and we were in his trophy room. He didn’t know where his Olympic gold medal was exactly, but he could put his hand immediately on the scrapbooks some ladies made for him when he was a Razorbacks basketball player.
That said, it is understood that Bielema and his staff need time to evaluate the talent they have before commenting on it.
A guy could have a great first day and then not another one, and if you bragged on him that first day, well, it might not sit well with the fans.
Because of Bielema’s personality, drive, desire and work ethic, he has already come a very long way in a short time. Many fans have gone from saying “Who?” the day he was hired to calling him the best hire since Frank Broyles.
His outgoing personality and enthusiasm have cut a huge path for him with the fan base, and that will pay dividends for him in the future.
It has been mentioned here before, and probably will be again, that Bielema was not afraid of the challenge that is Arkansas football, and it is a challenge right now.
Next season, the Razorbacks play five opponents who won at least 10 games last season - Texas A&M, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama (the national champion) and LSU - plus they travel to Rutgers (9-4), get Mississippi State (8-5) at home and travel to Ole Miss (7-6).
If that’s not the toughest schedule in all of college football, then you better be called the Crimson Tide if you expect to win many games.
Plus, the Hogs lost their quarterback, top receiver and top two running backs.
Maybe it is good news 10 starters are back on defense, but maybe not when you consider the Razorbacks lost eight games and the total points given up in those losses was 312.
It is difficult to win any game when you give up 39 points, which is what that averages.
Bielema knew every bit of that when he shook Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long’s hand and said he wanted to be the head Hog.
In a few short months he has gone from “Who?” to a valued commodity in the Razorbacks Nation.
Hopefully, once he is settled in and more comfortable, all practices will be open to the news media and the fans, who don’t get to see anything but the spring game.
Sports, Pages 19 on 03/08/2013