The Curse of the Razorback Rookies

by John Expat on Dec 9, 2008 10:38 AM CST in Darren McFadden

The Hogs' all-universe backfield of 2007 hit the NFL this year, and we were sure that Darren McFadden's talent would shine through no matter how crappy his team was, Felix Jones had landed in the perfect situation in Dallas, and even 7th round pick Peyton Hillis would thrive in Denver's rushing attack.

However, things haven't quite worked out as planned, and we're not shy about calling it some sort of curse...surely that's the only explanation. Our staff of unpaid interns is working feverishly to figure out what exactly is causing this curse (let The Denver Post/Andy Cross us know if you have any ideas...the interns haven't slept in days), but here's a quick look at the havoc it's wreaked:

* McFadden: D-Mac has been slowed by lingering painful injuries and a historically incompetent coaching staff/front office organization. His stats for the season equal a typical two game total from last year, so it turns out that he's mortal after all.

* Jones: Felix blew up the NFL from the get-go, scoring about 200 touchdowns in his first few games. Unfortunately then his hamstring and toe ligaments also blew up and his last game for the year was a loss to Arizona on October 12.

* Hillis: Seemed like he was destined to be the feel-good story of this bunch, when he went from a 7th round rookie fullback to the starting running back on a legit NFL team. He was in the process of making the most of the opportunity with a couple of great games when he also went down with a season-ending hamstring injury.

Well, there's always next year. In the meantime, the mysterious curse lives on...if you have any ideas on what's causing it or how to solve it, let us know.

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The explanation for this curse is simple. Two words.

Don Decker

by Brad on Dec 9, 2008 10:51 AM CST reply actions

Cure for the Razorback Rookie Curse (and anything else that might be ailin’ us at any given time ;^): Blow up the statue of the Bear down in Alabama (and the one they’re gettin’ ready to erect in Sat..err..Saban’s honor as well).

by Hawgfan100 on Dec 9, 2008 11:32 AM CST reply actions

Simple Karma.

This is the calm before the Storm. By next year each of these will be probowlers, Mitch and Damian will be stars at USC, while Arkansas will win the west in football and basketball. Within just a few years Arkansas will become America’s Team.

by BlindHog on Dec 9, 2008 12:37 PM CST reply actions

You know what though, I bet if it was all up to Peyton, he’d still be playing or be close to playing soon. Remember that pretty much he kept hurting himself every year he was here. If anything the Broncos should be happy he got hurt. If the past is any indication, remember that he broke several vertebrae his freshman year only to miss a couple games or so, and then look at what happened after he came back. First year injuries for Peyton are just a right of passage.

And of course we know that DMac and Jones will come back strong next season. You can’t keep talent like down bogged down even with massive injuries.

by CLO on Dec 9, 2008 2:07 PM CST reply actions

The Mayans! haha. I don’t watch pro football as much as college football, and now I feel like I have less incentive to tune into Dallas and Denver games. I will keep an eye on the Raiders if I should get one of their games. Would be nice to see the old D-Mac magic in action again. Too bad he can’t click his heels and vanish out of Oakland to a better team.

by KevinHog on Dec 9, 2008 2:27 PM CST reply actions

This year’s Razorback rookie class is not entirely jinxed. Marcus Harrison, a second round pick, is having a first-round-draft-pick season with the Bears, who still have an outside shot of making the playoffs.

by Whit E. Knight on Dec 9, 2008 4:22 PM CST reply actions