Calling all Hogs fans

I try to stay on topic in my blogging, but every once in awhile something random pops up that's too good not to post.

As those of you who know me personally can attest, I am a die-hard Arkansas Razorbacks fan. I let that show through here and there - like when I couldn't contain my excitement at the beginning of the 2009 season and when I highlighted Tight End D.J. Williams' stellar character.

And truth be told, living away from the great state of Arkansas for the past four years has only made me pine away for my homeland even more.

(I mean, did you know we are the only state in the union with an active diamond mine? And that Arkansas produces more rice than any other state, accounting for well over 40% of all rice production in the U.S.?? And that we've got the Hogs besides all that??? It's a great place to live.)

Anyway, Razorback fans everywhere breathed a collective sigh of relief a few days ago when our highly talented QB, Ryan Mallett, decided to forgo the NFL draft and return to the U of A for another year. The Hogs would have had a good time lined up for next fall in any event, but the prospect of having Mallett around means a good season could potentially be a great one.

When I saw Mallett's decision announced on a blog co-owned by my childhood friend Adam Butler, I left a comment suggesting he should write a commentary on the Hogs' prospects for next season. He did, and the commentary is fantastic.

But wait ... let me give you a little background. At present, Adam is an upstanding attorney in the law firm of Butler & Green, P.A., in North Little Rock. But when we were raising Cain back in high school in our hometown of Paragould, Adam somehow found time to be a sports writer for a local newspaper called the Northeast Arkansas Tribune. (Did you know it's the only town named Paragould in the whole world?? Talk about awesome.) He was darn good at it, too. Adam went on to work for the sports information department at the University of Arkansas for several years while he was a student there, which only sharpened his insight into the world of sports.

So now go check out his commentary on Ryan Mallett and the Arkansas Razorbacks. It's funny and insightful, as well as even-handed. You won't find any better. If Adam ever gets tired of practicing law, maybe he can angle for Chris Low's job.

And Adam - thanks for taking up the challenge!