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FAYETTEVILLE – The statistic was touted and worn as a badge of honor.

Arkansas had the largest offensive line of any Power Five or NFL team over a two-year span under Bret Bielema. The unit averaged 327.6 pounds across the line in 2015, when it was featured on the cover of the Razorbacks’ media guide. During that time, each week's game notes and every broadcast mentioned the statistic.

On-field production was indisputable - Arkansas allowed the fewest sacks in the SEC and the line opened holes for Alex Collins - but it proved to be unsustainable.

Since the departure of offensive line coach Sam Pittman, the Razorbacks have given up the most sacks in the SEC and failed to have a consistent rushing attack.

Head coach Chad Morris, offensive coordinator Joe Craddock and offensive line coach Dustin Fry are tasked with returning the unit to its past success, but they will use a different formula than the previous staff.

“Coach Fry wanted me to say there’s a big misconception out there that you see in movies and stuff and it’s just a big fat guy playing offensive line,” Craddock said. “That’s not what we want.

“We want a guy that, he’s got to be big, but he’s got to be able to move. What we do in the run game, he’s got to be able to move, he’s got to be able to use his hands, he’s got to have some strength, he’s got to have flexibility.”

While Bielema’s staff placed an emphasis on size and strength, it seems like Morris’ staff will look for footwork and agility instead.

As for the offensive linemen already on campus, strength and conditioning coach Trumain Carroll will work with them to lose some weight and become quicker.

“(The previous staff) did a great job of developing strength here, but we have to do a great job of incorporating explosiveness and speed,” Carroll said. “Obviously they’re a good strong group, but we have some mobility issues.”

The Razorbacks will get a taste of this shift in philosophy for the offensive line next week, when they begin Carroll’s six-week offseason program before spring practice.

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