[AKSportsFan]

Boom.

[Dr Z]

Zipsathletics is making me watch ads now.

[AKSportsFan]

From Gozips.com:

Zips Notebook: Including walk ons and mid-year transfers, the program enters spring camp with 106 players listed on its roster ... the roster features seven quarterbacks, including Stephen F. Austin transfer Dalton Williams ... rising sophomore Nick Rossi was seen working with the linebackers today after serving as a fullback as a true freshman in 2011 ... after competing as a safety last fall, sophomore-to-be L.T. Smith worked out with the receivers today ... redshirt freshman Cody Grice, listed as a fullback on the official roster, took reps on the defensive line. He is a product of nearby Firestone HS.

Sounds good to me.

[Keener'92]

Hey JZ'84! What you think about dem apples?

[johnnyzip84]

Hey JZ'84! What you think about dem apples?

Borrowing a quote from drealscout,

[GP1]

Zipsathletics is making me watch ads now.

You can fast forward the video.

How are they going to pay for the "building process" if they don't sell ads?

[johnnyzip84]

GT's 1st day wrap-up in the Beacon

IMHO, this quote from Cody Grice says a LOT:

“It’s more intense. It’s more relaxed, too. It’s not so much that if you make a mistake they’re going to [yell] at you. They’re going to coach you through it and talk to you.”

[AKSportsFan]

Pleasantly surprised at all the positive energy and that we now have a writer that is feeding it all to us. GT is makin' it happen.

...I love every second of watching the video and it leaves me begging for more. If I'm having this much fun as a fan I hope all of this is gonna turn from talk into results.

Go ZIPS!!!

[GP1]

@jz84...Great quote and thanks for posting. It goes to show that TB knows how to communicate with college athletes that gets the best out of them. "Coach" is another name for a teacher. When a coach yells constantly (The previous guy was a Charlie Weis follower...do the math), it is a sign the guy really isn't a very good instructor of young men. It's no longer the 1950s. When I hear that things are more intense and relaxed as well, I hear..."We are playing the game we love to play at a higher level and having fun doing it." Very positive sign for the program. One might even say that by the end of spring practice, many of these players will have gone through a revelation of some sorts as it involves football.

[Dr Z]

GT's 1st day wrap-up in the Beacon

Nice.

Photos by Phil Masturzo of the ABJ:



Coach Bowden (center) keeps an eye on quarterbacks Dalton
Williams (left) & Zach D'Orazio during their 1st practice Tuesday





Cornerback Malachi Freeman (48) breaks up a pass intended for Keith Sconiers





Offensive line coach Alan Arrington barks at players during 2-minute drills

[Keener'92]

Kudos to GT for a great little piece. I am so excited about what's going on and I want to know more! I especially enjoyed the quote by Grice about loving the coaches.

[johnnyzip84]

I noticed that GoZips updated the spring 2012 roster recently. There's nothing earth-shattering here, but it's great to see Bre' Ford still on the team. I was concerned toward the end of 2011 that he might not be back.

Off the top of my head, about the only guy I don't see is the TE from Dayton who originally signed with Colorado (Farmer or something like that?). He didn't play anyway. I'm probably missing someone, but there certainly has been no mass exodus.

Also, I noticed another kicker (from Indianapolis) was added to the roster. Maybe he'll have a big leg for kickoffs? AJ Fox was fine for FGs and extra points, but the short kickoffs were maddening.

And the track star Phil Ferguson (not the long-time Akron area bowler/radio broadcaster) from Copley is going out for wide receiver.

We also added Zach Tenuta, a TE formerly from Marshall. There are a few other transfers from other colleges.

[Keener'92]

Numbers look better, but 6 tight ends might be a little overkill for a spread offense.

Wouldn't it be awesome if Phil Ferguson turned out to be a pleasant surprise at WR? I would be interested to know how that came about...was he "recruited" by the staff or did he decide to walk-on of his own accord?

[johnnyzip84]

Numbers look better, but 6 tight ends might be a little overkill for a spread offense.

Wouldn't it be awesome if Phil Ferguson turned out to be a pleasant surprise at WR? I would be interested to know how that came about...was he "recruited" by the staff or did he decide to walk-on of his own accord?

True, but that's down from 10 or 11 last spring

I was wondering the same thing about Ferguson. I'm betting Coach Bowden and staff gave the successful track team a once over

[Roo2]

I noticed that GoZips updated the spring 2012 roster recently. There's nothing earth-shattering here, but it's great to see Bre' Ford still on the team. I was concerned toward the end of 2011 that he might not be back.

Off the top of my head, about the only guy I don't see is the TE from Dayton who originally signed with Colorado (Farmer or something like that?). He didn't play anyway. I'm probably missing someone, but there certainly has been no mass exodus.

Also, I noticed another kicker (from Indianapolis) was added to the roster. Maybe he'll have a big leg for kickoffs? AJ Fox was fine for FGs and extra points, but the short kickoffs were maddening.

And the track star Phil Ferguson (not the long-time Akron area bowler/radio broadcaster) from Copley is going out for wide receiver.

We also added Zach Tenuta, a TE formerly from Marshall. There are a few other transfers from other colleges.

I think the TE you're talking about is Justin Favors. Also, I noticed A.Russell isn't on the roster. That seems like the only major subtraction. I actually expected more turnover, but maybe there will be some after spring practice.