Big Zip

ZFF -- got my tickets in the mail today! Wondering how Chase Blackburn didn't get his mug on a ticket? Then again it was just two years ago we had Greg Williams on tickets and he had quit by then.

Maybe we'll get lucky and Jamie Reader will put in a good word for Akron. Was he a Faust guy or an Owens guy?

I read the article about the first scrimmage on gozips.com and wondered what it says about the Zips. Defense played well in first scrimmage -- is the defense really getting better or has the "veteran" offensive line not gotten any better than they were last year. Has losing all of the skill positions outside of Charlie been too difficult to overcome. Or will we simply be surprised by the defense this year. I'd like to think we'd be surprised by the defense this year, but I'm much more concerened if our offense can't move the ball on our defense. At the bottom of the article it lists Dan Basch as out for 3+ weeks -- that can't help the running game. For Charlie's sake I hope the skill position players are on the fast learning curve -- he deserves an opportunity to excel in his senior year and it's going to take an able running game, strong offensive line and sure handed receivers. 16 Days till kickoff!

Cap'n don't know if you noticed, but I found Charlie Frye's locker pretty interesting. He had a flyer for the 2003 MAC Championship (without Akron of course) posted inside his locker and article by everyone's favorite Ellen Alexander -- Headline of article was Akron's Frye has all the stats except for the one that matters. Thanks Ellen for giving Frye more incentive. I think this may be a first for thanking him. Golf facility was pretty cool too -- sand pit with a green. The green had dark colored pellets you could move around to change the grade of the green. Golf team has their own lockers and work out equipment too. The only thing missing from the lockroom was a slogan most locker rooms have -- like Play Like a Champion or something.

I actually don't have many expectations for this year -- I am looking forward to seeing Charlie Frye play his senior year and looking forward to telling people I saw Charlie back when he started his first game against OSU in the Shoe. I am looking forward to seeing a different coaching staff on the sidelines and different brand of football. I'm hopeful we'll see the promise and potential that Owens always spoke of when referring to his recruits -- but seldom materialized.

What an excellent article. It would be nice if the Beacon would print it verbatim in their Sunday newspaper -- I would think the Buchtellite could print it too. Too bad Charlie doesn't know what a Zip is, but he's not here on scholarship for his knowledge of the mascot -- he's here for football.

I don't know much about PSU, but from the post listed above -- I can't see why they aren't the preseason no. 1. At least the preseason no. 1 in the Big Ten. It seems the whole team is the best they have ever had. I'd be hard pressed to believe all three of their running backs would start anywher in Div. 1 and I'd be hard pressed to believe they have the fastest linebackers in the country or PSU history -- unless all there is fast. AJ Hawk and others at OSU are pretty impressive and I don't give them compliments often. Not to mention Lavar Arrington was there the last time we were there. The QB setting all the records at PSU -- they never passed the ball this much or I'm sure it would have been more difficult.

ZIPMAN - is that really you? What time should we get there for free cocktails? Are you buying or do you own the Roundhouse?

Although I wouldn't mind driving 20-25 minutes to watch the Zips play in a new stadium, I still think a downtown Akron site is the best choice. A downtown Akron site allows the city of Akron and Summit County to really put themselves on the map. Mayor Don has always (from what I understand) had a mini vision of Cleveland's Gateway District in mind for Akron. A football/soccer/etc. stadium downtown would continue to drive traffice into downtown Akron and help the entertainment district. The site I had always heard about was actually at the corner of exchange and Rt. 8 for a football stadium which would have visibility from the highway -- providing the University with visibility from the highway. I think another great place to put it would be at the corner of exchange and Main going up the hill towards campus. The idea of building it in Boston Heights and building shopping around sounds silly -- there is already too much shopping in the Greater Cleveland area -- who needs another shopping center. Building it downtown Akron would continue the renaissance of the old city and further distance Akron from Youngstown and Canton as a real metropolitan city. All in all -- I would attend games in Boston Heights, but I'd much rather see a stadium near campus in downtown Akron.

I got booted for merely stating facts -- not talking smack and not being disrespectful. The guy who booted me was cronk -- one guy stuck up for me when I got back to the sight the second time before being booted for good. That guy was James Morrison --- also the only guy who wasn't predicting 9+ wins on the site. Don't tell me what happened it happened to me not you punk. I think Penn State and especially their coach are about as disrespectful as it gets -- I've been to Akron game we've gotten bounced by far less yet still received respect from the fans -- unlike PSU. No. 1 on my christmas list every year is a big victory for the football team -- this year I'd much rather it be the pompous ass Lions instead of the Cavaliers.

PSU Playbook may be the worst place to discuss football with Penn State fans. They treated me just like Paterno did the Zips a few years ago putting his starters back in -- in the fourth quarter. I asked them why will PSU be better this year. I got a lot of homer answers and then I pointed out this team is 22-26 over the last year -- how could they honestly be telling me the only team they'll have trouble with will be OSU and Iowa? They booted me. I got back in and asked why I was booted for simply stating a fact and I was banned. F*ck Penn State! How freaking ridiculous -- I took the word of a Lion on where to talk with PSU fans and I was booted for nothing.

I know some folks on this board hoped he would come to Akron. Story below is from the PD. Archbishop Hoban's Tyrell Sutton, who has an opportunity to become one of Ohio's all-time leading ball carriers, said he has made an oral commitment to attend Northwestern University. Sutton, a 5-9, 190-pound tailback, said he called Northwestern assistant coach Jack Glowik, a former standout at Benedictine, on Thursday with his decision. "He was pretty happy," Sutton said of Glowik. "I told him I was happy, too." Sutton, lacking the size to be a prototypical Division I tailback, has combined speed, balance, strength and instincts to accumulate 6,197 yards rushing on 732 carries in his three-year career. That total is sixth on the unofficial list of Ohio's all-time leading ground gainers posted on the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Web site. "Tyrell has a desire and the intensity to excel," said Hoban coach Ralph Orsini. "He is so strong with his legs, and he has the ability to accelerate once he gets to the open field." Williamsburg's Jason Bainum is recognized as the all-time leader with 8,216 yards from 1998 to 2001. Sutton, who rushed for 2,524 yards in 11 games last season while earning All-Ohio honors in Division III, would need to gain 2,020 yards this season. Sutton, a two-time Plain Dealer all-star, said he chose Northwestern over Illinois and several Mid-American Conference schools, including Can't State. "First, Northwestern is great academically," said Sutton, whose older brother, Tony, is a Division III preseason All-American at Wooster College. "That was important to me. Second, I really love the campus and the coaches. The coaches made me feel like I was right back at Hoban. I was real comfortable." Sutton had said that he doubted he would commit before the season, but changed his mind. "I felt comfortable with it and kind of wanted to get it done," he said before participating in a seven-on-seven passing scrimmage at Revere on Thursday.

From www.gozips.com Sounds like he's eligible this year -- not sure if he left because of grades like stated above. Zips Add Late Signee to Football Team Standout Florida running back Dennis Kennedy inks scholarship for 2004 season July 27, 2004 AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron head football coach J.D. Brookhart today announced the signing of Dennis Kennedy to a scholarship for the 2004 season. Kennedy, a three-sport standout from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., will enter the fall as a freshman and have four years of eligibility remaining. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound running back signed a national letter of intent with Ohio State in February, but was recently released from that obligation. "We are thrilled to add a player and person of Dennis' caliber to our roster this late in the summer," Brookhart said. "Dennis is a very good player from a highly competitive area and is someone that has overcome a lot of adversity." As senior last fall at Stranahan High School, Kennedy rushed for 967 yards and scored seven touchdowns. He also added 54 tackles and three sacks en route to third-team All-Broward County honors. As a junior, he rushed for 882 yards. Kennedy played basketball at Stranahan his last two years, averaging 20 points-per-game as a senior. He was a first-team all-county and an honorable mention all-state performer last season. He also ran track and was timed at 10.8 in the 100-meter dash and 22.6 in the 200 meters, in addition to posting a personal-best 45-6 in the triple jump. Kennedy and the rest of the Zips report to preseason camp on Aug. 10 with workouts starting the following day.

Old Zip -- it could be worse we could still have Dennis Helsel who successfully gave Owens and Hipsher long term contracts to handcuff MT. At least MT has accepted the wagon wheel on behalf of Virginia -- that is still one of the funniest things I've ever heard when Helsel accepted for Syracuse.

Old Zip if he found out of the firing in the newspaper, by phone call, by e-mail or in person -- I don't care -- he was here far to long for my liking and I'm glad he's not here anymore. If you are thinking he deserves to still be coach -- get a clue! I'm not going to go over the reasons again, but it was the worst winning record in the history of Div. 1 football. If you want to root for Can't I think I can speak for most everyone on the board when I say -- have fun and don't let the door hit you in the ass. We don't need Akron fans that are so blindly loyal to a pathetic coach they can't see the need for change. Akron athletics needs to have more fans who don't accept mediocrity from their athletic programs if Akron athletics is ever going to turn the corner.

How is it he has found his way onto the Cavs summer league roster, but Tarver didn't find himself onto anyone's summer league roster. Gosh you think someone would give him a look -- I know he didn't play much defense, but scoring allow could have alotted him a look in the summer. Every team has at least 10 guys who won't play in the NBA on their summer league rosters -- that's what 300 guys.

Its my understanding Hipsher will attend one of two colleges next year -- Akron is not either. Colgate is one of the schools. As for the health of the team -- I sent my nephew to the basketball camp a few weeks back and saw what appeared to be healthy basketball players. Travis, Wood, Preston, McFadden, Peterson and Futch -- all looked in pretty good shape. I don't think any of them were injured. Travis looks to have hit the weights more this offseason and it looked like Preston may have been there with him. It could also be that I'm used to seeing them from the stands and I was standing next to them when I picked up my nephew. Interesting note Rashaun Brown was in attendance as a coach. Overall I think the team is starting to come together. I don't know if this will be the year for football or basketball, but I feel confident we will see an advancement in both teams as we go forward. Both teams are in good hands and the change of pace is refreshing. I always thought Owens was in over his head, but Hipsher's lack of success was more disturbing. I liked him and thought he could be a great coach in this league. Turns out potential and success never came together. Looking forward to Akron and Penn State -- hope I don't have to here that Lion roar as many times as I did a few years ago.

I don't expect Dambrodt to tell me yes Schifino is coming, but when I asked him exactly that last Friday -- he told me they don't have any scholarships for him. He also pointed out they thought it was a better choice to get a player for three years as opposed to one. 85% or not -- if we're going on what Dambrodt told me last Friday -- I'd put the chances at 5%. I think he's pretty happy with his team next year.

If you're looking for Akron flavor -- I would recommend staying downtown at the Crowne Plaza at Quaker Square in Akron. You can still make the easy 20 minute trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the morning and you can request a room facing the University. Staying in Akron there is a pizza place less than a mile from the hotel -- Luigis an Akron landmark. Equally close if you're looking for a great steak is the Diamond Grille -- the downtown bars are walkable from Crowne Plaza. There's a Daiquiri Bar -- Sports Bar Jillians -- sit down and drink 69 Taps or even a trendy martinin bar Fuel among many others to choose from. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is only an hour north if you are interested in getting in a day earlier. Don't waste your time at the Inventor's Hall of Fame in Akron. Before leaving on Sunday don't forget to visit Wally Waffle -- some of the best waffles you'll ever have -- it's less than a mile from the hotel too. If you're a church going person there are plenty of churches to choose from as well. Hope you make the trip and stop by to tailgate with all of us.

Don't know if anyone else caught, but I happened to be on vacation last week and was watching Cold Pizza (the ESPN morning daily show) and they ran an extensive feature on a progrom called Special Spectators (I think that is what its called) which is a program designed to give kids an opportunity to see a college or pro game. The story ended up being about a high school girl from St. V who wanted to see a Zips game. The team went to see her in the hospital and then she came to the game. At half time she had a pizza party with the football and volleyball players. The feature was about 10 minutes long and contained some quotes (Q & A about the program) with Charlie Fry, Romeo Travis and Dru Joyce. Why wife and I were sitting in our hotel room stunned to be seeing the Zips on ESPN. Never heard anything about the story anywhere else -- it was well done and really showed what a classy bunch of men they are. I hope some of you had a chance to see it too.

C'mon ZFF you can't be serious we've wnt over this 1000 times. There was no quality wins on the record. Its one thing to go +3 and actually beat a team with a winning record or a team that beat a Div. 1 team other than the teams you beat. I've said it before it was the worst 7-5 record in the history of college football.

A trip to the sweet 64 in basketball or a Motor City Bowl berth football. Personally I'm a bigger football fan than basketball always have been and I'd be much more pumped about a Motor City Bowl berth. As all of us do year in an year out we defend to people why we root for the Zips it woudl be equally sweet -- I've made all my friends who tell me I'm crazy for rooting for Akron promise they'd go with me if the Zips get there. It'd be the best tailgate party! With this being Charlie's last year and JD's first I know its an uphill battle that is going to be tough, but I'm hoping they can get it done. On a side note heard two things about JD this week -- heard he told some alumni he really wished he'd had the opportunity to coach Bobby Henry and he wished he had eight of them on the team. Also, heard the boys still on the team mentioned to Bobby how lucky he is to not have to go through the grueling conditioning JD is putting them through. Something tells me Bobby would have loved it. Who's the next guy without the real size to play Div. 1, but a heart as big as Texas that makes a difference? I would have loved to see Bobby get a shot as a kick return ala Dino Hall from years gone back with the Browns.

One thing the Zips have going against them this year is when the home games are being played. At the end of the season. If Akron doesn't do anything early these games are complete no brainers for those on the fence -- they'll just stay home. The game might not matter and it'll be cold out. It makes the beginning of the season and a win at Penn State that much more important. I still think the U missed their biggest opportunity when the NFL was out of town for a few years. We're still paying for that mistake today.

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2004/Dr...o_Prospects.htm Found this on collegefootballnews -- I know its a fem months old, but Frye is ranked 38th best prospect for next year's NFL draft and fourth best QB. Interestingly enough the QB from Connecticut is ranked 6th and the top at QB. I find that hard to believe -- Charlie played just as good if not better than him last year head to head. Problem for Charlie is this year he needs to make sure he takes the Zips to the end zone and leaves no time for the defense to fold or choke. Too many times the Zips have been beaten on the last drive by other teams during Fyre's time in Akron. I think he can move up this chart quite easily if the debacles by the defense stop. Fryesman in '04

I heard he was in his office on campus this week. Why wouldn't he be -- collect the check and enjoy the good life. Coach a HS team if you want.