InTheZone

My guess would be they're more interested in his long snapping abilities than playing him at linebacker.

That's good news on Balaam Cap'n. Back in May when I heard the news it was almost certain he wasn't going to be a Zip. Also, I believe a couple of the other D-line signees didn't make their grades. JD sure signs a lot of talent, but this seems like it's becoming pretty common place in his first two recruiting classes.

Balaam and Showers will not be in camp and that's from a very reliable source. I've given very reliable info on here in the past, whereas KingZip has been nothing but a basher (makes me wonder if he's even really a Zips fan) and unless ALOT has changed since I got this info, it's still accurate.

I'll agree with you on Showers. I didn't see him make one tackle in the Blue-Gold game. Not one. That's disappointing because he came here with such high expectations on the other side of the ball. As for the Colorado transfer, Martin, because of the transfer rules he's going to have to sit out this season, so he's not the answer. I think just about every linebacker we had in Spring this year is going to have to play. Just out of curiosity, who was the other linebacker you thought would never be a factor? I can think of 3, but they're going to have to play anyways, simply because the Zips have nobody. The only good news I can give you is that I heard Getsy has called all of his recievers to come back to school early to give them a chance to gel and work on routes. That's the kind of leadership I know everyone on this board said they hoped they'd see and it looks like that's what we're getting.

Word is backup Bandit linebacker Anthony Showers has failed out and is on his way back to Detroit. Glenville product Jamal Benjamin may also be done. This leaves some huge holes in our backup linebacking core. Unless some freshman come in and step up (which the word is only two of them which were signed will be coming to camp, as another is ineligible and Al-Teric Balaam has chosen to go back on his letter of intent and attend Iowa sitting out his first year). Do the Zips move down a larger defensive back or maybe stand up one of the D-lineman??

Soccer does not draw any more fans than baseball. They both play for their parents and girlfriends, and that's about it. On a national stage at the college level, you my friend, are flat out wrong. Take a survey on the street and see how many people can name the winner of the College World Series. Then take a survey on who can name the NCAA Men's Soccer Champion. Guaranteed more people know the national champion in baseball. Do they even televise the soccer national championship?? And look up some figures. ALOT more kids are still playing baseball is this country than soccer. Maybe not in Ohio, but if you've ever traveled to the South, "soccer player" is a synonym for "fag", and you can bet your bottom dollar boys don't want to be playing it. Much of the East Coast is the same way. Baseball is and always will be a bigger sport than soccer.

1. Football 2. Basketball . . . . . . 3. Baseball 4. Soccer 5. Track and Field 6. Golf

Whatever the state of YSU basketball, having the series renewed is a good thing. In state rivalries are what college basketball is all about and will bring out crowds. KingZip, you are a moron.

What are you smoking dude. Nobody on campus gives a rat's ass about men's soccer. I'm not saying anyone gives a rat's ass about baseball, but baseball nationally and locally is a much bigger sport. Oh, and I'm sorry, two years

Apparently Tarver's tryout went just as we predicted. He took a ton of shots, didn't make very many of them, and even got stuffed a few times. I think it's safe to say he won't be suiting up in the wine and gold anytime soon.

Wow....in one year Mike Thomas has cleaned house in all 3 of the major sports.

World on Carrol St is that Tarver has been given an invitation to try out with the Cavs this week. I'll give him 5 minutes of scrimmage time before he's thrown out. I mean hey, they've got to evaluate the other guys' shooting skills, and as long as he's on the floor they definately won't be getting any shots.

I can't speak for since 1960, but since I've followed the Zips (since the early 90's) I'm gonna have to go with Greg Lomax, Bobby Hendry, and Brett Biggs.

Things are kind of slow in here for the summer, so I thought this would be a fun topic to discuss. Which team are you more a fan of, which would you rather see win the MAC, and which would have a bigger impact for the university?

at Purdue, L 14-31 at Middle Tennessee State, W 28-20 Northern Illinois, L 17-31 Central Michigan, W 28-10 at Buffalo, W 31-13 at Miami, W 21-20 Army, W 30-13 at Bowling Green, L 20-34 at Ball State, W 21-10 Ohio, W 24-20 Can't State, W 51-0 8-3 season if we come to play every week. We're going to need our defense to consistantly hold opponents under four touchdowns to win games this season, and I think they're finally up to the challenge. Looking at all the schedules, I'm seeing a possible three way tie at the top of the East come the end of November with the Zips, Miami, and Bowling Green all at 6-2.

I sincerely hope you are right. You're one of the more knowledgeable guys on the board...if you see that much hope for some sort of 2005 championship run, I'm heartened. Well I understand the points you've made Cap, and I agree with a lot of what you said, but from what I've seen and heard I think we do have quite a bit of talent in the upper classes, though as you've pointed out from the guys who've fallen out of the program, we don't have a lot of depth. That's where the young guys have to come in. I think the season can really go one of two ways for us, and the line between them is paper thin. I trust that with JD at the helm things are going to go the right way.

Reggie Corner was a freshman last season. He's our #1 corner, over two JD recruits and a West Virginia transfer. I think that says something. Dion Elie battle injuries last season, his first season not sharing time with Hixon. Expect a breakout year, because he's a player. Kiki Gonzales doesn't put up eye popping stats because he's a noseguard. But he's very good at what he does. Some coaches in the MAC think he's the best D-lineman in the league, and that's not an exaggeration. Jabari Arthur is the best athlete on the Zips team, hands down. No one JD has recruited yet even compares. Jay Rohr- Only started half the season sharing time with the #2 Canadian player, and still was 3rd on the team in tackles. Will be the #1 linebacker this year. Jason Montgomery- Last year was his first chance to really show what he could do, and he spent much of the year injured and not at 100%. I think he'll prove you wrong this year. Brian Howe- Stuck behind an established starter when he got here. Still good enough to beat out Brion Stokes, who was supposed to be one of JD's "studs". Brian White- Solid player, brings a lot of heart to the table. Good leader, and that's hard to find. Jermaine Reid- He will. John Mackey- Fastest player on team, shattered a few all-time Zips speed records. Of all those listed, All-MAC potential: Hixon Pace Corner Elie GONZALES Arthur You make think that's an exaggeration or wishful thinking, but we will see.

Scheduling a 12th game is good for the University financially, and with the scamble to pick up games after the rule change I think we're lucky to get a big payday like this game.

I think some of you need to show a little more appreciation and respect for Owens "leftovers" which are going to constitute the Junior and Senior classes and much of the Sophomore class. Those "leftovers" are the stars of our team, and some of them are a caliber of player that none of JD's recruits have shown that they are yet. Some of Owen's "Leftovers" Domenik Hixon Chevin Pace Reggie Corner Dion Elie Kiki Gonzales Jabari Arthur Jay Rohr Jason Montgomery Brian Howe Kris Kasparek Brian White Jermaine Reid John Mackey Just to name a few. Of the guy's on that list, I don't think one of players in the Class of '04 has yet shown that they are better players. I don't think JD looks at his players as "his guys" and "leftovers" and I think those on this board need to stop doing that as well. Lee Owens wasn't that great of a coach, but he did bring in some very high quality football players which I have full faith can lead us to a MAC Championship.

Here's a list of players which I feel are really going to have to step up in order for the Zips to have any success in 2005. Feel free to add to the list if you would like. 1. Luke Getsy- Goes without saying. He's filling the biggest shoes ever left here at the University of Akron. JD's system doesn't require a superstar at quarterback, but it does require someone who can read defenses and be smart with the football. Getsy has been in this system for three years so he has no excuse not to perform at a similar level to Charlie Frye, who though much more talented, had about 6 months to learn a very complex system. 2. Jay Rohr- On a defense left without leaders due to graduation, this guy needs to step up and be one. The defense is extremely young, and needs direction and guidance. Rohr as a senior linebacker's gotta be the one to provide it, and he's gotta step up big on the field and make tackles when other guys inevitably miss them. 3. Jabari Arthur- Ok, you lost the quarterback battle....you're still one of the most talented players on the team. Arthur needs a huge year recieving and needs to develop into a serious threat to take some of opposing defenses' attention off Domenik Hixon. 4. The O-line- Four new faces in starting roles, they must gel quickly if this offense which ranked 88th in the nation last year is going to have any success at all. Getsy's rusty and hasn't seen that much time on the field in college altogether, so as he takes his time to adapt he's going to need a strong running game. Biggs is a stud, but no running back can gain yards if he doesn't have holes. Alleman has all the tools to be good, and he needs to develop fast. If we can't run the ball effectively, it's going to be a long year, period. 5. Reggie Corner- Showed alot of promise last year but has got to be a shut down corner this year. With Bowling Green coming over and Josh Betts returning at Miami, if the Zips hope to have any success in the MAC East they've got to be able to stop the pass. If Corner can shut down the opponents top reciever each and every week that'll go a long way towards making that happen. 6. The back-up D-line- As of Spring, the rotation of Jared Cechetti, Brandon Butler, and Doug Williams comprised the second unit of a position that has to rotate heavily throughout the course of a game. Cechetti is the only one of those who saw minimal snaps last season, so this is a very inexperienced group. The starters Reid, Gonzales, and White are all solid and proven contributors, but they can't play the whole game. The second unit is going to have to be able to come in and play at a similar level, and provide a pass rush. 7. Kris Kasparek- He's big, he's fast, he's got great hands. All we need to see now is some production. JD's system likes to throw the ball to the tight end, and if the Zips can loosen up the middle of the field with Kasparek as a threat that's going to help the running game tremendously and also keep the safeties away from Hixon and Arthur, opening the door for one on one coverage and deep balls. He's got to fulfill his potential. 8. Jason Swiger- He's been clutch in some tight situations, but he's also cost the Zips some games (think UConn 2003). With a stronger reliance on the run which will lead to some very close games this season, every point is going to become utterly important, and if we're in field goal range, the Zips have to come away with points. Simply put, Swiger's gonna need to be perfect inside the 30 for the Zips to compete for a title.

Haha, that would be nice, but the rumors have us in Knoxville at Neyland Stadium playing Tennessee. It's not a done deal yet though.

I don't think that's entirely true. The same could've been said for Army, and yet they went ahead and joined Conference USA. Why? Because there's a lot more money being in a conference, whether you're going to bowl games or not. Remember, any revenues a team within a conference makes from a Bowl game after they've taken care of their travel expenses doesn't go directly to them, it goes to the conference, who splits the money up amongst all the members. CUSA was attractive to Army because they had 5 bowl bids and a lot of money flowing through the conference. The MAC wouldn't have been that attractive up until now, whereas the MAC has 3 bowl bids and will probably have 4 or 5 by the end of next year. Army dropped out of CUSA two years ago. They're Independent. I'd love Navy and Army in the MAC, but it ain't gonna happen. The service academies and Notre Dame are the only institututions where Independent makes sense. Army wouldn't have dropped CUSA if being in a conference was their best choice. They get 6 wins, the Bowls will take them. Solid national following. And, the get to keep any and all bowl money. I know Army dropped out of CUSA, but it was more due to the fact that they couldn't compete and there was a lot of pressure from the other schools to leave. With Navy's recent success, a move to a conference would make more sense for them. I'm not saying it's going to happen, in fact I'd put the chances at well below 50%, I'm just saying that the conference has talked to Navy and they have expressed marginal interest. I think Western Kentucky or MTSU would be more likely options, especially considering what WKU brings to the table for basketball.

I don't think that's entirely true. The same could've been said for Army, and yet they went ahead and joined Conference USA. Why? Because there's a lot more money being in a conference, whether you're going to bowl games or not. Remember, any revenues a team within a conference makes from a Bowl game after they've taken care of their travel expenses doesn't go directly to them, it goes to the conference, who splits the money up amongst all the members. CUSA was attractive to Army because they had 5 bowl bids and a lot of money flowing through the conference. The MAC wouldn't have been that attractive up until now, whereas the MAC has 3 bowl bids and will probably have 4 or 5 by the end of next year.

Rumors also have Navy joining the conference.

Word coming out of the athletic office.... In line with the NCAA's new 12 game season policy, the Zips have been in talks and recently finalized plans to add another road game against a MAJOR SEC school in 2007 (same season we play Ohio State). More details later.