Captain Kangaroo

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Interesting that OU is cutting programs while UA is adding them. Such a move adds a teenie weenie bit of fuel to the "Akron is setting themselves up to move to a bigger conference" rumor.

I don't watch much NBA basketball. I'm guessing that's Boobie Gibson, bottom-center in red?

I think it is interesting that I posted this information 6 hours earlier, and the "view count" is 126 on that thread, while the view count for this thread is 163? I guess it shows the value of an eye-catching headline? Or, that "BigZip Mania" has grown even bigger than I thought?

Two notes:1.) "Ahhhh, Bach...." 2.) This news makes sense to me. Unless he wanted to walk-on, I don't see him being a Zip.

Me too. His jumper was sweet. Best of luck to him.

A board member forwarded me . It is from 4 seasons ago, but remains a great story. I had never seen it?This piece was apparently also shown as part of their in-flight entertainment on Delta Airlines.To plug the organization: If you would like to learn more about Special Spectators, visit www.SpecialSpectators.org

I would be surprised if this were true, only because if KD wanted Brooks I'm pretty sure he could have signed him to a LOI last year. It seemed like brooks wanted to be a Zip, but the feeling wasn't mutual for KD? Just the vibe I got...

True 'dat. True 'dat. They're welcome to do so. But I'm also premitted to expand on the topic, or to add an alternative point of view. What good is a thread if all it presents is 19 individual posts all saying the same thing? Bigger schools don't necessarily have better success rates. You need only look at some of John Cooper's graduation rates (only a local example, there are many others). Cooper's problems are the reason OSU increased their academic entrance requirements. Similarly, JD admitted he reviewed the retention of his first few classes and subsequently made changes in his recruiting approach. If JD admitted he was enamoured by some 6' 5" 285 lb DL's and 4.38 WR's who didn't turn out to be all that interested in school…and he subsequently adapted and signed a highly-rated class based upon this revised plan…what more can you ask? If JD were hiding under a rock pretending there was not an issue to address, I would be concerned. That is not the case. He acknowledged it and addressed it. Why not? In this thread someone mentioned Owens' approach of recruiting local kids from Stark County…typically guys with few if any D1 offers…mixed in with major out-of-state talent was a good mix. I simply pointed out that Owens' faced the same issues that Brookhart does. For every "local" Jay Rohr success, there was a "local" Kyle Fromholtz bust…for every Bobby Hendry and Tony McCray, there were EJ Lilly's and Marcus Sanders. People are acting like Brookhart's mediocre player retention involving his first couple classes @ UA is something unheard of. It isn't. Owens and Faust faced the same issues. As a board "old-timer" it is important toss out a little history and facts where applicable. They apply here. Ok. Why would you want to compare JD with Tressel. Compare player arrest records too if you'd like to compare graduation rates of the two programs. OSU and UA are both D1, but their situations are world's apart.OSU has a choice when recruiting a DL. Take the one with the 6' 5", 285 lb kid with the 3.09GPA and a 4.7 40 time, or the 6'4", 295 lb kid with the 3.25GPA, but with a 4.6 40 time.When a mid-major is recruiting a DL it is frequently faced with the choice of the 6' 5", 300 lb kid with the 2.1GPA and the 4.7 40 time, or the 6' 2" 245 lb kid with the 3.0 GPA and a 4.6 40 time…but with the potential to grow…maybe….If it were easy, everyone would be Boise State. It isn't. JD is a new D1 head coach. A lot of what he has done in Akron has been highly successful. We have some great talent on our roster, and more on the way via the 2007 class. I'm not all that concerned with the guys that have left. The problem was addressed and the guys that remain…yes, somehow we can still field a team after all those departures... are a lot of fun to watch.Just a final "Food for Thought" point:Say Harvey is gone. We got one great year out of him and he bolted. How is that different than OSU getting Greg Oden for 1 year as a "sham" student athlete? His last quarter at OSU he took two classes, one being "History of Rock and Roll." Harvey gets bashed for leaving school but Oden jersey's sell like hotcakes. If Harvey would rather work construction than go to school, and Oden would rather play NBA hoops than go to school…what's the difference?F Ke.n.t.

Aaron Williams was a bad-ass, bruiser RB last fall. I saw him play in the WPIAL semis and finals. Word is the staff wants him at LB. I'd LOVE for him to get a crack at FB or RB. Either way, O or D, it won't matter...he's a hard-nosed kid born to play football. You'll love him.

To get a big-picture view of this I tried to get some info on GoZips.com. What a train wreck...It seems like people are wigging out over recruits leaving like it is something new. Lee Owens had the same issues. With the exception of one season, I think Owens' graduation rated typically hovered around the 50% mark. I did find Lee's 2001 recruiting class (only one I could locate):Quit: Brendon BANKS 6-0, 190, SS, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Woodland Hills)Quit: James BATTLE 6-0, 225, LB, Cincinnati (Colerain)Quit: Dorian BEARD 6-1, 250, DL, Verona, Pa. (Penn Hills)Quit: Geoffrey BEAUCHESNE 6-5, 230, TE, Montreal, Quebec (Du Vieux)Graduated: NFL LB and Great Guy -Chase BLACKBURN 6-4, 215, DL, MarysvilleQuit : Mark CONLEY 6-2, 285, DL, LakewoodGraduated: Diontre EARL 5-11, 230, LB, Toledo (Rogers)Graduated: Dion ELIE 6-2, 185, WR, Atlanta, Ga. Lithonia/Euclid, OhioQuit: Jamie GOODWIN 5-11, 160, WR, McKeesport, Pa.Graduated: Justin HEIN 6-7, 335, OL, LakewoodQuit: Jeremy JACOBS 6-4, 245, OL, Uniontown (Green)Graduated (I believe?) But Never Played: Charlton LEWIS Braddock,Pa.(Woodland Hills)Graduated: Jason MONTGOMERY 6-1, 180, WR, Southfield, Mich. (Lathrup)Quit: Montae MURPHY 5-10 173, DB, Rankin, Pa. (Woodland Hills)Quit: Thomas PLUMMER 6-1, 215, RB, Etobicoke, Ontario (Henry Carr)Graduated: Jerell RINGER 5-11, 195, RB, Dayton (Meadowdale)Quit: Brad SHELDON 6-2, 200, LB, Rochester, Mich. (U. of Detroit Jesuit)Quit: Richard SPAULDING 6-3 210, SS, New AlbanyQuit: Marcus SUBER 6-1, 185, SS, Sacramento City CollegeGraduated(?): Vince VAUGHNS 6-2, 185, RB/FS, Oklahoma City, Okla. (Santa Fe)Quit (Good student, but quit football): Greg WILLIAMS 5-10, 185, SS, Canton (GlenOak)Quit: Chris WOOTEN 6-0, 240, LB, BedfordBrendan Banks was a recruit we allegedly "stole" from Arizona State. He was very highly touted, as was Montae Murphy. Thomas Plummer was a Rivals 4-star recruit out of Canada. Beauchesne was a 2-star recruit.That makes 14 of the 22 players signed by Lee Owens in 2001 did not complete their eligibility. At best, a 36% graduation rate. Thus - If anyone getting wistful thinking of "the good ol' Lee Owens era of recruiting" they have some pretty selective memories. I'll summarize with the following statements:1.) JD's DL recruits, prior to this 2007 class, have been profoundly disappointing. No doubt.2.) The WR situation is still TBD. I agree with IntheZone that one or both of the WR's in question right now still have a chance of being in uniform this fall.3.) Our secondary has never looked better. Great talent at the corners and safety. Lee Owens NEVER had a group like this. Jesse Smith 4-year starter, would never have seen the field if he were playing in 2007. The closest secondary we've had to this one was the early 90's era with Shawn Vincent, Robert Lyons and Vic Green.4.) Our LB's have not been this good since the Hilk/Moten/Clark group of the early 90's. 5.) The OL remains to be seen, but is largely a group of JD's recruits with excellent accolades. In the early 2000's Owens had a group that was pretty good too. It will be interesting to compare the two at season's end.6.) We have a 3-way battle for QB. I don't think Owens ever had that? Butchie was uncontested for 4 years (Gromek? Nice guy, but Puh-leeze) And once Sparks went to WR, Frye never had competition. I couldn't imagine if Johnathan Gill or Micah Fahler had to play a full season behind center.7.) RB should be as good as it was with the Hendry/Payne/Grey crew. Hopefully better. Again, time will tell. I do wish we had some Rache Culler or McCray type fullback.8.) Kicker - Owens always had good ones. Faust too. JD has struggled there, but how did he know Igor would screw up his back? I'm betting things will be much better in that department this fall.9.) Punter? I hope Stec improves. We'll see. Owens and Faust typically had good ones. 10.) In JD's 2007 press conference he alluded to the retention issues of his previous classes. He stated this class was solid and retention issues would not be a problem. I'm disappointed that some of the guys have left the program. But it is not any bizarre phenomena that's never happened before. Or that other similar schools don't deal with regularly too. Let's see how the summer plays out. Overall, I think JD has recruited some great players and we should field a very solid team this fall. We won a championship without David Harvey. No reason we couldn't do it again.

I believe that too.

I have to believe the writing is on the wall for Charlie. The Browns forfeited a (likely) top 10 first rounder and a high second rounder for Quinn. You don't do that for a 2nd stringer. Charlie will be throwing to a butter fingered, bad attitude WR in Edwards. Winslow's knee is VERY suspect. His running game features a old-beyond-his-years Jamal Lewis and...no one else. The OL is slightly improved...at least they will be by the end of the season when Quinn is starting. It seems like a no-win for #9. Hopefully he can stay healthy this season and head to a better situation with another team next year. As a Vikings fan, I'd take him in a heart beat. I'm sure the Bears would too. Ditto the Dolphins, Falcons and many others. I wish it worked out better for Charlie in Cleveland, but I don't see any situation where he could wrestle the job from Quinn. When the local papers are pimping Quinn as hard as they are (Recent PD Headline: "Who's Cuter - Brady or Grady?" ) the only way Crennel can keep his job with such a horrible team is to do so under the guise of "We need to give Brady some experience, so we'll need to expect some losses." People in Cleveland seem to readily accept "wait until next year" excuses, so no one will complain. The Cowboys will be the big winner in this one. And maybe Charlie too, if he ultimately ends up with a decent organization. My opinion.

Assuming that played out, Harvey's loss would be pretty devastating. With 10 TDs last season, he was pretty much our only offensive threat. The other WR's COMBINED for 6 TDs. Harvey's 30yd/return will be tough to replace too.Lindsay's loss wouldn't be as crippling. He is a decent WR with upside, but not nearly in Harvey's class.If Lindsay and Harvey are out, Johnny Long gets thrust back into the mix. He could easily fill in for Lindsay. We'd need to hope Vince Hill is ready to step in an fill Harvey's shoes. A tall order, but if he plays like his recruiting videos portrayed, he'd lessen the loss of Harvey substantially. He's obscenely talented.It goes without saying that Jabari will need to step it up.

This event is ALWAYS a great time. I highly recommend it. Want to know what's up with David Harvey? There will be 8 coaches for you to ask. Who's better - Hakes/Jackson/Jacqmain? Here's your chance to find out - straight from the horses mouth. Take a day off from work...ask Mack Roades about the stadium...drink some beers...eat some great food...play some country club golf...and help out the football team.

Twins to attend U of A in hopes of playing baseball

I suggested to the University that they hold a "Game Ball Run" from the 50 yard line of the Rubber Bowl to the 50 yard line of the new stadium to kick-off the ground breaking. Former Zips players and fans could participate. I think it would be a fun thing to get the community and former players involved. My guess:1.) It makes too much sense and they won't do itor 2.) Someone @ UA will do it, and take credit50/50 either way.

A friend emailed me this morning to let me know John Bodis, who went by the name "exexec" on our board, passed away unexpectedly this weekend. His last post was ironically to inform ZipsNation of the passing of another Zips supporter - Elmer Schoch.I got to know John over the past year or two. A solid man and a tremendous fan. He was a very familiar face at all Zips sporting events and his presence will be greatly missed.Condolences from ZipsNation to the Bodis family.

Hey, who knows...maybe Lance goes a la Vince Hill and changes his mind again? He's already committed to four colleges in the past 12 months (Cincinnati, Akron, Hutchinson and Kansas State). One more and he ties Antonio Gates' record.If he struggles a bit @ Hutchinson JC, and Kansas State backs out, I could still see KD giving him a look.Softball team sits at 4-2. My batting average is somewhere between Matt Domonokos' FG percentage and Bryan Hipsher's 3-point shooting percentage. You playing this summer?

Rats. No inside scoop.

Rasor with the inside scoop!!??

If we played there every week, with the status of our program as it is today, Browns Stadium would be pretty cavernous.Since this is a once-every-5-year-event, it will be pretty special and I'm sure it will be moderately well-attended. I'll guess 30k. The city of Cleveland has a vested interest in the thing being successful. And promotions will be a-plenty.People were really pessimistic that the MAC Hoops Tourney would draw anything but flies to the Gund/Q when it moved from Toledo's Seagate Center. By all accounts the move was a huge success for all involved. I think the Patriot Game has a chance to be similarly successful, assuming people put forth the necessary effort to make it so. And I think they will.

I always thought Bill Turner was the only Zips player to make it to the NBA? Nate Barnett played for the Rockets?Click for Pro Zips...or ones that were at least drafted

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