Captain Kangaroo

Giants Rookie LB Handling the Pressure By DAVID PORTER Associated Press Writer Posted December 20 2005, 5:28 PM EST EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With a division title one tantalizing victory away, Chase Blackburn is the man in the middle for the New York Giants. Injuries to Antonio Pierce and Carlos Emmons thrust the undrafted rookie from Akron into the starting lineup last weekend against Kansas City. Filling in for Pierce at middle linebacker in his first career start, Blackburn finished with nine tackles in the 27-17 victory. The trial by fire continues Saturday at Washington for a player who came to training camp 4 1/2 months ago with no guarantees. A victory will clinch the Giants' first NFC East title since 2000 although they can do that with a win at Oakland in the finale even if they lose to the Skins. "I've given myself a little confidence boost knowing that now I am able to perform in the NFL," Blackburn said Tuesday. "Now I just need to continue to do so." At least this week Blackburn has some advance notice about his assignment. That wasn't the case last Saturday when he didn't find out he was starting until an hour before the game. That's when Emmons told coaches he had aggravated his strained pectoral muscle, so Nick Greisen, who had been moved from the outside to the middle, had to go back outside.. That development necessitated some last-minute cramming in the film room next to the Giants locker room with linebackers coach Bill Sheridan. Then it was out the tunnel and onto the field in front of 78,000 fans and across the line of scrimmage from one of the NFL's better offenses. Blackburn acknowledged to being a bit lost at first, but gradually found his footing and was in on six tackles on the Chiefs' second-quarter drive that stalled at the Giants' 1-yard line. He and Greisen combined to stop Larry Johnson on third down, forcing Kansas City to settle for a field goal in one of the game's crucial sequences. "I watched the film a couple of times and it was an average performance," Blackburn said. "I thought I was a little tentative at first. I think I was more nervous about being in the right spot instead of making something happen. There were a lot of things I could have done better: filling my gaps properly, taking a little more physical approach to the game." Blackburn's play caught the eye of coach Tom Coughlin in the first preseason game against Cleveland, a team featuring Blackburn's college teammate and friend Charlie Frye, currently the Browns' starting quarterback. After making the final cut, Blackburn began to make a name for himself on special teams and through 15 weeks was second on the team in special-teams tackles with 15, one behind James Butler, another free-agent rookie. His big moment before last Saturday came when he recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff against New Orleans on Sept. 19, a play that jump-started the Giants' 27-10 win. "I've definitely come a long way," he said. "I've worked hard over this past year to get myself ready to play at this level. It's a joy to be where I'm at and it's exciting to have the opportunity to play." Coughlin said Pierce, whose sprained ankle is still in a cast, would not practice this week and that Emmons and DT William Joseph (ankle) were doubtful. He said offensive tackle Luke Petitgout, who dressed but did not play against Kansas City after suffering back spasms the previous week, would practice

The last news I heard was "no" "maybe" and "yes." Hight may not even have his high school diploma yet. Odds of him becoming a Zip appear to be 9999-1. I asked a friend at the University about Garner a few weeks ago and he seemed to think he was not going to be a Zip. The "friend" isn't a coach, so he's still got a fighting chance, I guess. Marshall is still in the fold and expected to play next season. If anyone else has more up-to-date info, please feel free to post.

AMEN, Brother! FINALLY...a win vs. a "marquee" team! Great team effort by all the guys! That win could be HUGE come March. Now let's put the wood to Clemson!! BTW: Was this win the greatest in Syracuse history?

We didn't skip a beat without them. I hope they get their collective act together because they're both big contributors...but if they don't it seems there are some capable players on the bench that can make curfew, attend practices and win games.

Thanks to our friends out west for the scoop. GoZips.com Link - Click

In an unrelated note, I saw the PD mention a few days ago that Ken Lolla went to join Zips former AD Mike Thomas at Louisville. To see the Beacon hop on the bandwagon now is like seeing LeBron's birth dad pop into the picture once he became fameous. Personally, I just can't take the BJ seriously. They've thumbed their noses at Zips fans for too long. You know what would get be to re-subscribe to the BJ? If Terry Pluto wrote a retraction of his column decrying the firing of Lee Owens (you remember the epic "...Akron isn't Ohio State...this isn't Notre Dame..." column. Admit he was wrong and I'll resubscribe. Until then I can't even bring myself to click on their web site.

My guess would be his poor defense and dubious shot selection to-date? It was certainly odd that the topic was not discussed in the post game show (at least from what I heard). Maybe he's simply ill, but my guess is the above.

I disagee. Two 6-5 seasons at Akron and he's gone? No chance. The Boise State coach had 5 ridiculously successful seasons...9+ win seasons while beating BCS-level competition...before moving on to Colorado. Hoeppner was very successful a Miami, but it took how long before he left for Indiana? 6 years? Maybe more? Unless you are an absolute coaching freak like Urban Meyer you aren't hopping anywhere in 3 years. Especially if you are 6-5 in those years. It is just plain silly to discuss JD's departure at this time in his coaching career.

He'll practice and also be able to play in the spring, I believe?

I guess that's what happens when you have good coaches. A double-edged sword, from a fans perspective. I'm sure we'll get another quality guy to replace him.

He's considered a "transfer" so that would lead me to believe he has to sit? I'll have to ask around and get the real scoop...unless some Nation member wants to help a brother out?

Just a reminder...

Whether he's good or not, I don't know. Whether or not he's freaking ENORMUS is not debatable!! 6' 9", 320...Holy Moly...

Sounds like Desmond Brentley got greedy and it blew up in his face? The texas kid took his scholarship and Temple fired their coach. Now that Temple and Akron are out, I'd be shocked if Can't doesn't enter the picture to scoop up our table scraps. Brentley can be the new Can't QB piÑata once Machen leaves. Wonder is we still have an offer in to Rick Stanzi?

I attended the Vikings/Lions game 2 weeks ago. What a surreal event...the fans only cared about the "Fire Millen" signs that popped up every 5 minutes randomly throughout the stadium. They only paid attention to the game long enough to BOOOO Jeff Garcia. Go Vikes...BEAT THE STEELERS!!! ...and then hit the party boat!!! :blink:

My thought was that the Zips soccer kind of parallels Gonzaga's hoops program. The Zags used to get stiffed on tourney seeding until they consistently beat the "bigger name" teams. Once they proved themselves they got the seeding they deserved. I believe the Zips seeding would have improved next season based upon their progressive success over the past couple of tourneys. I wish Lolla had hung around another year or two to prove my theory. Wild Thought of the Day: I think it it time the Zips approached the Big Ten for inclusion in their conference as a soccer-only member. Yeah, Chryst would be pissed but screw him.

I guess this would be another reason why someone like Wells should consider Akron. Memphis and Akron are on a parallel football level. If a guy the quality of DeAngelo can select Memphis, why not Wells select Akron? Wonder if JD can assemble Charlie Frye, Jason Taylor, Dwight Smith, Chase Blackburn and Ryan Myers to call Wells and let him know the road to the NFL can go through Akron.

I wonder if it is the possibility of the MAC losing it's automatic bid for the NCAA tourney (due to too few participating teams) or the weakness of the MAC as a soccer conference caused his departure? That would make more sense than $$. How much more $$ can Louisville offer a soccer coach than the Zips? $20k? I have to imagine the difference in salary is chump change in the big picture of D1 athletics. The soccer team really started to do something this season. Hell...I went to 5 or 6 games and I hadn't been to that many COMBINED in the previous DECADE. My son actually knows a couple player's names and pretended to be them when he played in his 4-year old "league" this past fall. I'm sure the case was similar for a lot of previously "casual" Zips soccer fans this past fall. Bad timing man...with Ubipirapovich and Bush returning, plus the incoming talent...we are poised for another nice tourney run next year. It just got a little tougher...

Hope our interim athletic director took good notes from Mike Thomas regarding hiring of quality coaches! I agree it is a terrible blow, but Akron's soccer program has proven to be a national power, year in year out, for decades. I have to believe this position will be highly coveted and draw a great pool of candidates. Still...it sucks. Louisville soccer? I guess it is the lure of the Big East. Louisville punks us twice in one week. F*ckers.

I ran them off on printer paper, then adhered them to the sicker side of the magnet. Image-wise, they won't be the most weather-proof things in the world, but they stick to your car very nice and look great...as good as your image and printer are capable of producing. They are very durable in good weather (I'm still using the one's I made 3 years ago), but will not last through a snow storm drive Akron to Detroit. Maybe you can laquer or laminate the image if you're concerned about long-term durability? Hope that makes sense.

Ryno: This web site sells adhesive sheet magnets very cheaply. One side is peel-off adhesive for a picture. You can print out a color picture of anything you'd like and stick it on these sheets, then cut off the excess. I make a bunch of "custom" Zips car magnets a few years ago. Works great. Cheap. Flexible...put any picture or logo you'd like on them. Click - Magnet Site

That's really interesting because I know the Zips are after both Desmond Brentley (W Pa and now being courted heavier by Pitt) and Rick Stanzi (Mentor Lake Catholic)? How long has it been since we signed a kid from a Texas high school? I can't recall one?

MEemphis _Sucks _Poop _Nuggets Go Zips!

From a newspaper article earlier this year: Cox’s Boone is battling through a tough season An inexperienced offensive line? Pneumonia? Looks like few things can slow Cox running back Andre Boone these days. Boone, who struggled early in his senior season, has rushed for 346 yards in the last two weeks. He has six touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving, one by punt return). “And he’s not even feeling well,” Falcons coach Steve Allosso said. Despite a bout with pneumonia, Boone gained more yards in the last two games than he did in Cox’s first four. A 6-foot, 200-pounder, Boone is 235 yards from breaking onto South Hampton Roads’ list of top 10 career rushers. Allosso said Boone — who has scholarship offers from Wake Forest, Marshall, Akron, Can't State and James Madison — will make his college decision after the season. A Top 40 Prospect in Virginia - Click His Coach Seems Very Similar to JD? - Click Left a 6-figure job to coach football. Was also coveted by East Carolina - Click

I bought 17 last Thursday.