Captain Kangaroo

Hmmmm....perusing the AP Pre-season Top 25 I see: Toledo with 33 votes Northern Illinois with 7 votes Marshall with 6 votes Miami OH with 4 votes Bowling Green with 2 votes ...and last but not least...Penn State did manage to scrounge-up 1 vote!! I guess Penn State would be picked to finish 6th in the MAC, huh? I think we're capable of running with the 6th place team in the MAC!! Guess it's tough to get any "love" when you're following up a campaign where your only wins were against Can't State, Temple and Indiana. Countdown until someone cut-n-pastes this on the PSU Playbook site....10....9...8...7...6...oooop...there it went!

My kid was more than a handfull for the 90 minutes I attended, so I got to do about 15% of what I'd have liked. That said: The complex is awesome. Weight room is awesome. Locker rooms are awesome. First class joint all the way. Jackson Field complex seems to be shaping up very nice too, but there is a fair amout of construction remaining. Whole campus is looking great...even the areas around the renovated route 8 ramps are great. Talked to Anthony Showers for a bit. He's a quiet kid. He found out Saturday morning that he's being moved from FS to TE? Spoke to JD briefly. He seems pretty personable. He posed for my beer bottle label, so I gotta love the guy! I spoke to Bobby Gardner. He was going to get a doctor's opinion this week regarding his playing status (he had that nasty injury in the spring game). I thought he was done for the season, but there's a chance he might be cleared to play. I'd never met him before. He's a super-nice kid. Too bad he's a senior! Dan Basch said he's healthy and feeling good. His brother Dennis is a big dude too...I look for him to fill Brake's shoes pretty admirably. I asked one senior if he liked the new staff. He said: "Oh man, they're GREAT. I love them. The change was really needed and was for the best. All the guys are psyched for a championship run this year." Best answer I could have asked for! John Ferguson was as puzzled as anyone regarding why he's listed as a punter on the gozips.com roster. Jabari will be a major contributor on offense this year. Holding a clip board and wearing a ball cap is not in the offing for this back up QB. Great event. Very well attended. Keeps getting better every year. Nice job by the Marketing crew!

Click for "Big Rig"

Versatile Harvey might have to do it all for Penn Hills Friday, August 13, 2004 By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette David Harvey is slated to be Penn Hills' best punter. But in practice earlier this week, coaches looked at players for the long snapper job. Harvey tried it, and the coaches agreed he was the best by far. This presents a problem for Penn Hills because Harvey obviously can't play two positions at the same time. Or can he? Harvey is so fast, maybe he could snap the ball and be the punter. Go ahead and laugh. But Harvey's speed and quickness is no joke. A 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior, Harvey runs the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds. "The kid is a gifted athlete," coach Neil Gordon said. "He does so many things. [Assistant coach John] Fischetti was wondering if he knows how to bake, too." The best thing Harvey does is play receiver. Some scouting services rank him among the best in the country. He is ranked No. 18 by theinsiders.com and rivals100.com has him at No. 23. "He's a great holder, for extra points, too," Gordon said. "I have no problem with him being a long snapper for us this year except that I'd like to get him off the field every once in a while in a game." Harvey also returns punts and kickoffs and plays cornerback on defense. "He has a great up-the-field burst of speed," said Joe Butler of Metro Index Scouting. "Plus, he can play so many places in the future -- receiver, cornerback, even safety." Gordon said, "He can play anywhere, but he sure looks like a receiver in the future to me." Harvey moved from Homewood to Penn Hills as a freshman and was a starting receiver as a sophomore. He was the favorite receiver of quarterback Anthony Morelli -- and the two were big-play masters. Last season, Harvey caught 35 passes and averaged 18.7 yards per reception. As a sophomore, he had 25 receptions and averaged 34.7 yards. But Morelli graduated and is at Penn State. The main question now is will Harvey see the ball? Even with Morelli, Penn Hills didn't throw much. This season, the Indians aren't sure of a starting quarterback -- and the first game is only two weeks away. Chad Parker, a 6-4 junior, and Brian Moore, a 5-10 senior, are vying for the quarterback job. Parker virtually has no experience. Moore played some at Central Catholic before transferring to Penn Hills after his sophomore season. "Neither one is a centimeter ahead of the other one," Gordon said. "I hope we can get Harvey the ball. I'm sure we have to have somebody who can at least throw it up in the air and let him go get it." Harvey seems to understand why a plethora of passes might not come his way this season. Besides the inexperience at quarterback, Penn Hills has two excellent running backs in Ed Collington and Ken Lewis, although Collington is out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder and Lewis has been slowed with a hamstring injury. "I guess people think I should get the ball more, but coach knows what he's doing. We made the semifinals the last two years," said Harvey, who also was a starting guard on Penn Hills' PIAA championship basketball team. Harvey apparently doesn't have to prove himself to college football recruiters. He has scholarship offers from Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Iowa, Georgia Tech, Wisconsin and Akron. Harvey was expecting a scholarship offer from Michigan, but two other receivers made verbal commitments to the Wolverines and they are no longer recruiting him. "Michigan was my favorite team. I liked them since I was little," Harvey said. "Probably Penn State and West Virginia are my top two schools now." Gordon said, "There can still be great receivers on teams that don't throw the ball that much." Count David Harvey among them.

I ain't an authority on BG football, but I'll offer the following overview: BG was the "flagship" MAC program in the early 90's. Played OSU 17-6 in the era before it was fashionable for MAC teams to do so. Participated in the Las Vegas/California Bowls in an era when only MAC champs got a bowl bid. I have no clue why Blackney went into the crapper...but...he (& BG) did. The second-to-the-last-time we met Blackney's BG team we killed them something like 56-21. The following year we needed 3 straight stops by Rich Reliford on late in the 4th quarter to eek out a narrow victory. In that season BG played everyone a lot tougher than they did the previous season, even if their record wasn't all that great. The ship seemed to be on it's way to being "righted" when Blackney was dismissed. I don't think there's a "parallel" to our situation here. I'm in Big Zips camp as far as expectations go for the 2004 Zips. I look forward to watching Frye light it up. I look forward to watching the OL "roll" opponents because the offensive shemes will be more complex than "Frye in the shotgun" for passes and "Draw play out of the shotgun" for our runs. I look forward to watching Hixson blossom at WR...I watched him track down some phenomenal athletes that had Zipped through our pourous defense the oast 2 seasons while he played safety...Hixson will be awesome. Goodwin, Montgomery and Arthur are fine, as is Ellington. If a Fr. like Johnny Long steps up, people will soon cease bemoaning the Big 4 we lost last year. I look forward to Ringer getting 15+ carries every game...not 15 one game...then we don't see him for a month. And don't give me any hooey about Ringer not being able to block...if the blocking schemes are better his blocking won't be relied upon so heavily (like Hendry last season). Our DB's will be improved. Vital and Elie are solid safeties, and Agyeman, Corner and Henry are, combined, the best/deepest 3 CB's we've ever had. I look forward to watching our LB's...seriously deep with Rohr, Yeow, Smith, Earl, Fuller + all the newcomers. The DL scares me...Chase is solid...LeFall is allegedly motivated...after that, who knows. I expect a winning season...whether that's 6 wins or 8 wins...I have no clue. But, with the talent we have...if JD is a solid coach...and we stay injury-free...6 is very reasonable to expect.

Paul Winters must have mentioned it to him during some "pillow talk" last night?

Penn Hills tailback Collington separates shoulder By The Associated Press Wednesday, August 11, 2004 Penn Hills will most likely open the season without senior running back Ed Collington, who separated his left shoulder in practice Monday. Indians coach Neil Gordon said he did not know how long Collington would be out of the lineup. Collington separated the same shoulder early last season, but returned for the final five games and finished with 1,059 yards. He already has a Division I scholarship offer from Akron.

David Leigh Ann Morgan and Ellen Alexander couldn't hold that guy's jock strap. An outstanding series of questions.

For what it's worth, I think the best way to beat PSU is to jump on them early with Frye, then start the second quarter with Jabari or Ferguson. I'm telling you...rotating the qb's is a CAN'T MISS proposition vs. PSU! (that's one head bang for every year since Owens tried that one...still one of the Top 3 dumbest things I ever saw a college football coach do.)

By the way...no mention of Kennedy in the RB overview either? I thought he was elegible? Another deception...or is he expected to redshirt?

Yet Another PA Prospect - Click Me

Offensive Preview Seriously...can someone explain this one? As of the golf outing Pry was gushing over the guy's progress at WR? He's not inelligible, because he's listed at QB. Is someone trying to be sneaky? It wouldn't surprise me, since all the practices and scrimmages are closed to the public. Someone tell me what's the dillio!

You were 3-9 last year. 1.) Toledo didn't really care about all that crap when they bitch-slapped you 24-6. I doubt Shane Conlan will be of much help on Sept 4th either. 2.) You guys were down 10-3 to Can't when Cribbs got hurt. Beating Can't by 22 w/o Cribbs is nothing to pound your chest about. That's why we fired our coach. And..."you would have gone 2-10 against out 2003 schedule? That's pretty laughable from a guy who's team went THREE and NINE!! Your joking to say 5 OL's will be drafted in the 1st roud, right? No one could be that stupid...right?...Right? About your man Austin...we had a similar guy....#6 Rusher in the storied history of Ohio HS Football. He's delivering pizza now. What he did in HS really meant nothing in college. Last I checked, Austin's HS numbers account for 0 points on Sept. 4th. Victor Green just capped a 12 year NFL career. Dwight Smith returned two int's for TD's in the 2002 Super Bowl. How many future NFL stars were on the Toledo roster when they waxed you a few years ago? All of that gets you Z-E-R-O points on Sept. 4th. After going someting like 20-24 with 1 bowl appearance since the 2000 season...I'm glad you have something to hang your hat on. See the "We fired our Coach" quote listed above. "Penn State better be God damned scared of the Zips on September 4th. If you thought losing to Toledo was bad...wait till you see the Sportscenter highlights of Joe/Gram Pa crapping his Depends when he looks at the final score." Blue Roo Brew Crew President Captain Kangaroo 3-9 and talking smack. Give me a break...

I appreciate the info. To be honest, I couldn't know less about this year's PSU team. Other than Mills, there's really no marquee names? Last time we played (1999), Lavar Arrington and Courtney Brown we houshold names. BTW: If any PSU "lurkers" stop by...if you could give some advice on a good public lot to tailgate in, I'd appreciate it.

150 lbs? Must be a pretty fast kid? I couldn't find much about him on the web either (as opposed to Tuzze, who is plastered everywhere). Maybe it's because he plays in the metro DC area and doesn't have a "local" paper (Washington Post only devotes so much space to HS football).? Who knows...two early verbals is 2 more than we've ever had, so I'll take it.

Memo to Existing University of Akron students: Pay no attention to this quote! If sneaking kegs and grills on Zips Express busses is a problem, please consult me. I did my Masters thesis on this very topic!

Does The University dare pursue another off-campus stadium after the Rubber Bowl dies? Would it change your mind if it were a first-class, 25,000 seat stadium? Hey....people drove to The Colesium to see the Cavs, and this would be the exact same distance from downtown Akron? Things that make you go hmmmm.... Group has goal: Soccer in Summit Public financing needed for stadium Wednesday, August 04, 2004 Steve Luttner Plain Dealer Reporter More than 100 acres have been assembled in Summit County as the potential site of an outdoor soccer stadium, officials said Tuesday. Paul Garofolo, president and general manager of the Cleveland Force indoor soccer team, said he and others who support bringing an outdoor soccer team to Northeast Ohio will meet with Summit County officials next week to discuss financing the stadium. "We're making progress," Garofolo said. "We need to zero in on commitments on the public side of the funding so we know where we are, what kind of project we could afford to build." Bert Wolstein, a longtime associate of Garofolo's, had been leading the drive to bring an outdoor soccer franchise to the Cleveland area until he died earlier this year. It is unclear who now is spearheading the effort, but representatives of Wolstein's family are expected to attend next week's meeting, said Joe Migliorini, director of the county's community and economic development department. Garofolo said there is an option to buy the land that has been targeted, meaning the purchase would not happen if the stadium doesn't materialize. He would say only that the land is in northern Summit County. Migliorini said the land lies between the Ohio Turnpike and Interstate 271. Wolstein was pushing for a 25,000-seat open-air stadium that could be used for soccer as well as concerts and high school and college football games. Wolstein had a letter of intent from Major League Soccer to establish a team in Northeast Ohio. He estimated the stadium would cost $110 million, and pledged to contribute $20 million. The remainder would have to come from the public. Garofolo said he does not envision needing a ballot issue to raise public money. A possible source of financing includes boosting the countywide real estate conveyance tax - a one-time fee incurred when real estate is sold. Officials also are examining tax-increment financing Migliorini said the stadium could provide an economic boost to Summit County, particularly if there is adjacent development such as an upscale shopping center.

It's like watching "Animal House"...it just never gets old!

Hey "highzip," meet my buddy "highflush!" "#9 in your program, #1285643 in your police line-up"

You got it on the nose, Captain! You know what else would be nice? A few turnovers! Remember the Marshall game 2 years ago...they played like crap...I think they had something like 7 turnovers? It would be nice if PSU shot themselves in the foot a few times. You know what else gives me hope in this game, CK? The fact that PSU could only muster a 32-10 win vs. Can't last season. I believe Can't was up 10-7 in the 2nd quarter? Cribbs got hurt (out for the game), and as Cribbs goes so does Can't. But still...to beat last season's Can't team, without Cribbs for 3 quarters...by only 22 points...on your home turf with 100,000 fans backing you? That's a pretty weak effort. We'll find out whether JD can coach on the defensive side of the ball pretty early in the season. Forget the crap about being stuck with "Owens' leftovers." The talent on the 2004 Zips' defensive side of the ball is no worse than it has been the past 6 years. If JD is a good coach, and Fleming is a solid DC, they'll find a way to stop people with the guys we have. We bitched about the lack of creativity on the defensive side of the ball for most of Owens' tenure. Hell...Owens bitched about it. What is a Zips season like without an abysmal defense? Its been so long, I've forgotten. Here's hoping we see one in 2004! Captain, you're and idiot! Go back to work. Lunctime is over!

Last season Sullivan was cruising along having a nice start to the season, when Swiger took over. Allegedly Sullivan was too slow to the ball. Until the UConn game, Owens' kicking decision looked genius-level. Swiger was rock-solid. At UConn the wheels fell off. Swiger couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Going from memory, Swiger didn't look all that impressive finishing the season. In addition, Swiger hit some more fungoes in the spring game. Could have been bad holds from the new holder...I don't know? Who kicks field goals in 2004? Is it Swiger's job to lose? Unrelated: Did anyone notice John Ferguson is listed as a Punter and not a QB? What's up with that?

You got it on the nose, Captain! You know what else would be nice? A few turnovers! Remember the Marshall game 2 years ago...they played like crap...I think they had something like 7 turnovers? It would be nice if PSU shot themselves in the foot a few times. You know what else gives me hope in this game, CK? The fact that PSU could only muster a 32-10 win vs. Can't last season. I believe Can't was up 10-7 in the 2nd quarter? Cribbs got hurt (out for the game), and as Cribbs goes so does Can't. But still...to beat last season's Can't team, without Cribbs for 3 quarters...by only 22 points...on your home turf with 100,000 fans backing you? That's a pretty weak effort. We'll find out whether JD can coach on the defensive side of the ball pretty early in the season. Forget the crap about being stuck with "Owens' leftovers." The talent on the 2004 Zips' defensive side of the ball is no worse than it has been the past 6 years. If JD is a good coach, and Fleming is a solid DC, they'll find a way to stop people with the guys we have. We bitched about the lack of creativity on the defensive side of the ball for most of Owens' tenure. Hell...Owens bitched about it. What is a Zips season like without an abysmal defense? Its been so long, I've forgotten. Here's hoping we see one in 2004!

You got it on the nose, Captain! You know what else would be nice? A few turnovers! Remember the Marshall game 2 years ago...they played like crap...I think they had something like 7 turnovers? It would be nice if PSU shot themselves in the foot a few times.

Anyone remember the Va Tech game? No one could stop Jason Taylor. He almost single-handedly won that game. Either Chase Blackburn or Duane LeFall need to have a career game at PSU. If we can get some pressure on their QB, it will make our DB's lives a lot easier. Who's our #2 wide out? Remember Va Tech in 2001? Tech's DB couldn't cover Schifino! He was en route to a monster game when he got the concussion. From then-on Bailey got double-teamed and our passing attack disappeared. We need a #2 wide out to step up and take the heat off Hixson. A #3 would be nice too...but a solid 1-2 punch will put pressure on PSU's D. Those are the two biggest keys to a win. I think the emergence of a #1 RB is probably a close 3rd. I give Ringer the nod, with Briggs getting some carries too. Kennedy...who knows? A big "stage" for a true Fr., but Brandon Payne had a great Fr. debut against PSU in 1999 if I'm not mistaken? If we can keep it close through 3 quarters...do we have the depth to hang in there? Under Owens, our 4th quarter collapses were legenday...Miami several times...Wisconsin...Virginia...Marshall several times....God I could go on forever. Back to work...BTW: Got my game tickets in the mail Friday! Great pre-game night campus environment there...if you don't check it out Friday night, your missing out!

I don't think you can say the kid "didn't give Akron a second look" based solely on this column. Keep in mind that, to a man, every local scribe was a buddy of Lee Owens and Paul Winters. They will take advantage of every opportunity they have to slant their columns against the Zips, even if it is something subtile like mentioning a local HS star was recruited by Can't while conveniently omitting his recruitment by the Zips. That's been proven in about 20 PD/Beacon/Repository columns since Owens November dismissal, (most of those columns were posted on this board.) An Ellen Alexander column written only a few days ago stated "New Akron coach JD Brookhart is expected to improve on the 7-5 record posted by former coach Lee Owens last season." Yeah...everyone is expecting more wins...even though we replaced 2 1-AA non-conf games with Virginia and Middle Tennessee, and replaced Eastern Michigan with Northern Illinois. Oh...and we lost our top 4 receivers and 85% of our running game due to graduation. F Ellen in the skull. As far as losing Sutton...the conspiracy theorist in me says the timing between Kennedy's signing and Sutton's commitment to Northwestern is curious, to say the least. Northwesten is a great academic school, so you can't fault the kid for going there. If it was Indiana or Minnesota I'd probably be a little miffed. In general, we got a kid that OSU felt was worthy of a scholarship...and lost a kid that really wasn't even on their radar. I think Tressel's recruitment of Ohio talent has been pretty impressive. If he felt Kennedy was good and Sutton (Ohio kid) wasn't...I gotta believe we'll be just fine without Sutton. Who knows...maybe in a season or two he shows up in NE Ohio looking to complete his final 2 or 3 years of elegibility?