Z-P

At the game yesterday, and all of a sudden an ad comes up on the jumbo for "BG vs Wisconsin" at Browns Stadium, Sept 6, 2006..............whoa!We'd heard it as a rumor, but now I guess it's official!Also ran into Sally Frye and the Willard Possee before the game. She said his "dinger" last week was a bad one...............didn't bother her for anything else, just said we were all proud of S/man, and pulling for him.Another tidbit..........D Basch has moved out to Arizona and taken a personal trainer to give it one more shot.............good luck to him.

Damn................there's a snowman in hades! Geez.............I can quit posting and co-author GP..............just sign things GP/ZP

To clarify my observation.................I was just saying Luke got more trips onto the field of play than 5 did because he had a defense that could stop somebody.In 5's years, our opponents would hold the ball all the way down the field and score every frickin time................it wasn't like that this year, hence more opportunity.Before we compare these two good college QB's, let's give Luke another year to see what he does..........it's too early to compare abilities and careers. Also, don't forget about Butchie. He was pretty damned good also. We've enjoyed a good run at that position for a long time..............same for backfield talent..................and until this year, receivers. On the O side of the ball, the only place we tanked has been O-line play (note I did not say talent, I said play) after Smitty, Big Griz and the rest departed some 5 years back.

Thanks C, I've been waiting for you to come in. I missed both trips to Motown to very legit reasons.............but watching on TV I was real proud of all the players and fans.........especially the fans, you guys were awesome! Couple other thoughts on the Memphis game: Where was 23?????? I was getting all set to see him drafted on "Day 2" in April, and he goes out and plays himself out of any kind of draft pick at all (IMHO). Secondly, while 12 came up big (finally), he still does'nt look very athletic to me in anything he does between the lines. The Cat's a physical specimen, but he needs to work on his speed and balance bigtime. He needs Sparks to coach him up a little. I disagree with you about him being a big factor next year UNLESS he dedicates himself to living up to his God Given Physical Gifts. On that subject, may do we need receivers! What a waste of a great arm unless somebody comes along who can pull the ball in. I luv Getsy.............a lot. Something occured to me watching the game...........it's really hard to seperate him from Superman, year 2. Is it just me, or does it seem like Getsy gets more chances than Sup did because this team's defense can stop an opponent and get the ball back into our hands? What's up with that bus problem? Was it really that bad? Man that sucks.......if there was ever a program needing a smooth event for it's "fans" it was us.............what happened? I direct that to someone in the know like UAM or one of the lower level staff guys............. I hope we find a running back................nm. I apologize to all my sluggie buddies for not being able to get to Detroit for the two greatest games in recent memory.................real sorry..............but as you well know, it can't be said Z-P is a fair weather fan....................just an unlucky one who had other shit get in the way of some big time fun.................. that's me hitting myself.

Guys........... It's always going to be like this until the quality level of your staff gets all the way down to where nobody wants them...........you want to be there (again)? JD and Mack will suck it up and move on...........They'll get good guys in with all the tools they now have..........no sweat. Relax, wish em well, and say goodbye.

Well...........it took a little while to unfold (don't know why guys and gals were hesitant to comment), but it's plain to see there's real respect and a high regard for UAM around here........... Where's my old pal GP?

I'm supportive already...........why wouldn't I be? I just think "red" did a damn good job, and thought on the basis of that he should get the shot. I'm not knocking Rhoades either. I'm sure he's a top notch guy. I just thought it was funny how the pub rolled out...........just me making a funny...........it's resume stuff I see it all the time, and it makes me grin. On the issue of getting anyone in trouble, I sure as hell don't want to do that either. This is just banter, and if Rhoades reads it great.............but surely he's professional enough to know not to pay attention to a blog................and for the record, I'm not "close" to Mike. I just think the magic he's helped to bring to the past few years is worthy of a shot at an advancement. I'm not Zipper. I'd just like to know what he didn't have that he needs. Having seen and enjoyed his "act" for the past 5 or 6 years, the guy amazed me with all the things he could do. Now he'll have to prove himself all over again for a new boss..............if the new Boss already doesn't have someone else in mind from among his possee........... Go Zips.............

Excuse me............. But I'd still like to know where UAM came us short.............. I read quite a few resumes...........it always makes me smile to see things like this: He also was instrumental in increasing marketing revenue from $800,000 to $1.33 million in just four years. In addition, he guided UTEP to being among conference leaders in attendance for football and men's basketball. Last year, the UTEP Miners averaged 41,209 fans for football and 10,405 for men's basketball. This season, the Miners led football attendance in Conference USA, averaging more than 47,000 fans per game. Single handed? Did all that? Wow! Under Rhoades' supervision, the men's basketball team registered 51 victories during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons - the 13th-best win total in the nation over that span. The men's golf program finished in the top three at the Western Athletic Conference Championships in three of the last four years, including a runner-up showing in 2002. Rhoades' licensing responsibilities included supervising the implementation of new department of intercollegiate athletics logos and color changes, resulting in a 300-percent increase in merchandise sales. Holy cow, he coached basketball and golf too? Oops.....my bad, he was the AD..........oops, my bad again, he was the..............what was it? He also oversaw the Speed, Strength and Conditioning program, served as a liaison with the Miner Athlete Academic Center and was a member of the UTEP NCAA Certification Steering Committee. Rhoades was heavily involved in athletics facility upgrades at UTEP, including the construction of the $11 million Larry K. Durham Sports Center which houses state-of-the-art football coaches' offices and locker rooms, as well as a training room and strength and conditioning center for all sports. He was also responsible for the recently-created Miner Video Production for all home football and men's and women's basketball games. Some hire...........he can do the job of a dozen people! What ever happened to a guy saying "I was part of the team" which did this and that..............but then he didn't write this in GoZips.........someone else did Seriously, where was Mike lacking? Please, some of us boosters would like to know. No knock on the new Boss, no sour grapes, just want to find out why a guy who did such a fine job and learned from a great one got passed by.

Damn............. From what I've read it looks like the new AD's got apprx the same experience package as UAM. So how did Dr. P. and his selection committee seperate em? I for one will be real interested in a an honest answer to this question. Seriously. Sorry Mike...........keep your head up and keep choppin wood. You now know what you have to do................because if the committee to make the selection were "professional" in their process, they have explained to you in detail where you came up short. If that didn't happen, get the hail out of dodge..............I'll be right behind you. WE LUV YA MAN...............

Aw man............... I go overseas for a frikin week.............damn. You guys were supposed to keep UAM in the hunt.............. Color him gone if he doesn't get the nod. This guy sounds like he has the SAME experience and background as Mike. So what's the problem with Mike? Did he do too good a job? Damn..................

Kansas State is open also.............midwest ties? Whatever........... EA is a dick, always was, always will be.

Yagize all know I was in Fla last week................. Well, my section 532 seats were going to have snow in them instead of my keester, so it was time to find where I could catch the game in the St Pete area. We I/net searched and found the "Pinellas Browns Backers" and gave the Pres a call. Good guy from K SU who lives in the area now named Doug. I told him we NEEDED to see the game, and why, and he insisted we come up to the Green Parrot Pub & Eatery at East Bay and Belcher (in case you know the area) where all the Browns games are shown to their 125+ members each Sunday. They OWN the place for that time slot. Sarge and I only had UA gear, having left all our Browns stuff at home, so you know what we wore going in.................. We pulled up to, and took over a table (2 huge screens and 3 or 4 little ones) right in front of an ahole who asked me if we were Superman fans. He told me not to get to excited, because Crennell was holding Superman out of the action because he was "not very good" and Crennell wanted to have C "unexposed" so he could trade him at the end of the season. Do you believe that crap? Came to find out this guy was a graduate of what University? A. Harvard B. Cal Polytech C. Yale D. K SU (you pick the winner). Anyway, by the end of the first half, and his bucket of 10 Miller Lites he was hugging my neck and high-fiveing us all over the place. What a frikin blast we had. Not just because C did a nice job, but because it was soooo much fun taking in the game with the Browns Backers. If you guys EVER HAVE THE CHANCE TO SEE A GAME OUT OF TOWN WITH THIS CLUB, beg borrow and steal your way into one of their Sunday game day parties. Oh, my gawd was it a blast. They have a website, and there's a picture of the "Akron Couple" somewhere on it, so if you care to unmask me, there's your chance. We were proud of C, proud of our Uni, and proud of all you guys again. That's it.............just something to keep the board going.

I hate that we weren't able to go last nite, but like many other solid supporters, we spent the entire last quarter standing in front of our TV's.............. I feel "mellow" today. That was just nice. Coaching did it. Period. This group of athletes is no more talented than any class over the past 6 or 7 years. The difference is coaching. That's not a knock on the old staff, or on this group of BIG HEARTED PLAYERS, it's just a tip of the hat to these guys who are more "well armed" to do the job from whistle to whistle. Our Coaches. I'm especially blown away by the defensive coaching. These guys are running a Pro Style Defense with directional rush tactics, linebacker "scraping" and corner/safety filling. I'm blown away. If we would have had this defense 2 years back, no telling what would have resulted. That's all. You all are the greatest. To those of you who went, big ups. You represented us on TV like a mutha. I was soooooooo proud of you. Down here, the USF coach just reupped for 5 years and he was the leading candidate for the Kansas State job. With the midwest connections our guys have (meaning you know who), heads up on our guys.........they got themselves some real cred last nite on national TV. One last thing: UAM for AD see ya'll the 26th in Motown.

Much as I hate do do it, I've got to give it up a little to GP here. This is Luke's first season. You've got to compare him later...........next year will be better. Also, JD is pretty "close to the vest" if you know what I mean. Perhaps Luke was hurting more than we know, and nothing was let out from the club about it.

Good bulletin board material! Post it JD!

How big an a-hole is Crennel? I told you I would have been happier for 5 to go anywhere other than here to start his career. You all know what I'm talking about so F_ _ _ it..............lets move on.

Didjago? Holy Cow!..............or should I say Holy Kangaroo........... We were stinking up the JAR so bad, with 10 minutes left several people around me were getting up to leave! And did! Then YSU went into its "prevent defense" That worked well didn't it? A "W" is a "W" is a "W".............. Notes (for Ck mostly, where you been man?): 1. Dials is really a "playa".............we're going to give competiton fits with a 3-G offense. Cedric played a hell of a game too. Dru was Dru..........just rock solid. 2. Milum started, but got pulled at about 15:30 1st half. He never saw the floor again. What happened? I really couldn't tell. 3. KD is really something. He coaches (and teaches) his a$$ off from the second he reaches the locker room, until the janitor turns the lites off in the JAR. He might lay off on the Snickers and Starbucks a little for his health 4. This team does not have an identity. Maybe the loss of Woods is the reason. Now they (credit Frenchie for saying this) have to become a "speedy 3-G Team" instead of a "banger". Well, it ain't happend yet. Lucky for us KD kept swithching around until he found the formula yesterday to escape with the win. 5. I really liked this.............I saw a lot of "coaching" going on.......well.......on the floor between the guys.........trying to help each other out.........that's a good sign. No bitchin, just helping.............. 6. Really shocked me to see Peterson not have a stronger game. I hope he comes back stronger going forward. 7. Bubba didn't have touch yesterday, but still made a strong contribution with his passing, ball handling (except for 1 or 2 trips) and defensive hustle. That was big. 8. The time was switched from 7 to 5, and the tickets said 7. At 6:30 about 6 people showed up near us for the game Too bad...........UAM had done everything he could to alert fans...........they weren't bent however, they came in with us doen by about 8, and left as we charged back to win.............in fact the women probably thought that was the best basketball game they had ever attended in their lives Go Zips! I still like UAM for AD!

This was announced at the BB game yesterday: ANY EX FOOTBALL TEAM MEMBER CONTACTING THE TICKET OFFICE (? IS THAT RIGHT) WILL BE GIVEN FREE TRANSPORTATION AND TICKETS FOR THE MACC? Is that right? What do they do? What number do they call?

Just busted my ticket out of the book and stuck in in my wallet...........but noticed it said 7PM. I'm assuming this is wrong, and tipoff's at 5PM right?

As Ronald Regan used to say, "there he goes again"............... GP, Coach Novak is the best coach in the MAC. He took the worst team and made it the best team over the past several years. He's a great coach, and an outstanding Gentleman. I've had the priviledge of meeting him, and am proud to have made his acquaintance. He's from NE Ohio, and proudly proclaims it as the area where the finest FB is played at the HS level anywhere in the US. Stuff your cheap shot................at him personally...............up your a$$. Win or lose, you will always the biggest AH on the board to me.

You guys all know how it is to come thru the gates at the open end of the Bowl, then cut a hard right and walk thru underneath the stands past the concession stands and come out one of the “shoots†opening up to the stands? Well, I did that today instead of walking along the field going to my seat, as I normally do. Anyway, when I came out the “shoot†and saw what was in front of me I literally just went “OH MY GOD, THIS IS AMAZING……….HOW WILL THEY EVER PLAY A GAME IN THIS?â€. It was an amazing sight. It was about 25 minutes before kickoff, and the wind was swirling around, at let me guess, at least 30 mph, it was snowing HARD and it was difficult to see across the field. I’m closer to 60 than 50 (in age), and I’ve seen a lot of football games in my life, but this was the first time I have ever personally been at a game I thought was going to be played in “historically bad conditionsâ€. That’s what it was like Z.I.P. I just wanted to give you a flavor. I’m “wired†for every game (headphones on to Frenchie and crew) so when Steve said “all bets are off, because the field conditions make this an even game†I agreed he was right. Anything could have happened today. Well, you all know the result. Following the game, Stams gave the “Player Of the Game†to the O line……………bullcrap. Brett Biggs was the hands down winner. He literally put the team on his back and carried them all day. What a little player. He’s on to the next level after this performance. At this time, I’d like to slip in a personal note to Dr. P. Dear Dr. P………………. You’ve done a fantastic job at Akron. You continue to do great things. Your legacy will be much, much more than the athletic accomplishments you are now experiencing………in fact, athletics are really not all that important in the greater scheme of things…………………… However, at this moment an important appointment is “on the table in front of youâ€â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦the replacement for one of your cornerstone accomplishments, the hiring of Mike Thomas. I personally employ hundreds of people in multiple countries. I respectfully submit that I can recognize talent when I see it. Right in front of us is the best candidate to carry on the successes you ignited with the hiring of Mike Thomas several years ago. It’s Michael Waddell. Mike Thomas implemented your visions over the past 6 years. Mike Waddell was his “right hand manâ€, and in many instances, really did the heavy work. Please reward Mike T and Mike W by allowing us to carry on these traditions with the appointment of Michael Waddell as the new UA/AD. I hope one of you “sluggies†will be kind enough to pass that along to the Good Dr. P………………..because I’m sure he has better things to do than to follow the Nation. There’s a lot more I’d like to put down, but no doubt you cats will do it in fine style. ZW………..thanks for the extra vote! Z-P

Hey ZW............ Since I started the thread, can I have a second vote? C'mon, just this once. I need to pick up my man G.

Funny story..............thinking about a "cold game" reminds me of something. Any of you guys have wives that smoke? Know what mine tells me all the time? "You meet the nicest people smoking"..........is that a crock or what? Anyway, we were at the coldest game in the history of UA Football..............Dwight's final game at K ent...........what, 6 years ago? Anyway, out she goes at halftime for a stick.............man were we freezing. That wind whipped right under us at 20-25 MPH and the temp was only about 20. I stayed frozen to my seat, afraid to open up a crack in my armor and let cold air in.............. Back she comes for the kickoff...........and what do you think she says "dad, you meet the nicest people smoking"....................geez.............so I "bit" and said who'd you meet this time, Coach Lombardi? No she says with an attitude, but I did meet Coach Owen's mother! What? Are you kidding me? No she says................I told you "you meet the nicest people smoking".............. Gawd Go Zips!

Watch the game from the Coors Beer Garden! Hey UAM, can you still get some bleachers hauled in there for the game . Flannel lined jeans, parka, scarf, tobaggan hat, radio, seat cushion, heavy socks, boots, rain parka (just in case), double gloves, see you there...............if NIU gets over, this will be the greatest! Give me 5K as my number..............sorry to say. Tough day, tough weather.

Well, who is it?