Z-P

Weather.com says 54 and cloudy, showers having come thru earlier in the day. I'm geeked! Bring xtra pop Cap'n!!!!!!!!!! ILFSITF (hope it's not my last of the season)

Hate to hang it on a guy......but IMHO, the result depends on which Swiger shows up...... Will we get the UConn/Can't State03/OU04 Swiger or the 4th Qtr Marshall Swiger? If we can't haul it into the EZ, we have got to be able to put points on the board. No prediction here..........luv my guys........but we'll need "A" games out of everbody......and need to pick up points when we're in range.

No Celebrating!!!!!!!!! To correct another poster, we recently have not played Miami tough in the bowl. There's a ton of work to do. I don't want to see Clemens run wild on Saturday night. We ALWAYS make superstars out of opponent running backs. GO HARD THIS WEEK ON THE BOARD. NO FLUFF!!!!!!!!!! ILFSITF

No Celebrating!!!! There's more work to do... Fill the bowl next Saturday night!!!!!! Forget about the Bucks just this once!!!!! nm

GOOD LUCK, GODSPEED SATURDAY! nothing more............. Holding my breath and crossing my fingers at home............. ILFSITF

Caught the end of the HBO Sports Special on the US Olympic Hockey Teams Dream Season when they upset the Ruskies. Any of you guys see it? The thing that really rang me bell was how Herb Brooks handled the entire issue of momentary success vs the pursuit of real treasure. What the Hull am I rambling about here? Well, here's the dealio and the hook up to the Zips...............at the end of the victory over Russia, do you know what Brooks did? Instead of hitting the ice with the rest of the team to celebrate, he turned around and bolted down into the locker room by himself to get ready to apply more psych to his team. When they got in to the room, he let them celebrate a while, then pulled them all together and said the following (I'm paraphrasing here and this is from memory) "That was great, congratulations, you earned it, but you have one game left against the Fins. If you loose that game you will go from being the greatest surprise team in history to the biggest loosers in history." Get it? The job wasn't done..............they still had to beat the Fins. That's the analogy to the situation our guys are in. Hey guys, congrats on the Frey-day Night Massacre, but you'll look like bufoons if you don't go out and whip up on the Bobkittens! Just trying to keep the board going I guess............. Where dat dudie at?

Doc.......... No, sorry. Didn't catch your pastie grill on the TV. Did see too many empty seats after half time however.......it was kind of embarrassing to see how many people took off even though it was pretty frigid. Charlie's interview was great. I knew exactly what he was going to say even before he said it, and then he sad it!!!!!!!!! He proped the BIG MAN too. That was classy. Where were you? Oh, I know, you were the guy licking his cleats

Just a little comment...........did anyone else notice this too? The play made me explode out of my seat (In Vegas on TV) but as I watched the replay time after time I was shocked that Jason held on and caught it. He actually caught the ball like I would have (as compared to the great ones who take catch with their hands).............he took it in the chest. It was a lucky thing it didn't pop out.............honest...........in case you were at the game and didn't see the replays. Found myself thinking.................."no wonder Charlie is having such a gard time this season if that's the way these guys catch balls".............. No diss intended, just a comment. Hope we don't suffer that typical ZIP LETDOWN this Sat in Athens. JD........if you really want to put your "stamp" into this program, win this next game...........historically LO's teams tanked following big wins...............this one can really be big for the program in so many ways. ILFSITF..........Go Zips !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We need something to keep the board moving...........

Notes from Ball State…we're improving week by week...this is something I can't really say ever happened during the past few years...BIG UPS ON THE STAFF ! If it weren’t for RAB (Rent A Back) where would we be this year? The man’s a man and a half in a mini “attack†version. All motor all the time. Wow. Hope grades don’t become an issue (assuming that’s why he had to go JUCO)…BTW, the “Back de Jure†this year at all uni’s seems to be the 5’9†200 speedster. Anyone else notice how fantastic the new surface was in a heavy rain. B-4 the Zips game I was watching NIU vs WMU on ESPN and those guys were slipping and sliding all over the place. I can’t remember one slip last night at the bowl during or after the downpour. Feel bad for 40, but we’re seeing why he didn’t get reps last year I guess. Hate to rag on guys, but I made a comment in the stands out loud and the guy in front of me ( who I had never seen or met before ) turned around and loudly agreed with me (to my surprise)…our receivers suck. Example…on comeback routes they turn to come back and instead of jetting back, they slow down every time, giving the DB’s the chance to get back into the play…every firkin time. They run long slow lazy routes instead of facing up the DB’s then breaking hard…it’s just sick to see. Feel real bad for Superman. Never knew how great our group was last year. One exception, 84, he’s going to be a goooooood one. Already is. Looooove what’s happening on Defense. After all these years, we finally attack offenses instead of sitting back and waiting for our “spanking†(a legacy of the prior staff I guess). I’d like to see a little better tackling, especially behind the LOS, we gave up at least 5 or 6 TFL’s due to no wrap. Remember 2 in particular by 35. Did 29 really catch that ball or was it an All-World Job of picking it up on a short skip? Guess we do have a screen pass in the package. Finally. 34 for 6. How about the O-Line? Looking real good. They are finally getting some run-block work in practice and it shows. That is all that was missing from last season’s debacle IMHO…prior staff abandoned the run game…didn’t train or teach it…just expected it to happen I guess. Credit the OL with at least 50% of the reason it’s happening this season. Attendance reads about 7,000. For those of you not in attendance, that’s a stretch of about 5K...at least. Hated that for players, staff, competitors and The Boss’s guys and gals. They all deserve better. Hope Marshall turns up better. Seems like the new staff has instilled the belief in our D that they aren’t destined to cave like in the old days…we’re winning games now we would have lost in the past. How about the freshman QB at BSU? That young man’s gunna have one hell of a run thru the MAC during his tenure. And their punter…could he hit the S_ _ t out of the ball or what? MN…

NM Rain big time Sat nite, that sucks too 200 for 34

Hey Doc........... How'd you get that gloss anyway? Are you a brain surgeon or something? Or is it just because you doctor up you beezo's (at pregame t/gates) with a shot of ole gran gag? Good grab on the Bennie stuff. I'm proud of him, honest. He really did a noce job vs the Cowboys on Sunday. Another thing, that Cowboy kicker (Cundiff) is pretty darn good. That's the guy who edged out Zac at the very end of camp a couple years back. I still can't believe Zac didn't make it into the NFL. I'm thinking about how I'd approach the next game were I JD. This game could be sort of like our Cal-Poly game of last season. No disrespect for Ball State, because anyone in the MAC can beat anyone else in the MAC on any given Saturday. But it just could be a chance to give some of the horses a little "rest" so to speak. We'll need 34, 5, 44, 23, 32 etc all healthy going into the wind-down of the season.........especially if we are to make a run at the title. I'd like to see Ringer and Biggs combine for about 200 this week, and then have Superman get healthy in the Bye week and to pitch about a 350 at the green weenies on TV the next Friday night.............that would be utopia for me. But what do I know, I still drive a Pinto (with an XM however ) Oh, one more thing..................this is the week Ashland plays Wayne State in Detroit. It's Wayne's homecoming. I'll be interested in finding out how many old players go to see Lee face off against Paul ????? Some spy will report. Another thing...............ZW, how about freshening up our emoticons......isn't there an upgrade you can add on?

Just got back into town, had to work another weekend GD it........... Followed the tracker and was really pleased with the action...much as I could follow it. I'm especially happy for the staff.......it's soooooo hard to stay the course when things aren't going well...........THIS BUD'S FOR YOU GUYS Hey everybody...........here's a flush....................the Can't State and FUC victories are EXACTLY the types of games we would have lost in the past.............know what I mean? Nuf said.............no sense regurgitating it any longer. Luv the fact we've finally learned the key to success is having a rushing attack. My MVP is 34..............man I luv that playa. ILFSITF Oh another thing......here this Bud's for the BOSS, bet he's grinning ear to ear today. Oh, one more thing..............I'm so heartbroken about the news out of Iowa this weekend

ZR......... Don't get your undies in a bundle. Remember Michael "The Burner" Turner? He debuted vs the Zips in the Bowl 5 years ago when "The #1 NIU Back" was out for the game. He tourched us for about a buck fiity, and shared time with another back to boot. FUC has "The Man" in the wings...........this just may be his breakout opportunity. Gawd I hate thinking about that NIU game in the bowl...........

For sluggie buddies who don't get the media, hit this link: http://wkyc.com/news/news_fullstory.asp?id=24789 That'll keep the board movin this week...........

Hey ZipDude........... Calling you out for comments...........

Had to crank up the ole Pinto, turn on the XM, and limp down to Charlotte early Sunday morning so I'm sorry for the tardiness on the report (for ZipDude, Z.I.P, et al not at the game). Is it just me, or is the game always more fun in the 2nd half after a visit to the Coor's Light Bullpen? Hey UAM, how about building a little balcony with cushioned seats over there so we can imbibe and watch the action?..............call it the "Zipped Loge" or "Club Level" or something like that.........recliners with built in binoculars would be a good thing........... Another thing..........man oh man I would swear there were more than 7,123 in the stands. I was thinking 11K +/- anyway. Didn't count, but I bet there were 30 or 40 ex players at the game.......Big Griz, Ed March, Brandon, on and on..........lot's of guys. AND NONE OF THEM WERE ON THE SIDELINES. PROBABLY NONE OF THEM INVITED INTO THE LOCKER ROOM EITHER. BAD, BAD, BAD. JUST DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT WOULD BE THE BOSSES STYLE TO IGNORE THE OLD GUYS.....BUT WHAT DO I KNOW. Out go the captains for the pre-game coin toss. Three guys on the left are doing the traditional "hand clasp".............5 was a man and a half away, not holding on.....and FYI, it was not his throwing hand on the side of the other 3, it was his left hand. Don't know what that means, but it put a wrinkle in my brow when I saw it. We need more fans like CK and Possee. They not only show up and TOTALLY REPRESENT, they drag their other friends and neighbors with them also...........beefing up attendance. Also, continuing with my tailgate report, his "mama" cooked up some killer ribs and fed everyone up and down the fence who raised their hands..........what a crew. Knocked down one of his tastie "Apple Pies" mmmmmmmmmmmmm smooth and toastie! Try one. Went looking for a paper bag to put over my head after the first 5 play drive by the Buffs resulted in 7. Thought it was going to be a loooooong nite. Kind of reminded me of the Liberty game where they came out and smoked us right away...........then the Buffalo game up and did a total Liberty Reset and we took over..............what do you know. 2 bad teams playing bad football in the lovely Rubber Bowl on a delightful Saturday Night. I never ever dis a guy...........and I won't now.............but I "Isoed" on some of our "big name" defenders to see how they were playing. Got to tell you I was disappointed in almost all of them. Some of those cats played better as Frosh than they are playing as Seniors or Juniors..........kind of sad. I'm a big fan of our "Rent-A-Back"...........he's really got guts and drive. A sad thing about going JUCO's is that when a good one hits like 34, with potential to be a real leader on the team by his actions and not just his words, it's almost too late to benefit from it................season's half over and with only a year left he'll never be able (due to time constraint) rise to the emotional level of Brandon.............who was the spirit of the team for 3 of his 4 playing years. I love this guys' jets when he gets to 2 and sees open field. I have no clue what the rest of the season holds for us. The offense looks "tenative" in it's approach........it doesn't seem "aggressive" like it's been the past two years. The defense is just not good. Someone said we just out muscled Buffalo, and they were right. We couldn't do anything against them until our size and strength wore them out. Then we had our way. Buffalo had no rush either.............that helped. Charlie had time to do what he wanted most of the game. 5's getting under center one-hell-of-a-lot-more than he has since 2002........and that's helping the rushing game also. About FUC.......I've been there twice. They play tough down there. Always a Zip, but I'd be pleasently surprised if we could handle them in the Citrus Bowl...........so listen or watch in hope.............but stay under control. That's a mean crowd and a mean environment to play in. I'll think of more miscellaneous junk later........... ILFSITF

That's totally out of sight! I can just imagine that poor kid picking up your sweetie and having to shake hands with you..............hope he brings a magnifying glass so he can see you little fella Yea, you get a bye on the game...........I'll cover it for you and next time you grace us with your presence up this way for a game, IT'S BOYZ ONLY, AND YOU ARE ALL MINE XXXXXXXXXXXXXX. ILFSITF PS.....if you need updates, call me on my cell and I'll give you a play by play.

My pallie can't spell because he left school in the 3rd grade to go get a job and support his family. Poor little fella...........

"Axe" is a "newbie" pretty funny. I motion we make him an honorary ZipNation Slug for the purpose of keeping him in here with us! ILFSITF

In case the staff hasn't looked at the films from last year just kidding, I know they have.......... Buffalo does a good job defending against the pass. Last year in Buffalo, they had us on the ropes (I'm doing this from memory, so apologies if off a little bit) until we came out for the second half. I think the halftime score was either tied or we were narrowly leading..............anyway, we did a complete RETRO and went to a total running attack. I think 42 rushed for 2 TD's and about 75 yards in the 3rd quarter alone, giving us control of the game..............someone with a media guide can dig out the details and post them to see if I'm correct. Anyway, the reason I am posting this is because if I were do game plan against Buffalo, I'd give them a big dose of my favorite player this year, Mr. Brett Biggs. Oh yea, the following week (last season), LO's guys lost their minds, and their memories of one week earlier, and rushed the ball a total of just 5 frikin times in Miami and probably cost the Zips any chance to compete with Big Ben's crew. IMHO, that was the "straw that broke the camels back" for the old regime. I can still visualize The Boss's face as he patted the players on the shoulders coming off the field in Miami.....he had that look on his grill which said "don't worry about it guys, I'm gunna take care of this crap once and for all"..........when LO came out of the locker room, I heard him tell a player's parent "we've got to do a better job of rushing the ball"......all I could think to myself was............golly Lee, it starts by putting it into the Fullback or Tailback's hands once in a while.

Holy Cow GP.......... You ask to get smacked in the opening line of your post, then when someone comes up and does it you act like a baby. More......... Let's see.....how can we rate QB's..........you tell me and we'll look at the numbers and see where 5 stands vs those other guys. OK? Frankly I don't know, but I'll bet he's right up in there somewhere. Marshall, 2002. What was the score when Leftwich went out of the game? Know that crappy O-line we have this year? For some unknown reason they became Supermen in the 4th quarter as we ate the ball, 42 carrying it for (memory here) 60 yards in the 4th? I think our TOP was in excess of 10 minutes. That sir, is what won that game. Oh, and BTW, the game I attended that night saw Lefty come back and fire up his offense to turn them around from the fumble bums they looked like in the first quarter to that fine tuned machine we have always seen. You said (and I really love this one) "Answer: The kid doesn't win in big games. I'm looking at t press guide right now, and in the past three years they have gone 4-7, 4-8 and 7-5. Three of those 15 wins were against 1-AA teams so he has 12 Division I-A wins in three years. In the past two years, he has lost to the likes of Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, OU and Can't State. All games we should have won. An NFL QB wins those games by himself." Don't think so sir. I'm on the back end of my 50's and have never heard any football player ever admit to winning anything by themselves. Maybe you know better. 22 men plus specialists take the field and win or lose as a team. Why are you so bitter on Charlie? Oh yea, love this one too................If the QB has multiple reads, it's a Pro Offense. That doesn't even merit a response it's so silly. Better yet, if the coaches tell the players it's a "Pro Offense" it must be a Pro Offense. Guess my next door neighbors kid playing in 4th grade Flag Football runs a "Pro Offense" too. That's what his coach tells him. Whatever...............at least this should keep the board flying for a few days. You were right about that. ILFSITF

Let me take this one guys.......... :angry: No big games? Were you at the last Marshall game in the bowl? This guy has put the entire team on his back for 3 years, and personally willed the Zips into a positions they could win from, only to have the defense let him down time after time after time. Came way back in Madison, only to have the D get burned, came way back in Hartford (injured) only to have missed field goals and no D let him down, stepped into his first game vs OU way back when and lead the team to a victory when we were down..........those are just the quick ones I can call to mind. You said "Is 5 really as good as we think he is? I'm guilty of thinking the kid was a first or second round draft pick. After watching him in a pro style offense, he looks confused and uncertain." What team and game are you watching? This is the same crappy offense we ran unsuccessfully last year. You said " I just don't see the spark or professional ability of the kid." Trust me, this young man has the whole package...........he's a pro in the wings. No Lefty, Big Ben or Pennington??????????? Right he's not. He's probably better than any of them.............look at the programs and teams those guys played on. Now think about what 5's had to work with. End of discussion..........oh yea, and in case you haven't heard, he's got a shot at the MAC all time passing record. Additionally, look at this when you get a chance..........some of his best games have been against the biggest competition like Wisconsin and Virginia (past years). No long ball? Really? How long is long enough? Tell him..............and go ask him to casually toss it that far for you. Our problem is that since the days of Schifino and Bailey we haven't had a deep threat to throw to. We can't get behind anyone, and haven't been able to for 4 years. Worse yet, his YAC probably sucks cause our guys always get caught from behind...........only Sparks doesn't apply to the above comments, but he was a bit timid as a receiver IMHO. Damn, I keep getting interrupted here, so I've lost my train of thought.............but from my perspective, almost everything you have said is incorrect. Having spit all that out, we're both Zip Fanatics, so no hard feelings GP, I just think you are flat out wrong.

ZFF.......... You baller!!!!!!!!!!!!! Comin out strooooooong!!!!!!

Oops..........my bad. Just to clarify my comments, all I had to follow the game by yesterday was Frenchy's call on 1350...........no view down here. Can't see everyting, and you know how dirty his specs can get. BTW, Stams is terrible. And another thing you guys who watched the game might not be aware of..........several times during the game Frenchy said something to this effect "the next 6 games are against competition more on our level" "teams we can play with and compete" "the first 5 games were against strong, powerful 1-A teams"...........something like that.............I'm going WHAT? THAT COMMENT WAS PITIFUL. WE'VE BEEN ONE OF "THOSE TEAMS" RECENTLY.............why back up? n/a.........my comment on the use of our talent had to do with scheming to use it not change positions. Do we have a screne in the playbook? Do we (can't see this on the radio) ever stack up a side to force zone coverage and free someone up? Things like that. Thanks for noting.............. ILFSITF Oh God..........now I have to suffer thru the Browns this afternoon........