UA1987

'Bottom line' or 'at the end of the day' types would look at the score of the Spring game and think there's big problems with the O. Problem is, you can't cliff note Spring games. You have to look at the full story, which was adequately told by previous posters. I found it interesting that Coach Bowden commented that players here now are the ones that will be starting next August. He did have a qualifier in there as he said (most) somewhere in his closing motivational speech, so I do think we will see some blue shirts and this will be the big story for Zipsnation during the next few months. I'll be watching for big news here - Go Zips

A couple of things: 1) I'd be surprized if Isaiah Williams is not already over 300 lbs despite his GoZips weight. Hope he works hard in the offseason so as to come into camp at 315 lbs 2) Why can't Horner get up his weight? Special project for the conditioning room as we need him to be 230 lbs or higher by August.

Boyett (OT) will be here in August. He's big and has been rated highly. While I like Williams work ethic, I believe Coach Bowden would be a bit happier if Isaiah would head to the all you can eat buffet and hit the weights daily till 7/31. He needs to come in strong and well over 300lbs (315 target) to Fall camp or he will get pushed around. Blue shirts on both sides in the line and maybe in the defensive secondary would be very welcome.

George says Williams impressing the staff on the O-line http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-spring-football-quarterback-kyle-pohl-looks-for-zips-offense-to-be-aggressive-1.479254

Looks like some of these teams copied pro helmets. Ex. - Eastern Mich - Green Bay (67-75) , Eagles (93-95) , Jets (00-01)

Seems like we could use 1 more offensive tackle (in addition to Boyett) and 1 more defensive tackle to challenge for a starting spot or fill in the 2 deep. This sort of bondo repair will be needed till our recruitng classes fill the gaps.

I don't see long time reserve OL Micah Lio on the Spring roster. I thought he would be a Senior in 2014. Not sure what happened, but I thought he'd get some playing time this year. May be another reason Bowden has said he'd like to get another lineman and has concerns with this group.

Bowden's concerns seem to be focused on the offensive line and defensive secondary, both areas with new coaches. Got to be a concern for the HC when you lose so many starters in these areas and then have new coaches to boot. I think our offensive ine will be OK, but a little more concerned about our defensive secondary. Still wondering who's going to line up where and what the two deep will look like on the defensive line. Answers will start to trickle in next week.

I like the helmet Z, but it needs to be postioned and drawn slightly differently for asthetics. Keep the Zipper stripe and shitcan the wording on it. Zippy can be marketed to our fans, but is a little troubling on our helmets. I've had to endure several 'is that a deer on your helmets comments over the years. My affable reply - not a deer, but a carnivourous kangaroo and that's where our battle cry 'eat em up eat em up go Zips go!' comes from. Best I could do. That and I usually accidently spill some beer on their shoes.

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20130606/BLOGS06/130609883 I have no reason to doubt this impact study (source IS a little suspect) - $6,000,000 in direct spending, which is $200 per person based on your attendance estimate, which was pulled out of the air.

Pitt is bringing in 4 4* recruits - ranked #55 at year end; 7-6 record Penn State - #2 recruiting class behind OSU (many 4*'s) - ranked #52 at year-end; 7-5 record Marshall - top recruiting class in Conf USA (3*'s), ranked #61 at year end - 10-4 record While all three are good, the Marshall home game is our best shot at a FBS OOC victory in 2014. Anything could happen in these games, but Marshall's record is not a good yardstick of their strength. Marshall does not schedule heavy - example no ATM game in 2014, plus they don't play as well away from Huntington. I like this game as it is an old MAC matchup that makes sense to put on our schedule. With their schedule, Marshall has a legitimate chance of going undefeated, or close, and playing a top 25 team, or better, in a bowl at a neutral site. How can they afford this without a lop-sided matchup in a hostile venue? - they sell tickets at home.

Marshall is the game I'm circling. There will be key 2015 recruits at this contest and Bowden will want to throw in some wrinkles to upset this West Virginian team. If Bobby feels good, I'm guessing he'll be at this game too. We won't let this one get away like we did with the Ragin Cajuns.

I like this analysis although some two deep players were left out (Erickson, Lio etc..). I'm not sure what season it will be in the next few, but one will be so impressive that we will finally be on the map in FBS football. Joe Akron will probably not buy tickets till then, so enjoy the short lines for now die hard Zips fans as Bowden will be putting roaring crowds at the Info in the future.

I think Pohl will have an improved 2014. He gutted out a bad injury last year that hampered his play. I also look for MTB to be much improved. He had a bad year, but he was just a true freshman. Pohl will be looking for him this year. What would help is if Sconiers comes back - has anyone heard? Wolf will also be a nice addition at WR. We are fine at running back and our line should be OK. Overall I think we'll see some improvement in results by the offense over last year. Our defensive line and backs have many questions, but I believe we have the atlhetes to play defense, overall, as good as last year if not slighty better. Special teams should be a focus during Spring and Fall camp. Jeff's teams did come around after some early mishaps last year. Overall, with our 2014 schedule, and potential improvements, despite losing some very good players, my gut says - bowl eligible and an exciting year.

Jamel Turner is listed as a LB, but he needs to put on 25 lbs and play D/E. We also have John Rachal coming off an injury that showed promise at LB (right JZ).

Early Starting Offensive Line? LT - Boyette - 325 LG - Brumbaugh - 310 C - Switzer - 292 RG - McNamara - 310 or Lio 325 RT - Brittnum - 324 Also interested in how Osborne, Mills, Casimos, Erickson, Kortokrax, Carroll and Bohan are doing.

I'm interested in how the defensive line will look next year. Does Pittman play DT to round out the two deep in the middle. Then do one (Boxen) or two of the 2014 DL recruits work into the two deep at DE or does Jamal Turner move from LB (a call from Jason Taylor might help him switch positions). Talked with Caponi the other day and he does not think there are any plans to run a 3-4 in 2014, but he was not real forthcoming on info. Nico did say of all the d-line grads from last year, he thinks Presley has the best shot at the NFL (McCray is pretty beat up and no comment on James).

For me signing day is a welcome time back to Zips football. I expect a decent class, but the Bowden network will keep looking for athletes that can play and want a shot with Akron past early February and right up to Fall camp. You all (y'all) know (dadgumit) that we need to supplement our roster and I'd be very surprised if we don't pick up some exciting talent for 2014. My guess is that Bobby and Tommy are and will be working the phones (talking to coaches) for Terry, Jeff, and the rest of the Zips. Let's win some big in 2014!

Die hard Zips fans that lived through 2011, and stayed a fan, should be given free beer wristbands at the Info for life. We just might have been the worst at the end of that year. I believe you in lot 9 are treating yourselves to the beer for life benefit which is well earned.

I think this is a great idea if it could be done as voluntary extra work after practice. Maybe a GA ot two could help out.

You nailed it

I've always thought Dambrot's bench substitutions were a strength of his teams. What I see on this board is a lot of negative coach comments after this one game (South Carolina 2.0), when Dambrot has been the best thing for Akron basketball in a long time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akron_Zips_men's_basketball

So you know more than Dambrot? Please, save the rope for coaches that deserve it.

The substituting is most probably a teaching move intended to motivate players to play what was being taught in practice. If you mess up then you hit the bench. It's easy for some far off announcer to bash the Zips - we all know that, but when Zips fans start to bash KD it's nothing more than a knee jerk reaction. Some of these fan's want to win the big games so bad it's frustrating and others just want to try to sound smart. It's healthy to say you want to win the big games and try to figure out why we are having trouble, but to throw trash at our coach is weak.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/inj...-231524641.html