UA1987

GM Zippy5 wouldn't have been working for those teams. Look at them and see if they didn't build from the linemen/defense out and then went after their QB. That's the way you do it if you want to win or else you have to sit your #1 pick till you build so as not to turn him into a bag flesh and broken bones. All that being said the Browns will probably take Bortles or some other QB in the first round. I just hope they sit him for a while rather than throwing him to the lions (not Detroit) - now we've come full circle.

Successful teams build first and then take a QB high in the draft. Here's another example to help prove my point - the Houston Texans took David Carr #1 in 2002 to 'build around' with zippy5 as their GM. Carr became the NFL's most sacked QB in a single season during 2002. In four years the Texans went 4-12 in 2002, 5-11 in 2003, 7-9 in 2004 and 2-14 in 2005. Carr probably can't tie his shoes by himself now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_Pittsburgh_Steelers_season The Steelers were 10-5-1 in 2002 and 13-3 in 2001. Injuries hit in 2003 (see above). All Ben in 2004? The Colts were 14-3 in 2009 (Super Bowl year) and 10-6 in 2010. Injuries hit in 2011 when they were 2-14. All Andrew Luck in 2012? Build the team and then take the QB in the first round or it will not work out (Couch, Quinn, Weeden).

Or was it that Pittsburgh was loaded and ready to take a chance at QB in the first round? Do you have such a man crush on Rothlesbuger that you think he came into the league and did well without an outstanding team around him? Is that supportable - no just like your idea for the Browns to take a QB with their first pick - that would be like buying a Mercedes and parking it on the street in a struggling neighborhood. Get your house in order before you buy the expensive wheels or there won't be much left of it sitting out there on the street.

Please your love affair with Ben, who I couldn't stand at Miami makes me puke too. Pittsburgh recent #1 draft picks: 2013 - J Jones - LB 2012 - D Castro - OG 2011 - CHaywood - DE 2010 - M Pouncey - C 2009 - Z Hood - DT Defense and offensive line in the early draft, unless it has been determined that the team can play a rookie in a skill position.

Injuries http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steeler...es/201312080122 OK you get a pass too for loving the Steelers, but you still sound like a prick.

The Steelers have been very good in the past at building a great offensive line and defense, which is just what I'm proposing. However, I've never liked the Steelers and it makes me sick that people who live near Cleveland back Pittsburgh, unless they once lived near the Burgh in their youth (pass to Dr Z & others - maybe you too zippy - nah). This is THE definition of being a traitor or fair weather fan, like being an OSU backer when you're an Akron student or Alum.

Pass on a college QB that will be a rookie is more like it zippy. Young QB's on struggling teams get injured (run too much), lose their confidence, ability to think quickly (concussions), and lose their throwing touch. These are not good things. You could draft your top QB now, but he would have to sit or fail on the current version of the Browns. You can't waste a first round pick to sit on the bench. He has to play.

The only way you go high up in the draft after a college QB and expect him to start as a rookie is if your team is solid - everywhere but at that position. Do the Brown's have holes to fill in this draft - yes - so no QB in the 1st round. Draft day flow chart.

I'd also see if I could workout two Zips - Malachi Freeman and Moses McCray (maybe others: Presley, Caponi, James, Demhasaj, and Pughsley) to see if they would make the grade as free agents

If I was picking for the Browns it would go something like this in order of picks: CJ Mosley - ILB Justin Gilbert - CB Zach Martin - OG Marion Grice - RB Martavius Bryant - WR Jimmy Garapolo - QB Keith Wenning - QB Christian Bryant - SS Michael Schofield - ROT

I write not for the faint of heart. Kidding - your reply was funny.

I'd like Bortles as a Browns pick in the second, third, or fourth round. I'd also give Jordon Lynch a try, even though he's only 6 ft, with a later pick. I'm convinced you don't take skill ego head case players with a high pick as you have pay them too much and they carry too much injury risk and baggage. If I was the Browns GM I would continue to load up on the offensive line and defense with high picks and take skill players later that are still very good and not crazy, unless there is the 'one' with his head on straight jumping out at you.

I saw Western Michigan's potential 2014 class on Rival's and the obvious question is how are they doing it (ranked top 50) after going 1-11. I don't know for sure, but I have to speculate that they are taking chances on kids from tough locations. This can work if they come from a good family, or it can backfire as it did for Faust and Brookhart. P J Fleck, their new coach, seems to be trying to take a short cut to a winning record. Fleck may have benefited from reading a little American history about the Donner party heading out West in 1846 before settling on a recruiting strategy. After becoming trapped in the mountains during the Winter and surviving by cannibalizing several members of their group, one emigrant offered a warning to all who came after - 'take no short cuts and always hurry along'. By the way we currently have two 3*'s in Kincade and Boxen (more on the way I'm sure).

Some potential help at DT (Hampton and Martial). http://jcfootball.scout.com/a.z?s=87&p...=22&yr=2014

Congrats to Jeff Bowden for having the special teams ready to play.

Compared to any position on a college football team, an offensive lineman can be NR or ranked as 2* and develop into a top caliber starter. This guy has a good frame and the coaches must see something else they like about him like speed, footwork, smarts, etc... I too trust in Arrington. I'm a bit surprised I have not heard yet (informally) that Akron is going after 5* running back Brionte Dunn from OSU. He's in Meyer's dog house and he is from Canton (GlenOak). Tressel also recruited him. He'd look pretty good as an Akron back in 2015.

Coming off a 3-33 record the last few years it has been difficult to recruit, despite having country club facilities. Every year now we should be doing better in recruiting as we move away from the doldrums and begin to win. So far for 2014, we have two Rival's 3*'s in Kincade and Boxen.

Where do you get your information on recruiting that does not include a ranking number or star?

I suspect the bug up your butt about recruiting evaluations is somehow personal or related to someone you know. If you are going to try to provide additional information (FYI) , make an effort to add and not repeat yourself as it does not help with the discussion. Here is some information to consider: 5* - Top 50 player - possible All American; projected NFL 1st or 2nd round draft pick 4* - Top 250 player - possible all conference; NFL draft possible 3* - Starter on most top 50 FBS teams 2* - Contributor Rankings are based on size, strength, speed, and stats. Athlete's intangibles are hard to rate and can affect ability to compete in a large way. I'd be pleased with a growing list of 3* players this year as long as they have been screened for intangibles (heart, smarts, and good family) if the Zips can get them to commit.

Any mention of star recruiting rankings crawls up some peoples behinds and makes them crazy experts as if it was being discussed to use internet stock analysts buy, hold, or sell recommendatons for investment decisions. Exceptions are everywhere and the star ranking system is not near perfect, but I think it is very possible for our coaching staff to find real football players that are highly touted as indicated by our prospect list. Now the interesting part to me is seeing if we can get our share of them here at Akron in 2014.

Senior Day 11/29 - Nice job staying with Akron and turning the program away from the doldrums Broderick Alexander Anthony Holmes CJ James Nordly Capi - Junior? Malachi Freeman Bill Alexander Emmanual Larty Sean Graves Keith Sconiers - medical redshirt? Austin Bailey Zenel Demhasaj Henry Orelus Nico Caponi Joe Petrides Jarrod Pughsley Dee Frieson Jon Root Jerrod Dillard Moses McCray Albert Presley Conner Seeman Paul Skolmutch Please go ahead make any corrections to the list. Any pro prospects?

I hope so. I've seen Capi listed both as a Junior and a Senior. Maybe this can be cleared up by Zipsnation.

We have Grice, Pittman, Hollis, Copeland, Horner, and Okafor returning next year on the d-line. Maybe Jeff Allen, Brock Boxen, and Daryan Martin can help too, but Chuck and Terry are going to have to pick up at least two more top notch athletes to hold the line next year. Transfers McCray, James, and Capi worked out great and I'm sure the Bowden network is scrubbing the Nation for 2014 reinforcements. I'd like to see a couple of 6 foot corner recruits and some immediate help in the defensive backfield (ala Avis Commack) too if available as we are losing a good one in Malachi Freeman. I think our offensive line may be OK next year, even with our losses, so several 3* recruits to redshirt there would be fine. We need a stud 3* running back recruit and a ready to excel WR transfer on offense along with a few other WR recruits to join Cottrill. Help on special teams is crucial too as noted in previous comments on this thread. I'm very interested in next year and the fun begins soon as the 2014 recruiting/transfer class will be key to any improvement (you win with Jimmy and Joe's not X's and O's). Eat em up!

I've always liked the second play on the video below (a version of the Statue of Liberty). Yep, it may have worked at Michigan. Practice it for Toledo and use it in the right situation.