Dr Z

For those interested. ESPN+ tonight. I'll guess it will be worth while.

I would love to see information on the last three years of Akron's personnel packages, and compare it to this years team. This is great information, I wish the same were available for college football. Anyone have an opinion on what personnel packages they think coach Arth will lean toward?

Current status.

Top 4 candidates for steal of the Steelers draft according to Curt Popejoy. Everyone knows about the big names from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 NFL draft. But who will be the steal from this class? Here are our four top candidates. LB Ulysees Gilbert III If we were ranking these guys, Gilbert might be our top choice. Despite being a sixth-round pick, Gilbert is in a position on the Steelers to have a rookie impact on special teams as well as a sub-package linebacker. His speed and athleticism make him a candidate to play inside and outside and with the Steelers depth at linebacker, we could see him on the field early.

The easiest nonconference schedules for Power 5 teams in 2019 according to Chris Low, a ESPN Senior Staff Writer. #3. Illinois Schedule: Aug. 31 vs. Akron, Sept. 7 at UConn, Sept. 14 vs. Eastern Michigan In his fourth season as Illinois' head coach, Lovie Smith could really use a good start to 2019, and the schedule is tailor-made for positivity. The Fighting Illini have yet to win more than four games in a season on Smith's watch, and any chance to get to a bowl game this year will most certainly hinge on going 3-0 in their nonconference games before Nebraska comes to town on Sept. 21. The only road trip is to UConn, which went 1-11 last season. Make 'em pay Zips! ?

Cool car ?

Offers from Toledo, Kentucky, Iowa St, Western Michigan, Syracuse, Boston College....

I'm aware of missing profile photos and gallery issues, I'm working on returning them. I apologize for the inconvenience. Obviously, you can change your profile photo if you like. Kind regards, Dr Z

To all members, Apologies for being down today. We had some minor issues running a software upgrade. Upgrade is now complete. There is still some reindexing working in the background. I'm guessing it will be finished by the end of the day. Let me know what you think. Supposed to be a new search engine (really needed imo), a gallery redesign, and full use of emojis among other things. Kind regards, ZipsNation Staff

I doubt he would give up his paying job at Alabama as an offensive analyst, but who knows?

Zips Named to Athlon’s Preseason All-MAC List AKRON, Ohio – Six University of Akron football players have been named to Athlon Sports’ 2019 preseason All-Mid-American Conference teams, the magazine announced on Tuesday. Earning preseason first-team All-MAC were seniors CB Alvin Davis, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), and LB John Lako (Monroe, Mich.). Sophomore punt returner Jeremiah Knight (Jefferson, Ohio) was a second-team honoree. Named to the preseason third-team was junior WR Andre Williams (Orlando, Fla.). Seniors OL Brandon Council (Tar Heel, N.C.) and DL Josh Ward (Delray Beach, Fla.) were fourth-team honorees.

source: @steelers #54 first row of the class.

Spotlight: Akron LB Ulysees Gilbert The writer probably knows less about Gilbert than most ZN members, but I like his intent. I think the writer misses, work ethic, and film study in his list. This comment is uninformed for many reasons, "Yeah, those are MAC stats, but at least he proved he can dominate lesser competition" If I were motivated to respond to him, I could come up with a list of players from the MAC that had better stats in the NFL than they did in college, and come up with players that had better stats in college from the SEC than they did in the NFL. I'm hoping Ulysees proves the writer to be off course with his comment.

Small glimpse of #54

Ulysees selects #54.

Ulysees will attend rookie camp starting today thru Sunday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

Way too early predictions have UG3 making the 53 man roster Inside Linebacker (5) Dave: Vince Williams, Mark Barron, Devin Bush, Tyler Matakevich, Ulysses Gilbert III Analysis: They carry five players with Gilbert because of special teams value. He’ll battle with Matakevich for a game-day helmet. Jeff: Analysis: If there is a shock here it would be Matakevich getting cut if Gilbert shows out. But for what Matakevich lacks in talent, he makes up for in awareness and brains. I don’t see him getting cut. ------------------------------------ Dr Z: Analysis: I've watched more of Matakevich in a Steeler uniform, and Gilbert in a Zips uniform than most. I'll be shocked if Gilbert doesn't provide more value to the Steelers from day one, than Matakevich every did. Tomlin craves, what he calls "splash" plays, this is exactly what Gilbert will bring when he steps on the field. The speed between the two is not comparable, and will favor Gilbert.

Mid-American Pipeline has worked well... “Being from Ohio, I’m proud of the MAC,” said inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky, a Youngstown, Ohio, native. “I’ve seen a lot of players from there. I grew up there. It’s just good football. It’s just like in Florida. Florida’s good football. Texas is good football. Ohio is good football, and that’s really where a lot of MAC schools get their guys from, Cleveland and Cincinnati. There are a lot of good players there.”

May 3rd - 5th Rookie minicamp This camp will include draft and undrafted rookies, as well as players invited to camp on a tryout basis.