Dr Z

"Keyondre White, the freshman who came in January, was having a great spring, until he sprained his ankle." --TB It's a shame fans won't get to see Keyondre Saturday, he impressed me. I was hoping he would impress other ZN members. If I have a chance, I'll ask about Suggs.

Browns Consider Drafting Two Quarterbacks in First Round. "I have asked multiple members of the Cleveland Browns organization—which owns picks no. 1 and 4, in addition to three second-rounders—what I thought was a very stupid question: Have you considered ignoring all norms and drafting two quarterbacks high in the draft? The answer is yes. The people I asked have thought about it, discussed it, and investigated it." -- Kevin Clark

The Blue-Gold game may not have enough to field two squads like we are accustomed to with coach Bowden. Don't be surprised to see some sort of modified scoring system like coach Brookhart used to use. This is not the system, just an example of one used. JD brought the system that Pitt used. Offense • 6 points - TD • 1 point - PAT • 3 points - FG • 1 point - Explosive Run (12+) • 1 point - Explosive Pass (16+) • 1 point - 3 Consecutive 1st Downs Defense • 1 point - 3 and Out • 2 points - Sack • 4 points - Turnover • 1 point - TFL • 4 points - Offense Starts @ defensive 35 or deeper and doesn't score a TD • 1 points - FG/PAT Block

I'm surprised I haven't seen any official announcement yet, but the new help on defense is revealed in the video that @CDMac posted. Former DC (2002-03) for Lee Owens, Joe Tresey will be coaching the linebackers this season. Joe coached cornerbacks at Kent last year. Not meaning much, but I do remember writing(or saying) something about being impressed with Kent's DBs when they played us last year. Edit: found my comment here..."Kent is ranked third in the MAC in passing defense, I can see why, they played excellent pass coverage last night." Here is a piece on Joe when he used to be the defensive coordinator at UCLA. I still expect coach Stroud to be named DC.

Two weeks ago, I was shooting next to a starting corner who wasn't playing at the time. He was calling out each play to the corner that was playing. I think the defense has seen our offense enough to recognize a lot of the plays. I forgot to mention last week that I noticed some misdirection, and more motion in the offense than I remember. Looking forward to Saturday.

Here are a few things I noticed. I thought Denzel Butler looked very comfortable covering on the edge. His man coverage was tight and his mechanics looked improved to me. I saw Andy Jean-Baptiste get inside penetration twice early, then get stood up late. MTB was getting separation on go routes, for whatever reason, both QB's missed him deep Saturday morning, I would bet we see multiple connections throughout the year on that go route. His size is noticeable. If I'm a special teams coach, I want Maverick Wolfley blocking for me, he gets low and destroys would be tacklers. If he is catching the ball out of the backfield, I don't want to be the guy that has to take him on one on one, ouch. Reminds me of Peyton Hillis.I noticed Gilbert blitzing (run and pass) around the end, once disguised in coverage. He had a TFL on one run play away from him, reminded me of the way Polamalu executed from the backside. It made me wonder if he is able to freelance like Troy did if he reads the play. Keyondre White is hard to tackle, he impressed me for my first look. During warmups I witnessed a trick play out of the FG lineup that I think has potential. This scrimmage was hard to judge being inside the field house and using a shortened field. The offense was working on particular things (red zone, short yardage...), so everything I observed won't be taken too seriously. I'll be out of town this week, but back for the spring game, hopefully the weather cooperates. Hopefully a few can attend and report.

@72 Roo, there will be some reorganization with the special teams staff. Coach Milwee is definitely still in charge of the offense. Sorry to be cryptic, but there will be an official announcement from the university coming soon. I would guess before the spring game, but not sure. This could be coach Stroud's help speaking with Zips linebacker James King

I expect coach Stroud to be eventually named DC, he ran the show today. His help will come in the form of a new LB coach...think Lee Owens era. There will also be a few other coaching announcements, coming all at once very soon. Some reorganization, nothing earth shattering.

I'll have some more photography of Mykel (and others) from this morning late today, or early morning.

...JJ felt under-appreciated after 2017 season: "The MAC did some political things & I know damn well I was better than those guys ahead of me. It’s time for me to do what I do without the MAC." Good luck to him. But also good luck to finding a conference without "political things." When your a good player in the MAC, the NFL has proven over and over, they will find you.

I would guess coach Stroud. With all his other responsibilities, it's a good idea to get him help.

I know nothing about the situation. BUT if I had a nickel for every false rumor I have heard about an Akron athlete... I'm just a fan, and I am more pumped about next season than I have been in more than a decade. I can't imagine if I were a solid contributor this year, how excited I would be for next season. ??

Coach Stroud is the best candidate that I know. Todd Stroud’s Coaching Experience 1986 – UCF (defensive line) 1986 – Florida State (weight room assistant) 1987-93 – Samford (defensive line | strength and conditioning) 1993 – Auburn (head coach strength and conditioning) 1994-96 – Western Alabama (head coach) (6-25 record) 1997-99 – Memphis (head coach strength and conditioning) 1999-04 – NC State (director of strength and conditioning) 2004-06 – NC State (associate head coach | defensive line) 2007-09 – Florida State (head coach strength and conditioning) 2010 – Colorado State (tight ends | fullbacks | recruiting coordinator) 2011 – Colorado State (defensive line) 2012-15 – Akron (defensive line) 2016 to 2017 – Akron (assistant head coach | defensive line) 2018 ?

The way Jamal finished the 2017 season, I'm excited to see if he can come close to what he tweets. I'm optimistic about his upcoming year. MAC Championship Game Stats: Boca Raton Bowl Stats:

10 teams scouts from the NFL and two from the Canadian Football League attended.

the team is on break for the rest of the month, I should be at an early April practice, I'll do me best to find out. Those listed weights, sometimes, are not accurate. When asking about a player, coach Bowden amazes me when speaking about his weight. He'll say "Player X is listed at 230, but he's at about 244 to 246 right now." He seems to know every kids exact weight, and what they are listed at.

(Pertaining to the Honor Roll of Donors) I don't remember having an option, not that I care that my name is on that list, but who did you contact to have your name "removed?"

And a little defensive line "news".....Davonte Jest. Image from @bankroll_jest

DeAndre will be participating at the Akron pro day this morning. Good luck! ??

Jerome will be participating at the Akron pro day this morning. Good luck! ??

For Sale ?

My info reads padded practice (morning), but someone I trust used the word scrimmage. Maybe semantics.