Dr Z

Football Spring Practice in Full TiltZips work on basics, installing new plays and position battles for upcoming spring gameApril 4, 2006AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron football team completed another spring practice Tuesday afternoon in the Athletics Field House in preparation for the upcoming spring game. The Zips held a full-contact game situation scrimmage that ran for an hour following individual position drills.Prior to the scrimmage the defensive backfield focused on reading offensive plays, while the defensive line worked on rushing the passer. Offensively, the receiver's concentrated on route running, the backs worked on foot work and the offensive line focused on protecting the quarterback and producing holes for the running backs.The focal point for the offense was expansion of the playbook. Redshirt freshman Carlton Jackson (Pompano Beach, Fla./Pompano Beach) took the majority of the snaps as the UA coaching staff tries to find a No. 2 quarterback behind Luke Getsy (Munhill, Pa./Steel Valley/Pittsburgh). Jackson is battling with fellow redshirt freshman Chris Jacquemain (Painesville, Ohio/Mentor). Besides the second quarterback spot, a number of other position battles were displayed during the practice."It was nice to get some guys healthy again," head coach J.D. Brookhart said. "The effort is good, but there are still some inconsistencies in our game. We go up and down some days, but our starters have been pretty solid."Dennis Kennedy (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla/Stranahan) continued to improve his stock as he sometimes looked unstoppable slashing through the defense for 20-yard scampers. Kennedy teamed with Jackson on more than one occasion in quarterback option plays. Jackson was smooth moving the pocket to find open running lanes when nothing was available down field. Kennedy was able to capitalize on the moving pocket to find holes in the middle of the defense where Jackson made a number a number of easy dump passes. Kennedy was not the only target available to Jackson during the scrimmage. The young receiver corps is making strides in replacing the veterans from 2005. Redshirt freshman Jermaine Lindsay (Bowie, Md./Forestville) was especially impressive as he displayed his route running and big-catch ability. His long strides allowed him to escape from the defense on more than one occasion. Junior wideout Johnny Long (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) was singled out as one of the players who impressed Brookhart on the day.On the defensive side of the ball, the line showed good ability in rushing the quarterback. Senior Jermaine Reid (Pickering, Ontario/St. Mary's Catholic) was able to penetrate the veteran offensive line quite often. Reid led the Zips with seven sacks in 2005.The defensive backfield was also impressive. Davanzo Tate (Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Finch/West Virginia) picked up where he left off in 2005. The junior was a blanket on his side of the field. During the scrimmage he dominated the right side, as he recorded multiple pass break-ups and the only interception of the day. He was able to rip away a pass intended for Long. Two plays later Tate used his speed to get to Getsy for a sack.Akron has seven practices remaining in preparation for the spring football game, which will be held on Saturday, April 15 in the Athletics Field House.Zips Notes: Two players - SS Chevin Pace (Miami, Fla./Miami Central) and LB Michael Alphonse (Miramar, Fla./Miami Norland) - who had season-ending injuries last fall returned to practice in limited fashion today. Pace (knee) and Alphonse (shoulder/knee) both participated in non-contact, 7-on-7 drills. True freshman Wayne Cobham (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Flanagan HS) also returned to practice after suffering a shoulder injury at the last workout before spring break (March 23). DL Josh Kiner (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin East) remains out with a sprained foot. ... Members of the team will visit Akron Children's Hospital at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

I hope Victor does get his jersey retired at Akron I got a good idea who can write that book, super author Mr Penguin and pseudo Zip fan

THE NEWSThe Browns won't officially name their starting quarterback, but that's not fooling any of Cleveland's AFC North rivals. "They've got a good young quarterback in Charlie Frye," Steelers coach Bill Cowher told the Cleveland Plain Dealer, a sentiment echoed by Bengals coach Marvin Lewis. "I think the Browns will be a better football team; they've settled in on a quarterback, have an identity," Lewis saidOur ViewThe Browns' official position is that they haven't named either Frye or Trent Dilfer their starter, and it's conceivable that they'll let Trent go into camp believe that. But there's little doubt that Frye is the future of the team, and given their offseason spending it appears the Browns believe the future is now.source: fanball

Head Coaching Record2002-03- Akron 2-26 (.071), 1-15 MAC (.063)2003-04- Akron 7-21 (.250), 2-14 MAC (.125)2004-05- Akron 3-25 (.107), 3-13 MAC (.188)2005-06- Akron 5-23 (.217), 2-14 MAC (.125)prog·ress (prgrs, -rs, prgrs) n.1. Movement, as toward a goal; advance. 2. Development or growth: students who show progress. 3. Steady improvement, as of a society or civilization: a believer in human progress. See Synonyms at development.

Former Akron QB gets questioned by Canton RepositoryDo browns believe in frye?Monday, April 3, 2006BROWNS BEAT STEVE DOERSCHUKYou can spend a franchise’s history never getting lucky with a quarterback in the draft. Or you can luck into a Ben Roethlisberger.Since re-inventing themselves as the Baltimore Ravens, the former Cleveland Browns have gone through 10 drafts, picking seven quarterbacks.Those passers have combined for 6,729 air yards, with 38 touchdowns, 37 interceptions and a 69.9 rating. None was involved in Baltimore’s Super Bowl season.The Steelers pounced on Roethlisberger when assorted teams left him for the scarfing at No. 11 overall in 2004.In two years, Roethlisberger has passed for 5,006 yards, with 34 touchdowns, 20 interceptions and a 98.3 rating. The Steelers are 31-7 (5-1 in the postseason) since that pick.Phil Savage, who had a front-row seat in Baltimore’s drafts from 1996-2004, has made his view of drafting quarterbacks quite clear. That is, it’s a murky business.“Anytime you’re up at the top of the draft, you’re in shark-infested waters because there’s certainly no guarantee,” the Browns general manager has said. “With the money available to those high picks, you want to be convinced this is the right person, regardless of position.“It seems for every hit at quarterback, there’s a big-time miss. It’s something you have to be really careful with.“You also have to do it with a lot of confidence from an organizational standpoint and give that player enough support so that if he does struggle, he’s not going to fall totally off the radar.”The Browns aren’t at the top of the draft, but they’re pretty high, at No. 12.Everyone assumes Matt Leinart won’t drop that far.It’s unlikely Vince Young will, although his status is less certain.Vanderbilt’s Jay Cutler shapes up as this year’s parallel to Roethlisberger.In 2004, the Browns liked Roethlisberger but had a veteran starter (Jeff Garcia) and designs on a young quarterback (they picked Luke McCown in Round 4).In 2006, everybody likes Cutler, but the Browns have a veteran (Trent Dilfer) and a young quarterback (Charlie Frye), the new regime much preferred to McCown.The 2004 Browns let Roethlisberger slip to the Steelers, rudely warping the AFC North landscape.If the 2006 Browns get a crack at Cutler but pass, Baltimore is waiting at No. 12.The parallel could shoot way off line, though.We know now Roethlisberger can swim with the sharks. No one knows if Jay Cutler can.If you want an example of how quickly the NFL can turn into “Jaws” for a young QB, see 2005 No. 1 pick Alex Smith’s rookie year.An obvious problem with drafting Young or Cutler would be rocking Charlie Frye’s world.Frye has understated yet immense confidence. He thinks — and is good at persuading people he’s right — he can be one of the league’s best. He does that without any of the smugness emanating from some of the name-brand QBs.That he’s so in tune with the region will be a huge bonus, if he can play.Frye is thrilled by the present landscape. The team needs a young QB to settle into the critical position, and he is the only legitimate option. Bringing in Cutler would tell Frye the chiefs doubt seriously that he is the right option.Fans, in turn, would fry Cutler if he didn’t shape up quickly. He’d be the kid who bumped Charlie for no good reason.The possible ramifications are complicated.The course of action is not.Savage and Romeo Crennel have analyzed Frye thoroughly enough to turn an orange helmet blue. They must trust their projection, which, of course, they won’t share with us.If they think Frye can be close to as effective as Cutler over the long haul, they should hoist the “Up With Chuck” banner and spend the No. 12 pick on any other position.If their studies indicate Cutler projects as clearly better than Frye, they shouldn’t leave Cutler there for the vultures. Or the Ravens.

Kennedy compiled a four-year composite mark of 17-95 in competition at Akron

click here to talk about columbus stateThis is an Akron board.

It's all Clint Eastwoods fault...click it and weap

Didn't one of Akron's former coaches come from the Bob Knight school?He got a lot of passion out of his players. They gave 110% all the time. Bob KnightBehind closed doors, you get the feeling he's a big softy. He was even rumored to have cried with his Hoosiers after getting fired in 2000.

70's dynasty Steelers would cry when they lost regular season games.Even recent Steelers (Super Bowl MVP) cry. Who's gunna say Hines ain't tough?Only means you have emotion about what you do. Sports are emotional.I would rather have a teamate give 110% and cry at failure rather than give a half-a$$ effort and walk off the court like they didn't care (insert a certain player here that used to play at the JAR)

I would hope we do better than this.

Mr Akron, Terry Bluto, spent all week at practice and then wrote an article on Sunday.

Pretty good poll on gozips.com. I thought I would repeat it (modified) here to try get some feedback.I have a definite opinion, but will give others a chance first.

Not a very well designed chart. I see your confusion.In a nutshell the graphic illustrates:The Rubber Bowl (overall) is 10 out of 13 in the MacFans are 9 out of 13 in the MacHistory is 2 out of 13 in the MacStructure and setting are last in the MacIn my future chart (the one after our new stadium is built) I ranked us #1 overall in every category

Talked to Hixon last night. Was real excited about his pro day.Said the Steelers were interested in him becuase of his special teams ability.Steelers were looking for Randel El replacement.He has a private workout for Carolina and another team that I can't remember right now.

Doesn't clear channel own like a gazillion radio stations? Like 1100 WTAM?I would rather see the MAC sign some deal with satelite radio, then the signal is good across the country.I think the Big Ten, Pac 10 and ACC all have deals with satelite.

I was getting worried when I didn't see you respond. Thank you for responding.Fear the Brown Roo, can you put an end to this ugly rumor?You can't post something like that and not let us in on your info.If you can't say something, don't post it.That's trying to get people to bite, you are only making me worry.

If you have a case of Zips (football) fever there are only two cures:1. ZipsNation.Org2. Rewatch the MAC championship game and remember how fun that wasI would hope to see the tailgating step up this year and I would hope to see some student participation this year.

Welcome aboard Zipmeister.Lee Owens

I would be more inclined to vote for them if they had Zips shirts on, and they're favorite team was the Zipsand they were driving a Zips RV.F Columbus Sate

Nothing against you Bbum, but you guys remind me not to rob a bank with him.

Isn't scheduled to be on ESPNI would like to see the MAC up there contract with SiriusSirius is broadcasting ALL 64 NCAA tourney gamesSirius is a sports fans DREAM!

Welcome to the club!One of my favorite things about UAM was when he got furious at seeing an OSU hat or jacket at an Akron event.

Worst excuse I have ever heard. "I don't want to go to a free basketball game where my team is playing because the bleacher seats aren't very good."If that is truely some students excuse, we are better off if they stay home.Fan stands for "fanatic", not "well I'll go to see them if I get seats behind the hoop for free."Sure it's fun to sit behind the hoop, but a real fan will sit anywhere to see there team.Just ask Browns fans.JAR needs redone so we can get more students down below to make a ton of noise.I am guessing if Mack is as good as I heard he is, this will happen sooner than later.Good topic. Story in the Buchtelite could have been more extensive.I still like the idea of an alumni section too.