Dr Z

Posted on Wed, Sep. 28, 2005 Akron basketball Zips, Cavs growing together Cleveland coach Brown tells Akron players to use this opportunity By Tom Gaffney Beacon Journal sports writer It was a night to celebrate two basketball programs conjoined by more than mere geography Tuesday. The University of Akron and the Cleveland Cavs are teams being remade by hungry coaches with lofty goals and visions about how to reach them. The Zips' Keith Dambrot and the Cavs' Mike Brown shared Tangier restaurant with about 250 fans at Akron's preseason basketball banquet. The talk was about how a new season is imminent, and that the two teams could be growing in the same direction. ``It is appropriate that Mike Brown is here because what we are trying to do, they are trying to do,'' Akron athletic director Mike Thomas told the audience. ``We are all excited about the bright future here. And we are excited about the new regime in Cleveland.'' Dambrot, who led the Zips to a 19-10 record in his first year as coach in 2004-05, hardly had to remind anyone in the crowd about the relationship he has with the Cavs' LeBron James, whom he coached at St. Vincent-St. Mary. ``One of the competitive (recruiting) advantages here is the relationship we have with the Cavs,'' Dambrot said. ``One of the things that our players have heard is that we will be playing in open gyms with LeBron.'' Brown, 35, who was named the Cavs' coach in June, was the banquet's keynote speaker. He related how his team and the Zips can grow using the acronym of CAVS, stressing ``character, ability and vision in order to be successful.'' Brown addressed many of his comments to the Zips players, who were assembled in the front of the banquet room. ``Opportunity means you are given a chance,'' Brown told the players. ``You play at a big-time school in a big-time program. ``I think this program is on the way up. You have to take advantage of the opportunity you have been given... being part of a Division I program.'' Dambrot promised the fans that his team would be entertaining again and that, hopefully, success will follow. ``One of the problems we have at the University of Akron is that we haven't set our goals high enough,'' he said. ``We have to expect more of ourselves.'' The Zips open practice with a ``Midnight Madness'' session at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. The opener is Nov. 26 at home against Youngstown State

Did he just cut and paste my post from the previous day?

I'm sure your right Hilltopper. Hard to express sarcasm in a post. I would have if I could in the above sub head.

Posted Tuesday September 27 Zips' victory significant Brookhart's team gains identity in 48-42 OT win in home opener By David Lee Morgan Jr. If the University of Akron second-year coach J.D. Brookhart is wondering whether Saturday's overtime win was special, the answer is easy. It was. Yes, it was the 2005 home opener at the Rubber Bowl for the Zips and their second win in three games. But the outcome seemed to have a deeper meaning than just one game, and Brookhart understood the significance of the 48-42 overtime win against Northern Illinois. The Zips played as a team that finally seems to have an identity. It's a team that found a way to win, instead of coming oh-so-close but still short. Remember some defeats in recent years, such as 38-37 to UConn in 2003 and 42-24 to Marshall in 2003? Or how about 37-27 to Miami last year? Exciting games, yes. But not a victory. This time, the Zips prevailed. And it happened against a team that beat Akron 49-19 last year. ``It was a very big win, all the (Mid-American Conference) games are,'' Brookhart said. ``Hopefully, we can expand on it. If things go well for the rest of the season, I think we'll look at that game as a huge win and a win that was very important to the program. In the end, maybe it will be something that helped the program turn the corner.'' Many college football observers did not think the Zips (2-1 overall, 1-0 in the MAC) would beat Northern Illinois. The Huskies had played Michigan tough in a 33-17 loss and then lost 38-37 to another Big Ten opponent, Northwestern, when Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak went for a 2-point conversion instead of kicking an extra point to send the game into overtime. Akron knew its defense had to stop Huskies running back Garrett Wolfe, who entered the game ranked No. 5 in the country averaging 151.3 yards per game. The Zips held Wolfe to 52 yards rushing. Akron played a style it hadn't shown since 2000, when the Zips shared the MAC East Division championship. That year, the Zips, led by current New Orleans Saints safety Dwight Smith, allowed 26.8 points per game. Akron allowed 32.6 points in 2001, 30.9 in 2002, 29.4 in 2003 and 28.9 last year. Suppose someone said that the key to success for the Zips the rest of the season will be the play of their defense. Fans might wonder how that could be, when the program came into the new season having to replace the all-time leading passer in current Browns backup Charlie Frye. Well, the truth is that junior quarterback Luke Getsy, a transfer from Pitt, has exceeded everyone's expectations except his own. Plus, the Zips have several offensive weapons including all-purpose wide receiver/kick returner Domenik Hixon and receiver Jason Montgomery, both seniors, along with senior running back Brett Biggs. The Zips should be able to put up points every week. But consistency on defense will be important. After three games, including a 49-24 loss at Purdue, Akron ranks high in several defensive categories in the conference. The Zips are second in rushing defense (105 yards a game) behind Toledo (95), third in total defense (408), third in opponent's first downs with 60 (Toledo and Buffalo are tied for first with 57 each) and tied for second with Western Michigan in sacks (8). Toledo is first with 10. Senior linebacker Jay Rohr of Jackson might seem undersized at 5-foot-11, 220 pounds. But he is fifth in the MAC in tackles, averaging 11. Rohr is someone who has always heard he just wasn't big enough. But he always proved critics wrong and he's doing the same this year. In fact, the entire defensive unit is making a name for itself. ``At the end of last year, we started to develop an identity on defense,'' Brookhart said. ``I think the biggest thing is that they are playing with a lot more confidence because they understand the scheme so much better. You see a different tempo and it's exciting to see.'' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gonzalez giving Zips a good name Tuesday, September 27, 2005 Elton Alexander Plain Dealer Reporter For years it seemed the Akron Zips' defense was considered a weakness. Now it is considered a strength with nose guard Kiki Gonzalez a big key to that improvement. The 6-2, 300-pound senior from Elizabeth, N.J., may not have the stats to dazzle, but his reputation as a line plugger is growing. His six tackles on the season belie his impact on the game. Last week, Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak identified the former high school multiposition player as the key to how the Zips run their 3-3 defense. Gonzalez then went out and anchored an Akron effort that helped hold the MAC's leading rusher, Garrett Wolfe, to 52 yards, nearly 100 yards below his 151.3 average in a 48-42 overtime victory against the Huskies. This week, Central Michigan coach Brian Kelly said his team will also key on Gonzalez. The 22-year-old said forcing offenses to focus on him may not add up statistically, but it can lead to some wins and a lot of self-satisfaction. "Just knowing you are the heart and soul of the defense . . ." Gonzalez said. "You're in the middle and everything is around you. It's like the heart. It's just hard-nosed football. It's never really one-on-one, it's one-on-two, one-on-three." Gonzalez' ability to draw so much attention allows the other Akron defenders to run, hit and tackle. After three games, the once-woeful Zips now rank No. 3 in the league in overall defense and No. 2 against the rush. Akron held NIU, the MAC's leading rushing team, to 50 yards overall on the ground. "We shut the run game down," Gonzalez said. Akron coach J.D. Brookhart said the sign of a good defense is one that holds teams below 20 points a game. Right now only one MAC team, Toledo, is doing that, and that has been against less-than-stellar competition. The rest of the MAC is allowing at least 27 points a game. Even Akron is allowing 32.7 points a game. Gonzalez said the defense, especially nose guards, are always working. "If not, you will find yourself being embarrassed," he said. "On defense, we've got to find work all the time." So far, Akron's defense has found plenty of work.

What is the record for TD passes in a year for an Akron QB?

Indians have rescheduled this weeks game on Saturday for 1:25 so more Zips fans can go to the game.

Cleveland Browns.

At the spring game I wondered about the QB position, I'm starting to feel a whole lot better. I looked up a few stats to compare an NFL'ers senior season to Luke's this year. Pretty interesting. Game 1 FRYE 29/36 223 yards 0 TDs 2 INTs Game 2 FRYE 31/44 399 2 TDs 1 INT Game 3 FRYE 10/23 72 0 TDs 2 INTs FRYE 3 game totals 70/694 2TDs 5 INTs Game 1 GETSY 25/44 283 yards 2 TDs 0 INTs Game 2 GETSY 23/43 319 yards 2 TDs 3 INTs Game 3 GETSY 20/39 406 yards 5 TDs 0 INTs GETSY 3 game totals 68/1008 yards 9 TDs 3 INTs comparison Getsy 1008 yards 9tds 3ints Frye 694 yards 2tds 5ints Keep up the good work Luke Work on those out passes to the sideline.

I wrote this article to Terry and it got printed in the BJ about 7 years ago. I bought my last Beacon about the same time. I got fed up. I come here for Zips News now and am very happy about it. Good luck on your battle, keep us posted. I wrote my last note to the PS David Lee Morgan doesn't even like the Zips, he is a YSU fan. I hear he has some penguin ink Is this really how you want to get your Zips news ?!?

I like 20-21 Zips. Ryno, what is an AK-Rowdie?

ZFF expressed my sentiments exactly. At least now a days you have a choice for college football. ESPN, FSN & other sports packages. When I was growing up all I could watch was Columbus U. When I was nine and nieve I thought that was the team I was suppossed to root for because they were Ohio, but then I grew up. Texas Bucknuts PS Pittsburgh (110 miles) is closer to Akron than Columbus (120 miles) so if you root for Columbus U because you think they are closer, you mind as well root for Arm Pitt.

I remember reading the same thing.

All-Ohio forward commits to Zips Chris McKnight, a 6-foot-7 forward at Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Ohio, has orally committed to play basketball at the University of Akron beginning with the 2006-2007 season. McKnight averaged 18 points and 13 rebounds last season and led the Gales to a 17-6 record. He played a key role in his team's upset over last year's Division I state champion Canton McKinley, scoring 19 points and giving the Bulldogs their only loss. McKnight earned third-team All-Ohio honors and was named the Capital Conference Player of the Year as a junior. ``He is a tremendous rebounder both offensively and defensively and is a very good scorer inside even against bigger players,'' Lancaster coach John Cofman said. ``He's also a very good defender not only inside but on the perimeter.'' McKnight chose Akron over offers from West Virginia and several other Mid-American Conference schools. Cofman said he chose the Zips because he liked Akron's coaching staff, its campus and proximity to his home.

My guess is that next year will be the last at the Rubber Bowl. I'm also guessing that money is close to being taken care of. This seems to be a hard thread to care on, everytime we start talking about this somebody pipes in with "I see no evidence of this in the Beacon" comment. Here is hoping the new stadium has more....

Akron commit The University of Akron basketball team has received an oral commitment from Mike Bardo, a 6-9, 230-pound senior center at Cincinnati Oak Hills, for the 2006-2007 season. Bardo, who averaged 6.0 points and 4.3 rebounds last season, chose Akron over Bowling Green, Indiana State and Wright State. Bardo has improved each year after sprouting from a 6-foot-2, 120-pound freshman, said Mike Price, Bardo's high school coach. ``He works extremely hard,`` Price said. ``He runs the floor hard, and he rebounds extremely well. And he's a very good post defender.``

First off, I don't think I can do a better job than Steve. The thing that gets me, is his tone. When Hixon fumbled the kick, from Steve's tone, I thought he lost the ball and Purdue was dancing in the endzone before Steve could tell us that Hixon recovered it. He has that "here we go again" sound in his voice everytime something goes bad. Maybe it's from announcing so many bad Zips football games. Whatever it is, it's annoying. Although, I have heard a lot worse. Still, might be time for a change. I wish I could insert a wav file here and imitate him, but you know what I mean. PS I agree that Stams does a good job. PSS The funniest thing I have ever heard Steve say, was on his Monday talk show. Before Tressel got his job at Columbus U, a YSU fan calls up and says "I think Jim Tressel should be the next coach at Columbus U." Steve says "Tressel, Tressel, my BIG TOE has a better chance of coaching at Columbus U than Jim Tressel"

Thanks for the insight ZW. It's always good to hear from someone that was at the game.

Biggs 11 for 47 yrds, 4.3 per carry Kennedy 4 for 13 yrds, 3.2 per carry Akron team rushing 21 for 25 yards (Getsy minus 25) Glad to see Akron play with Purdue, made it fun to listen to. I think we are in for an entertaining season. I'm also glad to hear Getsy play well, I was a little concerned after watching Blue/Gold game.

MAC Preview (from 5 days ago) All MAC team & top 30 players MAC Unit Rankings MAC Analysis Fearless Predictions

Time to update that 7 year old image. The times they are a changin. Might make your site a little more credible.

Ring ring.... Charlie "Hello" Matt "Hey, how's it going ol' buddy" Charlie "Pretty good, whatsup?" Matt "I don't know if you have been watching the waiver wire, but the Bengals let me go" Charlie "No, I didn't see that, sorry" Matt "Well I was watching your game the other night, looks like you can use a guy that can hold on to the ball" Charlie "Boy, that's for sure, I thought the talent would be better up here" Matt "Why don't you ask Romeo if he could use a sure handed guy" Charlie "Will do, I'll get back to ya" Matt "Cherry OUT" hangup....

Fun to look at the thread now.

Google sure is a great thing. Sounds like 5's agent did a good job. Savage was intent on wrapping up negotiations with No. 3 pick quarterback Charlie Frye of Akron. The four-year deal was clinched Wednesday night, when the Browns agreed to an escalator clause that would pay Frye $2.25 million in his fourth season if he is the team's starting quarterback. The total value of the contract could reach $5 million if Frye hits all his incentives. It includes a signing bonus of $800,000, said agent Eric Metz. "It was important for us to get the fourth year," Savage said of Frye's deal.

This is an old article but you can get the gist from it. Charlie will NOT get cut under this current contract. Say that he does well in year 2 or 3 of his contract like the Browns are planning on him doing. He will be a very desirable comodity for another team to offer a bigger contract to. Being a restricted FA, a team need only give the Browns a third round pick to get him. Either way, I see his next contract as a bigger one whether it comes from the Browns or not, the four year deal is a positive for him. Just enough time to establish, and not too long where he is stuck with the Browns.

I don't think that has been anounced yet. I'm a little surprised at the length. I would have to think 4 years benefits Charlie and his agent. Agent Eric Metz told the Associated Press that the deal was contingent on language in the contract being finalized. ESPN.com previously reported that the sides were quibbling over incentives in the fourth year of the deal that would trigger a salary escalator