Dr Z

He was. I was also told he had a great offseason in the weight room. I have seen some quickness around the end from him this summer. I would have him on a bet sheet with odds for the first sack of the season.

Before my time, but Chris Kelley scored 90 points in three seasons for the Zips basketball team. He was drafted in the 7th round by the Steelers, I don't think he ever played a down for them, but he played two games for the Browns, and kicked an extra point?!? (1986) Chris Kelley 31 rec 480 yards 4 TD If the Zips can recruit a guy with first round pick OJ Howard's skills (and put Alabama player talent around him), they can look forward to a statistical season like he had last year (2016) 45 rec 595 yards and 3 TD He did this in 15 games. Makes you wonder how many more TD's our TE would have scored if he was healthy and got to play in fifteen instead of 5 TD's in seven games. It would project out to just a little over 10 TDs. O.J. Howard's blocking will provide greatest impact in Tampa. (1996) Jason Taylor 1 rec 1 yards 1 TD (as Hilltopper referred to above)

Since I have followed Akron football (27 years), I can remember three tight ends who had some kind of stats, Mike Brake, Tim Ritley, and Kris Kasparak. Am I missing anyone? List the best statistical year from your favorite Zips TE weapon. Mike Brake (2003) 27 rec 449 yards 5 TD Ritley (2000) 16 rec 250 yards 1 TD Kasparak (2005) 27 rec 312 yards 0 TD *These stats include a 6/70 yard bowl game Mykel Traylor-Bennett (2016) 9 rec 97 yards 1 TD / 10 attempts 46 yards 4 TD *These stats are only for 7 games because of injury

If all goes according to plan, they will be helping to open up some nice holes for #34 this year. The team has nice size at the position right now. IMO, I thought #10 was the type of weapon that nobody else in the MAC had last year.

Thanks for the kind words guys. A couple of other notes from the day. I was told there will be a few walk-ons added to the roster this week, for those interested. One senior offensive player told me: "watch out for Tra'Von, he has been blowing up practices." @UA1987, from coach Stroud's comments about the defensive line rotation I'm guessing if the eight man rotation stays healthy, they would prefer to redshirt Justin Sampson, but MAN he gets off the ball quick. From as much as one can evaluate a quarterback in practice, I am impressed with Robby Kelley's release and accuracy. I also noticed Kato seems more comfortable in the pocket, keeping in mind you can't hit him in practice. For those tight end lovers, Darryl Long looks every bit of 6'4" and 250, if I were a QB in the redzone, and I saw him crossing the endzone, I'm chucking it up high to him.

Nationally televised on ABC. Not sure if those games show up on ESP3 or not. I think both are owned by Disney, so maybe on ESP3 too.

Not sure if this helps or hurts JoJo, Jerome and Marcus, but new this year is another NFL rule change that altered the roster cut-down rule. Previously, teams would be required to cut the roster from 90 to 75 players prior to the final preseason game. Then they’d cut the roster down from 75 to 53 after that game. Now there is only one roster cut. Following the final preseason game, teams must cut the roster down from 90 to 53 players. Would seem to put some pressure on the bubble guys for the fourth preseason "game." ??‍♂️ IMO, this would hurt a player on the bubble that would normally have a chance to sign with another team if he got cut early, now more than a thousand players hit the waiver wire at one time. ? It may be "easier" for a team to get to "hide" a player on the practice squad too.

I spoke with assistant head coach Todd Stroud, and head coach Terry Bowden after scrimmage yesterday. Can you tell me about the talent level of this team compared to previous years here? Coach Stroud: We’ve had some special players at the defensive line position here in spots. We have had a couple dominate ends in Nordly Capi and Jamal Marcus, but the biggest difference now, especially over the last four days of work, has been the evolvement of about eight guys that can play winning football in the MAC. We have a lot of healthy competition going on at the defensive tackle spot, especially with Camera and Darius Copeland. Brennan Williams is starting to challenge Brock Boxen, we have a great battle at the left end position with Deon’Tae Moore and Jamal Davis. Jamal has really come on in the past three weeks. Our former walk on Brian Reinke is starting at right end, and he had three sacks today, he is moving around really well, and he is getting pushed by Josh Ward. So we have eight guys that we believe there is not a whole lot of difference between these eight guys. It’s a good problem to have. We had players breaking records in the weight room this off-season, we have seen a Sports Illustrated workout article on Warren Ball, are we going to see a more physical team this season? Coach Stroud: I think so. The sole purpose of a good strength and conditioning program is injury prevention. I think the fact that we have had the same strength and conditioning coach here for three years, you will start to see obvious benefits this year. What can you tell fans to get them excited for this season? Coach Stroud: As a defensive unit I think we have identified who our guys are right now. Last year, we lost four of our front seven, now we have experience coming back at linebacker, and with our two deep in the front seven, with the exception of Jamal Davis, they all have game experience. Can you speak about the secondary? Coach Stroud: One of our corners in particular, Darian Dailey, we feel like he is going to be a special corner for us. Alvin Davis stood out again today, we have great leadership in Zach Guiser. This is probably the best backend we have had since we have been here, and that’s saying a mouthful because we were really good on the backend last year. They are all (secondary) doing great. ---------------------------------------------------------------- What was Tommy’s schedule like this week? Coach Bowden: Tommy has to go out and show that he is over his injuries. Every day he gets well, he gets better and better, he just needs to go out and show that he can lead this football team. So he is throwing? Coach Bowden: Yes, he is throwing. Was he able to go today in scrimmage? Coach Bowden: No, he wasn’t able to go today, so we held him out. Of the QB’s that played today in scrimmage, who looked good? Coach Bowden: They were all about the same. Defense dominated, we have a lot of injuries though, a lot of lineman out, a lot of backs out, and a lot of receivers out so the QB’s didn’t really have an opportunity to shine today. I don’t think anybody made any real mistakes, but they are all in a bunch. With the defense dominated today’s scrimmage, can you tell me who stood out? Coach Bowden: I can’t really name one person because they played so well, they just gave up no plays. The offense has been taking charge most of the early scrimmages, today was the first day that I thought the defense totally dominated the day. The offense never really moved the football, so it’s good to see, if we are going to be a good football team, it’s going to start with defense. What is the attitude as you prepare for PSU? Coach Bowden: The fact that PSU is our opening game is in the back of the their (the players) mind, and that motivates you to practice hard. But we are not doing any kind of game planning for our first game, we are still in our preseason. About nine days before the game we will start focusing on the particular plays both offensively and defensively. The fact that we play PSU early, the players know what an opportunity it is to go out and play in front of a big audience on national television and play the best they can play. Is your running game or passing game further along this preseason? Coach Bowden: When we scrimmage and we don’t play Warren Ball (which was the case today), because we don’t want to get him hurt, we are not as good in the running game. They are both coming along, but we need to get better and better at the running game and feature that more and more. We are fairly certain that Austin Wolf and Tra’Von Chapman will catch their fair share of balls this year, who else do you see contributing in the wide receiver group? Coach Bowden: AJ Coney has been a starter, so AJ, but yes Chapman and Wolf can play, then everybody else has a chance to contribute. How will you get pressure from your front seven this year? Coach Bowden: We have moved Jamal Davis to a defensive end, Josh Ward is a young guy that has skills at rushing the passer, and of course our linebackers, when they blitz, they have a great chance. Ulysees Gilbert was one of our best rushers from the linebacker position, so we’ll find the best, and most talented people and find ways to get them to attack the quarterback. What makes Ulysees Gilbert special? Coach Bowden: He’s a hard worker and he’s smart. He’s six foot two, and weighs two twenty-eight and runs a four four. He has great athletic ability, and besides that, he has great work ethic.

The team takes the field early Saturday morning. Thomas Woodson warms up. Robbie Kelley gets ready for the Zips scrimmage. The offensive line gets some work on the side. Cedric McCoy helps Jovann Letuli defend a spin move. Jemarulin Suggs works on his catching skills. Warren Ball looks the football into his hands. AJ Coney reaches for a pass, as "coach" Mykel keeps his teammates motivated. Jaquavis Dixon gets ready for his successful day of work. Anthony Young looks to be healthy this year. Coach Stroud is optimistic about the team's talent level this year. Some of the linebackers get some ball skill work in.

I'll have some info and photos from today's scrimmage tomorrow by noon. Long day.

He is not.

I am expecting the same amount of completions from their senior years, and hoping for the same amount of receptions.

Here is something I didn't know: "....with help from his father, Thad Jemison, who played receiver in the early ’80s at Ohio State." I think Thad was a Kent assistant coach too.

Not sure if these are listed anywhere, but here are the jersey number changes I've noticed so far; Shawn Featherstone #2, Van Edward #7, Jordan George #7, Manny Morgan #9, Michael Kish #11

The paper will be published in a primarily online format, but will also publish special print editions. The first print edition will be an issue welcoming students to the Fall semester. “Continuing to publish in print is important to keep the paper’s connection with the community,” Julie Cajigas, the adviser of The Buchtelite, said. “I too am looking forward to working with the bright young individuals who have signed on for the paper’s return.”

Randy Moss.

"Tommy looks like he did during the bowl season"..."Warren Ball is 230 and runs a 4.49".... "Running game will take the pressure off the QB's early this year" are the quotes I came away with. Coach brings up an interesting question, "How many MAC players are in the HOF?"

Mets play-by-play guy Howie Rose fed up with ESPN last night.