Dr Z

I'm probably in the minority, because I'd rather be at a Zips football game than doing most things, it's not hard to get me to a home game. I don't need wifi, beer, scrolling tickers, flashing lights, dancing bears, etc. I'm most interested in the game. I'll take a good opponent and decent weather. Those two factors increase my entertainment value. There has only been one thing (a head coach) in the history of me watching Zips football that made me think of not coming to a home game, and that guy is long gone. I'm pumped for this season, I wish it were here this weekend. ?

I only root for one college team, so I don't care about scrolling the Minnesota vs Iowa game anywhere in the stadium, but I admit one reason I don't attend Sunday NFL games is because I miss too much watching just one game. I watch three tvs on Sundays. I do care about the Zips opponents, so I usually go back and watch a replay on ESPN3 so I know key players, offensive and defensive tendencies. Watch parties are popular, maybe having a Columbus watch party at the stadium could draw more area fans. ? I thought the staff did a decent job entertaining during time outs last season. It's also nice fans can go get a beer at the stadium during any downtime if they like.

As mentioned before, the staff expects Woodson to start the season. He has 5,000+ yards and 39 TDs in his Akron career, I would not use the word "inexperienced" to describe Woody. One of his best skills, is his downfield playmaking accuracy, I wouldn't expect that to change this year, especially if they can make the running game a successful threat, and make defenders move closer to the line of scrimmage.

As mentioned before, the staff has indicated that they want to run the ball more this year. As one offensive coach told me, we are more talented at the running back position than we are at the wide out position. Look for more running early in the season. If Ball is healthy, he will surpass the 1,000 mark. This was the reason I highlighted the writers comment, not to bring back old RB stats.

Too bad Athlon (above zzx link) didn't give credit to the writer, pretty good overview for the amount of words. This is a good point: The Zips have not had a 1,000-yard rusher in Terry Bowden’s five seasons as head coach. Warren Ball, a graduate transfer from Ohio State who rushed for 181 yards on 25 carries in the first two games last year before suffering a season-ending injury, could become the first if he’s able to stay healthy.

I couldn't really distinguish the crux of the the Bob Dyer article. Seems like another agenda piece, but I did find these two items interesting: Dru Joyce was among those who threw their hats into the ring, and his candidacy was backed by LeBron, who wrote a 335-word email to the UA president and the athletic director. More than 50 people applied or were recommended for the job, including assistant coaches at UCLA, Wisconsin and former Indiana head coaches Tom Crean and Mike Davis; Chris Jent, a former Cavs assistant now at Ohio State; and former Cav Jimmy Cleamons.

Odd turn of events.

It's June, which seems like a perfect time. There is no indication at all, like I wrote above, the staff is trying to avoid what happen last season when they lost QB's to injury and had to play an unexperienced player at the position. Kelley's signing gives the Zips a QB in each class now. It's hard to argue that the Zips aren't better at the QB position going into the year. All that being said, I hope Woodson takes every snap this year.

Thanks, but giving credit where credit is due, I took some notes when I got home, Captain Kangaroo edited my post, added his notes and polished my average writing so we could keep everything in one post.

The coaching staff is very excited about Robbie. Apparently this kid was very small coming out of high school and just kept growing. There is a coach relationship on the Quincy program. I'm drawing a blank as to what coach Bowden told me yesterday. Somebody on Akron's staff coached with somebody on Quincy's staff somewhere (NC State maybe) and was told about this kid. The staff is trying to avoid what happen to the team last year. As many fans realize, the QB position injuries (among others) devastated our team last year, this will not be the case in the near future. BTW, lots of football notes coming from yesterday's golf outing. We are still comprising our notes. Look for a separate topic sometime this weekend.

The Annual Zips Golf Outing was held yesterday at Shale Creek Golf Course in Medina. While attendance seemed to be down a little, it was probably the best Outing UA has run in quite a while. The day was absolutely beautiful, the coaches were all in attendance and happy to answer any-and-all questions, the door prizes were fantastic and the BBQ ribs and chicken were outstanding yet-again. Kudos to UA for putting on such a fun well-organized event. I wish everyone on ZipsNation could have been there! As posted by zzx, the Zips inked a new QB this weekend, Robbie Kelley from Quincy College, a graduate transfer. Apparently he was too small for D-1 ball coming out of high school, but grew 3 inches in college, and now stands 6' 2". He was an all-conference player. He'll have two years at Akron. He learned of UA through a past relationship at NC State during the Coach Amato / Stroud era. Woodson has started throwing, and the prognisis for an on-time recovery is good. If everything continues to remain on-schedule, he will be the game 1 starter. That said, the staff is very happy with the QB depth and competition this season. No one is as good as a healthy Tommy, but the other guys are more than capable of leading the team to some W's. MTB has both a hand and knee injuries, and will be out for the 2017 season. He is expected to get a medical redshirt and play in 2017. Newman Williams is purported to be as healthy as he's ever been during his injury-plagued UA career, and is expected to split the H-back role with incoming freshman Kobie Booker, whose combination of size and hands make him a perfect fit for the position. Brandon Junk will also see some time situational time at H-back, as he's a reliable blocker. Tra'Von Chapman has made the transition to receiver look easy, according to one coach. You might also see him line up at h-back occasionally. He's proven to be a leader, and one of the harder workers on the team. Expect to see a little more running early this year, the running backs have more talent and depth than the receivers at this point. The staff is very pleased with the depth at the position and Warren Ball is said to be one hundred percent healthy and ready to rock! Who will assume the much-needed role of "disruptor" on defense? In 2015, it was Jatavis Brown and Jamal Marcus wreaking havoc in the backfield. In the injury-plagued 2016, there really wasn't anyone. Look for Pitt transfer Jamal Davis to assume the role of Jamal Marcus, with a rising Ulysses Gilbert stepping into those big shoes of Jatavis Brown. Another disruptive force on the 2017 Zips defense will likely be St V's Justin Sampson. Most big schools shied-away from him when it appeared his grades would relegate him to a "non-qualifier" designation this season. But it appears he'll take care of the required academic work this summer and be ready to take the field this fall. He purportedly has as much talent and any d-lineman this Zips staff has recruited...they're very high on him. Help on the 2016 front seven may also come in the form of Aurora's Bubba Arslanian, who is a blue shirt. He very well could make an immediate impact for the Zips defense. Multiple members of the staff praised the kid's potential. WR Nate Stewart and is dealing with an unspecified injury, but should be ready come August. If you were hoping Oregon State transfer Deltron Sands would shoulder the load at RB this fall, you'll need to pray his recuperative powers are excellent. He came to the Zips program while healing from a shoulder injury. He took a spill a short while ago, and injured his other shoulder. If all goes well with his recovery, he'll be good to go in the fall. But two recently-injured shoulders is not something you want if you're bucking for 15 carries per game. Keep your fingers and toes crossed... Brock Boxen is back one hundred percent and will be counted on. Overall, Coach Bowden seems confident that his defense will be a force once again. One coach said he spoke to Steve Keim (Arizona GM) recently, and Steve indicated that Nordly Capi had a decent chance to make the Cardinals roster. Reggie Corner is a flat-out ballplayer, but he will likely sit out 2017 to get on solid academic footing. The staff is VERY high on incoming freshman Jordyn Riley and Jeffrey Lubin. Expect them both to be on the secondary's 2-deep this fall. Jordan George, Kyron Brown and Darian "Double D" Dailey will be the starting CB's, while Alvin Davis, the 157 lbs heat-seeking missile, will continue to start at safety. James King, the transfer from Miami, is an aggressive, talented, 190 lb kid with the mean streak you want on the defensive side of the ball. He'll see appreciable playing time this season. "How much?" will depend upon his coachability and learning of the playbook. Malik Woodridge and Dustin Burkhart are both 10.6 100 meter guys. The staff is really happy to get kids with that speed in the fold. They expect Woodridge to fill an AJ Coney-type role in the future. Suggs will enter the fall as the Zips #4 RB, behind Ball, Edwards and Morgan. While he doesn't possess sprinter-like speed, he's very elusive and will be fun to watch. As far as other comings and goings are concerned - Brian Bell's semester in exile is over, and he will be back for summer camp. The only "going" thusfar is Freshman OL Montel Jordan, who has left UA and returned home to Florida.

I think there are only three teams in the MAC without someone on that list. That's a lot of watching.

Nine players have been named to Athlon Sports' 2017 preseason All-MAC teams, the magazine announced on Monday. Earning preseason first-team All-MAC was LB Ulysees Gilbert III Third-team honorees were OL Kyle Ritz, PK Tom O'Leary, and KR Van Edwards. Fourth-team were QB Thomas Woodson, RB Warren Ball, WR Austin Wolf, DL Darius Copeland, and S Zach Guiser.

I've actually read this as "Akron wins it first-ever bowl game" ...but, your description is factually true too.

Here is how he was described by coach Groce: "Malcolm is an explosive scorer and elite defender,'' Groce said. "He can score in a variety of ways and is terrific in the open court, in isolation, and off ball screens. Defensively, he is very active and plays with a lot of energy, which allows him to be a versatile defender."

Not sure if this was a result of the spring game or not. Mike sure has a positive attitude.

Robert Spillane, Western Michigan’s leading tackler decides against a transfer, returns to Broncos. It was thought at the time that the linebacker could be following his former head coach, P.J. Fleck, to Minnesota; the Gophers subsequently self-reported a minor violation to the NCAA regarding Fleck’s contact with one of his unnamed former players. Wednesday, Spillane’s transfer plans were reversed as Fleck’s replacement, Tim Lester, confirmed that the junior has rejoined the Broncos football team.

IMO, I wouldn't assume much with the change of scheme. He may find a niche with so many different personnel packages Williams likes. I wish him health and luck. Does anybody ever remember Jamal dropping in coverage with the Zips? I haven't watched a Browns preseason game since they fired Bernie, but I might record the first one to see how/if Jamal is used.

Carson Cherry Oct 17, 2016 Last season the East Carolina’s men’s basketball team lacked depth in the front court, mostly due to an injury to Deng Riak suffered in the Pirates’ eighth game of the season. “We love that we have Deng Riak, who had to take a medical redshirt last year, back into the mix,” said head coach Jeff Lebo.

Lane: Waved by Colts Lane was waived by the Colts on Monday, Tom James of The Tribune-Star reports. Lane, who went undrafted out of Akron, signed with the Colts in early May but presumably failed to make much of an impression on the coaching staff during his brief stint with the team. He'll look to secure a depth receiver role elsewhere.

Photo from 4 weeks ago.