johnnyzip84

That's definitely somewhat of a wild card. We're not really sure how our young Zips will respond to this type of atmosphere. That's why I look for Deji, Reggie and Jake to make big contributions tonight. The Zips will get to 60 1st. Zips 70 Opponents 62

As is often the case (but it's likely to be even more so without Hall) Zips should have a big advantage inside. UA stepped up the defense and rebounding in the 2nd half against U@B. Hopefully, they'll come out of the gates with that same intensity.

Former Detroit Lions assistant John Bonamego will be the Chips coach when UA plays CMU in 2015.

This motivated me to look into this a little closer. First, I took the 2012-2014 class lists verbatim (DeAndre Scott didn't show up in the original list as I think he was a late recruit that 1st year). Second, I removed any JC or other transfers. Then, I removed any player who is no longer on the roster. Below is what remains: 2012 Name Pos. Ht. Wt. High schoolChristian Allen FB-DL 6-2 247 Morgantown (W.Va.)Jatavis Brown LB 6-1 190 Glades Central (Fla.)Michael Casimos OL 6-4 280 Don Bosco (N.J.)Imani Davis CB 5-10 170 Belen Jesuit (Fla.)Wade Edwards RB 5-10 170 Armwood (Fla.)Dylan Evans LB 6-2 190 Pen Argyl (Pa.)Bryan Green RB 5-10 195 Farmington (Mich.)Alfonso Horner DE 6-3 215 Belen Jesuit (Fla.)Conor Hundley RB 5-11 Cincinnati (St. Xavier)Daryan Martin DE 6-4 215 Cincinnati (Princeton)Andrew Pratt WR 6-5 205 GreenQuaison Osborne OL 6-4 300 HudsonJohn Rachal LB 6-2 210 Dillard (Fla.)DeAndre Scott CB 5-11 180 Fredrick (Md.)Josh Smith CB 6-2 185 Cincinnati (Western Hills)James Turner S 6-0 190 Fairfield 2013 Name Pos. Ht. Wt. HometownMykel Traylor-Bennett WR 6-4 200 ReynoldsburgStephen Erickson G 6-4 285 SherrodsvilleLavonne Gauthney DT 6-2 300 ReynoldsburgZach Guiser S 6-1 205 Fayette City, Pa.Mikee Hayes CB 5-11 180 Ocala, Fla.Michael Kish OL 6-5 260 PittsburghRyan Kortokrax OL 6-4 285 HavilandJerome Lane LB 6-4 210 AkronAnthony Lauro RB-WR 5-10 195 Bradenton, Fla.Deon’tae Moore LB 6-4 205 AkronManny Morgan RB 5-9 190 Naples, Fla.Austin Wolf WR 6-4 200 LebanonThomas Woodson QB 6-2 225 Monroeville, Pa. 2014 Name Pos. Ht. Wt. HometownJamal Baggett S 5-11 185 Oak Park, Ill*Brock Boxen DL 6-2 250 New Galilee, Pa.Kyron Brown CB 6-1 170 Boynton Beach, Fla.Undrea Bullard DL 6-6 250 St. Petersburg, Fla.*Travonte Junius DE/LB 6-3 205 Akron, OhioChandler Kincade QB 6-5 230 Beaver Falls, Pa.Kyle Ritz OL 6-5 295 Willoughby, Ohio*Jason Williams DB 6-3 185 Hialeah, Fla.Newman Williams LB 6-2 240 Akron, Ohio* also part of 2015 class Edit: I thought of a few others who fall into the late signee category: RB Hakeem Lawrence (2012) and PK Tim O'Leary (2014). Lane and Scott are probably the 3rd and 4th best performers after Jatavis and Conor. There are some other contributors (Davis, Evans, Horner, Pratt, Osborne, Rachal, MTB, Woodson), but none have really distinguished themselves on the field so far. I'll clarify my position on Bowden somewhat. I accept that he inherited the worst of all situations. He's chosen to recruit to his strengths early with the heavy influx of transfers. At some point (and I believe 2015 is probably the last shot, given the schedule, this being his 4th year, etc) you need to win to be able to convince the better MAC-level HS players UA is the place to come. I don't care how good of a coach you are, if you don't deliver in a certain period, your name no longer matters. I believe he'll be the Zip coach for the next 3 seasons at a minimum, in part because of the mess he inherited. But the winning must start in 2015 or else the remaining years won't be much fun.

Contests don't get much better than this at the JAR. One big thing I'll be following tonight is whether KD chooses to shorten his bench as the season hits the stretch run. He has said many times that it makes it harder to coach with 11 playing significant minutes. If he continues to play 11, maybe we'll see more pressure defense, especially when we go "small" with BJ and Aaron both on the court? Zips 73 Bulls 71

First, I emphasized (or tried to) the fact that I don't think his job is in jeopardy. I DO believe his chances for ever truly turning the program around become much thinner if the Zips don't win in 2015. There's a big difference between that and him getting canned if they don't produce next year. We all know 2014 was a step backwards, regardless of the 5-7 repeat. This program needs to gain momentum in 2015. I'll save my thoughts as to whether I think they'll accomplish this or not until after I see some spring ball.

I voted “somewhat satisfied” on K92’s exit poll, mainly because of the 3 o-linemen who are vital to the future of the program IMHO. I would have liked to have seen more enticing individual at WR, although I hold out some hope that a “diamond in the rough” will emerge from Wilson, Means, Cooper, Coney, etc. (I agree with CK that Ray Ray has the look, but having him eligible in 2015 seems to be unlikely – just a hunch based on TB’s comments). But just because I’m somewhat satisfied with this class, doesn’t mean I don’t have significant concerns for this year. The “super six” had better contribute in a big way in 2015 or it might not matter how much HS talent there is in the 2014-2015 classes, at least as far as TB’s tenure at UA is concerned. I’m not saying he’s on the hot seat in 2015, but I am saying that I believe his window of opportunity for success at Akron hinges (did you see what I did there?) upon a winning record in 2015. If you don’t get the snowball rolling at some point, there’s no hope for Frosty. The dearth of Ohio Players in this year’s class is directly related to the 2014 squad plunging down the Love Rollercoaster mid-season culminating in the Fire at Dix. Until the Zips ever put a few winning seasons together, the better MAC-caliber players in the area simply aren’t going to buy. It’s much easier, and more fruitful, at this stage to target other HS football hotbeds, particular ones with which the staff has extensive ties.

While it was a little more difficult to attend around my work schedule, I think the new location and time slot was generally a good idea. The attendance wasn't dramatically different than events in the past held at the Info, but it did have a younger crowd with a students popping in and out because of the improved accessibility. I asked TB to comment on potential changes in offensive philosophy in 2015. He said the team would be putting more emphasis on the running game. Inclement weather frequently encountered late in the season was one of the reasons given. Of course, he tempered that a little by acknowledging that you still need to take advantage of what the defense is offering. But he did make a point that he believes the coaching staff needs to emphasize the run for it to be particularly successful. Here are a few other random notes: Whomever wins the QB competition "will not turn the ball over". He could not have been more direct or clear about that. Dixon, Wilson and Coney will all likely be tried at WR before DB, despite what is stated in print. The video on Larry Hope was pretty interesting to me. Most of it was practice video at "the U". I liked what I saw of him against fellow 'canes, but how does one get their hands on video like this? I know all about the Bowden name in Fla, but this still struck me as unusual. TB claims Van Edwards was the one Fla back who the staff really wanted (presumably among those they felt they had a shot at) to sign. That made me even more excited to see this guy in a Zip uniform, after already liking what I saw in his highlights. I doubt any will play in 2015, but the three O-linemen signed today all surely look the part. Jordan and Kallay already have the size, but Hlay might be the true sleeper among the entire class. His length (6'7"), pedigree (father and grandfather played D1 football), and recent ability to put on weight (added 70 lbs for his senior year) seem to indicate the sky is the limit for this guy. And I'm always partial to the guys who major in engineering

Montell Jordan signs 3 O-Lineman - I am pleased.

The “Zips Win!” jinx is not nearly as strong in hoops as it is in football. That’s a plus I’m with The Hip Zip from the standpoint that the 2014-2015 Zips are going to have to prove to me they can win COMFORTABLY on the road before I start to expect it, regardless of the opposition. I think a key to the game will be the foul situation with Ndour and Pat. If Pat gets in early foul trouble, this game may quickly turn into one the Zips can only win by shooting a high percentage. That’s been a struggle lately, so I really hope Pat doesn’t get a 2nd foul early in the game.

Now we can officially welcome Tyler Shipman

There is some good info in there. A couple of things come to mind: You can't play by yesterday's rules and expect to get your fair share of commits. I hope Pittman uses the following quote for some off-season motivation.

Dixon and Gilbert III in the fold. Edit: I wonder if TB will call Dixon "Jaquavias"

It's nice to see UA holding on to quite a few guys from the 2014 class via prep school or otherwise (Boxen, Junius, Williams, Wilson) - too many of these recruits in past years never made it back into the program.

Oh, that’s because every boy in the Akron metro area grows up dreaming of playing for the Zips. In fact, they generally turn down scholarships from lesser institutions when they’re offered preferred walkon status at UA Sorry – sarcastic rant over. I’m still miffed over the Jan Johnson defection, I suppose. Having grown up in PA, I am aware the Blue and White sickness is nearly as widespread as the Red and Silver malady in Ohio. Reality bites sometimes

Speaking of Pitt, they struggled with pesky Bryant tonight, finally securing a 72-67 win.

With the thread at 22 pages, that's easy to do!

See page 13 of this thread.

Bob Dyer isn't buying the list.....no word on whether he'll stop at Lot 9 to discuss over some tasty cheese curds and gravy over fries

I only managed to make it to half time, but I agree the Bulls looked almost unstoppable as they have been all season - at home. They're a little like the Zips with their struggles on the road. In fact, the UB-UA contests might be the most intriguing of the remaining games on the MAC schedule. It will be interesting to see how Moss operates against the height and length the Zips can put in front of him.

Or if his offer was pulled for one of the more recent commits?

Probably my favorite Lemon play (and one of the strangest in memory) was his 98 yard return of a blocked PAT (thanks to fellow CFL'er Sewell) in a win over Toledo at the Rubber Bowl in 2008, just before JD's dreams started to fade.

Here's my quick lunch-time take on the O-line prospects for 2015: Ritz (RS Fr ?) - unknown commodity Bohan - never developed the size to play college ball Boyett - if he couldn't contribute last year (no injuries), I'm having a hard time buying he'll do so this year Brown - played pretty well in 2014, and if there is more emphasis on the running game this could play to his strong suit Brumbaugh - potentially great player who toughed it out in with a bad injury throughout all of 2014. Will be a huge boost if he's 100% in 2015. Lee - will be a definite late bloomer if he contributes Osborne - only TB HS recruit to play meaningful minutes at UA, he has steadily improved but unlikely to ever be THE PROTECTOR at LT. Ericksen - really wondered why he didn't play more last year with TS76 battling several injuries. Kortokrax - must have been saving him in 2014 Williams - known for some monumental misses in 2014, but I actually think he played better than that as a whole. Will need to improve quite a bit to hold onto starting LT spot or we're in trouble. Since he's still relatively new to playing O-line (in college), there's a chance he can get it done. Carroll - I don't see him playing much Casimos - has played very little up until now

He certainly appears to have a better chance to contribute EARLY at UA. I hope he can hit like Bre Ford, because we missed that element when #23 went out early in the U@B game. Bre wasn't particularly quick or fast and he gave away height to just about every opponent, but he sure could deliver a pop. I might be in the minority, but I really like what I see of RB Van Edwards, particularly his vision and cutback ability. The class is shaping up in the home stretch, but I'd still like to see a few more O-linemen.

Bump. The city is named to an unflattering list. Never mind that "Akron" beat one of the cities on the "winning list" and that the writer misspelled that city to boot. A winning season for the Zips in 2015 is needed badly to change this perception.