johnnyzip84

Thanks for taking the time, ITZ! The Frye story was very interesting indeed.

Thank you, Tom, for providing a much needed distraction from recent events. Maybe it's just me, but how did I miss the fact that Manley is the son of Gwen Torrence??? Now please I hope we let him play a cover corner without all of that cushion. Go Zips!!!Linky

I'm not really disagreeing, but your post made a point clear for me.Our problem is not the youngsters. Teams go through periods where they might have more young than old or visa versa.The problem is not talent. There is more overall talent on this team than ever.The problem is turning the talent into a winning/watchable team. I blame everyone for that. The coaches and the players are to blame.What does watchable mean? How about not allowing the other team to run the ball up the middle for five yards on third and four? How about if our running backs don't go down on first contact? How about if our QB doesn't turn the ball over time and again? How about if when we hit the other team's ball carrier, it doesn't take five guys to bring him down and he gains 2-3 extra yards in the process? How about if we tackle better? How about something other than 2nd and 9 or 10? How about better play calling? How about a punter that can kick the ball further than me...It's freaking D-1A football for crying out loud? All of this makes for bad football. Bad football, like bad baseball, is unwatchable. The people of NE Ohio are not stupid....they are not going to pay their hard earned money to watch bad football. We've been seeing these things happen for 20+ years with different coaches and different players.If JD is let go at the end of the year, the AD should tell the next coach to retain as many players as possible (don't do what Syracuse did) and toughen them up in spring practice. Can a new coach put a heart into a talented filled but heartless team?Two words, and not necessarily in this order: Kill Jerry

Amen. Some fifth string scrub gets in trouble and the program is out of control. The program isn't out of control, the team is not playing up to it's potential on the field....that's the problem. Most fans don't really understand how little the players care about off field issues. Most are going about their day going to class, practice, homework, getting something to eat (believe me, offensive linemen are much more worried about their next meal than some knucklehead getting into a fight) and the girlfriends. There isn't much time to worry about anything else.Can't argue with that! Let's change up their diet a little. Maybe that'll jump start 'em!

With the sudden rash of bad news coming out lately, one possible outcome is that the team might develop an "us versus the rest of the world" mentality and play with more passion than we've seen so far in 2009. Of course, the passion needs to be focused too. It starts with the O-Line. I sure hope they come out with a "Chip" (or two) on their collective shoulders

Nah. We save the special ceremonies for when WMU comes to town. You better save something for NIU this year, too. They're rock solid.

I'm not doubting you at all, but I'm curious as to the source. Did you see or hear this somewhere?

I think it's a healthy part of a growing fanbase.There's some validity to that Ask VolunteerNation.As part of above VolunteerNation, there some validity to both viewpoints. The UT football program had become stagnant under Fulmer, and the uproar over the state of the program got the AD (Mike Hamilton) to move and make a change at the front that was sorely needed. Sometimes fans have to show by their unhappiness that losing is unacceptable so that change can occur. Some people may not like Lane Kiffin's brashness, but boy, he's a much needed breath of fresh air in Knoxville. Give him about 2 more recruiting classes, and UT will be back. He's an unbelievable recrutier, and Monte's taken a very good defense and elevated them up another notch.Conversely, however, sometimes the uproar voiced on internet boards is totally out of control. Some of the hate that I viewed on Volquest, Inside Tennessee and other boards was scary. Very juvenile and just plain sickening the hate that is spewed sometimes. I think the factor that comes into play is that because of the internet, people feel as if they can post whatever they want to anonymously regardless of the percussions that their words have on individuals. I used to participate on boards a lot more than what I do now, and that's because some people don't have a clue how to relate to others.I don't know what is in store for the Zips football program when it comes to the future. I know that from what I've seen from afar, Info is beautiful and the campus has made a dramatic turnaround compared to 20 years ago when I was there. The only thing that I ask on this board from others is that an individual thinks a change is needed at the top, please voice these concerns in a respectful manner and not in ways that degrade and destroy individuals and their families. Coaches and their families are human beings as well.Well stated!

I had a nice vantage point for this play and your observation immediately came to mind as I saw the play unfold. Besides Matt calmly going through his progressions, he also showed confidence in Bowser's ability to come back for the ball. Of course, none of this happens unless the blocking is good, and I recall Matt having (for one of the few times that day) PLENTY of time on this play.

I think it's a healthy part of a growing fanbase.There's some validity to that Ask VolunteerNation.

We'll find out in a little over 2 weeks whether the Zips are better then the Bob-kitties. But let's not kid ourselves. Both North Texas and Cal Poly would waltz over Morgan St.

Shhhh. I think he meant WinZip

Cow Chips 35Zips 20We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover! We cover!

I can't argue with it at this point. Time will tell. I don't think having Jacq would effect it more than one or two places.

I voted other for the O-Line. If they get it together, the team can get it together.

I'll promise not to give any "take 'em one at a time" lectures in return for not getting any "must win" lectures. ;)But seriously, replacing a veteran QB with a younger, inexperienced QB a couple of games into the college season most often results in an initial dip in team performance. But it also positions the team for more potential growth as the QB gains experience. So while the odds are stacked against the Zips in their first couple of games with the new QB, there's a lot of potential to improve as the season progresses. Nothing's guaranteed. The Zips could completely fall apart, or Rodgers may grow quickly in the next few weeks and salvage the season. It could go either way, and I'm not smart enough to be able to predict which way based on whatever happens in the CMU game.I see your point. And perhaps my initial take on this was clouded somewhat from the fresh disappointment of Saturday. BUT, one of the things I really wanted to convey is this. At least in my view, our schedule has gotten a whole lot harder in the past few weeks based on the early season results of the teams we still must face. This is especially true of the teams we must face on the road. Can the team take one more shot to the chin and still come back off of the canvas and make this a season? I'll grant you that it's possible. But (as others have pointed out) if the O-Line continues its current form, we can forget about it. I know he was good, but was Chris Kemme REALLY that good???!!! Or did one of us make a trade with the footbal gods, surrendering quality blocking for a promise of no more high snaps?Go Zips!!! Take the fire out of the Chips!!!

It seems like we often overlook Northern Illinois is these discussions. They've narrowly lost at Wisconsin (28-20) and defeated Purdue (28-21) in West Lafayette. Jerry Kill has an EXCELLENT track record, and he's turned NIU around very quickly. They've always had good talent. They'll give Central a run this year, even if they do have to face them in Mount Unpleasant.

Agreed! They have stopped by us in Lot 4 and they've been totally cool with the red cups. Hmmm, we all need to get some blue and gold cups.

That's it. Throw salt in the wounds of our disfunctional, Zipsnation, AMERICAN football family

True. So the least we can do is start spelling his name correctly. It's RODGERS....just like it's written in the poll question.I read off the other posts, my apologies. Are you Matt's mommy?Well, not really. I'm just a guy with a last name that gets butchered over and over again. So I thought I'd back Matt on this one. Besides the image of a Mr. Rogers playing QB doesn't exactly strike fear into me. Know what I mean?

Here's a terrific article about Coach Porter.Link

True. So the least we can do is start spelling his name correctly. It's RODGERS....just like it's written in the poll question.

After his game winning TD in OT against Winston-Salem this weekend? I suspect the issues with Jacq might take some time to be worked out, so I'm excluding him from consideration.I certainly want to give Rodgers more than one game, particularly against an opponent that toyed with the Zips in the trenches. But I've heard that Matt's shoulder has been bothering him some for a little while now (well before the IU game). I think the coaches have already decided to play Nicely if Matt gets knocked out of a game.After weighing it all, I'll vote for Rodgers but I would let Nicely know that he's in come injury or continued poor play.

wrong!"You lie!"

For the record, I wasn't calling for JD immediate removal. I was only trying to illustrate the uphill battle he has to save his job. There's no more margin for error. I think that's pretty clear. BTW I don't leave games early, and I'll be rooting just as hard as ever for them this weekend to right the ship. Go Zips!!! Douse the Chips!!!