johnnyzip84

EA will evaluate each MAC team this week. He starts with the Zips today. Note: the article includes a poll. Now that Zippy is running again for Mascot of the Year in 2014, we need to get those "voting machines" back up and running

According to GT's report, KP16 was held out on purpose so the staff could evaluate the battle for the backup position. I suspect JC7 and CH34 may have been held out for similar reasons. Hopefully Brumbaugh gets healthy soon - I don't think he played in the 1st Saturday scrimmage (8/9) either.

This might get us all a little more ready for some football:

Aside from the "Akron University" reference, the following is a pretty good, in-depth article on Deandre. http://grantland.com/features/deandre-yedlin-world-cup-2014-newfound-fame-transfer-to-european-club-mls-soccer/

Looks like JB1 might be the only Zip in the top 15. He checks in at #13. That's OK. More motivation.

GT of the Beacon Journal has a couple of camp stories today. The first is a nice piece on Mizell (can't wait to see these LBs flying all over the field against an opponent). The second is a summary of today's practice (#11). http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-zips-c-j-mizell-hopes-to-leave-mark-on-mac-1.512686?localLinksEnabled=false http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-preseason-camp-snapshot-practice-no-11-1.512704

That’s a fair question, GP1. Of course, speed and size are a little easier to judge. But I will say that for the goal line situations towards the end of the scrimmage, both sides of the ball got in their licks. I recall one play in particular when DJ Jones leaped for what looked to be an obvious score only to be belted low, forced into a near summersault, with his shoulder (and the ball) eventually landing just shy of the end zone. There was also at least one fight that had to be broken up during the goal line series. Bre Ford, as is his forte, lowered the boom on a few receivers. So while I’m not sure I can give you a definite “yes” to your question, I’d say things are trending upward in this area. On a side note, I forgot to mention Iowa State transfer DL Rodney Coe – the guy is HUGE. He reminded me of Moses McCray, but taller. He didn’t play a lot in the scrimmage, though. I don’t think he’s eligible until 2015.

While I don’t have confirmation through anyone in the program, typically they have Saturday scrimmages throughout fall camp and they generally start around 9:30 am. I won’t be able to make it this Saturday, though. I was hoping to hear what some others thought of the newer players.

Richard played exclusively at DE during Saturday's scrimmage, and he'll definitely contribute there in 2014 from what I saw. He and Capi paired as DEs = turnovers waiting to happen

No problem, LZ. Pittman has switched from #2 to #90 and he played DT with the 1's mostly. He wasn't dominant, but he held his own. On a related note, Cody Grice played a little bit of DE in addition to his usual DT duties. He was VERY vocal a few times, and I expect he is emerging as a leader on the defense.

Boxen played both DE and DT. He had at least one hurry on the QB.

According to GT,Hirschman was held out due to a knee injury. http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/zips-show-some-promise-during-intrasquad-scrimmage-1.512143 http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/2014-zips-preseason-camp-snapshot-practice-9-1.512144 I was there with a few ZNo regulars and here are some additional observations: 1. Richard Dorvilus (#10), the JUCO DE, made a big play with strip of the QB (TW13 I think). He also recovered the ball and returned it for a big play. He has the speed to cause problems for OTs. 2. Stein and another PK (#37) both kicked whenever FG opportunities arose. I believe RS48 was 3/3 while #37 was 1/3. 3. The LBs are as good as we hoped they'd be - faster and fitter than ever. Mizell, Brown and March have to be the best trio to EVER take the field at once for the Zips. 4. Depth on the O-Line and defensive backfield remain the biggest concerns. The starters looked pretty good though. Isaiah Williams had a few rough penalties that he'll need to clean up. Givens continues to impress. Deandre Scott looks pretty good at corner. Boyette was playing RT with the 1's. Tommy Brown is enormous and looks good - hopefully he can play this year. 5. KP16 can definitely play better, but I was encouraged by TW13 and CK18 - Woodson is much improved from last year and Kincade simply looks the part. 6. Another true FR who opened my eyes was Boxen (#50). He has a fantastic motor. Newman Williams played well when he had the opportunity, especially in goal line defense. 7. Both Gauthney and Moore are on the roster and both played some with the 2's. 8. A few players didn't dress, including Bickley, Brumbaugh (at least I don't recall seeing him), and James Turner. Jamal Turner is done at UA - another defender (not sure who) has the #55 now. 9. In very general terms, the team looks bigger,faster,and fitter than any Zip team I can recall in recent memory. There's work to be done, but I am encouraged to say the least.

Smith probably deserves it, but I was thinking about JT33's senior season of 1996 as well. I know he a decent 1/4 season against Va Tech alone!

Dwight Smith's 2000 Season at UA is tabbed by the blogger. Is there any dispute?

GT provides a preview for the 2014 Zips in today's Beacon.

I'm so Akron, I sit on my devil strip eating sauerkraut balls waiting for the Goodyear Blimp to fly over.

K92, based on other statements made by this blogger I expect to see a few more Zips in the top 50. JB53 SHOULD be top 5, but he might have to settle for top 10. Besides the candidates you mention, I expect to see Capi, Mizell, Grice and possibly a WR (Bickley, Smith or Dorazio).

Can UA really be a "trap game" for everyone? http://www.cardiachill.com/2014/7/22/5901801/facts-about-the-opposition-akron-football-schedule-pitt-panthers-acc

SMU's June Jones is a proponent of GP1's plan, but the 5 non-power commissioners are not interested

Here is the Huntington newspaper's early take on this game.

I wonder what Connor Hundley thinks of this sweater coming in at #39?

At least one PA writer thinks the Zips will definitely be in this game.

Thanks for the explanation

Patrick Nicely, skip-zip's favorite Zip QB of all time

This was an odd (and completely erroneous) quote from the article: The actual crowd was over 64,000.