johnnyzip84

Take a look at the progression of Boise St helmets in the link below (you'll have to click on "Mountain West" on the left): Helmet Project - Mountain West It looks to me like the Broncos couldn't settle on a theme, a common situation for mid-major football programs. Once they started winning, the changes became less drastic. Tradition is probably not the best word to describe Boise State's fairly recent string of success, but I'd be pretty happy with even a somewhat less impressive stretch out of the Zips (assuming we are at least winning of course) during the Z-logo period.

KP16 checks in at #44 Actually, the topic should be TOP 50, not Top 100. (Edit: fixed)

I agree 100% K92! I've liked the Z logo for a long time, and it stands out very well with a white background. It reminds me a little of UCF's helmet.

Great news! I tend to think he'll play some DE with the talented LBs we already have. He fits into what the coaches mentioned at the golf outing (JUCO transfers coming in 2014 as opposed to 5th year transfers). This defense should be exciting to watch.

Should have stopped it right here.

The coaching staff would also like to see a WR step up as a clear #1, but even if that doesn't occur there is enough overall talent there to succeed. Regarding the O-line, I don't see Brittnum cracking the starting lineup at this point. I think Isaiah Williams will have a shot to start if he can get completely healthy.

Thanks for the post, Dr Z. I guess I either forgot or didn't realize Zach was on the watch list last year as well. I sure hope the K.E.N.T. punter has PLENTY more chances than Zach in 2014

It's looking like AS Roma for Deandre!

Deandre to Serie A? http://www.chiesaditotti.com/2014/7/4/5869933/roma-deandre-yedlin-transfer-rumour

The answer is simple. He requested to play for a D-I coach I have no problem going after this guy. Ryan Myers was a D-II LB at Ashland who transferred to the Zips (broke Leftwich's leg) and went on to play in the NFL for the Jets. Besides, Chapman is clearly not your typical D-II player.

There’s been a lot of the same discussion regarding soccer’s place in America lately, so I thought I’d add a few of my thoughts into the mix. I probably provide a bit of an unusual perspective in that, while I consider myself a soccer fan (enough that I’ve played in adult leagues and always follow MLS, the Premiership and other European leagues), I’m not what you would call a huge Zip soccer fan. Oh I usually go to a few games a year and of course I root for my alma mater, but my greater affection for Zip football admittedly tends to limit the attention I place on Zips soccer (I actually kind of wish soccer was a spring sport at the college level). I was listening to a radio sports talk show on XM yesterday where the host was refuting the notion that with kids playing more and more soccer the level of play in the US would eventually reach that of the soccer powers. His basic argument, and I’ve heard it from plenty of others, is that people have been saying this for the last 30 years or so and (in his view) nothing has really changed. I think this conclusion is faulty. 30 years ago, the US was at the tail end of a 30 year DROUGHT during which they didn’t even qualify for the event. Since then, they’ve qualified for 7 straight World Cups, advanced beyond group stage 3 times, and made it to the quarter finals once. 30 years ago, the poorly managed North American Soccer League was in its final outdoor season. Since then, MLS has been founded and exhibited slow and steady growth by various measures. Incremental change is difficult for many to acknowledge, particularly if they simply don’t want to see it. The National League has been around for 138 years. The NFL has been around for 94 years, and the NBA has been around for 68 years. MLS is now just old enough to drink. Many of the folks who think soccer will NEVER take a place among the major team sports in the US base their opinion of what they’ve observed over the last 30 years or so. It fascinates me that any American would make such absolute statements with words like NEVER when the history of our very country is a mere dot on the overall historical time scale. I do agree with those who think the major obstacle in KEEPING the best athletes involved in the sport as they get older is for MLS to eventually provide similar financial opportunities as the NFL, NBA and MLB. They are obviously not there at this point, but that doesn’t mean it will never happen.

There is 1 interesting tidbit and 2 eyebrow raising quotes in this article: He must be related to former BG and WVU coach Don Nehlen. Hmmmm......... Double hmmmmm......

That’s funny, ‘Meister. Jacob just tweeted that HE’D be pleasantly surprised to see you in Dayton in 2016

Guess who this ESPN blogger thinks is PSU's biggest "trap game" of 2014?

Dayton Chaminade QB Jacob Harrison commits to the Zips

I believe Deji received the early season playing time in 2013-2014 because his approach to practice (preparation, attention, dedication, effort) is the anti-thesis of Harney's. I think the staff was either hoping this might rub off on some or simply refusing to reward minutes to players who weren't falling in line. I think this explains why they went with Deji a little longer than most of us wanted early in the season. I completely agree that once he was forced into more action later in the year Deji rose to the occasion. He clearly played his best basketball as a Zip over that period.

Getting caught up with Shawn Lemon of the Calgary Stampeders.

NBC Sports pokes a little fun at UA "My oh my what an embarrassing day." Some of the comments are a little clever. Potentially losing a starter and a key backup in the secondary in not the best football news I've heard in a while. Hopefully they'll straighten up.

Sorry, Dr. Z. We didn't discuss schemes. I guess I must have been hungry as I sort of missed a few question opportunities.

I forgot to ask about Lane and Moore. Alexander will have to sit out this season and play his one year in 2015. The comments about Turner were a little less clear. The implication (my take anyway) is that class attendance/performance might be an issue. I forgot to mention that TB announced the sponsor of the outing (he named LeafGuard's Matt Kaulig, and former Zip QB) will be footing the bill for the special chrome helmets and black unis, only to be used for special occasions.

You didn't mention Big Dog in your summary. How does he look?

JT to face severe financial challenges immediately at YSU. Granted things aren't exactly rosy in this regard at UA, but this looks to be a much more difficult situation.

The weather was fantastic, the golf was so-so (for the ZNo team) and the football staff was accessible as usual. I believe a team that included AJ Milwee won the event at 18 under par with THREE eagles! The ZNo team stumbled in at 4 under We had extensive conversation with coaches Amato, Jeff Bowden and TB. Here are some highlights as I recall: I don't think we'll see any 5th year transfers coming in this summer. There ARE a couple of late JUCO guys who could help right away (secondary/D-line), but upcoming grades will determine eligibility. Capi is healthy for the 1st time as a Zip (apparently played with nagging injuries last year). CJ Mizell came in at 264 lbs last year. He is now at ~230 lbs and is playing fast. The battle for back-up QB is wide open. Sconiers and Goodman will begin 2014 as inside receivers. Expect a few more deep balls to the outside receivers. Drew Phillips is now playing DB and will be given a chance again at KR/PR. Injuries prevented him from showing his ability there last year. A freshmen K from Atlanta has been brought in to compete - was all-State and apparently has a pretty consistent leg. Okafur's spring game sack outburst was probably a bit misleading (v.s. the backups to the backups) - but he'll still contribute. Amato thinks the defense is better this year, but early season depth is a concern.I'm sure others have additional tidbits, but there are the things that come to mind for me. I was already excited for 2014 and I heard nothing to dampen my enthusiasm. Go Zips!!!

Zips picked #79 by Orlando Sentinel.

Thanks for putting this together, MDZip! The numbers really do show how dominant the men were this school year. The scary thing for the MAC is there is room for improvement from the Zips! We may have lost the overall Wagon Wheel challenge, but I'll take the wheel itself over that every day (just my opinion). The wheel will go on and on (until K.E.N.T. drops football lol). I'm not so sure about the "challenge".