ZippyAlum

With so many guys leaving will they update the media guide or is this a copy of what has been sent to be printed?

AKRON – On an overcast and muggy Monday morning at Schrank Field, the Akron football team had the first of its 27 preseason practices. The squad took to the field for three hours, wearing helmets. While the coaches got there first look at the 2007 Zips, the fans will get their chance on Sunday, August 12, at the annual “Meet the Team” function in the Stile Field House. See pages 1 and 2 of the PDF above for more information. “It was exciting and fun to get out there,” said head coach J.D. Brookhart. “It was also good to see the new kids out there playing. The first unit on defense moved around well and showed their experience. Likewise, the inexperience showed at quarterback and along the offensive line. However, there was good enthusiasm. The kids were really into it. It was your typical first day of practice.” Among the highlights Coach Brookhart referred to on defense were a pair of interceptions and a fumble scooped up and returned. The offensive was not without its big plays. Namely, Marcus Patterson and Carlton Jackson hooked up for a long pass and the day ended with an impressive run from tailback Alex Allen. In addition to the team and individual drills, Coach Brookhart kept his emphasis on the special teams. As he put it, the special teams coordinator has a lot of pull. (This spring, Brookhart took over the role of special teams coordinator.) Senior center Mike Schepp, who is going through his fifth “first practice,” had this to say about the Zips’ outing today. “It went as well as it could without pads. The intensity was good and I think we are farther ahead of where we were last year at this point. Overall, it was a pretty good day. We will watch film tonight, see what needs to be improved on or corrected and get better tomorrow.” On the other end of the spectrum, true freshman Paul Simkovich, an offensive lineman from Latrobe, Pa., said, “It was good to get out there and start running the plays. This practice was much different than any from high school. The speed of the players and tempo of the drills were much faster. Being here this summer helped some today. I was able to get a sense of the speed. But, today was a whole new level.”

Hey Rasor, an 11 foot vertical leap! Are you joshing?

As a Charlie fan I'm not going to worry about who gets the starting position because "may the best man win!" and Charlie has shown over and over that he rises up to the competition. I just wanted to comment about how many of you are upset that people want to replace Charlie by someone who has never thrown an NFL pass but yet you do the same thing with the Zips. You want to replace guys who been in the program with unproven recruits who have no experience beyond high school. Everyone must realize that a lot can happen between now and opening kick off. The more talent the better! There can never be too much depth! Competition is a good thing! The big question is whether the coaches and managers are going to make Quinn and the others "earn" their spot or if they're just going to be on the field because of their name and to please the public and justify their draft choices.

DK was at the scrimmage with his arm in a sling. I heard some ppl say that he had the shoulder "shaved." Whatever that means!!!???

Don't know if you noticed that there were no rushing yards for DK. He finally had the work done on his shoulder. I can't wait to see this whole team healthy.

Not exactly a marching band comment but I really enjoyed the pep band at the spring game. The little guy who was dancing with you seemed to love it too. Good job!

I think it was real difficult to evaluate this team by the game today. Many of our top receivers were out hurt. Two of the QBs were just back after injury. One hand taps stopped the QBs. They didn't run many of their plays. They've got to keep some things secret. (Did you notice the Can't players in the stands?) A lot can happen between now and August. We just have to hope it's all good.

There's another article on Gozips about the spring game. Check it out!

From what I read you'd better go back and add Drew Johnson to your list of running backs. I hear he's been tearing up the field!

Ok, here's what I've heard. First the coaching changes: Bleil-TEs and tackles, Reno Ferri-RBs, Mauro Monz-receivers. Players: Aaris Reed should be back this week. Long is not transferring and is doing well. Jermaine Lindsay is doing great on the field. Jabari Arthur has a broken foot and will miss spring. Allen is running and in for plays but no contact. There has been no sign of Brinson but if he was a non-qualifier I don't think he's allowed to be there. Oh, there's another article on gozips that says an updated roster will be released on Monday.

Harvey is just one of the surprises (disappointments) I was talking about. There are others too.

There's a small article about spring ball on gozips. Aaris Reed did not practice.CJ did not practice.

His foot is in a cast. He missed conditioning.

I have a few questions. When is JD's radio program and on what station? Why does everyone think an unproven Aaris Reed is going to replace an experienced Dennis Kennedy? (I still say he only had a rough time last year because of the injury to his shoulder. Before that, he was excellent.) And also I thought Andre Walker replaced DK when he was hurt. Don't you think Walker will play? If so, where, DB???? And shouldn't Alex Allen be in there before Reed? Didn't Allen have an injury in spring ball last year? Last year we lacked leadership. If the QBs are close in talent I'd go with the leader!!!

I think you guys are in for some surprises!!!

I work at a high school where the band is huge and they often think they're more important than the game. I hate when two groups from the same school are in competition against each other. They should support each other. I LOVE how the Akron band supports its team and school. The whole game day is so much more fun when it's us against them(the other team). Whichever chants you do---I'll be yelling with you! Sorry, I still don't like the white pants. They do nothing for the students who are overweight. I don't like when the football teams where white pants either. I think it'd be cool for the band uniforms to mirror the football uniforms which are really nice.

Get rid of the white pants!!!!!! They're attractive on exactly----no one!!!!!

If spring practice starts the 29th I don't think they could get 18 practices in by the 15th.

The article at the Akron web site says the spring game is April 15th. Is that true? I thought it was April 21st. Has it been changed?PS Congrats to the basketball team! Go Zips!!

Hey, the Browns got a lineman!

I agree that it is certainly nice to have a game before we meet Ohio State but what makes anyone think Army will be easy? I just hope OSU takes out all it's frustration on Youngstown.

Thanks Timmyboy. I'll be there. As to the Army game being Sept. 1st. It is on the schedule on the Army website as Sept. 1st. I'll have to check to see if they've posted the location, the rubber bowl or Browns stadium."The Black Knights will open their 2007 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 1 at Akron. Army and the Zips last met in 2005 with the Black Knights recording a 20-0 shutout victory over the eventual MAC champion at the Rubber Bowl. It will mark the earliest season opener in Army history, one day earlier than Army’s 2006 season opener against Arkansas State. It will also signal the first of eight straight weeks with a game for the Black Knights, whose first open date will not occur until late-October."

Akron's spring game is April 21st. Will it be at the bowl?

Sorry guys but our Zips team doesn't need superstars!! We need good players who are willing to work with the other guys to produce a team. We need leaders! We need guys who inspire others. Football is a chess game and every piece has it's own duty to the whole. Let's not put any of those pieces on a pedestal.