Hey Hey, Ho Ho

[Quickzips]

Man am I tired of watching this defense. It can't stop the run, it can't stop the pass, it can't stop a mobile QB. Heck, I'm pretty sure I saw Drew Willy hand the ball off to a rather large turtle and watched him run for 7 yards.

[Buckzip]

Man am I tired of watching this defense. It can't stop the run, it can't stop the pass, it can't stop a mobile QB. Heck, I'm pretty sure I saw Drew Willy hand the ball off to a rather large turtle and watched him run for 7 yards.

JD has recruited more d lineman lately. The time for the 3-3-5 should be over by next year.

[Z.I.P.]

Man am I tired of watching this defense. It can't stop the run, it can't stop the pass, it can't stop a mobile QB. Heck, I'm pretty sure I saw Drew Willy hand the ball off to a rather large turtle and watched him run for 7 yards.

JD has recruited more d lineman lately. The time for the 3-3-5 should be over by next year.

Someone check the date, cause I've been hearing that one at least three years now!

[Quickzips]

Man am I tired of watching this defense. It can't stop the run, it can't stop the pass, it can't stop a mobile QB. Heck, I'm pretty sure I saw Drew Willy hand the ball off to a rather large turtle and watched him run for 7 yards.

JD has recruited more d lineman lately. The time for the 3-3-5 should be over by next year.

Really? Last I checked we recruited a bumper crop of DB's last year and we don't have any commits from DLineman this year, let alone that many guys that we have offered.

[Dr Z]

Man am I tired of watching this defense.

+1

[skip-zip]

In my opinion, we haven't had a real strong defense since coach Junko was the D-Coordinator during the Faust era. With that said, where is the problem? In my opinion, which is shared by some of the rest of the old timers I talk to........I urge everyone to think less about the alignment, and more about the personnel. We simply are a bad tackling team. 3-3-5...3-4-4...4-3-4.... it doesn't matter if you can't tackle. I'll say this for the 10th time. Guys like John Mackey made this defense look good at times over the last few years (refer to the game at Ohio State last year, for one...or the game at Miami, where we shut out their offense). So, I ask all of you...where is the Mackey or Stokes on this team? The guys who you could count on to make a textbook tackle when you need it? The guys you always talk about when you watched a game and said, "Hey..he's solid and can make plays all over the field". I know...I don't think there is anyone who fits this bill right now, and herein lies the difference this year.

[g-mann17]

In my opinion, we haven't had a real strong defense since coach Junko was the D-Coordinator during the Faust era. With that said, where is the problem? In my opinion, which is shared by some of the rest of the old timers I talk to........I urge everyone to think less about the alignment, and more about the personnel. We simply are a bad tackling team. 3-3-5...3-4-4...4-3-4.... it doesn't matter if you can't tackle. I'll say this for the 10th time. Guys like John Mackey made this defense look good at times over the last few years (refer to the game at Ohio State last year, for one...or the game at Miami, where we shut out their offense). So, I ask all of you...where is the Mackey or Stokes on this team? The guys who you could count on to make a textbook tackle when you need it? The guys you always talk about when you watched a game and said, "Hey..he's solid and can make plays all over the field". I know...I don't think there is anyone who fits this bill right now, and herein lies the difference this year.

I am with you and have preached the same thing about the fact it doesn't matter on the primary defensive formation. They chose the 3-3-5 because of the flexibility it has for personnel. Unfortunately we don't have that primary hero-back that we need (he's recovering from a shoulder injury and is hopefully going to be available next year) Williams was supposed to be, but he is designed more as a cover safety the a true Rover. Bottom line if a coach is an idiot for running the 3-3-5, then I guess Ball State has the dumbest 10-0 coach in the nation.

[Quickzips]

The problem with personel is directly related to the problem with formation. We just don't have enough big guys to play on the line to be effective in a 3 man line. A 3 man defensive line is designed for 3 guys in the 300-350lb range who can take on double teams and free up your linebackers and db's to make plays. We haven't had that here. Instead we play with one adequatly sized NT and two DE's who are better suited for a 4 man front where you ask your DE's to get into the backfield and make plays. Asking our DE's to try and take up blockers instead of getting after the ballcarrier (or passer) is taking two guys completely out of our defense. So now we are playing with 9 guys. Then add in the fact that our DE's can't carry a double team and you have offensive lineman coming up and getting on our LB's. That takes 1 or 2 other guys out of the play as well. Now your runningback or your quarterback is into our secondary. That is NEVER a good thing. Have we recruited the best players for our defense? No. But you have to put the guys that you get into the best scheme you can to help them succeed. We don't do that by running this god awful gimmick defense.

[Dr Z]

I urge everyone to think less about the alignment, and more about the personnel. We simply are a bad tackling team. 3-3-5...3-4-4...4-3-4.... it doesn't matter if you can't tackle.

Unfortunately in the 3-3-5 you have undersized guys trying to do the tackling. In a 4-3 you get some bigger guys near the line and viola...better tackling. I watched our 5 last night a lot. As a whole they look like they are still lost. Out of position a LOT.I've seen four DB's cover much better than our five (too many cooks in the kitchen.) We are wasting a position on the field.We are constantly undermanned and over matched on the line. Change the scheme.

[tbozeglav]

I urge everyone to think less about the alignment, and more about the personnel. We simply are a bad tackling team. 3-3-5...3-4-4...4-3-4.... it doesn't matter if you can't tackle.

Unfortunately in the 3-3-5 you have undersized guys trying to do the tackling. In a 4-3 you get some bigger guys near the line and viola...better tackling. I watched our 5 last night a lot. As a whole they look like they are still lost. Out of position a LOT.I've seen four DB's cover much better than our five (too many cooks in the kitchen.) We are wasting a position on the field.We are constantly undermanned and over matched on the line. Change the scheme.

I think it's time this little experiment comes to an end. I want to see what a good 4-3 would be able to with our personnel.

[johnnyzip84]

At the very least, we could have used a "jumbo" package on defense in those short yardage situations. 5 big guys blocking 3 smaller guys is pretty much always going to get the O the 1st down, and Turner Gill (who I believe is also UB's OC if I'm not mistaken) obviously agreed, given the last few 4th down play calls. Why not bring in Harvey, Lively, Sewell, Rash, and say Pendleton (you knew that was coming) for a 5 man front in those situations, particularly at the goal line?On a side note, it was AWESOME seeing Cowles Stewart and Ryan Bain helping to lead the defensive cheers from the sidelines in the 2nd half and OT

[Dr Z]

On a side note, it was AWESOME seeing Cowles Stewart and Ryan Bain helping to lead the defensive cheers from the sidelines in the 2nd half and OT

I noticed the same thing. Seemed like the team off the field was VERY into the game. A very small sign that JD still "has" this team??

[skip-zip]

I guess this debate could wage on forever. And we are all Zips fans, and can have any opinion we want. But I am convinced, and many others who have watched this program forever agree.....regardless of the formation......we've had way too many 5 yard gains turn into 15 yard gains this year. Bring in 4 defensive lineman, or 5 defensive lineman (even though we have limited talent in that area), and the problem still remains the same. Smart teams at this level will run plays accordingly to exploit your alignment. The bottom line is...forget what they "say" the alignment is. Opponent's RBs are breaking tackles, receivers are getting loose in the middle of the field and turning short gains into long ones, and we don't have guys breaking on the ball often enough to knock down passes. We still have 11 guys on the field, same as the offense we are facing. People have to stop recievers and ball carriers, and unless I am missing something, and there is someone who you can point out to me who is as solid as a Mackey or a Stokes at doing this, I don't believe we have any right now.

[Big Zips Fan (220lb)]

I was amazed that we held Buffalo to 24 points during regulation. While there were lots and lots of times the defense looked completely soft, the overall defensive performance turned out to be better than just about every other MAC game. No, the defense still isn't good, but they played well enough last night to give the Zips a chance to win.John Mackey was so critical to this defense. When you look at the games without him last year versus the ones with him, it was like watching two completely different teams. Where's the talent now? Akron has good practice facilities, a more attractive campus, is getting a new stadium, and let's not forget the MAC championship. This should make the past 2-3 years recruiting classes the best since Akron went to Division I.Cincinnati probably still looks back and wonders how they only scored 17 points against Akron.

[UAZipster0305]

Cincinnati probably still looks back and wonders how they only scored 17 points against Akron.

UC probably only looks forward because they won the game and are in the midst of capturing their league's championship. I'm sure they could care less about looking back on us and wondering how they didn't score more. They won the game and that's the point. Likewise, as competitive as we were with UC, BGSU, and UB, we lost those games and are yet to beat a truly respectable opponent.

[Big Zips Fan (220lb)]

Cincinnati probably still looks back and wonders how they only scored 17 points against Akron.

UC probably only looks forward because they won the game and are in the midst of capturing their league's championship. I'm sure they could care less about looking back on us and wondering how they didn't score more. They won the game and that's the point. Likewise, as competitive as we were with UC, BGSU, and UB, we lost those games and are yet to beat a truly respectable opponent.

I'd guess it would be more correct for me to say that I look back and can't figure out how we held Cincinnati to 17 points.

[ksu sucks]

UC probably only looks forward because they won the game and are in the midst of capturing their league's championship. I'm sure they could care less about looking back on us and wondering how they didn't score more. They won the game and that's the point. Likewise, as competitive as we were with UC, BGSU, and UB, we lost those games and are yet to beat a truly respectable opponent.

Couldn't agree more. I think this program has come a long way. The next step that this program needs to take is to actually WIN those big games. That's when we know that Akron Football has come full circle.I could see that happening as soon as next season. It actually should happen next year. The INFO will help contribute to this future success.

[tbozeglav]

UC probably only looks forward because they won the game and are in the midst of capturing their league's championship. I'm sure they could care less about looking back on us and wondering how they didn't score more. They won the game and that's the point. Likewise, as competitive as we were with UC, BGSU, and UB, we lost those games and are yet to beat a truly respectable opponent.

Couldn't agree more. I think this program has come a long way. The next step that this program needs to take is to actually WIN those big games. That's when we know that Akron Football has come full circle.I could see that happening as soon as next season. It actually should happen next year. The INFO will help contribute to this future success.

Yes, but it SHOULD have happened this year. This was the year to make that move. We were the team nobody thought would win. A successful season before moving to a new stadium would be HUGE for confidence and attendance. Those 3 games were within reach and we let them go. Yes, next year everything will be different. It's an entirely new ballgame for us moving to that new stadium. And yes, that does mean we will now have everything we need to compete on the big stage. However a new stadium shouldnt be the catalyst for success. How do you think Akron got to D1-A in the first place? We won games and made a name for ourselves. What is done is done and we cannot change it. Those 3 games should have been wins for us, but we didn't execute when we needed to. Thats water under the bridge now. We need to focus on the last 2 games, hope for a bowl, and then look forward to our bright future in the new stadium. Hopefully we can open the new facility with a win...

[ksu sucks]

UC probably only looks forward because they won the game and are in the midst of capturing their league's championship. I'm sure they could care less about looking back on us and wondering how they didn't score more. They won the game and that's the point. Likewise, as competitive as we were with UC, BGSU, and UB, we lost those games and are yet to beat a truly respectable opponent.

Couldn't agree more. I think this program has come a long way. The next step that this program needs to take is to actually WIN those big games. That's when we know that Akron Football has come full circle.I could see that happening as soon as next season. It actually should happen next year. The INFO will help contribute to this future success.

Yes, but it SHOULD have happened this year. This was the year to make that move. We were the team nobody thought would win. A successful season before moving to a new stadium would be HUGE for confidence and attendance. Those 3 games were within reach and we let them go. Yes, next year everything will be different. It's an entirely new ballgame for us moving to that new stadium. And yes, that does mean we will now have everything we need to compete on the big stage. However a new stadium shouldnt be the catalyst for success. How do you think Akron got to D1-A in the first place? We won games and made a name for ourselves. What is done is done and we cannot change it. Those 3 games should have been wins for us, but we didn't execute when we needed to. Thats water under the bridge now. We need to focus on the last 2 games, hope for a bowl, and then look forward to our bright future in the new stadium. Hopefully we can open the new facility with a win...

I know this may conflict with some things tha I've said earlier, but I really think we need to stop this mentality that the stadium will solely boost us to victories. Will the stadium help this program? Of course! Beter recruits, more fans, more media coverage, etc. But it won't cause the players to make plays, and it certainly won't give us an automatic win against UC.I think you're right, let's just do what we can this season. We can worry about next season when the time comes. Although its always nice to day dream about the INFO...

[uafan]

Couldn't agree more. I think this program has come a long way. The next step that this program needs to take is to actually WIN those big games. That's when we know that Akron Football has come full circle.I could see that happening as soon as next season. It actually should happen next year. The INFO will help contribute to this future success.I have never seen a stadium win a game. Look at the Bengals in Cincy!

[tbozeglav]

I have never seen a stadium win a game. Look at the Bengals in Cincy!

I think people need to stop making that assumption. We all know what everyone means. That new stadium will give the University a better appeal to recruits. That in turn produces better on-the-field talent and thus puts us in a better position to win more games. Not only that, but the new stadium will make the University more appealing to more students and help revive alumni support. Now, I dont know this will happen for sure, but you can bet that there's a darn good chance it will...as for your Bengals/Cincy comparison... that does not apply here. The NFL doesn't recruit talent - they select it. They choose who they want to get on their teams. In college, you have to CONVINCE student athletes why they should come here. It's ultimately THEIR decision where they go to play, NOT the university's. That being said, the new stadium WILL make UA that much more appealing to prospects and recruits, which will in turn help produce better talent on the field and, hopefully, more wins.

[ksu sucks]

I have never seen a stadium win a game. Look at the Bengals in Cincy!

Try reading my next post

[zip37]

We have a sub .500 coach that lost another close game, what did you expect?

[Lee Adams]

i am having a problem grasping the purported concept that this football program has come such a long way when i see programs like ball state,central michigan,western michigan and buffalo most of whom were AWFUL until recently...see buffalo,ball state etc etc...moving past us within the past couple of years...while ball state and buffalo went from losers to being on the verge akron has regressed in the last 3 years...its correct new stadia do not a winner make... GOOD COACHES AND GOOD PLAYERS do...its past time

[ksu sucks]

i am having a problem grasping the purported concept that this football program has come such a long way when i see programs like ball state,central michigan,western michigan and buffalo most of whom were AWFUL until recently...see buffalo,ball state etc etc...moving past us within the past couple of years...while ball state and buffalo went from losers to being on the verge akron has regressed in the last 3 years...its correct new stadia do not a winner make... GOOD COACHES AND GOOD PLAYERS do...its past time

I think when we talk about growth here, we are referring to the long term. UA wasn't even D1A in 1990, right? A matter of three years is representative of nothing. It's merely cyclical. Three years from now, Ball State could easily be in the same situation we are. Shoot, they could have a losing record! It's the MAC. Winning one bowl game garuntees NOTHING three years from now. Brookhart took us there once, and I have confidence he can do it again.p.s. A little something I picked up from being a Browns fan all of my life--a team can really be defined by it's fans. Having a losing mentality really wont lead to any change. You can bitch and moan all you want, but Brookhart aint goin nowhere soon, and niether is the 3-3-5. GET OVER IT.