JD's Weekly Press Conference

[Dr Z]

Did anybody read this weeks Press Conference quotes?

Last week we did a lot of self-scout reevaluations and things, we spent a lot of our time on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday doing good-on-good (one offensive vs. one defense) work, trying to improve our tempo and pace of things, which I thought was productive.

Didn't JD promise us "changes" after the CMU loss? I think I speculated a reduction of the playbook that involved more running. Nope. THIS is what he come up with!?!? Tom Gaffney wrote a piece on our NEW practice strategy here I should go to practice instead of the games.

I think Matt Rodgers is doing a pretty decent job given the circumstances right now. He's executing fairly well, throwing above a 60% clip and he can get better. He's doing everything he can to get better.

This is the most optimistic quote on the QB position I have read. He must have watched an edited version of the game film. I would have preferred that he challenged his QB to be great instead of polishing a poor performance.

...and then Alex Allen, right now you see signs of him getting healthier. We're a little overly optimistic that he'd be 100% right now, he's not.

Please play the RB that gives us the best chance to gain positive yards and control the clock. Why am I reading this in OCTOBER!!!Pertaining to the defense.

We were disappointed greatly.

Join my club at www.threethreefivestinks.com

On the problems in the run game: I think it is a combination us needing to call the run more, possibly use play action more on first down, the health of our offensive line, the inconstancy of our running backs, as well as the health of the backfield. There is currently no one set problem that we can address to fix the problem.

Why was Tuzze so effective against CMU. Is it possible the staff is not evaluating the situation properly? Most excuses (5) I have ever heard on the situation!?!?After reading the press conference quotes I just got mad all over again.

[cornbread]

I am reserving judgement until after the game. I hope the good vs good thing gets them ready to play themselves out of the corner they are in.Also, in a spread offense, you can't really use a powerback like tuzze. I do not see him beating anyone to the sidelines in the plays designed to strech out the defense.$0.02

[g-mann17]

I see the problem already

Ohio at AkronSaturday, September 10 at 6:00 pmInfoCision Stadium-Summa Field

They think the game is September 10th, no wonder they have problems.

[Dr Z]

Also, in a spread offense, you can't really use a powerback like tuzze. I do not see him beating anyone to the sidelines in the plays designed to strech out the defense. $0.02

I'm not a big fan of the sidelines (East/West). I like when Tuzze (5'11" 220 lbs) runs toward the end zone (North/South). Seems like we get more first downs, control the clock, and score points like that.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I am reserving judgement until after the game. I hope the good vs good thing gets them ready to play themselves out of the corner they are in.Also, in a spread offense, you can't really use a powerback like tuzze. I do not see him beating anyone to the sidelines in the plays designed to strech out the defense.$0.02

Who do you see in our backfield beating ANYONE to the sidelines?Allen is too slowTorrence doesn't seem to want to do anything but run east/westShuford is a Freshman, and too indecisive. Needs some strength too.Dale Martin is our best RB, but he reminds be of Jake Schifino...great athlete...always injured. We're a different team if he is healthy for 20 carries/game. At his present pace of 20 carries per season, he doesn't affect much.Tuzze moves forward, and hits the hole relatively fast. As crappy as out OL has played, Tuzze at least gains positive yardage. The other guys lose yardage with regularity, placing us in too many 2nd and 13's. 2nd and 13 ain't where it's at.Hey...per JD, Rodgers is hitting on 60% of his throws, so who needs a running game when you've got our "Arial Circus?"

[cornbread]

Also, in a spread offense, you can't really use a powerback like tuzze. I do not see him beating anyone to the sidelines in the plays designed to strech out the defense. $0.02

I'm not a big fan of the sidelines (East/West). I like when Tuzze (5'11" 220 lbs) runs toward the end zone (North/South). Seems like we get more first downs, control the clock, and score points like that.

I think I have the answer to all of our problems.

• We need to use Tuzze, Bowser, Torrence and Allen in the game, all at the same time.
• QB back play has been a negative so far this season
• Our line needs help/ trickeration
• We like the shoutgun formation

The Single Wing!Features:

• No QB!
• More Runningbacks!
• Play series called "The Spinning fullback"!
• Spread offense
• All shotgun, crazy plays!
• Hijinks galore!

[Dr Z]

I'll say it before someone else says it...it's the Wildcat.

[cornbread]

I'll say it before someone else says it...it's the Wildcat.

It used to be called the single wing before it became fashionable again. It's cool how wikipedia gave it a whole page.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Actually, wouldn't it be FUN to watch a wide open Offense? Man I would love to see hijinks at this point. Even if those hijinks don't work at least I'll be entertained. I've said it before, as long as the Zips are losing, can't they at least provide some oohs and ahhs while they're doing it?Imagine that: having FUN at a Zips football game. Who would think of such a thing?Come on JD/Montgomery/Harris, give us something to be interested in out there!STZ

[Captain Kangaroo]

Actually, wouldn't it be FUN to watch a wide open Offense? Man I would love to see hijinks at this point. Even if those hijinks don't work at least I'll be entertained. I've said it before, as long as the Zips are losing, can't they at least provide some oohs and ahhs while they're doing it?Imagine that: having FUN at a Zips football game. Who would think of such a thing?Come on JD/Montgomery/Harris, give us something to be interested in out there!STZ

I think that would be pathetic.This Zips team is way too long on talent to run some sort of entertaining gimmick crap.Boise State runs a a lot of gimmickry. It's fun to watch because they execute it well. When we run gimmicks it looks like the cars driving through the Taco Bell drive thru at 3am.We're talking about beating OU, not USC. F-ing man-up and win.

[zen]

Actually, wouldn't it be FUN to watch a wide open Offense? Man I would love to see hijinks at this point. Even if those hijinks don't work at least I'll be entertained.

That's what I'm talkin about.First off, what have you got to lose? (besides the game, which has seemed lost anyway)Secondly, deep balls and less-conservative plays are only a turn-over risk if you don't execute properly because you are spreading the defense to the point that they can't converge on the ball from uncommitted positions.Thirdly (and probably most important) even failed plays like that pull the defense off of your line. I remember when Bowser dropped that longer pass over the middle, and the very next play was a successful run call.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Actually, wouldn't it be FUN to watch a wide open Offense? Man I would love to see hijinks at this point. Even if those hijinks don't work at least I'll be entertained.

That's what I'm talkin about.First off, what have you got to lose? (besides the game, which has seemed lost anyway)Secondly, deep balls and less-conservative plays are only a turn-over risk if you don't execute properly because you are spreading the defense to the point that they can't converge on the ball from uncommitted positions.Thirdly (and probably most important) even failed plays like that pull the defense off of your line. I remember when Bowser dropped that longer pass over the middle, and the very next play was a successful run call.

To me, there's big difference between hijinks and a balanced attack. Going deep to Bowser is not hijinks...it is getting the ball to the you best receiver. I wish we did it more often...like about 8 times more per game.

[Dr Z]

I wish we could just do the little things right. 2 yard swing pass that isn't at the feet of the receiver, blocking your assigned man, hitting an open receiver, not leaving the pocket when you don't have to, cover kicks, make field goals, tackle the ball carrier. When we get all of that stuff down, then bring on the aerial circus. But when your main goal of the week is to "change the way you practice", don't hold your breath for the aerial circus.

[zen]

Actually, wouldn't it be FUN to watch a wide open Offense? Man I would love to see hijinks at this point. Even if those hijinks don't work at least I'll be entertained.

That's what I'm talkin about.First off, what have you got to lose? (besides the game, which has seemed lost anyway)Secondly, deep balls and less-conservative plays are only a turn-over risk if you don't execute properly because you are spreading the defense to the point that they can't converge on the ball from uncommitted positions.Thirdly (and probably most important) even failed plays like that pull the defense off of your line. I remember when Bowser dropped that longer pass over the middle, and the very next play was a successful run call.

To me, there's big difference between hijinks and a balanced attack. Going deep to Bowser is not hijinks...it is getting the ball to the you best receiver. I wish we did it more often...like about 8 times more per game.

I agree with that differentiation, Cap... and our offense is FARRRRRR from balanced.But I am also not against a small number of practiced gimmickry every game to add to the painful chaos inflicted on a confused defense.... and to me, the point of "balanced offense" is to keep the defense from focusing on or predicting any play, player, aspect, or location.

[Dave in Green]

1) The single most important thing to me is to see all 11 Zips on the field at any one time consistently executing to the best of their abilities. Consistent maximum execution of even simplistic, unimaginative plays will produce at least some reasonable results.2) Combine the above with creative, unpredictable play calling, and you start getting superior results.3) Consistent excellent results at the national level require, in addition to all of the above, the very best players and coaches. Obviously most of that talent ends up at the top BCS schools.It's way unrealistic to expect the Zips or any other MAC team to consistently perform at the highest level of D1 football. But I'd be ecstatic to start seeing signs of points # 1 and 2.

[skip-zip]

1) The single most important thing to me is to see all 11 Zips on the field at any one time consistently executing to the best of their abilities. Consistent maximum execution of even simplistic, unimaginative plays will produce at least some reasonable results.2) Combine the above with creative, unpredictable play calling, and you start getting superior results.3) Consistent excellent results at the national level require, in addition to all of the above, the very best players and coaches. Obviously most of that talent ends up at the top BCS schools.It's way unrealistic to expect the Zips or any other MAC team to consistently perform at the highest level of D1 football. But I'd be ecstatic to start seeing signs of points # 1 and 2.

This is why I keep emphasizing that it's several games too early to push the panic button.As fans, it's sometimes hard to take this, and I've said this before......Some players have been with us for several seasons, through games, spring drills, the spring intra-squads, and the August practices. They've executed many plays, and have been continually evaluated by position coaches, coordinators, and the head coach. And many meetings have taken place to discuss their findings together.As hard as it might be for us to accept, we likely have our best players on the field at this point. Scrapping all of that history, all of those practice reps, and any continuity that may be developing, and starting that process over again with younger, less experienced, and less prepared players in the hopes of catching lightning in a bottle is not something I would expect to happen after only 4 games of a 12 game season. Our offense has already been forced to operate under a new QB, and some folks want to change that position again? And suddenly switch to new formations too?Right now, it seems like we can't tackle, and we can't execute plays offensively. But, making massive personnel changes or formation changes at this juncture of the season is like throwing away everything that’s been worked on up to this point. To me, the “let’s give some young guys some experience for the future” time is at week 10…..not week 5. And, despite our frustration, I believe that the right move over the next couple of weeks is to identify some issues, work to correct them, and try to get better.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Come on Cap'n, you're kidding right? Pathetic? More so than the team has already been so far? Cars CRASHING through the Taco Bell BUILDING would be more fun than what we've seen so far from this team. Have you seen anything from the Zips so far that makes you think that they will be able to "man up" and beat any team on the roster? You mean map up like they do on most of the running plays, wherein they hand off the ball and try to run up the middle, only to lose 2-6 yards?Sorry, but I'd rather see some entertaining and creative football. Seriously, what is there to lose at this point, beyond more local "fans" and a little more respect?STZ

Actually, wouldn't it be FUN to watch a wide open Offense? Man I would love to see hijinks at this point. Even if those hijinks don't work at least I'll be entertained. I've said it before, as long as the Zips are losing, can't they at least provide some oohs and ahhs while they're doing it?Imagine that: having FUN at a Zips football game. Who would think of such a thing?Come on JD/Montgomery/Harris, give us something to be interested in out there!STZ

I think that would be pathetic.This Zips team is way too long on talent to run some sort of entertaining gimmick crap.Boise State runs a a lot of gimmickry. It's fun to watch because they execute it well. When we run gimmicks it looks like the cars driving through the Taco Bell drive thru at 3am.We're talking about beating OU, not USC. F-ing man-up and win.

[GP1]

Didn't JD promise us "changes" after the CMU loss? I think I speculated a reduction of the playbook that involved more running. Nope. THIS is what he come up with!?!?

What I am most pissed off about this year is I thought there were going to be changes after last season in terms of the style of defense and creativity in the offense. My opinion was if he committed to make changes he should stay...If not, he should go. There really haven't been any.I'll throw this out there and maybe I'm completely wrong. I think JD went into this year thinking that regardless of how the season went down, 2009 was going to be his last year at Akron. He would have said anything to stay one more year. If we had a good year, JD was going to leave. If we had a bad year, he would get his buyout and be on his way. Either way he was going to do what he wanted to do when he came here regardless of the outcome.

[Z.I.P.]

Didn't JD promise us "changes" after the CMU loss? I think I speculated a reduction of the playbook that involved more running. Nope. THIS is what he come up with!?!?

What I am most pissed off about this year is I thought there were going to be changes after last season in terms of the style of defense and creativity in the offense. My opinion was if he committed to make changes he should stay...If not, he should go. There really haven't been any.I'll throw this out there and maybe I'm completely wrong. I think JD went into this year thinking that regardless of how the season went down, 2009 was going to be his last year at Akron. He would have said anything to stay one more year. If we had a good year, JD was going to leave. If we had a bad year, he would get his buyout and be on his way. Either way he was going to do what he wanted to do when he came here regardless of the outcome.

Pardon me. But please illuminate us on exactly WHERE JD would leave Akron for after ONE good year -- out of six! Unless you're talking about either an NFL position coach, or back to a BCS coordinator position, this makes not sense. And frankly, if he wanted to leave Akron, he could have done that already. Why would he want to gain a reputation as a quitter? Nope, everybody's got to sit and take their medicine.

[GP1]

Pardon me. But please illuminate us on exactly WHERE JD would leave Akron for after ONE good year -- out of six! Unless you're talking about either an NFL position coach, or back to a BCS coordinator position, this makes not sense. And frankly, if he wanted to leave Akron, he could have done that already. Why would he want to gain a reputation as a quitter? Nope, everybody's got to sit and take their medicine.

I think JD wanted to stay one more year regardless of the outcome because of the opening of the new stadium. Six years is a good number of years at a job for a football coach. Coaches live a very nomadic lifestyle. Ambition is the driving force. The comings and goings of a coach should not get fans upset.You're right, from what I have heard, JD has had offers in the past to be a position coach in the NFL and turned them down...if you have one offer, you can get others. Maybe I looked at a post wrong, but I think JD is the third lowest paid coach in the MAC....he can get third lowest paid coach money in the NFL as an assistant.After this season, JD's tombstone will be along side Faust's and LO's in the graveyard of coaches. There is no way he is going to get another D-1A head coaching job with his record at Akron, but he is a good position coach which makes him a good candidate for the NFL or BCS level college. I don't know JD, but I bet he knows he will never get another shot at coaching a D-1A team. The guy that was fired from Cincy a few years ago will never be the head coach of a D-1A team and he had a better career at UC than JD at UofA. A MAC football coach needs to have success early and leave ASAP if they want to move up the coaching ladder to a BCS school. JD didn't do that and he is where he is today.As far as taking medicine, the pile of crap a coach has to eat after getting fired really doesn't taste that bad. It usually involves a buy out and a new job around January.As far as leaving after one good year....that's all it takes. There are far more "builders" out there that would see the one good season as a sign that the guy stayed and "built" a great program against all odds, than people with common sense. Never underestimate the stupidity of hiring committees and people working in athletic departments.