Nicely

[MaxZIP]

Nicely was impressive. The team really came alive when he came in. At least we get 3 more years with this guy.

[ksu sucks]

Nicely was impressive. The team really came alive when he came in. At least we get 3 more years with this guy.

A bunch of people in my part of the student section cheered when Nicely came in. He energized the team and proved that he should of been starting all along. I loved the way he played tonight.

[MaxZIP]

Nicely was impressive. The team really came alive when he came in. At least we get 3 more years with this guy.

A bunch of people in my part of the student section cheered when Nicely came in. He energized the team and proved that he should of been starting all along. I loved the way he played tonight.

He was looking good but braylon...i mean bowser went stone hands on him.

[RowdyZip]

The kid played well...very impressive for a true frosh. It makes me wonder if perhaps there's an issue with talent evaluation? This could cause MAJOR issues down the road, even with a regime change.I'm not sure how you sit a kid like that, granted it was 1/2 a game, and then give a guy like Rodgers 4 games to "get acclimated with the offense."

[BostonZip]

16,381 was the announced attendance. Must include all tickets sold, as the crowd appeared to be much smaller than Indiana (18,340 announced).

[MaxZIP]

The kid played well...very impressive for a true frosh. It makes me wonder if perhaps there's an issue with talent evaluation? This could cause MAJOR issues down the road, even with a regime change.I'm not sure how you sit a kid like that, granted it was 1/2 a game, and then give a guy like Rodgers 4 games to "get acclimated with the offense."

Rodgers looked better today but was still 1-2 seconds late on every throw and late on the decision to run when he had the chance. not to mention that he doesn't have the arm strength to throw to bowser or any other reciever on the wide side of the field much less down field.

[RowdyZip]

Agreed on the Matt Rodgers assessment. This is looking remarkably similar to a situation that happened about 8 years ago...Could Matt have a future elsewhere on the field?

[Dave in Green]

Rodgers started poorly and I was ready for Nicely by the end of the first quarter. But Rodgers started getting into a rhythm in the second quarter, and I really thought his timing and confidence were growing. He looked great on the last drive of the first half, and it's tragic that he was injured just as he was beginning to show promise.Having said that, Nicely stepped in like a seasoned veteran. He just took over the offense and showed remarkable poise and timing. He amazed me with his ability to do everything at just the right time -- sidestep the rush, run for the opening when it was there, and pass with authority. I should emphasize that Nicely can PASS with authority. He appears to have a cannon of an arm, a great instinct for the game and extraordinary poise.I was all in favor of giving Rodgers this game and next to prove himself before burning Nicely's redshirt at mid-season. But when Rodgers went down, the handwriting was on the wall. Nicely is the Zips future, and the future is now. He isn't going to be perfect. He's going to make some silly mistakes. But, regardless of how many games the Zips lose this season, I'll enjoy watching Nicely grow into a leader who could lead the Zips to a winning season next year and beyond.You can't discuss QBs without mentioning the offensive line. They looked much better tonight. They gave both Rodgers and Nicely more pocket time to find their receivers.Nicely is the Zips best QB and Tuzze is their best runner. These two should be starters for the rest of the season.

[MaxZIP]

Rodgers started poorly and I was ready for Nicely by the end of the first quarter. But Rodgers started getting into a rhythm in the second quarter, and I really thought his timing and confidence were growing. He looked great on the last drive of the first half, and it's tragic that he was injured just as he was beginning to show promise.Having said that, Nicely stepped in like a seasoned veteran. He just took over the offense and showed remarkable poise and timing. He amazed me with his ability to do everything at just the right time -- sidestep the rush, run for the opening when it was there, and pass with authority. I should emphasize that Nicely can PASS with authority. He appears to have a cannon of an arm, a great instinct for the game and extraordinary poise.I was all in favor of giving Rodgers this game and next to prove himself before burning Nicely's redshirt at mid-season. But when Rodgers went down, the handwriting was on the wall. Nicely is the Zips future, and the future is now. He isn't going to be perfect. He's going to make some silly mistakes. But, regardless of how many games the Zips lose this season, I'll enjoy watching Nicely grow into a leader who could lead the Zips to a winning season next year and beyond.You can't discuss QBs without mentioning the offensive line. They looked much better tonight. They gave both Rodgers and Nicely more pocket time to find their receivers.Nicely is the Zips best QB and Tuzze is their best runner. These two should be starters for the rest of the season.

I too am excited to watch Nicely grow this year. His arm and accuracy are a welcome addition. He can Really fire that pig skin.I too am excited to

[GoZips]

Agreed on the Matt Rodgers assessment. This is looking remarkably similar to a situation that happened about 8 years ago...Could Matt have a future elsewhere on the field?

Great observation. I entertained the same thought. Nicely is physical and seems larger than Rodgers.Word I heard at half time is that Matt is finished for the season.So, who is Nicely's back up?From what I saw; Pat Nicely should continue as the Zips starting QB. He has my vote.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

I am angry that we had to wait until now to see Nicely play. What the hell are the coaches looking at when they decide to play a Rodgers over a Nicely? The kid is big, strong, has great feet, really nice poise in the pocket and a BIG arm to boot. Why would you fiddle with a damned redshirt for a kid who has those abilities after watching Rodgers play so poorly the last couple of weeks? JD is watching his coaching career fizzle away and was willing to play Rodgers over Nicely? JD really is an idiot. He had to go, but now he really has to go. NOW. Nicely is a NICE looking player. The rest of the way, as this team loses every game the rest of the year, I'll at least enjoy watching the much-improved Defense and the play of Nicely. JD shouldn't feel too bad. He'll get to coach the kid for at least a few more games before he gets his much-deserved walking papers. Again, what an IDIOT.STZ

[uafan]

JD shouldn't feel too bad. He'll get to coach the kid for at least a few more games before he gets his much-deserved walking papers. Again, what an IDIOT.STZ

But really, just how do you feel about JD?

[Zip_ME87]

JD shouldn't feel too bad. He'll get to coach the kid for at least a few more games before he gets his much-deserved walking papers. Again, what an IDIOT.STZ

Couldn't agree more. Aren't the coaches supposed to evaluate talent. It shouldn't have taken a Rodgers' injury to get Nicely on the field. Once Jacquemain was dismissed from the team, the Zips didn't have the luxury of his redshirt.

[ZachTheZip]

Agreed on the Matt Rodgers assessment. This is looking remarkably similar to a situation that happened about 8 years ago...Could Matt have a future elsewhere on the field?

Rodgers had just started to look good before the injury.I think that he'll have a role on the team in the future. He has some nice playmaking abilities and could be used as a scat-back type player.

[Zipsrifle]

I have to agree with most of the sentment here on Nicely, I think he is the future of the zips. With that said, I don't think I have ever felt worse for a player than I did for rogers tonight. I get the feeling the kid has been working his tail off and it was just starting to pay off and he goes down. I feel that this is Nicely's team now, but man was Rogers killing those guys with his feet. I hope Matt gets well soon and can come back and make a big impact for us in other ways.

[RootforRoo44]

I have never been grateful for a player being injured ever in my life, but tonight i felt so bad for Rodgers that i almost saw it as a blessing. He looked so terrible during big plays tonight that it made me wonder if he has some sort of terrible luck or something. I mean honestly, how often can someone fumble at times like that and throw ridiculous interceptions when the offense is finally starting to click? Thank God Rodgers is finally out, Nicely should have been starting since the IU game...period.

[Zipsrifle]

You know who was really impressive tonight, Wagner! I think that kid had 50 tackles tonight! He'll be playing on Sundays.

[ZachTheZip]

Rodgers tore his ACLHe's pretty much done for the season. Normally I don't have much sympathy for players, but Matt's story has been terrible. He gets thrown to the wolves in his first two starts and just when he starts to find confidence and show what he can do he is done. He was the champion of his recruiting class, effectively being the glue for the incoming players that year.

[GoZips]

He's pretty much done for the season. Normally I don't have much sympathy for players, but Matt's story has been terrible. He gets thrown to the wolves in his first two starts and just when he starts to find confidence and show what he can do he is done. He was the champion of his recruiting class, effectively being the glue for the incoming players that year.

Sorry, ZTZ, you are beating a dead horse and your whining is falling on deaf ears.Truth is that Matt Rodgers was NOT coming around. Play after play he looked like a lost sheep. The college game is way too fast for him at least at this point. I for one had great hope for Rodgers.He was definitely my choice to be starting QB over Jacquemain. Matt just was not up to the task.Eventually even the terribly dimwitted UA coaches became aware of Matt's inability to pick up the reads.Late in the first half they had Nicely warming up on the sidelines. The fans where I sit were even thenspeculating that Nicely was going to play in the second half. And that was before Matt got hurt,All this leads to question just what kind of judgement abilities does JD posses? To me, it goes backto the first Jacquemain suspension two years ago. Since we now know it was for the same issues,(theft from teammates and a drug addiction), one has to wonder why CJ was not dismissed from the team then.This is a college football team. A team comprised of young men. This is not Mother Teresa's rehabcenter. The coaching staff and ultimately the university's lapse of judgement lead to this fiasco.The burden falls on Brookhart. It is the responsibility of the university to replace Brookhart ASAP.In my opinion, the fans clamoring two weeks ago for Brookhart's dismissal were right on target.

[akronad]

He's pretty much done for the season. Normally I don't have much sympathy for players, but Matt's story has been terrible. He gets thrown to the wolves in his first two starts and just when he starts to find confidence and show what he can do he is done. He was the champion of his recruiting class, effectively being the glue for the incoming players that year.

Sorry, ZTZ, you are beating a dead horse and your whining is falling on deaf ears.Truth is that Matt Rodgers was NOT coming around. Play after play he looked like a lost sheep. The college game is way too fast for him at least at this point. I for one had great hope for Rodgers.He was definitely my choice to be starting QB over Jacquemain. Matt just was not up to the task.Eventually even the terribly dimwitted UA coaches became aware of Matt's inability to pick up the reads.Late in the first half they had Nicely warming up on the sidelines. The fans where I sit were even thenspeculating that Nicely was going to play in the second half. And that was before Matt got hurt,All this leads to question just what kind of judgement abilities does JD posses? To me, it goes backto the first Jacquemain suspension two years ago. Since we now know it was for the same issues,(theft from teammates and a drug addiction), one has to wonder why CJ was not dismissed from the team then.This is a college football team. A team comprised of young men. This is not Mother Teresa's rehabcenter. The coaching staff and ultimately the university's lapse of judgement lead to this fiasco.The burden falls on Brookhart. It is the responsibility of the university to replace Brookhart ASAP.In my opinion, the fans clamoring two weeks ago for Brookhart's dismissal were right on target.

I agree. I think we have a lame duck head coach that can't or doesn't evaluate talent well and can't make a decision. I am not only referring to the qb position but to our place kickers as well.Like you I saw Nicely warming up late in the 2nd quarter. What impressed at that point was not only was he warming up his throwing arm, he was working on his footwork as well. Although we might win a couple of games the rest of the season, it is nice to know that we have a qb for the future now.

[RootforRoo44]

I'm still shocked there are so many people trying to say that "Rodgers was starting to play better" and things like that. I think many of you have the same talent evaluation skills as JD. Fact is, it shouldn't have taken an injury for this to happen. As many others like myself have seen since game one with rodgers, he just doesn't have it.

[MaxZIP]

I'm still shocked there are so many people trying to say that "Rodgers was starting to play better" and things like that. I think many of you have the same talent evaluation skills as JD. Fact is, it shouldn't have taken an injury for this to happen. As many others like myself have seen since game one with rodgers, he just doesn't have it.

Rodgers was starting to play better. Doesn't mean he was good. Just a step above absolute crap. Nicely was a pleasant suprise and I look forward to the next 3.5 years with him.

[tim123]

First let me say that Nicely should have started after the Indiana game. Sure he's as JD says a true pup freshman but last I checked so are many other D1 programs playing them. That's a lame excuse,it's a terrible that Matt suffered a season ending injury and I wish him nothing but the best in his recovery. Nicely was 9 for 23 just think if Braylon Bowser and a couple others would have caught a few more. The penalties and turnovers must be corrected or we are in for a world of hurt. The special teams and kicking game needs some serious adjustments. The defense and the O-line looked good, we need to focus one game at a time. Go Zips!!

[Zip_ME87]

I have to agree with most of the sentment here on Nicely, I think he is the future of the zips. With that said, I don't think I have ever felt worse for a player than I did for rogers tonight. I get the feeling the kid has been working his tail off and it was just starting to pay off and he goes down. I feel that this is Nicely's team now, but man was Rogers killing those guys with his feet. I hope Matt gets well soon and can come back and make a big impact for us in other ways.

I agree with you Zipsrifle. I feel badly for Matt. He was playing well when the coaches were calling plays that he could execute. This is Nicely's team now. Too bad this team is still hampered by an underachieving head coach and his washed up OC sidekick.

[infofan]

I'm still shocked there are so many people trying to say that "Rodgers was starting to play better" and things like that. I think many of you have the same talent evaluation skills as JD. Fact is, it shouldn't have taken an injury for this to happen. As many others like myself have seen since game one with rodgers, he just doesn't have it.

Rodgers was starting to play better. Doesn't mean he was good. Just a step above absolute crap. Nicely was a pleasant suprise and I look forward to the next 3.5 years with him.

' Lets give Matt Rogers a break. Hes running a play the incredibly uncreative offensive coordinator called. Were it up to him i believe he'd have been running much more 3 games ago. Is/was he our future?- no. But the pressure on a 19yr old given little protection took its toll and gave him zero confidence. He was starting to get some late in first half but in trying to do too much he cost us a score and himself a torn ACL. That being said Nicely appears to have greater poise and reading abilities than either Jacq or Rogers. Hes still an 18yr old so a year of maturity would have been a great luxury if we could have afforded it. But at this point all we can do is be patient and hope for the best from Nicely.