Captains Blog #2

[Captain Kangaroo]

Waiting until 20 hours after the game to post an observation is kind of unfair. Everyone has already writtn some good observations, and I don't want to repeat anything. So here's my attempt to avoid beating dead horses, and repeating what's already been said. And, attempting to give credit to those who've touched on the point elsewhere --

1.) I can't help but highlight what Zipsrifle touched upon -- G-W was better than the Zips in every phase of the game. They actually out-sized us. They has better offense, defense, special teams, coaching... I have no idea why, but this pedestrian 1-AA program is absolutely better than the Akron Zips?! Is this Ianello's fault?

If you are an Ianello's guy, you can easily state the following:

"Look at our O-line...Thanks for leaving me with absolutley nothing, JD Brookhart."

"Look at our wide receivers - Thanks for leaving me with absolutely nothing JD Brookhart."

"Look at our secondary -- Thanks for leaving be absolutely nothing, JD Brookhart."

"Look at my kickers - Thanks for leaving me with absolutely nothing, JD Brookhart."

Stepping back and taking a realistic look at our team... we are aggregiously bereft of D-1 A talent.

We haver a decent QB, decent LB's and decent RB's (Bailey looks like a winner at FB). The key work being "Decent." We have noo studs (Wagner is on of 11 guys on defense, he can only do so much). Other than Wagner, no All-MAC selections, even a 3rd teamer (Carter would need to see the field in order to get post-season recognition). Our talent is 30% decent, and 70% bottom-of-the-barrel. What other team would a guy like Gary Pride ever see the field? Ashland? He's our #2 wide out?

Summary - Mack Rhoades is a crafty bugger... the guy knew when to buy, and he knew when to sell. I give him all the credit in the world.

2.) Does lack of talent give Ianello a free pass? Absolutely not. The guy is unbelievably conservative. Our playcalling on both sides of the ball shows very little feel for the flow of the game. We play soft cover-2 when we need to stop a short pass. We elect to switch to passing mode when we're running the ball down the opponent's throat. Stupid penalties abound, and mistakes like kicking off in both halves, which typically only happen to K.e.n.t. State, are now happening to the Zips.

I have seen almost nothing from this staff that gives me any sense of urgency that they want to win. The vibe in the stands is -- This is a learning season for all of us, so let's just get the games over and hope no one gets hurt.

What are the odds that Ianello tries a reverse...a fake punt/kick... a hook and ladder...that he goes for a "4th and anything risky"? Seemingly - Zero. If Ianello were ice cream, vanilla would make fun of him.

Summary - Two games into the season, the coaching staff has given no one any hope for a turnaround.

3.) What is Wistercill's answer when Proenza asks him "What is my beautiful new stadium 70% empty?" "Why is the student section 80% empty?" "Why are the loges empty?" "Why are we losing to a 1-AA program?"

Summary - I'm guessing Wistercill's resume highlights are tilted heavily towards basketball and soccer, with fingers crossed that his future employers simply don't know Akron has a football team.

4.) I was disappointed to see Mike Rasor's post game notes are so passive. He states he's "...disappointed, but not heartbroken." I guess that is the benefit of being 26, rather than 44. To me, yesterday's loss was profoundly heartbreaking. I graduated 21 years ago, and if you'd have told me that 21 years later, the Zips would still be one of the bottom 10 football programs in the nation, losing to 1-AA programs at home, I'd have never believed it. Having that beautiful new stadium, and fielding the embarassment that we saw yesterday, is heartbreaking. I'm sick of walking out of the home stadium as a loser for 60%+ of the games I attend. I'm sick of rebuilding. I want to win. Now.

Ianello may have been left with some suspect talent. But he's playing a MAC schedule, with a 1-AA team included. There's NO excuse for an 0-12...or even a 3-9 season. Many of the other programs we play are equally as inept as ourselves. Thus it will come down to our staff motivating the players that we have, and creating winning game plans for us to execute. After 2 weeks, I see that 0 - 12 is looking a lot more realistic than 4-8. And, to me, that's heartbreaking.

[akronad]

Capt. , I couldn't agree more. It is pretty darn bad that my wife would rather just tailgate than watch the game. BTW, was that playing catch with yoour daughter ysterday? We were set-up right acroos from with the red Saturn SUV.

[Zipgrad01]

Waiting until 20 hours after the game to post an observation is kind of unfair. Everyone has already writtn some good observations, and I don't want to repeat anything. So here's my attempt to avoid beating dead horses, and repeating what's already been said. And, attempting to give credit to those who've touched on the point elsewhere --

1.) I can't help but highlight what Zipsrifle touched upon -- G-W was better than the Zips in every phase of the game. They actually out-sized us. They has better offense, defense, special teams, coaching... I have no idea why, but this pedestrian 1-AA program is absolutely better than the Akron Zips?! Is this Ianello's fault?

If you are an Ianello's guy, you can easily state the following:

"Look at our O-line...Thanks for leaving me with absolutley nothing, JD Brookhart."

"Look at our wide receivers - Thanks for leaving me with absolutely nothing JD Brookhart."

"Look at our secondary -- Thanks for leaving be absolutely nothing, JD Brookhart."

"Look at my kickers - Thanks for leaving me with absolutely nothing, JD Brookhart."

Stepping back and taking a realistic look at our team... we are aggregiously bereft of D-1 A talent.

We haver a decent QB, decent LB's and decent RB's (Bailey looks like a winner at FB). The key work being "Decent." We have noo studs (Wagner is on of 11 guys on defense, he can only do so much). Other than Wagner, no All-MAC selections, even a 3rd teamer (Carter would need to see the field in order to get post-season recognition). Our talent is 30% decent, and 70% bottom-of-the-barrel. What other team would a guy like Gary Pride ever see the field? Ashland? He's our #2 wide out?

Summary - Mack Rhoades is a crafty bugger... the guy knew when to buy, and he knew when to sell. I give him all the credit in the world.

2.) Does lack of talent give Ianello a free pass? Absolutely not. The guy is unbelievably conservative. Our playcalling on both sides of the ball shows very little feel for the flow of the game. We play soft cover-2 when we need to stop a short pass. We elect to switch to passing mode when we're running the ball down the opponent's throat. Stupid penalties abound, and mistakes like kicking off in both halves, which typically only happen to K.e.n.t. State, are now happening to the Zips.

I have seen almost nothing from this staff that gives me any sense of urgency that they want to win. The vibe in the stands is -- This is a learning season for all of us, so let's just get the games over and hope no one gets hurt.

What are the odds that Ianello tries a reverse...a fake punt/kick... a hook and ladder...that he goes for a "4th and anything risky"? Seemingly - Zero. If Ianello were ice cream, vanilla would make fun of him.

Summary - Two games into the season, the coaching staff has given no one any hope for a turnaround.

3.) What is Wistercill's answer when Proenza asks him "What is my beautiful new stadium 70% empty?" "Why is the student section 80% empty?" "Why are the loges empty?" "Why are we losing to a 1-AA program?"

Summary - I'm guessing Wistercill's resume highlights are tilted heavily towards basketball and soccer, with fingers crossed that his future employers simply don't know Akron has a football team.

4.) I was disappointed to see Mike Rasor's post game notes are so passive. He states he's "...disappointed, but not heartbroken." I guess that is the benefit of being 26, rather than 44. To me, yesterday's loss was profoundly heartbreaking. I graduated 21 years ago, and if you'd have told me that 21 years later, the Zips would still be one of the bottom 10 football programs in the nation, losing to 1-AA programs at home, I'd have never believed it. Having that beautiful new stadium, and fielding the embarassment that we saw yesterday, is heartbreaking. I'm sick of walking out of the home stadium as a loser for 60%+ of the games I attend. I'm sick of rebuilding. I want to win. Now.

Ianello may have been left with some suspect talent. But he's playing a MAC schedule, with a 1-AA team included. There's NO excuse for an 0-12...or even a 3-9 season. Many of the other programs we play are equally as inept as ourselves. Thus it will come down to our staff motivating the players that we have, and creating winning game plans for us to execute. After 2 weeks, I see that 0 - 12 is looking a lot more realistic than 4-8. And, to me, that's heartbreaking.

Great post. While I am struggling to understand some of Ianello's on the field decisions, I have also come to the conclusion that we have 1-AA talent in a few area's and D3 talent in other areas. We only have a handful of legit 1A players on this team. I just pray that we are able to recruit through this disaster of a season.

[Buckzip]

Well said Cap'n. Not sure I agree about the talent though. I think we have some talent. I just think it's so horribly coached that it doesn't shine.

[skip-zip]

I recall reading a lot of comments before the season started about our talent. I didn't see it. And despite some limited excitement regarding "new formations", I think I am seeing that even the optimists are slowly getting on board with the idea that we may not have the personnel to get the job done.

I agree with Captain that 0-12 looks more realistic than 4-8. And even though I didn't anticipate a good season, I didn't feel that way 2 weeks ago. I do now. And our schedule isn't going to help. With 2 BCS teams on the road, and an October full of teams expected to be some of the better teams in the MAC, we could easily be taking our kids trick-or-treating before we get our first win. And will our players even want to put forth the effort to win anymore once we do reach some of those more winnable games in November?

One thing is certain. Our coaching and our personnel is questionable at this point. And sadly, we just failed to win one of the few games on our schedule that we actually have the ability to win.

[Buckzip]

I recall reading a lot of comments before the season started about our talent. I didn't see it. And despite some limited excitement regarding "new formations", I think I am seeing that even the optimists are slowly getting on board with the idea that we may not have the personnel to get the job done.

I agree with Captain that 0-12 looks more realistic than 4-8. And even though I didn't anticipate a good season, I didn't feel that way 2 weeks ago. I do now. And our schedule isn't going to help. With 2 BCS teams on the road, and an October full of teams expected to be some of the better teams in the MAC, we could easily be taking our kids trick-or-treating before we get our first win. And will our players even want to put forth the effort to win anymore once we do reach some of those more winnable games in November?

One thing is certain. Our coaching and our personnel is questionable at this point. And sadly, we just failed to win one of the few games on our schedule that we all thought we actually have the ability to win.

Fixed it for you.

[ZachTheZip]

Were there people actually excited about a switch to a pro-style offense? People who thought abandoning the spread would work at the college level?

[ZachTheZip]

1.) I can't help but highlight what Zipsrifle touched upon -- G-W was better than the Zips in every phase of the game. They actually out-sized us. They has better offense, defense, special teams, coaching... I have no idea why, but this pedestrian 1-AA program is absolutely better than the Akron Zips?! Is this Ianello's fault?

What about the new strength program the players are on? They all seemed to be in love with it. Nicely was quoted as saying that it has made them "bigger, faster, stronger" about a week before the season. To me it seems to have had the opposite effect.

[johnnyzip84]

1.) I can't help but highlight what Zipsrifle touched upon -- G-W was better than the Zips in every phase of the game. They actually out-sized us. They has better offense, defense, special teams, coaching... I have no idea why, but this pedestrian 1-AA program is absolutely better than the Akron Zips?! Is this Ianello's fault?

What about the new strength program the players are on? They all seemed to be in love with it. Nicely was quoted as saying that it has made them "bigger, faster, stronger" about a week before the season. To me it seems to have had the opposite effect.

It's got to be either the placebo affect or sabotage by eguins buddy Cochran

I'm not ready to concede that this team doesn't have talent. I need to see SOME level of competency from this staff before I can reach that conclusion.

ITZ, we are of the exact same mind regarding the type of coach who SHOULD have been hired. Your point about what Winters has accomplished in the gridiron abyss that WAS Wayne St University isn't lost on me. He hasn't been named GLIAC COTY twice for nothing. He's also coached a Harlon Hill winner. But I understand he's got to be one of the most polarizing figures ever on this board.

Zach brings up a good point about the spread in college. Isn't there a reason why the majority of successful teams run it?

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Whoever said the thing about tailgating right through the game might have been onto something!

Stumbling into the stadium in the 4th quarter three sheets to the wind would certainly allow me to see the team through beer goggles, and really, that might be the best way to watch them this year.

[GoZips]

All comes down to one, specific thing .... coaching. There just isn't any.

[cornbread]

Whoever said the thing about tailgating right through the game might have been onto something!

Stumbling into the stadium in the 4th quarter three sheets to the wind would certainly allow me to see the team through beer goggles, and really, that might be the best way to watch them this year.

Dealing with your problems with the help of alcohol is ALWAYS a win-win situation. I have 2 beautiful children btw.

[skip-zip]

I recall reading a lot of comments before the season started about our talent. I didn't see it. And despite some limited excitement regarding "new formations", I think I am seeing that even the optimists are slowly getting on board with the idea that we may not have the personnel to get the job done.

I agree with Captain that 0-12 looks more realistic than 4-8. And even though I didn't anticipate a good season, I didn't feel that way 2 weeks ago. I do now. And our schedule isn't going to help. With 2 BCS teams on the road, and an October full of teams expected to be some of the better teams in the MAC, we could easily be taking our kids trick-or-treating before we get our first win. And will our players even want to put forth the effort to win anymore once we do reach some of those more winnable games in November?

One thing is certain. Our coaching and our personnel is questionable at this point. And sadly, we just failed to win one of the few games on our schedule that we all thought we actually have the ability to win.

Fixed it for you.

Good fix. Thank you sir.

[CPAZip]

If we go 0-12, our draft position should be awesome.

[Buckzip]

I recall reading a lot of comments before the season started about our talent. I didn't see it. And despite some limited excitement regarding "new formations", I think I am seeing that even the optimists are slowly getting on board with the idea that we may not have the personnel to get the job done.

I agree with Captain that 0-12 looks more realistic than 4-8. And even though I didn't anticipate a good season, I didn't feel that way 2 weeks ago. I do now. And our schedule isn't going to help. With 2 BCS teams on the road, and an October full of teams expected to be some of the better teams in the MAC, we could easily be taking our kids trick-or-treating before we get our first win. And will our players even want to put forth the effort to win anymore once we do reach some of those more winnable games in November?

One thing is certain. Our coaching and our personnel is questionable at this point. And sadly, we just failed to win one of the few games on our schedule that we all thought we actually have the ability to win.

Fixed it for you.

Good fix. Thank you sir.

I'm here for you.

[GP1]

Stepping back and taking a realistic look at our team... we are aggregiously bereft of D-1 A talent.

I agree. We are not a I-A team in a I-A conference. We are a I-AA team in a I-AA conference.

More on how bad the conference is in a while.

[GP1]

Summary - Mack Rhoades is a crafty bugger... the guy knew when to buy, and he knew when to sell. I give him all the credit in the world.

I'm sick of walking out of the home stadium as a loser for 60%+ of the games I attend. I'm sick of rebuilding. I want to win. Now.

You summary makes no sense. Mack left because he had a better job offer. CUSA is a better conference every day of the week. It has nothing to do with the players on the football team.

I to am sick of the losing. Even more so, I'm sick of the "building" bullshit we have had to listen to for over two decades now. You guys are wasting your time and money going to these games....and it kills me to say that.

[GP1]

Does lack of talent give Ianello a free pass? Absolutely not.

I'm sorry Captain Kangaroo, but this is complete bullshit. How many returning starters are there who won at least three games last year?...they won't win more than two this year.

Were we talentless when we were up 31-17? The game should have been a blow out to the tune of 45-17. It isn't about talent...it's about a fear of winning. It's about a program that never experiences winning so they enjoy losing.

There is absolutely no excuse for what happened yesterday.

[InTheZone]

It's funny how Captain can go from declaring that we have a future NFL gunslinger at QB to declaring this team is completely void of talent. Not a very consistent position if you ask me. If you have that kind of talent at QB, you should beat a HS tea...errr... Gardner Webb, whether we've got Vince Lombardi coaching or my wife.

[GP1]

It's funny how Captain can go from declaring that we have a future NFL gunslinger at QB to declaring this team is completely void of talent. Not a very consistent position if you ask me. If you have that kind of talent at QB, you should beat a HS tea...errr... Gardner Webb, whether we've got Vince Lombardi coaching or my wife.

The mismanagement of the QB should be a future post. 21 passes? Are you freaking kidding me? He is the best player on offense. Let him throw the freaking ball for crying out loud. \\

This is what you get when you run a pro style offense in college. Pro offense work because the players playing in the pros are great. They don't work at UofA because there aren't enough good players to run it.

I like that Coach I changed the defense. Unfortunately, as I said months ago, he runs a pro offense during a time in college football when the spread offense makes poor teams average, average teams good and good teams great. You have to have Alabama type talent to make a pro offense work in college. You know who has Alabama type talent?.....Alabama, not UofA. Smash mouth football does not work unless you have the players to smash someone in the mouth. We don't have those players. We do have a group that would do well with a spread offense.

[InTheZone]

Completely concur on the spread offense. It's the offense I played in, and we put 532 yards of total offense on Wisconsin with it. Were we more talented on offense than the Wisconsin defense? Umm... are you shittin me? Some of those guys had more talent in their left toe than I did in my whole body on my best day. We moved the ball on them because the Spread, when run well, is DAMN HARD to defend. It's easy to defend against a bad team running a pro-style offense. You can't out-scheme anyone in the pro-style. It's mono-e-mono, and the best players win. With a well run spread, you give less talented players a stategic advantage over the guys trying to defend them.

That being said, the bs spread JD was running the last few years is not what I'm talking about. I could go into a discussion on all that was wrong with what he was trying to do and the difference between that and the way the spread should be run, but just know this.... what we're running now is only going to work against teams we're more talanted than. I think you can all draw your own conclusions for what that means.

[GP1]

Completely concur on the spread offense. It's the offense I played in, and we put 532 yards of total offense on Wisconsin with it. Were we more talented on offense than the Wisconsin defense? Umm... are you shittin me? Some of those guys had more talent in their left toe than I did in my whole body on my best day. We moved the ball on them because the Spread, when run well, is DAMN HARD to defend. It's easy to defend against a bad team running a pro-style offense. You can't out-scheme anyone in the pro-style. It's mono-e-mono, and the best players win. With a well run spread, you give less talented players a stategic advantage over the guys trying to defend them.

That being said, the bs spread JD was running the last few years is not what I'm talking about. I could go into a discussion on all that was wrong with what he was trying to do and the difference between that and the way the spread should be run, but just know this.... what we're running now is only going to work against teams we're talanted than. I think you can all draw your own conclusions for what that means.

We've gone from the proverbial frying pan into the fire. We ditched a defensive scheme that lead to certain failure to an offensive scheme that leads to certain failure. We just can't seem to get it right.

[akron football]

decent QB?hmmmm

[GP1]

decent QB?hmmmm

14 of 21 is a good day.

[cornbread]

Were there people actually excited about a switch to a pro-style offense? People who thought abandoning the spread would work at the college level?

I was. I like the offense and there are plenty who do. Plus... what other type of offense should we run?

Since our line is not playing well, and we already miss the spread... lets go for the A-11 offense? We could have up to 10 recievers on the field at once! The most spread available for your $20 a game.