Captain's Blog #7

[Captain Kangaroo]

Not having attended the game, it is difficult to gauge the vibe on the Zips sideline. I can only offer a game summary from the point of view of a guy listening to his radio...then turning it off...then raking leaves...then turning it back on...then throwing it...

I thought the Zips showed tremendous improvement in their offensive production when compared to the opening of the K.e.n.t. game. We had only one negative-yardage possession in our first 6 series! Of course, our first 4 possessions were 3-and-out punts...followed by 2 INT's.

We punted 4 times in the 1st quarter. OU punted 0 times in 4 quarters.

Also - It was crippling to our offensive production to have only 38 penalty yards assessed against OU. We need at least 125 if we are to keep games competitive.

Down 24-3, the Zips moved the ball to the OU 20 yard line. On 3rd and 4, PN 7 lobs a ball into Allen's hands for a sure 1st down...and possibly a TD. Allen drops the ball. Between LaFrance, Burney and Allen, I'm guessing we've dropped 7 TD balls this year? It really is unbelievable.

Speaking of PN7 - His performance has been a let down this year. But I will "Go Rasor" on the topic and say:

On PN7's weapons -- Jesus our receivers are horrible. And LaFrance...our best WR...may not play the remainder of the season. Our offensive line is the worst I've seen in the past 20 years.

On PN7's game plan -- We do not play to our strengths. We run late-developing routes... PN7 is snowed-under while all three receivers are streaking down the sidelines. We roll PN7 out...and he's not a good QB when he's running.

PN7 is a straight-up, Dan Marino-type pocket passer (despite his 43 yard scamper Saturday, he's not a runner). With the pocket collapsing on him constantly, and no receivers to catch his passes...he's doomed.

Is Rodgers the answer? With the team structured as it stands today, yes, he's our best chance to get a win. He can't throw deep, so maybe the staff will go heavier on the short routes where we have a chance for aerial success. Rodgers can throw short passes. And if Rodgers is flushed from the pocket, he can run for decent yardage. His knee has had 1 year to heal...he should be good to go.

That said - If iCoach goes "Denard Robinson" with Rodgers, look for another season-ending injury. Rodgers doesn't have the body to be running 15 times per game.

I haven't given up on Nicely, but he is a bad fit for the state of our OL and WR's right now. In October 2010, we need someone that can run. Rodgers gives us a chance to win... to get a couple 1st downs...move the chains...and give our D a rest.

Andy Alleman pointed to Rodgers statistics and said the staff needs to look at "Production over Promise." Rodgers went 5-5 with a TD to close the game, which can be considered Hall of Fame production in this dead ball era of Zips ball movement. But it is an unfair comparison to have 1st team defenses pound on Nicely for 3 quarters, then have Rodgers come in against the scrubs and look like an all star.

Even worse for the comparison is the fact that PN7 has faced the toughest part of the schedule...3 BCS schools + the MAC East and West leaders. Do you give him a crack at a sorry WMU squad, just to be fair?

No. We go with the Dink-and-Dunk offense and try to get a win any way we can. Rodgers starts this weekend.

Back the the OU game for a second -- on 4th and 4, on the OU 20, iCoach has the option of trying for the TD, or kicking the field goal. Down 24-3, and with red Zone opportunities as rare as fan sightings in Lot #34 this Saturday, iCoach elects to kick the FG. I'm really tired of him playing like 3 points is some sort of victory. Down 24-3, a field goal sucks. Grow some stones and try to get a TD. Show the fans you're at least trying to win.

Lunch is over. Great game by Bryan Wagner with 15 tackles. And Waller, Holmes and Hall get some love too.

No Dozen Goose Eggs (0-fer 12)! Win this Saturday! Cheat...steal the Bronco's uniforms...hell...try to score TDs instead of a field goals. Whatever crazy stuff it takes. Just win.

Oh...I almost forgot -- Good to see K.e.n.t. choke a double digit lead away on Saturday. Took a little bit of the sting out of the Zips loss. Thanks, Doug Martin.

Chili Cook-off in Lot #9 this Saturday. See both of you there!

[MaxZIP]

The fake FG is the Zip's best redzone play. RI is just setting future opponents up by kicking all of the time!

[ZIPFB#1]

I will be there! Add one more for chili.

[johnnyzip84]

My wife and I will both have entries. Does that push the count to six?

Also, I have spotted Ohio Brewing Company Verich Gold and Cardinal Ale in 6-pack bottles at The Mustard Seed. I even convinced my local convenience store owner to order me some (he has it on the shelf now). So for all of you OBC fans out there, I'd expect to see it start to appear in various Acme's, Giant Eagle's and Fisher Food's soon.

[skip-zip]

The fake FG is the Zip's best redzone play. RI is just setting future opponents up by kicking all of the time!

Sad, isn't it? Our most effective drive in the last 3-1/2 quarters of the Ken+ game was due to them bailing us out on a personal foul on an unconverted 3rd and 20-something play.....And a fake field goal.

It appears that even those who had high hopes for this season and some of our players are even past the point of trying to rationalize things. There's simply a lot of very ineffective football players on this team, and they need to be replaced.