Random Thoughts on Everything

[Captain Kangaroo]

* The game environment was awesome. It vindicated everything us die-hard supporters had screamed for years: Build it and they will come!

* For years the University was content with sticking a coupon on the side of an Acme grocery bag calling their Marketing job "done" for the season. For years the University neglected to pursue corporate sponsors to help fund a Championship Division 1 athletic's program. For years everyone claimed the University of Akron was simply a commuter school and it was impossible to generate student support. For years "people-in-the-know" said the fans of the program should be satisfied with .500 records...that that was really the best that should be expected of the Zips. The culmination of 5 years of tireless work was seen on Monday December 26th when the MAC Football Champion Zips and their 15,000 fans showed the nation what the potential of Zips football truely is. There no longer is any doubt, and things are only going to get better.

* We have a championship, a top-flight staff, the best training facilities in the MAC, the best Marketing group...the only thing we are lacking is winning tradition. I think over the next few years that tradition will be solidified. Can you imagine the crowd at the Rubber Bowl home opener next year? A sell out is guaranteed. Bank on it. Get your season tix now.

* After the game there was an awesome party thrown at the Hyatt for the players, fans, staff and families. It was great to have the opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work and show some appreciation for a jobe exceptionally well done.

* Memphis fans were great. It would be fun to play them on a home-and-home series. A special thanks to the Tiger fans that stopped by the board to educate us on their team and program!

* How did the Zips get so lucky as to face two of the top 3 college running backs in successive games? DeAngelo is a hell of a back. It was tough to appreciate him because he was killing us, however. He'll be fun to watch on Sundays.

* It sucked to have the game end on the fumble controversy, if for no other reason than the Zips fans were pissed. When it came to announcing Memphis as the champs the Zips fans roundly "booooo'd." That was a shame. Had that fumble controversy not happened, I KNOW the Zips fans would have appropriately given the Tigers a round of applause.

* How nice must it have been for the seniors...who had played in front of 100's at the Rubber Bowl many times during their career...to see 10,000 Zips fans directly behind them in Detroit? They should take a lot of pride in building such a following.

* People thought the departure of Marshall would hurt the MAC. My Physics classes told me that "nature abhorrs a vaccuum." The Zips seemlessly filled the competitive slot vacated by the Herd. It remains to be seen now if the Zips faithful will start travelling to away games in the 1,000's.

* Rumor has it there will again be a November filled with oddball night games in 2006 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, etc.).

* Jabari really busted out in Detroit. He is for real. Look for a HUGE 2006 season from him.

* Biggs was awesome in 2005, and the offensive line was much better than expeted. However, we need more speed at the running back position in 2006 and bigger holes for that back to exploit. I hope some of the redshirt OL's push the incumbent OL's for their jobs in 2006 because we really struggled to get one or two yards when we needed it. Memphis didn't struggle when faced with the same situation. I hope Tuzze can also clear some holes for our 2006 RB. We sorely lacked a physical FB in 2006.

* How do you bench a QB that threw for 400+ in the biggest two games of Akron's Division 1 history? You can't. However, the caliber of our back ups next season will be much higher than 2005. I am very interested to see what Jackson and Jacqmaine have to offer in the spring game. Hakes is also enrolled for the spring.

* We waited too long to throw down the field...especially down the middle. Too many short, sideways passes. We waited too long to get Kasparek into the flow too.

* Build a 30,000 seat stadium that's expandable in the future. Anything less is admitting you aren't committed to Division 1 football.

* Mike Thomas wanted grass seating in the endzone of the new stadium (like UVA's). Now that Thomas is gone, I wonder if that affects the design?

* Hey, the Zips basketball team is pretty good. People will start to notice pretty soon.

* Mack Rhoades made a short speech at the post game banquet. I wish it were more impressive, but I will cut the guy some slack. It has been a whirlwind for him as of late. The people "in-the-know" that I spoke with at the banquet had nothing but good things to say about Mack.

* Fear the Roo fever is insane. Everyone loves it!

* At game's end our defense was gassed. The fact that we were so pass-happy really put a strain on them. Too many short (minute-wise) offensive possessions. To be fair...we couldn't run the ball very effectively so we pretty much had to pass.

* We rarely substituted on defense. We didn't all season. Next year we'll have the depth to do so. That depth will make a dramatic difference in our 2006 defensive productivity.

* Memphis' best play, aside from handing the ball to DeAngelo, was winging a jump ball 50 yards down the field. Theire WR's made some great plays to pull them in.

* Take a look at Memphis' stadium on their web site and tell me how, with our Rubber Bowl as a home field, our team played Memphis within 7 points. There's no logical reason. Only heart and good coaching. Now, tell me what we'll be capable of doing once our stadium gets built. The sky's the limit.

* We officially now have bandwagon fans. I was told by a guy behind me wearing an OSU ball cap to stay seated in the 4th quarter because he couldn't see. F Him in the skull. But that's what we now will have...dingy broads yapping on their cell phones, showing up to Zips games only because it is "THE place to be seen" not to watch a game. Oh well...the price you pay for success.

Thanks again to all for a great season. As several players told me at the hotel after the game, "It is only going to get better!"

[Buckzip]

Good stuff CK.

However, I don't see how you think there will be more depth on the defense next year.

We will need 3-4 great recruiting classes in a row for that to occur.

I would really like to see someone in the know give a little more inside information on prop 48, transfers, etc. It seems like stuff is going on, but isn't reported. I know that grades, and such aren't permitted for public access. However, this is an "unofficial" board. Things can be posted on here, and be let out.

It gets frustrating very often not having a clue what is going on with players.

[InTheZone]

Good stuff CK.

However, I don't see how you think there will be more depth on the defense next year.

We will need 3-4 great recruiting classes in a row for that to occur.

I would really like to see someone in the know give a little more inside information on prop 48, transfers, etc. It seems like stuff is going on, but isn't reported. I know that grades, and such aren't permitted for public access. However, this is an "unofficial" board. Things can be posted on here, and be let out.

It gets frustrating very often not having a clue what is going on with players.

BZ.

Nothing will be known about the Prop players until after the Spring. They aren't eligible for spring ball and their eligibility for the fall is determined by the total number of credit hours they pass during the school year. I'll try to get some updates on how much progress our guys made this semester when I get the opportunity.

[Z-P]

Thanks C, I've been waiting for you to come in.

I missed both trips to Motown to very legit reasons.............but watching on TV I was real proud of all the players and fans.........especially the fans, you guys were awesome!

Couple other thoughts on the Memphis game:

Where was 23?????? I was getting all set to see him drafted on "Day 2" in April, and he goes out and plays himself out of any kind of draft pick at all (IMHO).

Secondly, while 12 came up big (finally), he still does'nt look very athletic to me in anything he does between the lines. The Cat's a physical specimen, but he needs to work on his speed and balance bigtime. He needs Sparks to coach him up a little. I disagree with you about him being a big factor next year UNLESS he dedicates himself to living up to his God Given Physical Gifts. On that subject, may do we need receivers! What a waste of a great arm unless somebody comes along who can pull the ball in.

I luv Getsy.............a lot. Something occured to me watching the game...........it's really hard to seperate him from Superman, year 2. Is it just me, or does it seem like Getsy gets more chances than Sup did because this team's defense can stop an opponent and get the ball back into our hands?

What's up with that bus problem? Was it really that bad? Man that sucks.......if there was ever a program needing a smooth event for it's "fans" it was us.............what happened? I direct that to someone in the know like UAM or one of the lower level staff guys.............

I hope we find a running back................nm.

I apologize to all my sluggie buddies for not being able to get to Detroit for the two greatest games in recent memory.................real sorry..............but as you well know, it can't be said Z-P is a fair weather fan....................just an unlucky one who had other shit get in the way of some big time fun.................. that's me hitting myself.

[GP1]

Where was 23?????? I was getting all set to see him drafted on "Day 2" in April, and he goes out and plays himself out of any kind of draft pick at all (IMHO).

I luv Getsy.............a lot. Something occured to me watching the game...........it's really hard to seperate him from Superman, year 2. Is it just me, or does it seem like Getsy gets more chances than Sup did because this team's defense can stop an opponent and get the ball back into our hands?

I think 23 did play himself out of a draft pick. I would be surprised if he made an all star team in January. Missing passes and not catching punts does not impress NFL scouts.

As far as Getsy, I think he understands this offense better than Frye did, but he does not have the running ability Frye did. It really hurt Luke mid season when the offensive line couldn't figure out who to block. With a good offensive line next year, look out for Getsy!

Getsy was helped by the defense, but he still moved the ball when he had to. They may not have scored every time, but they did pick up first downs with a balanced attack and a very efficient offense.

You guys know my opinion of this subject. I'll take a winner any day over an underachiever or a guy who can't win half his games. Luke wins, Frye/Superman (whatever ) didn't.

I was at the Browns game Saturday and one of the moronic Browns fans (Do you really have to use the word moronic when referring to Browns fans? Isn't it just assumed?) yelled out after Frye pooped down his leg for about the 20th time, "Go back to Akron!". I immediately felt the need to defend my school, so I yelled out, "No thank you, we don't need him. Four years of losing was enough!". Don't ever say I don't have the best interest of U of A in mind. Not to make excuses for Charlie though because he received enough of that over the years, but it is hard to beat the Steelers when they have home field advantage.

[Buckzip]

ITZ, thanks. I know the information isn't available yet. i am just interested in who is even still in school trying to make it. That is the frustrating part.

I heard Hight is gone.

[Quickzips]

Where was 23??????  I was getting all set to see him drafted on "Day 2" in April, and he goes out and plays himself out of any kind of draft pick at all (IMHO).

I luv Getsy.............a lot.  Something occured to me watching the game...........it's really hard to seperate him from Superman, year 2.  Is it just me, or does it seem like Getsy gets more chances than Sup did because this team's defense can stop an opponent and get the ball back into our hands?

I think 23 did play himself out of a draft pick. I would be surprised if he made an all star team in January. Missing passes and not catching punts does not impress NFL scouts.

As far as Getsy, I think he understands this offense better than Frye did, but he does not have the running ability Frye did. It really hurt Luke mid season when the offensive line couldn't figure out who to block. With a good offensive line next year, look out for Getsy!

Getsy was helped by the defense, but he still moved the ball when he had to. They may not have scored every time, but they did pick up first downs with a balanced attack and a very efficient offense.

You guys know my opinion of this subject. I'll take a winner any day over an underachiever or a guy who can't win half his games. Luke wins, Frye/Superman (whatever ) didn't.

I was at the Browns game Saturday and one of the moronic Browns fans (Do you really have to use the word moronic when referring to Browns fans? Isn't it just assumed?) yelled out after Frye pooped down his leg for about the 20th time, "Go back to Akron!". I immediately felt the need to defend my school, so I yelled out, "No thank you, we don't need him. Four years of losing was enough!". Don't ever say I don't have the best interest of U of A in mind. Not to make excuses for Charlie though because he received enough of that over the years, but it is hard to beat the Steelers when they have home field advantage.

GP, the big difference between Getsy and Frye is..........................................

Frye is playing on Sundays, and will for quite a few years, regardless of one game where the entire team basically gave up. Getsy never will. Mark my words on that one.

[Buckzip]

Getsy has a stronger arm than Frye. That isn't saying alot. I really liked Frye. However, his arm is pretty weak. I don't think everyone has to have an arm like Vick, or Favre, but Bernie Kosar put more "zip" on the ball than Frye does. If he throws 30 yards down field, it is a high arch pass. You think it is 50 yards because of how high he throws it.

The telling sign to me was listening to Lee Owens talk about Frye on WKNR last week.

The interviewer asked Owens about Frye's arm strength. Owens completely avoided the question. He said arm strength is over rated, and then talked about Joe Montana.

[LosAngelesZipFan]

Capt 'roo: EXCELLENT post. I love what you wrote about the commitment it has taken to get to this point. I really do hope that the momentum can be sustained and built upon. I keep posting things about this topic to get a feel for what fans committed to the Zips really want to see happen-- are they satisfied with occassionally contending for the MAC or do they want to build a program that is really growing and going some place?So here's my Zip Momentum Wish List:1) Announce the stadium with significant City of Akron and NEOhio corporate backing. Minimum 30,000. Big time press facilities and corporate boxes. Built to double in stages. [Location is another interesting thread to start...how about something that spans the tracks?]. Even better would be a football/basketball facility but I just don't think it is affordable. Stadium in place for 2010 season.2) Yearly home game against BCS schools. Start that now in the Rubber Bowl to build fan attendence momentum. We need a schedule that makes NEOhio "bandwagon" fans perk up their ears. We have got to establish the concept of "big time" football coming to NEOhio and not just existing in Cowlumbus. Hopefully these games get picked up on ESPN/2 but regardless it makes a statement. I remember Jim Dennison saying how exciting it would be to have Miami and BG playing in the Rubber Bowl, and I always thought it was such a joke to think those teams would really excite huge interest and attendance. If we are winning and contending in the MAC, we should be able to draw 15-20,000. If we are winning and contending in the MAC and bringing in Purdue-ish teams, we should be able to draw 25-30,000 consistently. 3) Continue the marketing momentum and expand to Cleveland. Stage an event of some sort in Cleveland that will get covered. Ideally, sell Ohio State on playing UA in Browns Stadium. This is not a pipe dream-- Cincinnati just did it a couple of seasons ago. For UA to really set its sites beyond the MAC some day, it has to "own" Cleveland and its media. Right now, the Zips barely register more coverage than John Carroll.4) National donor base. UA does have alumni all over the country (and world). None of my core group of friend/roomies from UA live in NEOhio. UA needs to find a way to activate that group. One way is by strategically scheduling football games in important recruiting areas. Another is to create a national alumni supporter group.

[msopher]

"Fear the Roo" is probably one of the best slogans I have ever seen in the MAC.

[GP1]

Frye is playing on Sundays, and will for quite a few years, regardless of one game where the entire team basically gave up. Getsy never will. Mark my words on that one.

I agree. Getsy will never play in the NFL. Maybe a tryout, but never with a team. But then again, isn't that bumb Rutheford playing on the Steelers practice team and didn't he play in the exact offense at Pitt?I also agree that Frye will be in the league for a number of years because teams need guys like him and there aren't many around. He will become the league's next Kelly Holcomb. He is the type of guy who can come in and rally a team for a couple of wins a year and keep a team afloat while a starter recovers from injury.Z-P's initial post was not about who is or isn't in the NFL, it was about a comparison of the two players. Apparently, winning is not your top priority and making the NFL after Akron is. Myself, I like to see Akron win and I want winners on the team. Luke has proven himself to be a winner. Everyone should just step back for a minute and think about how much fun it has been the past few weeks and then remind themselves how miserable the years leading up to that were. JD and the coaching staff, Luke, Hixson, Biggs, Kiki, Jay R. et al have proven themselves to have the guts to make this program a winning program.If you are a Browns fan, worry. I'm a Steelers fan and I can tell you first hand that defense that destroyed the Browns Saturday is average at best. That team probably will not beat Cincinnati in the first round of the playoffs. What they did though was serve a lesson to the rest of the NFL on how to stop Frye. Blitz from the corners so he can't run, cover the crap out of the short underneath passes and make him try to throw deep passes with his 10 cent arm and even worse accuracy down field. Good luck Cleveland......you're going to need it.

[Zipsrifle]

Great post as usual CK. There is one point I disagree on, and I hope I'm wrong!

Can you imagine the crowd at the Rubber Bowl home opener next year? A sell out is guaranteed. Bank on it. Get your season tix now.

Doubt it. In 11 years of following UA, I have never been to a sellout. Unless OSU, Michigan, Penn State, ..... comes to the RB, it won't sellout. It will be a huge crowd, but not a sellout.

Rumor has it there will again be a November filled with oddball night games in 2006 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, etc.).

If we get screwed by the MAC again and are forced to whore ourselves out to ESPN this year, I'm going to be VERY pissed! We did more than our fair share of taking one for the MAC this past season. We suffered terrible attendance for both the OU game and the Thanksgiving game. In addition, we were even bumped from ESPN on Thanksgiving, and how are we compensated???? We get bashed for a poor showing on national TV, and we lose all the revenue from fans, like me, who can't make weekday games. Add that to this the weather for the Army game and I'm sure we had abysmal home attendance this year. Everyone talks about building the fanbase, but this crap with the MAC making us play games on weeknights is only going to alienate fans like me who have to travel to home games. I hope Rhoades and UAM tell the MAC to shove weeknight games up their

Fear the Roo fever is insane. Everyone loves it!

I love it, but I still can't get my hands on any stuff!! I think UA needs to put up a few billboards up in Cleveland!

[Quickzips]

GP, I really don't see where Getsy is better than Frye. Regular season wins this season and last are equal. You can't legitimatley call that a better season except for the fact that 6 wins was good enough this year to get us to the MACC game. The other big difference I see b/w Charlie and Luke is the ability to overcome. I'm convinced that a lot of Luke's midseason problems were due to injury. There was something there in that injury he sustained at CMU(?) that bothered him throughout the season. Then you look at a guy like Charlie Frye who spent the last half of last season with a dislocated thumb on his throwing hand and still played, and yes, WON. Granted they are different injuries, but it is stuff like that that sets Charlie apart from Luke at least at this stage. I really hope for the sake of this program that Lukes struggles this season can be contributed to lack of playing time the previous three years and injuries b/c if that is the case then he is going to be a damn fine QB for this program next year.

[zipsbandman]

Getsy is a winner. Frye is not.

[RACER]

im sure fyre really doesn't care what people on this board have to say about him not being a winner. he is playng in the nfl,and making alott of $. sounds like a winner to me. i think it's hard to compare the two qb's.i think fyre had a better o-line,but our defense this year was alott better. luke proved he can lead our team to a championship.both our winners in my book.

[LosAngelesZipFan]

Why are people so down on Frye?

[Z-P]

To clarify my observation.................I was just saying Luke got more trips onto the field of play than 5 did because he had a defense that could stop somebody.In 5's years, our opponents would hold the ball all the way down the field and score every frickin time................it wasn't like that this year, hence more opportunity.Before we compare these two good college QB's, let's give Luke another year to see what he does..........it's too early to compare abilities and careers. Also, don't forget about Butchie. He was pretty damned good also. We've enjoyed a good run at that position for a long time..............same for backfield talent..................and until this year, receivers. On the O side of the ball, the only place we tanked has been O-line play (note I did not say talent, I said play) after Smitty, Big Griz and the rest departed some 5 years back.

[scottditzen]

Anyone who calls Frye a "loser" while at Akron knows absolutely nothing. And with regard to arm strength, Drew Brees was all pro last year. Arm strength is important, but not essential for NFL success.

[Buckzip]

Why are people so down on Frye?

I don't think people are down on Frye from a college standpoint. I thought he was a very good college QB for Akron.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Why are people so down on Frye?

I don't think "people" are down on Frye. I think one person is...and that person likes to type alot...so it looks like many are.

[ZipDude]

Captain, great post, lots of insight from the consummate Roo fan. I got the opportunity to watch the game with some former players ( Cummins, Hendry , Ritley and Meyer) and sat down the row from Cherry. They were all really excited but i could tell also very envious that they never had the chance to play in that environment. The venue was awesomely incredible. The fact that Comerica Park is merely across the narrow street (Brush Street) almost reminde me of Wrigley Field. Beer and food was expensive as hell though. The Zips had good seats and there we a lot of fans clapping those things together. The difference between this 2005 team and say for example the 2003 team is not talent. In fact there was more talent on the 2003 team, it is purely and simply coaching. Owens and PW could not coach the spread offence and there was simply no defensive coaching. If the 2001-2003 teams had had any coaching and a defense, their record would have been different. The base has been built. I was blown away with the "Fear the Roo " billboards in Detroit. UAMhas had a chance to wiork their magic and will keep doing it in the future. Waddell shoiuld have been named the new Boss, whomever screwed up. Good luck to the Zips

[grice]

Both Luke and Frye are top UA QB's both passing for over 3,000 yds a season. Comparing their records would be tough. The MAC had some great talent when Frye played...Roethlisberger and Leftwich to name a few. Coaching is also key...with JD UA and Frye were bowl eligble in 2004. Frye had to settled for Senior Bowl MVP.

[RACER]

why we won the mac this year versus the 2003 team.? this team had alott more talent on defense than 2003. as much as i love the zips i have cannot agree that the reason we won the mac was just pure coaching. the mac 2005 was not near the league it was in 2003 with miami,bg, toledo, niu in 2003 all had very goood teams. jd and the team did a great job in winning the games they had to win this year. that's what counts .what this year did was give us a springboard to build our program,and fan base.

[msopher]

It sucked to have the game end on the fumble controversy, if for no other reason than the Zips fans were pissed. When it came to announcing Memphis as the champs the Zips fans roundly "booooo'd." That was a shame.

A shame?  Zips fans had every right to boo and be pissed.  It's not un-sportsmanlike to boo an opposing team.

Rumor has it there will again be a November filled with oddball night games in 2006 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, etc.).

MAC teams will always play on these nights. It sucks for attendance but the exposure to fans and RECRUITS will always outweigh the negatives. Sorry, if Akron doesn't want to play on ESPN during the week, then move down to D-1AA and get no exposure. Playing on ESPN really benefits the MAC schools even if the stands are half full.

[RACER]

i dont have a problem with the games being on espn by playing during the week.what i do have a problem with is moving a game to thanksgiving, and then not getting the game on espn. unless you have a guarantee the game is going to be on you could be replaced by poker on thanksgiving.we got scewed big time by espn,and traded the largest crowd of the year in.