Patrick Nicely

[Dr Z]

Source from PD

Akron under the center: Last season it seemed Patrick Nicely was alone at quarterback as the Zips' backups were either hurt or departed. Now the Willoughby South High product will have competition in his junior season from freshman Zack D'Orazio and JC transfer Clayton Moore.

Nicely, however, appears to have survived the challenge after spring drills.

"We have a good evaluation on all three of them," Ianello said. "[but] Patrick will still run out of the huddle first when we start training camp. I was pleased with Patrick's development. I was pleased with Clayton Moore's progress. The good news is, we are better at the QB position now than we ever were last season."

[Blue & Gold]

Source from PD

Akron under the center: Last season it seemed Patrick Nicely was alone at quarterback as the Zips' backups were either hurt or departed. Now the Willoughby South High product will have competition in his junior season from freshman Zack D'Orazio and JC transfer Clayton Moore.

Nicely, however, appears to have survived the challenge after spring drills.

"We have a good evaluation on all three of them," Ianello said. "[but] Patrick will still run out of the huddle first when we start training camp. I was pleased with Patrick's development. I was pleased with Clayton Moore's progress. The good news is, we are better at the QB position now than we ever were last season."

Isn't it usually pretty tough for an incoming QB to unseat a returning starter, even if the newcomer is better? Do you think Nicely will have to struggle a bit during the season for Clayton to be put in & get quality PT?

[skip-zip]

Source from PD

Akron under the center: Last season it seemed Patrick Nicely was alone at quarterback as the Zips' backups were either hurt or departed. Now the Willoughby South High product will have competition in his junior season from freshman Zack D'Orazio and JC transfer Clayton Moore.

Nicely, however, appears to have survived the challenge after spring drills.

"We have a good evaluation on all three of them," Ianello said. "[but] Patrick will still run out of the huddle first when we start training camp. I was pleased with Patrick's development. I was pleased with Clayton Moore's progress. The good news is, we are better at the QB position now than we ever were last season."

Isn't it usually pretty tough for an incoming QB to unseat a returning starter, even if the newcomer is better? Do you think Nicely will have to struggle a bit during the season for Clayton to be put in & get quality PT?

Especially before they've even entered training camp. So this doesn't surprise me at all. Several people sitting around me at the spring game were ready to name Moore the starter after he threw his first couple of passes on Saturday. That's pretty bad. But after what we've seen, it's understandable.

As I've wondered all along....what are the chances we were able to get a guy like Moore by telling him that he only had an opportunity to become the starter?

[Dave in Green]

..... As I've wondered all along....what are the chances we were able to get a guy like Moore by telling him that he only had an opportunity to become the starter?

What are the chances that an incoming QB would be promised the starting position over a veteran without having seen the incoming QB take a snap at the DI level or how much the veteran may have improved over the off-season?

[72 Roo]

When all is said and done I believe Moore will emerge as our signal caller. Nicely does not make good decisions under pressure and that is his greatest liability. Moore, to me, has the ability to make better decisions and execute under pressure. Either way, we will be better at QB than last year.

[akronzips71]

After last season Nicely should move to Argentina and play FOOTBOUL.

[skip-zip]

..... As I've wondered all along....what are the chances we were able to get a guy like Moore by telling him that he only had an opportunity to become the starter?

What are the chances that an incoming QB would be promised the starting position over a veteran without having seen the incoming QB take a snap at the DI level or how much the veteran may have improved over the off-season?

I'm not picking on you, but how familiar are you with the recruiting process? I never said "PROMISED".

Let me put it another way....

You're a big time high school QB with state titles under your belt, were recruited by a number of big programs, and you just tore up JC for a year. Then, one of the worst D-1A schools in the country comes calling, and tells you that if you come to this horrible program, you might also have the additional priviledge of sitting on the bench behind one of the worst QBs in D-1A.

Would you go there?

Think about it.

[Dr Z]

Would you go there?

If I was confident in my talents I would. Maybe I'm not as confident that I can win a starting job in a "bigger" conference.

I'm sure he was told he would be able to compete for the starting job. Maybe it was his only option other than Wyoming and Louisiana-Lafayette.

[Dave in Green]

..... As I've wondered all along....what are the chances we were able to get a guy like Moore by telling him that he only had an opportunity to become the starter?

What are the chances that an incoming QB would be promised the starting position over a veteran without having seen the incoming QB take a snap at the DI level or how much the veteran may have improved over the off-season?

I'm not picking on you, but how familiar are you with the recruiting process? I never said "PROMISED".

Let me put it another way....

You're a big time high school QB with state titles under your belt, were recruited by a number of big programs, and you just tore up JC for a year. Then, one of the worst D-1A schools in the country comes calling, and tells you that if you come to this horrible program, you might also have the additional priviledge of sitting on the bench behind one of the worst QBs in D-1A.

Would you go there?

Think about it.

Ha, ha. I'm not concerned about being picked on by anyone on ZN.O. I already have an all-star squad of pickers in my wife and her six sisters. Anyone here who wants to join that team will definitely not be promised a starting position, but will have to earn it.

But seriously, there are only three basic options on what to tell an incoming recruit about his chances of becoming the starter at his position ahead of a returning veteran:

1. Promise him he's going to play ahead of the incumbent.

2. Tell him he's definitely going to sit on the bench behind the incumbent.

3. Tell him if he wants the starting position, he is going to have to earn it by outperforming the incumbent.

Now there are many ways to go about stating option #3. I'm assuming the Zips coaching staff did it the smart and classy way -- something like this:

As you can see from our recent record, Mr. Recruit, the UA football team has not been performing at a high level. UA has made a strong commitment to reverse that by investing in the best football facilities in the MAC and bringing in a new coaching staff to turn things around. When you go 1-11, you have to look at all options to improve the team. No returning player is guaranteed a starting spot. Every new player joining the Zips will have a fair chance to prove they should be a starter at their position.

As a QB with aspirations to someday play in the NFL, you'll be pleased to note that we've now gone to the pro set. This will give our QBs an opportunity to showcase their abilities in an NFL-style offense. The NFL is well aware that the MAC is a good conference for future pro QBs, thanks to former MAC QBs like Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Chad Pennington, Bruce Gradkowski, Charlie Batch, Omar Jacobs, and the Zips own Charlie Frye.

We're impressed with the abilities you've shown in HS and JC. We think you have the potential to become a great MAC QB and future NFL player. We'll give you every opportunity to prove yourself. You can look at the stats from last season and see that the Zips need improved performance in every area, including QB. There's a great opportunity for whichever QB steps up and earns the Zips starting job next season, and we think you have the ability to do that.

Are we close to being on the same frequency here, Skip, or do you see it differently?

[xu9697]

..... As I've wondered all along....what are the chances we were able to get a guy like Moore by telling him that he only had an opportunity to become the starter?

What are the chances that an incoming QB would be promised the starting position over a veteran without having seen the incoming QB take a snap at the DI level or how much the veteran may have improved over the off-season?

I'm not picking on you, but how familiar are you with the recruiting process? I never said "PROMISED".

Let me put it another way....

You're a big time high school QB with state titles under your belt, were recruited by a number of big programs, and you just tore up JC for a year. Then, one of the worst D-1A schools in the country comes calling, and tells you that if you come to this horrible program, you might also have the additional priviledge of sitting on the bench behind one of the worst QBs in D-1A.

Would you go there?

Think about it.

Ha, ha. I'm not concerned about being picked on by anyone on ZN.O. I already have an all-star squad of pickers in my wife and her six sisters. Anyone here who wants to join that team will definitely not be promised a starting position, but will have to earn it.

But seriously, there are only three basic options on what to tell an incoming recruit about his chances of becoming the starter at his position ahead of a returning veteran:

1. Promise him he's going to play ahead of the incumbent.

2. Tell him he's definitely going to sit on the bench behind the incumbent.

3. Tell him if he wants the starting position, he is going to have to earn it by outperforming the incumbent.

Now there are many ways to go about stating option #3. I'm assuming the Zips coaching staff did it the smart and classy way -- something like this:

As you can see from our recent record, Mr. Recruit, the UA football team has not been performing at a high level. UA has made a strong commitment to reverse that by investing in the best football facilities in the MAC and bringing in a new coaching staff to turn things around. When you go 1-11, you have to look at all options to improve the team. No returning player is guaranteed a starting spot. Every new player joining the Zips will have a fair chance to prove they should be a starter at their position.

As a QB with aspirations to someday play in the NFL, you'll be pleased to note that we've now gone to the pro set. This will give our QBs an opportunity to showcase their abilities in an NFL-style offense. The NFL is well aware that the MAC is a good conference for future pro QBs, thanks to former MAC QBs like Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Chad Pennington, Bruce Gradkowski, Charlie Batch, Omar Jacobs, and the Zips own Charlie Frye.

We're impressed with the abilities you've shown in HS and JC. We think you have the potential to become a great MAC QB and future NFL player. We'll give you every opportunity to prove yourself. You can look at the stats from last season and see that the Zips need improved performance in every area, including QB. There's a great opportunity for whichever QB steps up and earns the Zips starting job next season, and we think you have the ability to do that.

Are we close to being on the same frequency here, Skip, or do you see it differently?

You forgot the weather report!

[dreal1scout]

..... As I've wondered all along....what are the chances we were able to get a guy like Moore by telling him that he only had an opportunity to become the starter?

What are the chances that an incoming QB would be promised the starting position over a veteran without having seen the incoming QB take a snap at the DI level or how much the veteran may have improved over the off-season?

I'm not picking on you, but how familiar are you with the recruiting process? I never said "PROMISED".

Let me put it another way....

You're a big time high school QB with state titles under your belt, were recruited by a number of big programs, and you just tore up JC for a year. Then, one of the worst D-1A schools in the country comes calling, and tells you that if you come to this horrible program, you might also have the additional priviledge of sitting on the bench behind one of the worst QBs in D-1A.

Would you go there?

Think about it.

Ha, ha. I'm not concerned about being picked on by anyone on ZN.O. I already have an all-star squad of pickers in my wife and her six sisters. Anyone here who wants to join that team will definitely not be promised a starting position, but will have to earn it.

But seriously, there are only three basic options on what to tell an incoming recruit about his chances of becoming the starter at his position ahead of a returning veteran:

1. Promise him he's going to play ahead of the incumbent.

2. Tell him he's definitely going to sit on the bench behind the incumbent.

3. Tell him if he wants the starting position, he is going to have to earn it by outperforming the incumbent.

Now there are many ways to go about stating option #3. I'm assuming the Zips coaching staff did it the smart and classy way -- something like this:

As you can see from our recent record, Mr. Recruit, the UA football team has not been performing at a high level. UA has made a strong commitment to reverse that by investing in the best football facilities in the MAC and bringing in a new coaching staff to turn things around. When you go 1-11, you have to look at all options to improve the team. No returning player is guaranteed a starting spot. Every new player joining the Zips will have a fair chance to prove they should be a starter at their position.

As a QB with aspirations to someday play in the NFL, you'll be pleased to note that we've now gone to the pro set. This will give our QBs an opportunity to showcase their abilities in an NFL-style offense. The NFL is well aware that the MAC is a good conference for future pro QBs, thanks to former MAC QBs like Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich, Chad Pennington, Bruce Gradkowski, Charlie Batch, Omar Jacobs, and the Zips own Charlie Frye.

We're impressed with the abilities you've shown in HS and JC. We think you have the potential to become a great MAC QB and future NFL player. We'll give you every opportunity to prove yourself. You can look at the stats from last season and see that the Zips need improved performance in every area, including QB. There's a great opportunity for whichever QB steps up and earns the Zips starting job next season, and we think you have the ability to do that.

Are we close to being on the same frequency here, Skip, or do you see it differently?

I think you got it right. May the best man Win.

[Captain Kangaroo]

A coach coming off a 1-11 season isn't going to play favorites. The best QB will be under center for the Zips on September 3rd. And unlike last season, we will have a Plan B if Plan A doesn't work out.

It will be interesting to see if D'Orazio redshirts.

[Hilltopper]

Why isn't D'Orazio listed on the roster?

[gozips19]

Why isn't D'Orazio listed on the roster?

here you go

click for spring roster

[Dave in Green]

You forgot the weather report!

Shhh! Don't want to mention Akron weather when recruiting a player from the south.

[GP1]

A coach coming off a 1-11 season isn't going to play favorites. The best QB will be under center for the Zips on September 3rd. And unlike last season, we will have a Plan B if Plan A doesn't work out.

It will be interesting to see if D'Orazio redshirts.

Good post.

Akron has two good QBs. All I want is the best guy under center. I don't care who it is. By game four of next year though, I want a decision as to who that will be. At some point, you have to go from the best guy on any given day to the guy who gives you the best chance to win in the last 8 games. The second guy isn't going to be perfect, but he has to be the guy I describe.

[ZachTheZip]

http://news-herald.com/articles/2011/04/22...iewmode=default

"Patrick will run out of the huddle first with our first offense when we come in in training camp, but we're still going to have a competition and probably won't name a starter until we feel like we're prepared to do that based upon the performances of the guys in training camp," Ianello said this week on a conference call with the media. "But I was pleased with Patrick's development. He certainly showed more comfort in the offense. He's done a really nice job this spring."

... "I think we have a good evaluation of all three of them, but the evaluation is going to be ever-growing here as we move on," Ianello said.