The Lone Ranger rides for Akron

[akron football]

[']Again, this might be a huge understatement, but our current situation likely leaves us with nothing to lose. And as a few people mentioned, at the very least, it's defnitely done something to rejuvenate fan interest. I was getting phone calls almost immediately after that announcement was made. That would have never happened if we were simply going to "stay the course".

I don't believe a QB change does anything to rejuvenate fan interest. Poll 100 people in Summit County and ask them "Who is Clayton Moore?" If one says - "The starting QB for the Zips" I'll wear a K.e.n.t State Basketball orange jumpsuit for a continuous week.

I was, and continue to be in Nicely's corner. He was pressed into service as a true Freshman in the train wreck that was Brookhart's final season. And if anyone want to blame the 3-9 season on Nicely...just stop it. Seriously.

Year #2 Nicely has to learn an entirely new offense, under a new coach, with a swiss cheese OL, and WR's that couldn't catch a ball or run a route to save their lives.

Nicely was great in the Buffalo finale. He through some awesome passes into a tough wind, on a ridiculously cold day. And the WR's did a nice job of getting open and catching the ball.

People questioned Nicely's leadership...I've seen the season-ending games between 2 horrible teams in year's past. "The Who Gives a Damn Bowls." Nicely lead his team to a "W" in a game where he easily could have tanked it. It showed his capabilities and moxie.

I've never seen Moore throw a pass. Maybe he's great? I hope so. But Nicely was dealt an impossible set of circumstances in his initial 2 years @ UA. I would like to have seen what he could do now that the UA football "drama tornado" has seemingly stabilized. Hope he doesn't transfer.

Thank you CK, I truly believe that the Coach wanted his guy. Patrick deserved the right to start, he says he needs a leader in the huddle not just call the plays. Patrick has always been a leader by example not a rah rah guy. If you watch CM on the sidelines he's high fiving the coach's sons running around yuking it up with all the players and Patrick is focused on the field . CM was roomed with the o-line in camp and Patrick was with a d-line. If it's Patrick's leadership abilities that the difference then why didn't they talk to him about. He's to good to deserve this raw deal.

[Doug Snyder]

He through some awesome passes into a tough wind, on a ridiculously cold day. And the WR's did a nice job of getting open and catching the ball.

One question... Let's say you are 100% correct and he THREW some awesome passes..

1. why do you think that the WRs were able to run good routes on this day only

2. why were they able to hold on to the ball on this day?? Seems like the cold would make it even more difficult

I don't buy the argument that it was the receivers. I did not buy the argument when the Browns used it as an excuse for their QB troubles. Payton Manning won with 2 first time players...one from Mount Union and the other a undrafted free agent (as I recall). Anderson and Quinn were not accurate passers and could not deliver the ball on time. I believe the same is true with Nicely.

[Dr Z]

Wow, LR8 sure looks tiny next to PN7!?!? Look here. Doesn't even look like they can get a helmet to fit him?

[Roo]

How do you deserve the right the start when you played for two years and played very poorly????

If you want to toss some blame to the OL, I will listen for a little bit. They didn't create the best pockets in the world, but PN7 wasn't running many plays that needed 5 seconds. The guy couldn't throw an accurate pass to save his life, that is not on the WR. We had a decent corps of WRs last year, not earth shattering but they couldve got the job done.....had the QB been able to give them a decent ball.

Ive seen all I need to see out of Nicely. I can def buy that he isn't a good leader...I sit right in front of the sidelines and after a poor start, the entire offense just looked finished. He wasn't (nor anybody else besides maybe Alex Allen) tried to ever fire the guys up.

I think anybody that really disagrees with the switch at QB is hell bent on not liking anything CoachI does, and just wants to rebel.

[Blue & Gold]

Wow, LR8 sure looks tiny next to PN7!?!? Look here. Doesn't even look like they can get a helmet to fit him?

You mean CM8?

[Zipmeister]

Wow, LR8 sure looks tiny next to PN7!?!? Look here. Doesn't even look like they can get a helmet to fit him?

You mean CM8?

It's the new math LR8=CM8 and PN7=SOL

[GoZips]

Wow, LR8 sure looks tiny next to PN7!?!? Look here. Doesn't even look like they can get a helmet to fit him?

You mean CM8?

It's the new math LR8=CM8 and PN7=SOL

Be patient, Grasshopper. SOL will get his chance. And, unlike LR8 he will actually be able to see over

the rumps of the offensive linemen.

FYI .... 2011 season tickets sales are way done. I bought ONE GA season ticket for $60 today. They

were happy to give me the food discount coupons. But, I had a little fight with the ticket office to get

them to include the free parking pass as advertised in the ABJ. Oh, the free parking is in the Exchange St.

parking deck. That would be close in parking in Cowlumbutt, but, in Akron its in Siberia.

[Zipmeister]

Wow, LR8 sure looks tiny next to PN7!?!? Look here. Doesn't even look like they can get a helmet to fit him?

You mean CM8?

It's the new math LR8=CM8 and PN7=SOL

Be patient, Grasshopper. SOL will get his chance. And, unlike LR8 he will actually be able to see over

the rumps of the offensive linemen.

FYI .... 2011 season tickets sales are way done. I bought ONE GA season ticket for $60 today. They

were happy to give me the food discount coupons. But, I had a little fight with the ticket office to get

them to include the free parking pass as advertised in the ABJ. Oh, the free parking is in the Exchange St.

parking deck. That would be close in parking in Cowlumbutt, but, in Akron its in Siberia.

Perhaps, but looking at the situation from the other perspective - the defense can't tackle what they can't see.

[K92]

Some of you are acting like CM8 is five foot two. He's 6'1" for crying out loud. How has Drew Brees been able to do it at only six oh? Jeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzz.

[Zipsrifle]

Moore is the starter, but I-coach said both will get playing time. I-Coach also said in the preseason that Moore made a lot of boneheaded plays, but lots of spectacular ones as well. He seemed to step back from his boneheaded statement a bit once Moore was named the starter. I think what it comes down to now is how they perform in the game. Sure, Moore might start, but I think if he makes some of those boneheaded plays, Nicely will be in. I think whoever steps up on the field, will be the starter.... I don't see D'Orazio playing this year, I think he will redshirt.

[Dr Z]

Some of you are acting like CM8 is five foot two. He's 6'1" for crying out loud.

I'm only judging on this photo, could be an odd angle. I'm 6'1, I would like to stand next to LR8 for reference.

[skip-zip]

Akron Football:

I'll be nice and just ask this in the form of a question.

What "leading by example" might you be referrring to? The lack of victories? The #114 QB rating? The approx. 150 yards per game passing average? The 49% completion percentage? Please take your pick.

Oftentimes, athletes are said to "lead by example" because they quietly excel, their teamates rally behind them because they know they will get the job done, and/or people feel that their performance should do the talking for them. So I have to ask you. If you believe he was indeed "leading by example", please point out the accomplishments over the last two years that should lead us to labeling him with that distinction.

[MaxZIP]

Wow, LR8 sure looks tiny next to PN7!?!? Look here. Doesn't even look like they can get a helmet to fit him?

I am 5'11" and clayton was a solid 2-3 inches taller than me when we saw him at the IPF before practice one day this spring.

[xu9697]

Wow, LR8 sure looks tiny next to PN7!?!? Look here. Doesn't even look like they can get a helmet to fit him?

I am 5'11" and clayton was a solid 2-3 inches taller than me when we saw him at the IPF before practice one day this spring.

Are you sure he was not wearing these:

https://www.buymaxtall.com/

[Doug Snyder]

Akron Football:

I'll be nice and just ask this in the form of a question.

What "leading by example" might you be referrring to? The lack of victories? The #114 QB rating? The approx. 150 yards per game passing average? The 49% completion percentage? Please take your pick.

Oftentimes, athletes are said to "lead by example" because they quietly excel, their teamates rally behind them they know they know they will get the job done, and/or people feel that their performance should do the talking for them. So I have to ask you. If you believe he was indeed "leading by example", please point out the accomplishments over the last two years that should lead us to labeling him with that distinction.

Your point is well taken. But I belive those who think he leads by example are totally correct. And I am sure he is of high charachter. But we need a different type of leader...one that demands attention and your best effort. Brady Quin led by example too. Hard working and good guy as well.

[Doug Snyder]

So the "pro Nicely" crowd think Moore is short in stature and the "pro Moore" crowd think Nicely is short on talent and leadeship. Interesting. This should be fun. Not as fun as tOSU debate but fun all the same

[Doug Snyder]

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/201...ke_fickell.html

Zach....what do you think of your guy now???

Probably would have been better to make those rookie HC mistakes at a program like .... Akron??

[Dr Z]

So the "pro Nicely" crowd think Moore is short in stature and the "pro Moore" crowd think Nicely is short on talent and leadeship.

Way to generalize. Can I be in "pro-win", and left out of your other two groups?

[Doug Snyder]

So the "pro Nicely" crowd think Moore is short in stature and the "pro Moore" crowd think Nicely is short on talent and leadeship.

Way to generalize. Can I be in "pro-win", and left out of your other two groups?

I thought you started the "short of stature" group??

Yes...you can join the "just win" group. Lots of us here too.

BTW...Way to deflect

[ZachTheZip]

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/201...ke_fickell.html

Zach....what do you think of your guy now???

Probably would have been better to make those rookie HC mistakes at a program like .... Akron??

He wouldn't have had that problem at Akron. Last season when Fickell should have came in, Nicely was the returning QB. It's not like at OSU where you lost a three-year starter with no clear #2 to take over.

[Doug Snyder]

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/201...ke_fickell.html

Zach....what do you think of your guy now???

Probably would have been better to make those rookie HC mistakes at a program like .... Akron??

He wouldn't have had that problem at Akron. Last season when Fickell should have came in, Nicely was the returning QB. It's not like at OSU where you lost a three-year starter with no clear #2 to take over.

LOL THAT is your answer??

[ZachTheZip]

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/201...ke_fickell.html

Zach....what do you think of your guy now???

Probably would have been better to make those rookie HC mistakes at a program like .... Akron??

He wouldn't have had that problem at Akron. Last season when Fickell should have came in, Nicely was the returning QB. It's not like at OSU where you lost a three-year starter with no clear #2 to take over.

LOL THAT is your answer??

Would Fickell have recruited Moore to come in and take over?

Or are you working under the false assumption that this would have been his first year as our coach?

[Dave in Green]

I wonder how many are in the group that believes iCoach is more interested in having "his guy" at QB than having the guy who he believes will give the team the best chance to win games at QB?

I wonder if that group is as large as the group that believes that iCoach deliberately threw games last season?

I wonder if some of these "groups" may consist of a single person?

[ZachTheZip]

Ianello is more interested in having his players than in winning immediately. You don't kick nearly 40 players off the team and then complain that you have no depth. You don't redshirt good talent hen you're struggling to win a single game unless you've written off the concept of winning games for the season.

I won't say that he deliberately threw games, but I will say that winning was way down on his list of priorities below spying on his players, replacing Brookhart's players with his own at all costs, and installing his unimaginative formations and playcalling.

If you think I'm the only one, why don't you talk to some of the biggest supporters of the football program who avoid this website.

[Doug Snyder]

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/201...ke_fickell.html

Zach....what do you think of your guy now???

Probably would have been better to make those rookie HC mistakes at a program like .... Akron??

He wouldn't have had that problem at Akron. Last season when Fickell should have came in, Nicely was the returning QB. It's not like at OSU where you lost a three-year starter with no clear #2 to take over.

LOL THAT is your answer??

Would Fickell have recruited Moore to come in and take over?

Or are you working under the false assumption that this would have been his first year as our coach?

I think I am working under the false assumption that you are actually very bright. I know you are passionate about the Zips, young and use the facts to support your predetermined conclusions. You are starting to make me question my first assumption.