The silence is deafening

[K92]

Activity on the board has been very sparse since Saturday's game. Most of the people who make the observations and comments I love to read have been A.W.O.L. When it comes to being a sports fan I have always tried to keep everything in proper perspective and take things in stride, but I left Akron feeling sad Saturday night and it carried over into yesterday as I was unloading the tailgate gear. The silence tells me I'm not the only one.

[GoZips]

Activity on the board has been very sparse since Saturday's game. Most of the people who make the observations and comments I love to read have been A.W.O.L. When it comes to being a sports fan I have always tried to keep everything in proper perspective and take things in stride, but I left Akron feeling sad Saturday night and it carried over into yesterday as I was unloading the tailgate gear. The silence tells me I'm not the only one.

Keener, good observations. This silence will continue until one of two things happen.The Zips start winning (not likely) or the coach and his staff are replaced by competent men.From what I can gather standing at a short distance it seems that the defense is decent. Thenon-existent offense eventually causes the defense to wear down.This should be correctable if the coaching staff actually recognizes and addresses the problem.I confess that I did not buy season tickets for a second year as Iprotest by staying away. Thiswas by all accounts a terrible hiring decision. An incompetent, ill prepared coach better learn fast.The damage done by this blunder will linger for years. Iprotest this so called great recruiter whohas thus far recruited no one of note. I contend it is the name recognizable school and not the so called talent of a single man to get the really good players to sign on. Let's see this great talentpromised to us. hint: it ain't gonna happen.At the MAC level you need decent talent (of which Akron had) and a lot of hard work to succeed. The best thing to do is fess up, replace the coaching staff with a proven winner, recruit MAC qualitytalent and then slog on.

[Zipsrifle]

Maybe that is a sign the trolls have just given up and the only people left are the "Nice" ones. You know, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all? Me, I'm just waiting for the 24th when we play someone NEAR our level.

[Buckzip]

Another season of promise has already turned into a season of crap.Again, if we were just competitive it would be nice.

[Dr Z]

Activity on the board has been very sparse since Saturday's game.

NFL opening weekend, or post on ZN about a team that can't score points? Easy choice for me. I'm planning my beers for Sept 24 tailgate already, should be some good ones, I'm making good money off this team. -31 This week should be more free money for beer.

[GP1]

You know, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?

I agree with this to a point. If people give a critique of the program that is negative, I don't mind. CK does that with his Log. Just saying, "We stink" is pointing out what everyone with half a brain sees already. I'm more interested in why people think we stink. It's no secret that a team that only scored 187 points last year and doesn't look to do better this season has problems. BTW, we have to average 18.1 points per game the remainder of the season to equal our 2010 total. I have a feeling that number might go up a little after this coming weekend.The big concern I have isn't that people don't want to talk about the Zips. It's that everyone is sick of talking about them after two games. Being a fan of this team is brutal, and at some point, fans can take their time/money and do something else with it. My nephew is getting married the night before the Can't game and I was thinking about going to the game the day after with a bunch of people from my family. I care too much about my family to put them through that at this point, so we'll do something else instead. At this point, that decision isn't even a difficult one to make.

[K92]

Dr.Z, I guess I really didn't think about it being the opening weekend for pro football. Perhaps that has something to do with it, but it seemed like there was quite a bit of traffic here, just no commentary. At any rate, I look forward to seeing your beer selections for VMI.GP1, you hit the nail on the head. I had a rough time getting someone to come with me for the opener. It's a safe bet to say that prospects for travel partners have definitely gone down some more. I told my wife when I got home that I would probably be coming to the rest of the games by myself. Any of my friends or family are always welcome to come with me, but I cannot solicit any more. It leaves me feeling guilty during the game. So I said unless someone offers to go with me, of their own accord, I would go solo. My wife made that sad "I feel sorry for ya" face, but did not offer to the next game, however.

[Blue & Gold]

Dr.Z, I guess I really didn't think about it being the opening weekend for pro football. Perhaps that has something to do with it, but it seemed like there was quite a bit of traffic here, just no commentary. At any rate, I look forward to seeing your beer selections for VMI.GP1, you hit the nail on the head. I had a rough time getting someone to come with me for the opener. It's a safe bet to say that prospects for travel partners have definitely gone down some more. I told my wife when I got home that I would probably be coming to the rest of the games by myself. Any of my friends or family are always welcome to come with me, but I cannot solicit any more. It leaves me feeling guilty during the game. So I said unless someone offers to go with me, of their own accord, I would go solo. My wife made that sad "I feel sorry for ya" face, but did not offer to the next game, however.

This, sadly, is exactly where I am. I went with two friends (God bless them) to the game on Saturday. If... if... IF they want to go to any others, I'd be happy to have the company, but I'm not going to subject anyone to any more of this. We left after halftime because I also felt guilty having taken them to the game. I've still got my season ticket, but I'm planning on just flying solo @ these remaining games.I was going to put together a middle school group outing to the VMI game (the only game on our schedule I know we can win) but I'm calling it off & we'll find something else to do. I just have a feeling that the vibe in the Info is going to start turning from sad/depressing to bitter/angry & I don't want to subject middle school students to such an experience - especially if it would happen to be their first Zips game - they'd never want to go again.

[Big Zip]

I guess I'm happy that I still have a few friends that want to go to these games with me including my wife. The tailgating and getting out of the house to do something is the reason certainly not the team. I try to look at these Saturdays as time to spend time with friends, hang out, catch up and have a few beers. The football has become secondary for us. I'm happy my daughter (who will be six) still likes to go. She does check with me weekly to make sure we are still rooting for the Zips I think that is her way of telling me "are you freaking serious can't I root for the other team". Interestingly enough it is her first question whenever we watch sports "Who are we rooting for?"I do have a request that Tom Gaffney, Marla Ridenour, Jason Lloyd or someone from the ABJ get a sit down with AD Tom after this season and ask him the real tough questions about this football program. Do your research about what he said when he hired iCoach and make really try to get him to answer the tough questions. Ask him why we should still be Div. 1, ask him how much longer does he think the fans will take this level of terrible, ask him what is it going to take for iCoach to lose his job? Put the guy on the spot. Reporters never do this anymore so I know it won't happen, but I can still wish. On a side note my neighbor who has no affiliation with the University but enjoys going to games and sends both his boys to Akron stopped me before I left for church on Sunday -- he said "Don't worry this is iCoachs last year. OSU is going to fire Fickel and he and Vrabel are coming to coach here next year." That would be nice...I would support that too I told him, but I can't imagine the University is going to eat the buyout on iCoach's contract. On the other hand I'm not sure they can afford not to if this season plays out the way I believe it will.

[cornbread]

I am sick of the negativity. Always feels like a Debbie Downer sketch around here Sundays after the game.

[Spin]

NFL opening weekend, or post on ZN about a team that can't score points? Easy choice for me.

Like that went any better.How they continue to find rookie coaches who are in over their heads, but still demand to be someone else too (GM, OC) is beyond me. And Akron Football has caught the Cleveland curse.

[skip-zip]

Big Zips.....You mean, your neighbor is talking about the guy who, after only two games, has already been called out by an opposing coach, and almost caused OSWho to lose their first game in decades to a MAC school?Unless I'm wrong, he has 2 games of experience in his career as a head coach, which leaves the fact that he was the faithful follower of one of the most notable liars and cheaters of our era as the bulk of his resume?I'm really COMPLETELY confused as to why anyone holds the assumption that "he was an assistant at Ohio State....so that must make him a good coach". We had one of those guys here already for 9 years, and to say the least, it didn't work out so well. I've talked to some of these brainwashed OSWho robots in bars who keep saying, "You better start watching Ken+ State....they have a great coach now". And I just want to laugh hysterically, and shout "STOP THE NONSENSE"!! Please, someone make some sense and tell me why these guys are judged to be great future coaches because they were at OSWho? Does that mean we should automatically go ahead and tap the assistants at places like Auburn, Alabama, Florida and LSU because they will be even better?This isn't intended to support our current coach, but rather to refute the coaching criteria that the general public is using to determine what will make Akron successful as a football program. If there was a known formula that determines whether an assitant will be a successful head coach, everyone would use it, and everyone would be successful.

[RowdyZip]

I share a Passion for this school and all of its teams, like most of you. However, the way I felt leaving at HALFTIME Saturday assures I won't be back this year. I felt embarrassed and sick to my stomach. Embarrassed that the friends that joined me spent their hard earned money on that joke. The kids are trying, you can see it, but the bottom line is that they're either not good enough or they're poorly coached. I can't take another pitiful season. Win some games, or at least make them competitive, and I'll be back. In the meantime, I'll save the $10/car gouging provided at lot 34.

[skip-zip]

I share a Passion for this school and all of its teams, like most of you. However, the way I felt leaving at HALFTIME Saturday assures I won't be back this year. I felt embarrassed and sick to my stomach. Embarrassed that the friends that joined me spent their hard earned money on that joke. The kids are trying, you can see it, but the bottom line is that they're either not good enough or they're poorly coached. I can't take another pitiful season. Win some games, or at least make them competitive, and I'll be back. In the meantime, I'll save the $10/car gouging provided at lot 34.

Being "poorly coached" shouldn't cause you to be pushed around like a high school team for 60 minutes. I'm sure we don't have the talent to compete with a team like Temple right now, but overall, the problem seems to be some kind of combination of both.

[ZachTheZip]

Big Zips.....You mean, your neighbor is talking about the guy who, after only two games, has already been called out by an opposing coach, and almost caused OSWho to lose their first game in decades to a MAC school?Unless I'm wrong, he has 2 games of experience in his career as a head coach, which leaves the fact that he was the faithful follower of one of the most notable liars and cheaters of our era as the bulk of his resume?I'm really COMPLETELY confused as to why anyone holds the assumption that "he was an assistant at Ohio State....so that must make him a good coach". We had one of those guys here already for 9 years, and to say the least, it didn't work out so well. I've talked to some of these brainwashed OSWho robots in bars who keep saying, "You better start watching Ken+ State....they have a great coach now". And I just want to laugh hysterically, and shout "STOP THE NONSENSE"!! Please, someone make some sense and tell me why these guys are judged to be great future coaches because they were at OSWho? Does that mean we should automatically go ahead and tap the assistants at places like Auburn, Alabama, Florida and LSU because they will be even better?This isn't intended to support our current coach, but rather to refute the coaching criteria that the general public is using to determine what will make Akron successful as a football program. If there was a known formula that determines whether an assitant will be a successful head coach, everyone would use it, and everyone would be successful.

Coordinators at least have experience running half a team and calling plays, as opposed to a position coach (like our previous and current coaches) working with maybe 6 to 10 players and not calling plays.

[Spin]

Big Zips.....You mean, your neighbor is talking about the guy who, after only two games, has already been called out by an opposing coach, and almost caused OSWho to lose their first game in decades to a MAC school?

I see a recurring theme here. Rookie head coach in over his head. No gameplan. No depth on the line. No adjustments. And an embarrassment to their fans.You could rotate the HC's between the Zips, Buckeyes, and Browns and get the same results.

[Dave in Green]

Looking at it on the positive side, some of the reduction in football posts here may be due to the new ZN.O acceptable use policy. Some of the really nasty posts that used to appear here triggered nasty firefights that resulted in lots of posts that produced plenty of heat but not much light.Thoughtful forum members should be pleased that this kind of traffic has been reduced. Because, while traffic volume may be a little down, the average quality per post is up.On the negative side, it may be that as time goes on with no sign of significant improvement in team game performance, more and more of those who were willing to give the coaching staff and players time to develop are giving up in despair.I haven't totally given up on the coaches and players yet. But the weekly progress reports (game results) are slowly but steadily eroding my optimism and enthusiasm for UA football.

[RowdyZip]

Looking at it on the positive side, some of the reduction in football posts here may be due to the new ZN.O acceptable use policy. Some of the really nasty posts that used to appear here triggered nasty firefights that resulted in lots of posts that produced plenty of heat but not much light.Thoughtful forum members should be pleased that this kind of traffic has been reduced. Because, while traffic volume may be a little down, the average quality per post is up.On the negative side, it may be that as time goes on with no sign of significant improvement in team game performance, more and more of those who were willing to give the coaching staff and players time to develop are giving up in despair.I haven't totally given up on the coaches and players yet. But the weekly progress reports (game results) are slowly but steadily eroding my optimism and enthusiasm for UA football.

How are you going to feel after we lose by 40 this week? I'm not willing to accept another pile of crap season with 3 games at the end of the year where we start to "look a little better" are you? If the Zips are 1-11 and minimally competitive again this season, what happens? Anything? I don't know, but to me this game was an obvious step back. We were dominated in all facets of the game against a team (I'll give you probably one of the best) in our conference and division. I'll make excuses all day for a lopsided loss to a Big Ten team, but not against a conference foe. On the plus side, Virginia Military (0-2, IAA) appears to be a winnable game.

[Blue & Gold]

...more and more of those who were willing to give the coaching staff and players time to develop are giving up in despair.

...the darkness is closing in...

[Zipgrad01]

...more and more of those who were willing to give the coaching staff and players time to develop are giving up in despair.

...the darkness is closing in...

At this time we simply don't have the horses to compete with the BCS teams or even the top level MAC teams. Temple isnt the Temple of old. My group was all astonished by the size and speed difference between the 2 teams. Their offensive and defensive lines dwarfed ours and physically manhandled them all night. Their kickoff coverage looked so great because their team speed was on a different level than what we currently have. I am not at all thrilled with the results, but to say that it is all the coaches fault is ridiculous. Nobody could coach their way out of the talent deficiency that we currently have. If you want to blame it on Ianello's 1.5 recruiting classes, go ahead. However, you are sorely mistaken.

[scottditzen]

To my friends in our tailgate group, there is absolutely no momentum for meeting up this season. Akron football is kind of like a dying friend.You don't want to have to see that person in the hospital (infocision) but you feel obligated. Realistically I think we'll only get together to attend 1 game. Maybe two. I don't think any of us has felt right since the shocking loss to G Webb. Also, tailgating in a near empty lot 34 wasn't exactly much fun either. The plummet in optimism from the stadium opening to now is so bad that it's almost surreal.

[Dr Z]

The plummet in optimism from the stadium opening to now is so bad that it's almost surreal.

Used to be the same at the RB for years. Acme game was packed and jumping, by the end of the season, it was me, CK and some guy with a camper and fire. It's an Akron football tradition. Lot Niners™ seem to be a die hard bunch...we'll see.

[Doug Snyder]

Looking at it on the positive side, some of the reduction in football posts here may be due to the new ZN.O acceptable use policy. Some of the really nasty posts that used to appear here triggered nasty firefights that resulted in lots of posts that produced plenty of heat but not much light.Thoughtful forum members should be pleased that this kind of traffic has been reduced. Because, while traffic volume may be a little down, the average quality per post is up.On the negative side, it may be that as time goes on with no sign of significant improvement in team game performance, more and more of those who were willing to give the coaching staff and players time to develop are giving up in despair.I haven't totally given up on the coaches and players yet. But the weekly progress reports (game results) are slowly but steadily eroding my optimism and enthusiasm for UA football.

+1Disappointed in Saturday's results. Progress and Improvement must happen soon. We need to stop scheduling the top BCS schools. They do not help in getting the team ready for MAC play. We should schedule other Non-BCS and lower BCS schools. Urban Meyer's comment made me start thinking about this and I do not think there are many advantages other than recruiting. And I think recuiting would be better if we won games. Let's stick with the NC State's of the world.

[Lee Adams]

Looking at it on the positive side, some of the reduction in football posts here may be due to the new ZN.O acceptable use policy. Some of the really nasty posts that used to appear here triggered nasty firefights that resulted in lots of posts that produced plenty of heat but not much light.Thoughtful forum members should be pleased that this kind of traffic has been reduced. Because, while traffic volume may be a little down, the average quality per post is up.On the negative side, it may be that as time goes on with no sign of significant improvement in team game performance, more and more of those who were willing to give the coaching staff and players time to develop are giving up in despair.I haven't totally given up on the coaches and players yet. But the weekly progress reports (game results) are slowly but steadily eroding my optimism and enthusiasm for UA football.

+1Disappointed in Saturday's results. Progress and Improvement must happen soon. We need to stop scheduling the top BCS schools. They do not help in getting the team ready for MAC play. We should schedule other Non-BCS and lower BCS schools. Urban Meyer's comment made me start thinking about this and I do not think there are many advantages other than recruiting. And I think recuiting would be better if we won games. Let's stick with the NC State's of the world.

Agree. If you can get teams like Kentucky,Indiana,Syracuse,maybe Pitt to do a 2 for 1 you can at least get 1 home game out of it. That might bring in a few of the curious plus their fans.As far as the performance of the coaching staff and team nothing is going to change significantly this year. After the 2012 season Proenza and Wistrcill will have to make a decision one way or the other on Ianello.

[xu9697]

OSU, PSU, etc. games are mostly for the $$$. The wicked thing about it is we might not "need" those games if we get good and start averaging 20-25,000 fans per game. However, the only way we get to 20-25,000 is if we get good...and then we might have a puncher's chance against an OSU, PSU, UM in a down year (see Toledo).In general, though, the way to go if you want the "name" programs and to avoid huge embarresment right now is get the bottom/middle feeders of the Big 10, ACC and Big East and stay away from the traditional powers.With that being said...we lost 41-3 to Temple. Granted...Temple and Toledo THIS year are probably good for 8th-9th place in the Big Ten and ACC.