Quarterback Candidates

[InTheZone]

In all the Head Coach hoopla, I think we're forgetting one thing: It really doesn't matter who's coaching our team if we don't get a real quarterback in here.

The QB play for the Zips has been some of the most atrocious I've ever seen at the D1 level over the past two seasons (Most GLIAC teams actually have far better quarterbacks). Say whatever you want about the "system", but nobody should look that bad whether they're running the pro-style, spread, or freakin Wing-T.

In order to give our new head coach a nice database, let's be on the look out on the net for stories about quality quarterbacks who have lost QB battles at bigger schools and who can take advantage of the NCAA's post-graduate rule allowing them to play immediately.

Dayne Crist has been mentioned, and I'll also throw this guy's name in:

Ryan Katz

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...m-oregon-state/

Of course, if we can land one of the "big name" coaches available out there, we'd be a lot more likely to land a big time transfer at the position or a top JUCO looking to play right away (and no, Clayton Moore was not a "top" JUCO... Cam Newton was a top JUCO).

[ZachTheZip]

I've heard good things about our incoming QB recruit Steve Franco.

[Lee Adams]

A couple of problems right now. First and foremost we don't know if either Nicely or Moore could have performed better under a different system with coaches who knew what they were doing. Second there will be defections as there always are when a coach gets fired. Who knows who will stay. Its gonna depend on what type of system the new guy runs. Surer as hell hope its not a 'pro' or power set. Thats one reason I would question Fickell. If he were hired and tried to bring some of those OSU coordinators with him we are going to be looking at what they were doing down there. Can't do that here.

[Buckzip]

A couple of problems right now. First and foremost we don't know if either Nicely or Moore could have performed better under a different system with coaches who knew what they were doing. Second there will be defections as there always are when a coach gets fired. Who knows who will stay. Its gonna depend on what type of system the new guy runs. Surer as hell hope its not a 'pro' or power set. Thats one reason I would question Fickell. If he were hired and tried to bring some of those OSU coordinators with him we are going to be looking at what they were doing down there. Can't do that here.

You beat me to it.

Both of those guys were fairly highly rated Moore was recruited to the SEC.

If put in the right system either could become all MAC or maybe they both truly do suck.

However, based on this last season, everyone on the team, but Wagner, sucks.

Anyone that thinks QB is our only issue is blind.

[Blue & Gold]

A couple of problems right now. First and foremost we don't know if either Nicely or Moore could have performed better under a different system with coaches who knew what they were doing. Second there will be defections as there always are when a coach gets fired. Who knows who will stay. Its gonna depend on what type of system the new guy runs. Surer as hell hope its not a 'pro' or power set. Thats one reason I would question Fickell. If he were hired and tried to bring some of those OSU coordinators with him we are going to be looking at what they were doing down there. Can't do that here.

You beat me to it.

Both of those guys were fairly highly rated Moore was recruited to the SEC.

If put in the right system either could become all MAC or maybe they both truly do suck.

However, based on this last season, everyone on the team, but Wagner, sucks.

Anyone that thinks QB is our only issue is blind.

Hey now, our long snapper, place kicker and punter were all very good!

[hiroad1]

A couple of problems right now. First and foremost we don't know if either Nicely or Moore could have performed better under a different system with coaches who knew what they were doing. Second there will be defections as there always are when a coach gets fired. Who knows who will stay. Its gonna depend on what type of system the new guy runs. Surer as hell hope its not a 'pro' or power set. Thats one reason I would question Fickell. If he were hired and tried to bring some of those OSU coordinators with him we are going to be looking at what they were doing down there. Can't do that here.

You beat me to it.

Both of those guys were fairly highly rated Moore was recruited to the SEC.

If put in the right system either could become all MAC or maybe they both truly do suck.

However, based on this last season, everyone on the team, but Wagner, sucks.

Anyone that thinks QB is our only issue is blind.

It is difficult to judge players when the coaching was so bad. Coaches who fail to put the players in a position to succeed pretty much doom the players to fail.

I am not suggesting the players are not at fault also. Only saying that one would have to be a really insightful football insider to be able to accurately asssess players given the coaching debacle we had. That is the next coach's job though.

[Kangaroo Craig]

I saw this story about Katz the other day. He put up some big numbers against PAC12 competition. He would be a huge upgrade over what we have. Even though he would only be here for one year, I would take it. He could also be a mentor to his heir apparent. It would take the hiring of Tressel to get him to even consider coming here. If anyone else becomes our coach, I doubt they could lure him to Akron. This team needs so much. We would need to find a few good receivers to throw the ball to as well. Also, a new offensive line that could pass block at least half of the time. About the only good thing that we have on offense is Chisholm. On defense - Just Wagner. The cupboard is almost empty.

[Dr Z]

It is difficult to judge players when the coaching was so bad. Coaches who fail to put the players in a position to succeed pretty much doom the players to fail.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say our starting QB this year will not physically grow taller in a different system or with a different coach.

[hiroad1]

It is difficult to judge players when the coaching was so bad. Coaches who fail to put the players in a position to succeed pretty much doom the players to fail.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say our starting QB this year will not physically grow taller in a different system or with a different coach.

Well, Ianello trying to force a 6'1" QB into a pro-style offense to drop back against 6'5" defensive linemen never seemed too smart to me either. However, I really don't know if Moore might be better in a different system. Not saying Moore is in the same league, but Denard Robinson is also 6'1".

BTW, I'm one of the people who sometimes stood at the games and screamed for Ianello to go to Nicely. So, I'm not here to defend Clayton.

I'm just saying that things have been so screwed up for two years that I don't think the average fan (me) can assess what we have in terms of player talent. The one obvious exception being B. Wagner.

[g-mann17]

Maybe we can borrow Reggie McAdams...

[Lee Adams]

It is difficult to judge players when the coaching was so bad. Coaches who fail to put the players in a position to succeed pretty much doom the players to fail.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say our starting QB this year will not physically grow taller in a different system or with a different coach.

Well, Ianello trying to force a 6'1" QB into a pro-style offense to drop back against 6'5" defensive linemen never seemed too smart to me either. However, I really don't know if Moore might be better in a different system. Not saying Moore is in the same league, but Denard Robinson is also 6'1".

BTW, I'm one of the people who sometimes stood at the games and screamed for Ianello to go to Nicely. So, I'm not here to defend Clayton.

I'm just saying that things have been so screwed up for two years that I don't think the average fan (me) can assess what we have in terms of player talent. The one obvious exception being B. Wagner.

And,it wasn't just that he was trying to force his guy Moore into a dropback system. The offensive system he installed didn't really fit most of the players he had to work with. In the middle of year 2 he started to make some changes on offense but at that point neither QB could save that team. And,the defense was just a bucket of s..t from start to finish. Thats one reason they have to find a coach who can be flexible enough to put the players he inherits into a system that fits them until he can get more of his guys. I was never really sold on Moore but I was never sold on Manley Waller and some of the other guys who got most of the playing time. Lets hope.

[Zipmeister]

A more important issue is how will the team survive next year without anyone on the roster with monster hands. It just seems like yesterday when dreal was telling us how lucky we would be to land the Tonganator. Now that his eligibility has expired, how will we survive?

[zip403]

WOW I cant believe now people are posting that we need a QB.. What about all the post this fall how the LONE RANGER was riding in to SAVE THE DAY.. I was never a fan, and you can do all the cheerleading you want like MOORE did in spring and summer but when it was game time, he didnt amount to squat. At least Nicely was able to beat BUFFALO. PN7 was a great QB out of high school,,and he did pretty good his freshman year when throw into action. Both him and Moore took a beating because our O LINE was terrible. IF Moore had come in and tore thigns up,,then I would have said,,YES PN7 isnt doing good,,but we went backwards this year,,,and I didnt think that was possible. Things wont change overnight. If I was Katz or Crist...AKRON would be the last place I would want to go play. Lets hope we can get some DECENT COACHES now and work with the talent we have and BUILD from that.

[akronzips71]

WOW I cant believe now people are posting that we need a QB.. What about all the post this fall how the LONE RANGER was riding in to SAVE THE DAY.. I was never a fan, and you can do all the cheerleading you want like MOORE did in spring and summer but when it was game time, he didnt amount to squat. At least Nicely was able to beat BUFFALO. PN7 was a great QB out of high school,,and he did pretty good his freshman year when throw into action. Both him and Moore took a beating because our O LINE was terrible. IF Moore had come in and tore thigns up,,then I would have said,,YES PN7 isnt doing good,,but we went backwards this year,,,and I didnt think that was possible. Things wont change overnight. If I was Katz or Crist...AKRON would be the last place I would want to go play. Lets hope we can get some DECENT COACHES now and work with the talent we have and BUILD from that.

You just said it all. Johnny Unitas could not have succeeded behind that offensive line. A QB is not too effective when he spends most of the game on his back looking up.

[Doug Snyder]

WOW I cant believe now people are posting that we need a QB.. What about all the post this fall how the LONE RANGER was riding in to SAVE THE DAY.. I was never a fan, and you can do all the cheerleading you want like MOORE did in spring and summer but when it was game time, he didnt amount to squat. At least Nicely was able to beat BUFFALO. PN7 was a great QB out of high school,,and he did pretty good his freshman year when throw into action. Both him and Moore took a beating because our O LINE was terrible. IF Moore had come in and tore thigns up,,then I would have said,,YES PN7 isnt doing good,,but we went backwards this year,,,and I didnt think that was possible. Things wont change overnight. If I was Katz or Crist...AKRON would be the last place I would want to go play. Lets hope we can get some DECENT COACHES now and work with the talent we have and BUILD from that.

You just said it all. Johnny Unitas could not have succeeded behind that offensive line. A QB is not too effective when he spends most of the game on his back looking up.

Against WMU...they rushed 3 guys. We have 5 on the line and one back who stayed in for blocking. 2 guys got to Moore before he could set up. That is incredible. Even if you just stand in someone’s way you will slow them down. Pathetic play. I am not sure that the whole team quit on Ianello...but I think the O line did for sure. Any new coach will have trouble next year with the lines. 10 guys graduate and most on the O line were seniors.

[ZipRoo]

Having suffered through Nicely last year and Moore this year, I can honestly say I've seen better quarterbacking at the high school level. Sure, they are co-dependent on the guys around them, but really....they showed nothing, no spark, that would indicate they can lead a D-1 team to victories.

For that reason, I certainly hope the new coach isn't one of these "play the veterans at all-costs" guys. QB is the most critical position on the field. I don't know how the team could've had any confidence with either of those two passers in the game. We've GOT to look in a new direction.

[johnnyzip84]

I've heard good things about our incoming QB recruit Steve Franco.

Franco's Tyrone HS takes on perennial Pennsylvania power Aliquippa in a state AA semi-final.

[zippy5]

I've heard good things about our incoming QB recruit Steve Franco.

Franco's Tyrone HS takes on perennial Pennsylvania power Aliquippa in a state AA semi-final.

He's really fast. And he has a very good arm. He could start next year.

[MDZip]

In all the Head Coach hoopla, I think we're forgetting one thing: It really doesn't matter who's coaching our team if we don't get a real quarterback in here.

The QB play for the Zips has been some of the most atrocious I've ever seen at the D1 level over the past two seasons (Most GLIAC teams actually have far better quarterbacks). Say whatever you want about the "system", but nobody should look that bad whether they're running the pro-style, spread, or freakin Wing-T.

In order to give our new head coach a nice database, let's be on the look out on the net for stories about quality quarterbacks who have lost QB battles at bigger schools and who can take advantage of the NCAA's post-graduate rule allowing them to play immediately.

Dayne Crist has been mentioned, and I'll also throw this guy's name in:

Of course, if we can land one of the "big name" coaches available out there, we'd be a lot more likely to land a big time transfer at the position or a top JUCO looking to play right away (and no, Clayton Moore was not a "top" JUCO... Cam Newton was a top JUCO).

Crist to Kansas. No surprise there, not like he was coming to UA now anyway. Wonder if Terry can pull a rabbit out of the hat?