Spring update today

[Dr Z]

Football Spring Practice in Full TiltZips work on basics, installing new plays and position battles for upcoming spring gameApril 4, 2006AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron football team completed another spring practice Tuesday afternoon in the Athletics Field House in preparation for the upcoming spring game. The Zips held a full-contact game situation scrimmage that ran for an hour following individual position drills.Prior to the scrimmage the defensive backfield focused on reading offensive plays, while the defensive line worked on rushing the passer. Offensively, the receiver's concentrated on route running, the backs worked on foot work and the offensive line focused on protecting the quarterback and producing holes for the running backs.The focal point for the offense was expansion of the playbook. Redshirt freshman Carlton Jackson (Pompano Beach, Fla./Pompano Beach) took the majority of the snaps as the UA coaching staff tries to find a No. 2 quarterback behind Luke Getsy (Munhill, Pa./Steel Valley/Pittsburgh). Jackson is battling with fellow redshirt freshman Chris Jacquemain (Painesville, Ohio/Mentor). Besides the second quarterback spot, a number of other position battles were displayed during the practice."It was nice to get some guys healthy again," head coach J.D. Brookhart said. "The effort is good, but there are still some inconsistencies in our game. We go up and down some days, but our starters have been pretty solid."Dennis Kennedy (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla/Stranahan) continued to improve his stock as he sometimes looked unstoppable slashing through the defense for 20-yard scampers. Kennedy teamed with Jackson on more than one occasion in quarterback option plays. Jackson was smooth moving the pocket to find open running lanes when nothing was available down field. Kennedy was able to capitalize on the moving pocket to find holes in the middle of the defense where Jackson made a number a number of easy dump passes. Kennedy was not the only target available to Jackson during the scrimmage. The young receiver corps is making strides in replacing the veterans from 2005. Redshirt freshman Jermaine Lindsay (Bowie, Md./Forestville) was especially impressive as he displayed his route running and big-catch ability. His long strides allowed him to escape from the defense on more than one occasion. Junior wideout Johnny Long (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) was singled out as one of the players who impressed Brookhart on the day.On the defensive side of the ball, the line showed good ability in rushing the quarterback. Senior Jermaine Reid (Pickering, Ontario/St. Mary's Catholic) was able to penetrate the veteran offensive line quite often. Reid led the Zips with seven sacks in 2005.The defensive backfield was also impressive. Davanzo Tate (Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Finch/West Virginia) picked up where he left off in 2005. The junior was a blanket on his side of the field. During the scrimmage he dominated the right side, as he recorded multiple pass break-ups and the only interception of the day. He was able to rip away a pass intended for Long. Two plays later Tate used his speed to get to Getsy for a sack.Akron has seven practices remaining in preparation for the spring football game, which will be held on Saturday, April 15 in the Athletics Field House.Zips Notes: Two players - SS Chevin Pace (Miami, Fla./Miami Central) and LB Michael Alphonse (Miramar, Fla./Miami Norland) - who had season-ending injuries last fall returned to practice in limited fashion today. Pace (knee) and Alphonse (shoulder/knee) both participated in non-contact, 7-on-7 drills. True freshman Wayne Cobham (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Flanagan HS) also returned to practice after suffering a shoulder injury at the last workout before spring break (March 23). DL Josh Kiner (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin East) remains out with a sprained foot. ... Members of the team will visit Akron Children's Hospital at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

[liljc]

That sounds so freaking good. Every little bit of football talk just fires me up. Carlton Jackson sounds like he's having a good spring. I am anxious to see him play on the 15 th. Maybe Jacquemain better start learning to run those pass routes after all. Hey, it's worked out for Jabari.

[fear the brown roo]

i watched the scrimmage this past saturday and can tell you all that the zips are way ahead of where they were last year. the offense looks much better with a year of experience under their belts. getsy will have an outstanding year, kennedy runs very well. jabari needs to be more consistent with his pass catching, but hell, it is only spring. the defense looks strong but the offense moved the ball much better against them this year than last year. i know the defense will be even stronger this year so this is a good sign of the offense's abilities. the d-line looks good even without nate robinson. the linebackers will be a strength but howe needs to keep his head up when hitting. he seems to miss tackles with his head down, but when he connects, someone hurts. the secondary is solid also. there was a lot of gang tackling going on. i was very impressed with the second team o-line also. the young guys look tough and i think the future is in good hands. zack anderson is going to be a monster. huebner is a lot bigger and stronger and seckinger is a giant with raw talent. back up qb is still up in the air but jackson is quick and and ads a nice option of the option. the other cj looks like he put on 15 lbs and is strong. the present and future looks bright, baring any major injuries IMO. :macc:

[Beanie 4 Heisman]

Maybe Jacquemain better start learning to run those pass routes after all. Hey, it's worked out for Jabari.

he cant play any other position successfully because he is to slow.

[Dr Z]

Another update from Sunday the 9thZips Conclude Four-Straight Days Of Spring PracticeSaturday's scrimmage shows continued improvement among all unitsApril 9, 2006AKRON, Ohio - - The University of Akron football team wrapped up four-straight days of practice Sunday morning with a 90-minute workout in the Athletics Field House.Coming off a 100-play scrimmage in Saturday's practice, the second of the season, the Zips opened with individual drills before moving into 11-on-11 and situational work.Redshirt freshmen Carlton Jackson (Pompano Beach, Fla./Pompano Beach) and Chris Jacquemain (Painesville, Ohio/Mentor), battling for the No. 2 signal-caller job, split the snaps evenly in the first 11-on-11 period, with Luke Getsy (Munhill, Pa./Steel Valley/Pittsburgh) working in for two plays, a 35-yard completion to Stephon Fuqua (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville) and a 25-yard strike to sophomore tight end Merce Poindexter (Ellwood, City, Pa./Lincoln). Jackson handed off to wide receiver Johnny Long (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) on a reverse that went for 35 yards. Long also made a leaping catch on a Jacquemain pass down the middle.The defense held its own in the situational period as the offense tried to work its way out of a third-and-6 scenario. A blitzing defense caused Getsy to overthrow Jabari Arthur (Montreal, Quebec/Vanier Prep) on his fourth attempt, and defensive back Parris McNeal (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Central) came up with sacks of Jackson on back-to-back plays. "This last week we want to focus on our continued improvement in all areas," head coach J.D. Brookhart said. "After a 100-play scrimmage, the guys could have come out here today and gone through the motions, but they continue to compete."Taking snaps with the No. 1 offense in Saturday's scrimmage, Getsy continued to look sharp, completing passes to a number of receivers. He hit Poindexter with a first-down completion on third-and-8 and connected with Arthur on a 30-yarder down the middle with Arthur powering through four tacklers. The junior wide receiver looks poised for a breakout season after his eight-catch, 180-yard effort in the Motor City Bowl. Jackson and Jacquemain, battling for the No. 2 signal-caller job, split snaps with the second unit."I thought we ran the ball better and were consistent in our passing game," Brookhart said of the scrimmage. "Working with a mish-mash defensive unit, we continued to improve as guys are working to secure spots."On one of the final drives of the scrimmage, Jackson connected with sophomore wideout Brandon Williams (Tampa, Fla./Chamberlain), who has had a strong spring, for 12 yards on third-and-10. Sophomore running back Dennis Kennedy (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla/Stranahan) also looked sharp, finding creases inside and outside. He also chipped in a 1-yard touchdown run after Getsy hit Long for a first down on third-and-10.The defense also made some plays. Davanzo Tate (Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Finch, HS/West Virginia), emerging from a deep group of cornerbacks, tipped a Getsy pass which was picked off by linebacker Bryan Howe (Akron, Ohio/Ellet High School).Akron has three practices remaining before Saturday's Blue-Gold Spring game which kicks off at 11 a.m. in the Athletics Field House.Zips Notes: Starting strong safety Chevin Pace (Miami, Fla./Miami Central), who returned to practice last week, has continued to participate in non-contact drills ... Junior transfer Nate Robinson (Irvington, N.J./Irvington HS/Rutgers), who is expected to add depth along the defensive line, has missed the last three practices due to ankle and knee injuries ... OL Elliott Bates (Houston, Pa./Chartiers-Houston), DL Josh Kiner (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin East) and DB Evan Laube (Richfield, Ohio/Revere) all remain out of practice ... senior DL?Jermaine Reid (Pickering, Ontario/St. Mary's Catholic) tweaked a knee yesterday and sat out today's session ... Members of the team will be volunteering at the Haven of Rest Tuesday morning. -UA-