Summer Camp 2013

[Zipgrad01]

I got to see the scrimmage on Saturday. I saw some positives and some negatives. Some of this stuff we’ve already heard. I was impressed with the defensive line. What an improvement from a year ago. The staff has done a great job of adding much needed depth. It will be fun to watch that group develop into a unit. There’s a lot of competition up front.

Offensively Hirschman did most of the work. He didn’t look bad. A few of the receivers had nice long grabs but for the most part there was nothing earth shattering there. I don’t believe MTB was targeted at all and I must say, so far, I’m not impressed (more on this later. The running game was pretty much held in check.

This one goes to the defense in my mind

Bowden mention MTB again as being a big play receiver. I dont think he is listening to your talent evaluation.

[johnnyzip84]

Bowden mention MTB again as being a big play receiver. I dont think he is listening to your talent evaluation.

No doubt!

[LZIp]

Bowden mention MTB again as being a big play receiver. I dont think he is listening to your talent evaluation.

in Zippyfan's defense, MTB did not have a good practice that day. He said it himself.

[Zipgrad01]

in Zippyfan's defense, MTB did not have a good practice that day. He said it himself.

Practice? We gonna talk about practice? not a game??

[ZachTheZip]

Anybody know anything about a kicker named Zach Gingerich, from Bellefontaine, OH? ESPN has him as a 2014 commitment, but he graduated from high school already, and by the sound of it he is currently on campus.

[ZippyFan]

Bowden mention MTB again as being a big play receiver. I dont think he is listening to your talent evaluation.

During last Saturdays scrimmage MTB did not catch a pass. I dont think he was even targeted. He never got open. He seemed to pout like a little kid would. I hope he develops into what TB wants him to be. We could use him. I just didnt see it Saturday

[Dr Z]

George does a Q & A with Jerrod Dillard

My two favorite:

Q: What are you sensing about this team right now that no one else would know was going on?

A: People think we are down in the dumps because we’ve had three 1-11 seasons. That’s obviously not the case. You’ve been around practice. We’re as upbeat as if we went 11-1 last year. Behind the scenes we’re upbeat people. We’re positive. We have all the optimism in the world.

Q: You scored nine touchdowns last year. Are you expecting to see more attention for defenses?

A: I hope so. That’s just going to make room for everyone else. Honestly, I really don’t care if I catch one pass as long as we are doing good as a team and winning games. I really couldn’t care less.

Thursday (8/15) practice - full pads in the morning and shells at night.

[legendofzippy]

This might be linked somewhere else, but a nice interview with Jerrod Dillard.

I like this exchange:

Q: What are your goals for the year?

A: Win games. That’s it.

UA wide receiver Dillard focuses on playing veteran role

[legendofzippy]

Lol - ok I guess Dr Z and I got pumped up about that interview at the exact same time.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Amazing there are still 7 kids on the team that were recruited by Brookhart?

Ritossa, Diorazio, Dillard, Alexander, Lio, Sconiers and Frieson.

[legendofzippy]

Amazing there are still 7 kids on the team that were recruited by Brookhart?

Ritossa, Diorazio, Dillard, Alexander, Lio, Sconiers and Frieson.

Hmmm.... anyone care to take a stab at the starting lineup, listing which HC recruited them? Would be neat to see. Brookhart does seem like a looong time ago.

[akzipper]

Love the "fight" that happens in the background. haha Probably should have reshot the interview.

[Dr Z]

Push through the pain.

[ZachTheZip]

Article about Andrew Pratt and Dylan Brumbaugh

Preview from the Ragin Cajuns' perspective.

[Dr Z]

MTB making more noise…this time in the return game. Click on link to find out what youngster is stepping up at RB.

One position where competition remains heavy is kick returner. With senior cornerback Malachi Freeman sitting the day out with a minor injury to his elbow, four other Zips — true freshmen Fransohn Bickley and Mykel Traylor-Bennett among them — stepped up to stake a claim.No one in this area should be surprised at Bickley’s ability, given the fact that he showed promise in all three phases of the game during his time at St. Vincent-St. Mary.Traylor-Bennett continues to show his eagerness to get on the field and impressed with one return. “He did it real well in high school and he wants a shot at it,” Bowden said.

[ZippyFan]

Does anyone know what time they scrimmage tomorrow?

[K92]

Does anyone know what time they scrimmage tomorrow?

ZF, I heard 9:15.

[K92]

Ok. Went to watch the scrimmage with Zipgrad01. I hope I don't steal all his thunder by posting before him and that he will weigh in with his thoughts as well as any other board guys that may have been there.

First of all, JB53, JM5, NC58, MM90, CH34, JP76 & JC7 did not play. I know I am probably missing a couple more notables, but these I remember.

Kyle Pohl played 2 or 3 series. His arm looked good. Scrambled a little but picked up a first down on one occasion. I have to believe if he stays healthy we are in great shape @ QB.

MTB1 looks like the real deal. He made some nice grabs and showed some moves after the catch. I am hoping for big things here.

The first time seeing Mizell on the field was a jolt. We shall see what he can do when game time rolls around, but he passed the eyeball test with flying colors. On one occasion, poor Stephen Ericksen got absolutely steam rolled on a Mizell blitz. Keep your fingers crossed here Zips fans!!! Major stud potential!!!

Defensive Line play continues to impress. Capi & James have great athleticism coming off the edge. Great quickness at the snap and great pursuit behind the line of scrimmage. These two also got quite a bit of work playing DT in the "speed package" with Presley & Horner at the ends.

I had the opportunity to speak with George Thomas. What a nice & informed gentleman. It was a real pleasure to meet him.

I am extremely excited to see the 2013 Zips take the field against UCF. My hunch is that the gap between the two teams has narrowed considerably since last year. So says me, Homer'92.

[Zipgrad01]

Ok. Went to watch the scrimmage with Zipgrad01. I hope I don't steal all his thunder by posting before him and that he will weigh in with his thoughts as well as any other board guys that may have been there.

First of all, JB53, JM5, NC58, MM90, CH34, JP76 & JC7 did not play. I know I am probably missing a couple more notables, but these I remember.

Kyle Pohl played 2 or 3 series. His arm looked good. Scrambled a little but picked up a first down on one occasion. I have to believe if he stays healthy we are in great shape @ QB.

MTB1 looks like the real deal. He made some nice grabs and showed some moves after the catch. I am hoping for big things here.

The first time seeing Mizell on the field was a jolt. We shall see what he can do when game time rolls around, but he passed the eyeball test with flying colors. On one occasion, poor Stephen Ericksen got absolutely steam rolled on a Mizell blitz. Keep your fingers crossed here Zips fans!!! Major stud potential!!!

Defensive Line play continues to impress. Capi & James have great athleticism coming off the edge. Great quickness at the snap and great pursuit behind the line of scrimmage. These two also got quite a bit of work playing DT in the "speed package" with Presley & Horner at the ends.

I had the opportunity to speak with George Thomas. What a nice & informed gentleman. It was a real pleasure to meet him.

I am extremely excited to see the 2013 Zips take the field against UCF. My hunch is that the gap between the two teams has narrowed considerably since last year. So says me, Homer'92.

I think you summed it up for the most part. I thought there was more size and talent on the field today than there was last year and that was with 25% of the starters practically not playing. I am extremely excited about the front 7 on defense. I cant remember an Akron team with that much size and speed at those positions.

I am trying to talk myself out of being overly optimistic, but I really like what I see compared to spring ball, let alone last year.

[johnnyzip84]

GT's take on today's scrimmage.

Freshman Mykel Traylor-Bennett, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound wide receiver, caught two touchdown passes, including a 35-yarder from quarterback Nick Hirschman along with a short grab that allowed him to use his size to his advantage.

“Every time we see him on the field, No. 1 [Traylor-Bennett] makes a big catch,” Bowden said. “Although he had his first drop today. You have to say he continues to help himself.”

On offense, Traylor-Bennett isn’t the only one to make an impression. Wide receiver Fransohn Bickley (St. Vincent-St. Mary) continues to make a case to receive playing time.

He took short passes and turned them into 20-plus yard gains on successive plays. He also scored a touchdown.

“He stands out,” Milwee said. “He may be little but he plays at a different speed than a lot of guys that we have. [He’s] been standing out because if he can get a crease, he can go. We have to get him the football when he’s in there.”

[jupitertoo]

Third sentence of story:

"The offense, produced some big plays that didn’t hit on deep passes, he said."

Can someone tell me what this means?

[g-mann17]

Third sentence of story:

"The offense, produced some big plays that didn’t hit on deep passes, he said."

Can someone tell me what this means?

To spell it out for you...

Short pass, 25+ yards after catch. Not really hard to figure out. Give it a rest already.

[ZippyRulz]

Third sentence of story:

"The offense, produced some big plays that didn't hit on deep passes, he said."

Can someone tell me what this means?

I'd say ask this guy:

Sports Editor, Ron Ledgard

(Coverage of sports news.)

330-996-3827

rledgard@thebeaconjournal.com

[gozips19]

Ok. Went to watch the scrimmage with Zipgrad01. I hope I don't steal all his thunder by posting before him and that he will weigh in with his thoughts as well as any other board guys that may have been there.

First of all, JB53, JM5, NC58, MM90, CH34, JP76 & JC7 did not play. I know I am probably missing a couple more notables, but these I remember.

Kyle Pohl played 2 or 3 series. His arm looked good. Scrambled a little but picked up a first down on one occasion. I have to believe if he stays healthy we are in great shape @ QB.

MTB1 looks like the real deal. He made some nice grabs and showed some moves after the catch. I am hoping for big things here.

The first time seeing Mizell on the field was a jolt. We shall see what he can do when game time rolls around, but he passed the eyeball test with flying colors. On one occasion, poor Stephen Ericksen got absolutely steam rolled on a Mizell blitz. Keep your fingers crossed here Zips fans!!! Major stud potential!!!

Defensive Line play continues to impress. Capi & James have great athleticism coming off the edge. Great quickness at the snap and great pursuit behind the line of scrimmage. These two also got quite a bit of work playing DT in the "speed package" with Presley & Horner at the ends.

I had the opportunity to speak with George Thomas. What a nice & informed gentleman. It was a real pleasure to meet him.

I am extremely excited to see the 2013 Zips take the field against UCF. My hunch is that the gap between the two teams has narrowed considerably since last year. So says me, Homer'92.

Where was Mizell lined up? How did the o line look? Did the late JUCO transfer play? How do the safeties look? Any other frosh to look out for?

[K92]

Where was Mizell lined up? How did the o line look? Did the late JUCO transfer play? How do the safeties look? Any other frosh to look out for?

Mizell was playing middle linebacker.

I thought the offensive line did a really good job for the most part. They seemed to pick up the blitz really well. There were some struggles getting the defensive ends blocked but I think that was more testament to the speed & quickness of the defense rather than an indictment against the offensive line.

Brandon Phillips got some reps @ slot receiver.

Anthony Holmes had a couple of nice hits. I must admit I was paying more attention to the front seven, but I thought the defensive backs did a good job.

Fransohn Bickley is a freshman who can probably play. He is squirt. When you see him you will be shocked how small he is but he moves like lightning.

Also, the roster has been updated. Quite a few number changes. Link