Todays Practice

[zipproud]

Team looked great today after only a week of camp. Excited to see the finished product. Pohl started out OK but ended the day a little off, Woodson on the other hand did not look good early on but came on strong at the end of the scrimmage. The third QB not sure if it was Hoyer or Kincade the number was 18 (I didn't have a roster), had one series and once settled in looked very good. D looked great and lots of excitement.....

GO ZIPS!!!!!!

[LZIp]

Whats up with Hirschman?

[johnnyzip84]

According to GT,Hirschman was held out due to a knee injury.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/zips-show-some-promise-during-intrasquad-scrimmage-1.512143

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/2014-zips-preseason-camp-snapshot-practice-9-1.512144

I was there with a few ZNo regulars and here are some additional observations:

1. Richard Dorvilus (#10), the JUCO DE, made a big play with strip of the QB (TW13 I think). He also recovered the ball and returned it for a big play. He has the speed to cause problems for OTs.

2. Stein and another PK (#37) both kicked whenever FG opportunities arose. I believe RS48 was 3/3 while #37 was 1/3.

3. The LBs are as good as we hoped they'd be - faster and fitter than ever. Mizell, Brown and March have to be the best trio to EVER take the field at once for the Zips.

4. Depth on the O-Line and defensive backfield remain the biggest concerns. The starters looked pretty good though. Isaiah Williams had a few rough penalties that he'll need to clean up. Givens continues to impress. Deandre Scott looks pretty good at corner. Boyette was playing RT with the 1's. Tommy Brown is enormous and looks good - hopefully he can play this year.

5. KP16 can definitely play better, but I was encouraged by TW13 and CK18 - Woodson is much improved from last year and Kincade simply looks the part.

6. Another true FR who opened my eyes was Boxen (#50). He has a fantastic motor. Newman Williams played well when he had the opportunity, especially in goal line defense.

7. Both Gauthney and Moore are on the roster and both played some with the 2's.

8. A few players didn't dress, including Bickley, Brumbaugh (at least I don't recall seeing him), and James Turner. Jamal Turner is done at UA - another defender (not sure who) has the #55 now.

9. In very general terms, the team looks bigger,faster,and fitter than any Zip team I can recall in recent memory. There's work to be done, but I am encouraged to say the least.

[Blue & Gold]

According to GT,Hirschman was held out due to a knee injury.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/zips-show-some-promise-during-intrasquad-scrimmage-1.512143

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/2014-zips-preseason-camp-snapshot-practice-9-1.512144

I was there with a few ZNo regulars and here are some additional observations:

1. Richard Dorvilus (#10), the JUCO DE, made a big play with strip of the QB (TW13 I think). He also recovered the ball and returned it for a big play. He has the speed to cause problems for OTs.

2. Stein and another PK (#37) both kicked whenever FG opportunities arose. I believe RS48 was 3/3 while #37 was 1/3.

3. The LBs are as good as we hoped they'd be - faster and fitter than ever. Mizell, Brown and March have to be the best trio to EVER take the field at once for the Zips.

4. Depth on the O-Line and defensive backfield remain the biggest concerns. The starters looked pretty good though. Isaiah Williams had a few rough penalties that he'll need to clean up. Givens continues to impress. Deandre Scott looks pretty good at corner. Boyette was playing RT with the 1's. Tommy Brown is enormous and looks good - hopefully he can play this year.

5. KP16 can definitely play better, but I was encouraged by TW13 and CK18 - Woodson is much improved from last year and Kincade simply looks the part.

6. Another true FR who opened my eyes was Boxen (#50). He has a fantastic motor. Newman Williams played well when he had the opportunity, especially in goal line defense.

7. Both Gauthney and Moore are on the roster and both played some with the 2's.

8. A few players didn't dress, including Bickley, Brumbaugh (at least I don't recall seeing him), and James Turner. Jamal Turner is done at UA - another defender (not sure who) has the #55 now.

9. In very general terms, the team looks bigger,faster,and fitter than any Zip team I can recall in recent memory. There's work to be done, but I am encouraged to say the least.

Great to hear about Gauthney and Moore.

What was Boxen playing, DE or DT?

[johnnyzip84]

Boxen played both DE and DT. He had at least one hurry on the QB.

[LZIp]

Thanks for sharing jz. Did you notice anything out of Pittman?

[johnnyzip84]

Thanks for sharing jz. Did you notice anything out of Pittman?

No problem, LZ. Pittman has switched from #2 to #90 and he played DT with the 1's mostly. He wasn't dominant, but he held his own.

On a related note, Cody Grice played a little bit of DE in addition to his usual DT duties. He was VERY vocal a few times, and I expect he is emerging as a leader on the defense.

[Zipgrad01]

Is there another scrimmage this Saturday? If so, what time?

[johnnyzip84]

Is there another scrimmage this Saturday? If so, what time?

While I don’t have confirmation through anyone in the program, typically they have Saturday scrimmages throughout fall camp and they generally start around 9:30 am. I won’t be able to make it this Saturday, though. I was hoping to hear what some others thought of the newer players.

[GP1]

I have a question JZ 84. You mention they are bigger and faster. Are they more physical than last year? Last year, I thought we could have been more physical on the front line, on both sides of the ball. Not dirty, just putting that strength and speed to good use.

[johnnyzip84]

I have a question JZ 84. You mention they are bigger and faster. Are they more physical than last year? Last year, I thought we could have been more physical on the front line, on both sides of the ball. Not dirty, just putting that strength and speed to good use.

That’s a fair question, GP1. Of course, speed and size are a little easier to judge. But I will say that for the goal line situations towards the end of the scrimmage, both sides of the ball got in their licks.

I recall one play in particular when DJ Jones leaped for what looked to be an obvious score only to be belted low, forced into a near summersault, with his shoulder (and the ball) eventually landing just shy of the end zone.

There was also at least one fight that had to be broken up during the goal line series. Bre Ford, as is his forte, lowered the boom on a few receivers. So while I’m not sure I can give you a definite “yes” to your question, I’d say things are trending upward in this area.

On a side note, I forgot to mention Iowa State transfer DL Rodney Coe – the guy is HUGE. He reminded me of Moses McCray, but taller. He didn’t play a lot in the scrimmage, though. I don’t think he’s eligible until 2015.