Looking Ahead to 2015

[Dr Z]

Perhaps more emphasis should be placed on winning the MAC. Win the MAC and go bowling then worry about upper level OoC games.

I believe coach Bowden has repeated many times "we need to find a way to win in the MAC."

If it's not his top priority, it's pretty close. Maybe your speaking about fans though? If that's the case...

Next season I don't want to hear TB or any of the coaches say that the Zips aren't there yet, even if they feel that way.

As a fan, the one thing I value about both our basketball and football coach is their honesty. I think if you ask both a question (and I have), they give you a very honest answer. I would be disappointed to hear coach Bowden give an untruthful answer. I hate listening to Belichick and Tomlin answer questions with cliche after cliche, you learn nothing. If you were looking for things to value as an Akron fan, I would put "coaches thoughtful answers to questions" on the list somewhere. Unfortunately it's not a long list, but I can at least appreciate this. Wouldn't it be cool to write for the local paper with that quality out there?

[Zip_ME87]

I believe coach Bowden has repeated many times "we need to find a way to win in the MAC."

If it's not his top priority, it's pretty close. Maybe your speaking about fans though? If that's the case...

As a fan, the one thing I value about both our basketball and football coach is their honesty. I think if you ask both a question (and I have), they give you a very honest answer. I would be disappointed to hear coach Bowden give an untruthful answer. I hate listening to Belichick and Tomlin answer questions with cliche after cliche, you learn nothing. If you were looking for things to value as an Akron fan, I would put "coaches thoughtful answers to questions" on the list somewhere. Unfortunately it's not a long list, but I can at least appreciate this. Wouldn't it be cool to write for the local paper with that quality out there?

You totally miss the point. If you state that "we're not there yet", you'll find a way to make sure we're not there yet. I'm not saying that I want TB to go out and tell us all that the Zips are going to compete for a BCS Bowl, but I expect the head coach to believe in his team and his staff. If he doesn't believe, then who will. Folks on this forum can make all the excuses you want for the failure this season, but EA is right on. The MAC East was Akron's to be had, and the flop started with the head man. I just hope he learns from that.

As far as winning the MAC, words are one thing, action another. I saw more urgency to win vs Pitt and PSU than I did vs BG and Buffalo.

[Hilltopper]

I would suggest that you all watch the coaches show tonight. Hopefully you might find out some answers about next years team.

[Lee Adams]

Bowden and his staff have had 2 years to convince kids to come play for what was, the worst team in 1A football. How many true freshman played this year? That's right 0, outside of the place kicker in the first 2 games. So, you basically have 1 year of his recruiting class and the best transfers he could scrounge up. Akron had years of horrible recruiting and you want overnight results. It just doesn't work that way. Even the not so great MAC teams we faced this year had the leg up with years of better recruiting. Just because it isn't happening on your schedule doesn't mean it isn't happening. I think next year we will be better and the year after is when we really turn the corner to becoming a truly dominate MAC team.

If Bowden had let previous coaching recruits go, who would he have played? True freshman who weren't ready? Kids coming from HS need that first year to acclimate to the move from HS to college. A few can get by but find me a coach who wouldn't rather red shirt freshmen. They have time to adjust mentally and get bigger, stronger, and faster.

While there are a few people who were expecting instant gratification here, most rational people understand that convincing a kid to play here, in from, of a few thousand fans, versus teams that have been going to MAC Championships and bowl games is not an easy task. The fact that Bowden has brought in the quality recruits that he has is pretty remarkable - it's been almost like selling swamp land. It's going to take a little time and he isn't interested in building a 1 and done team, he wants to build a program

[Lee Adams]

Bowden and his staff have had 2 years to convince kids to come play for what was, the worst team in 1A football. How many true freshman played this year? That's right 0, outside of the place kicker in the first 2 games. So, you basically have 1 year of his recruiting class and the best transfers he could scrounge up. Akron had years of horrible recruiting and you want overnight results. It just doesn't work that way. Even the not so great MAC teams we faced this year had the leg up with years of better recruiting. Just because it isn't happening on your schedule doesn't mean it isn't happening. I think next year we will be better and the year after is when we really turn the corner to becoming a truly dominate MAC team.

If Bowden had let previous coaching recruits go, who would he have played? True freshman who weren't ready? Kids coming from HS need that first year to acclimate to the move from HS to college. A few can get by but find me a coach who wouldn't rather red shirt freshmen. They have time to adjust mentally and get bigger, stronger, and faster.

While there are a few people who were expecting instant gratification here, most rational people understand that convincing a kid to play here, in from, of a few thousand fans, versus teams that have been going to MAC Championships and bowl games is not an easy task. The fact that Bowden has brought in the quality recruits that he has is pretty remarkable - it's been almost like selling swamp land. It's going to take a little time and he isn't interested in building a 1 and done team, he wants to build a program

Well, he certainly hasn't built a one and done has he?

[K92]

I would suggest that you all watch the coaches show tonight. Hopefully you might find out some answers about next years team.

Those answers must have ended up on the cutting room floor.

[Hilltopper]

Those answers must have ended up on the cutting room floor.

I tried!

[Dave in Green]

Hilltopper, you had it nailed in an earlier post when you said:

The host of the show has zero input as to the content of the show. He is a paid announcer who is given a script to follow. It's the way that every coaches show is done. It's not 60 Minutes.

You should have stuck with that.

[Dr Z]

I would suggest that you all watch the coaches show tonight. Hopefully you might find out some answers about next years team.

I haven't watched a complete show in a long time. That show is the most deleted (without watching) show on my DVR. It really isn't made for me since I don't learn anything. I'm not sure what answers you thought we were going to learn, but I did waste 17 minutes of my life that I'll never get back. There are new guys on the team next year? The "super six?" We knew that. I did like the piece on Chuck Amato, but would prefer it was on AJ, since I know very little about him. I probably won't tune back, I can only watch the same highlight and commercials once a year to remind myself why I don't watch. That show needs a makeover BAD. It's like they don't want you to be a Zips fan. I feel bad for TB while I watch. Somebody post if something changes.

[Jrship35]

Sorry to beat the off season training drum ............. But I do think that this off season will be of utmost importance. In my son's two visits, we spent a lot of time with Coach Gildersleeve (S and C coach) and Coach Stroud (Director of S and C), and was very, very impressed with the sell on the new philosophy in the strength and conditioning program. It will be Coach Gildy's first full off season as the S&C Coach (GA last year).

What I believe needs to be considered is that most of these guys come in and are 2 star and below ranked (if you buy into that crap). The reason they are rated as such is for the most part because of their size and the fact that they may not have been "marketed" well enough (attended the costly camps, hired a recruiting service to market them etc.). They simply, for one of many reasons, have not gotten themselves on the recruiting map.......... The kids that are more physically advanced and better genetically have been gobbled up by the big schools. The kids that UA attracts (most anyway)don't fit into the physical "mold" of what the power 5 schools are looking for (doesn't make them bad athletes). ............. Quote from Coach Stroud : "We, unfortunately, are probably not going to get those genetic freaks that are ready to step right in and play at a high level when they walk on campus. We have to develop them" ................... Reasonable quote if you ask me..

These guys need time to develop in size, strength and speed ......... Case in point, on my son's second visit, (when he went through all of the physical and prior injury analysis by the trainers and team physician), we spent about an hour discussing where Coach Stroud thought he needed to be coming in and where he envisions him playing (size wise) into his sophmore season (after a red shirt year I'm sure) and how they are planning to get him there (diet and the areas of big opportunity in strength). They were detailed in discussing the differences in the training philosophy (Strength and fast twitch muscle agility vs. the prior philosophy of just strength). Unfortunately, the gains don't happen overnight and during the season, the philosophy is more of a recovery and maintenance program, thus the major importance of the off season program.

Some of these kids come from high school programs that are not extremely advances (no offense to any program) and have a tough time transitioning to the "grind" in the weight room and agility training. Some have some pretty bad lifting and training habits from high school that need to be changed.

I stand by my earlier posts that I do believe the talent level of recruits in the 2013 and 2014 classes (more the 2014 class) are visibly better on film than prior to Bowden. As for transfers (from other programs of JC), they are necessary and will be necessary for the foreseeable future (IMO), but obviously will not be the foundation of the program (or shouldn't be). You would hope to (or I would) be able to find that WR who can stretch the field (as we need), or that feature RB (as we hopefully have coming) that make immediate impact. We would obviously hope to get transfers with a couple of years of eligibility that a string of one year guys.

Recruiting has taken a hit for sure with the outcome of this season, I know there are a few guys that my son met while on visits and have kept in touch, that are much colder now about UA than at mid season. And I would think that some of the "higher level" recruits that may have had big interest in UA are a bit colder .............. But that remains to be seen.

Does anyone have access to or know anyone close to the S&C department to be able to get some insight of the "physical benchmarks" (bench press, clean, squat, 40 times, shuttles, etc) of the players and how they progress over the off season ? That will give us a insight of where we will be going into spring 2015 .................

Don't mean to sound like a know it all, just trying to give insight ..................................... LOL, and hope !!!!

[Dr Z]

Don't mean to sound like a know it all, just trying to give insight.

You don't, and I enjoy the perspective. Thanks for taking the time to post. I don't have an answer, or additional information for you at this time, but I'll consider finding out in the future.

Here are some specific NFL workouts that are interesting.

BTW, we need to add some different workouts for our receivers to help strengthen their hands. I went to camp the year that Santonio Holmes wore weighted gloves during training camp to strengthen his hands. Big difference the following season. If the Zips don't own ten JUGS machines, get them. If they do own them, please double the time spent using them. I can tell you what young NFL receiver has a chance to break through by watching which one stays after practice and works another hour on the JUGS machine. Odell Beckham, how to make an amazing catch.

[Balsy]

Jrship35 thanks for the insight! That's a perspective that us fans don't often get, and often forget is important. I know the S & C and recruiting of Ianello set this program back BIG. A few of my friends who were on the team through those years said as much.

One of the reasons I have defended Bowden so stoutly is because of how much is being done to change the culture of this program...from as little as the locker-room speeches, to the mindset of S & C; I personally think this guy is the real deal. If there is anyone who can turn this program around (realistically) it's this team. There are still many changes to be made, that need to be made, and at the end of the day all that matters is the W/Ls. But building a program that's not just one-and-done does not come over night. I DON'T want this program to turn out like Can't; where a coach comes in for a handful of years, wins BIG and then leaves, leaving scraps of a program behind.

I know there are some starving Zips fans out there and I'm probably one of the youngest (newest) ones on this forum, but I don't want BIG success now at the expense of this programs future.

[johnnyzip84]

Here's my early take on next season:

Returning Players Who Took Major Steps Forward in 2014

DB DeAndre Scott – Had several big plays over the course of the season. I’m sure it must have happened more than once, but my only recollection of him getting burned for a TD was the early one OU put on us in Athens. It was a perfect throw as the coverage wasn’t too bad. It seemed as though MAC teams quit throwing his way midway through the season.

LB/DE Jerome Lane – Showed tremendous ability to rush the passer in limited opportunities. I’d like to see him move to his more natural LB spot, but have him used as a primary rusher in blitz packages. Amato was seen on film calling him the best athlete he’s ever coached.

Returning Starters with All-MAC Ability

LB Jatavis Brown – With Mizell (never caught on with pass coverage) and March not quite living up to the hype, JTB1’s 2014 performance has set him up to go down as the best LB in UA history.

DL Cody Grice – I think his 1^st team all-MAC status was at least partially a result of his impact on the other side of the ball. I know I’m in the minority on this, but I hope he doesn’t carry it that much next year. Our lack of depth on the D-Line, coupled with his short yardage ball-carrying duties, wore CG36 out a bit and contributed to our struggles against the run late in the season (IMHO). He’s an excellent leader, so I hope he can focus on defense next year.

WR Zach D’Orazio - A true, consistent bright spot in the receiver corps. Zach should be the safety blanket for whoever wins the QB job in 2015.

P Zack Paul – Had terrific opening half of 2014 season, but lousy weather tapered off his stats somewhat down the stretch.

Other Key Returning Players

RB Connor Hundley – Hopefully will fully recover from knee injury in time for 2015 season. CH34 has certainly showed promise over the years when given a little bit of blocking.

OL Tommy Brown – Proved to be an effective run blocker in short yardage situations.

K Robert Stein – Only missed three kicks all year, but the one at Dix will probably serve as off-season motivation.

DL Se’Von Pittman – Nagging injuries seemed to really slow his progress later in the season. He may benefit from being able to play more DE with Coe in the mix.

WR Mykel Traylor-Bennett – Had a few really nice plays in 2014, but far too often he was a non-factor. He needs to step it up immensely in 2015.

Redshirt Freshmen Who Could Have Immediate Impact

LB Newman Williams – Should be able to slide in for Mizell as the run-stopping LB. May also see time as FB in short yardage situations.

DE Brock Boxen – Was impressive in fall camp with his high motor.

DL Anthony Clark – Has size not typically seen in a Zip D-Line HS recruit.

QB Chandler Kincade – Should also be in the mix for the starting job.

The Super Six Transfers

RB Donnell Alexander – Rushed for over 5 yards per carry in two seasons with Colorado State. His size (219 lb) and speed are an unusual combination at UA.

DL Rodney Coe – Iowa State transfer is the 1^st 300 LB Zip D-lineman of the Bowden era. He should be the middle-of-the-line run stopper UA has lacked since Kiki Gonzalez.

DB AJ Coney – Was 1^st-team all Big-Sky (not that much different than the MAC) as a FR for Weber State.

QB Tra’Von Chapman – Former 4-star recruit for Pitt is thought to be a favorite to take over as the starter by numerous observers.

DB Larry Hope – Former Miami Hurricane will provide some size in the defensive backfield.

DE Jamal Marcus – Showed promise in 2014 Orange Bowl for another college in the state of Ohio.

Team Strengths

1. Defense
2. Special Teams

Team Weaknesses

1. O-Line
2. Wide Receivers

Summary

The UAB opportunity is a nice surprise. If there is ANY way the Zips can snag 1 or 2 ready-made WRs or O-linemen from the Blazer exodus, that would really help the Zips’ chances in 2015. There is enough talent on defense to be pretty good on that side of the ball. Special teams look to be set. Regardless of who wins the starting QB job, massive improvement in the O-Line and WRs is needed to compete for a MAC East crown in 2015. If the Zips are not improved as a whole in 2015, I’m afraid 2016 doesn’t look any better due to the reliance on transfers with limited eligibility. Simply put, it’s put up or shut up in 2015 for Zip football.

[ZippyRulz]

Thanks for that nice breakdown, JZ. However, I think CG should have been moved exclusively to offense after the KP concussion as a running/blocking FB. I believe he would have been even more helpful to the defense that way by giving us more ball control on offense and keeping the D off the field more.

[K92]

Astute analysis by the gentleman from Canal Fulton.

[Lee Adams]

Unless Bowden decides on the QB situation,soon, this team is going nowhere. He has thus far given little indication that he is willing to adjust his offense to the personnel he has available. Maybe he assumes that one of the 'inactive' QB's will be able to step in next season. This is a QB intensive offense that he runs. The defense has enough talent to make a respectable showing in the MAC.

Either adjust his game planning to the personnel,or plug in different personnel to the game plan. Unfortunately,none of us know if there is a QB on this roster who can do what Bowden wants his offense to do because nobody other than Pohl or Wodson has played.

[LZIp]

Also caught on TB's last show that every single freshman redshirted this season.

[Jrship35]

Shows (to me) a long term commitment to development and building for the future ............ I like it

[ZachTheZip]

Also caught on TB's last show that every single freshman redshirted this season.

Yep. And that's an important metric to show that the program is stable. It'a a luxury that comes from having depth.

[zippy5]

Ehh.. Hurts recruiting a little bit. What's our advantage over say, Pitt? Hey recruit, come to UA and play right away. Seems that's gone. The fact that 100 percent of freshmen didn't see the field last year would turn me off.

[johnnyzip84]

That statement (every single FR red-shirted in 2014) is questionable at the least. The PK from Atlanta (O'Leary) most certainly played, losing the starting job in the 2nd game at PSU. I don't know if they can get a RS year out of him once he's played and had no apparent injury. Maybe someone else has a better handle on this.

I'll admit this isn't a very significant point, as certainly the bulk of the class did RS. I don't know how many are no longer in school, however. I was told that Travonte Junius was no longer enrolled during the season.

Lee Adams is correct that a lot hinges on QB play (I thought that was pretty much a given). I didn't list QB as a weakness because we simply don't know that yet. I figure there's at least a 50% chance it will be a new face to the program. I refuse to assume that is a bad thing.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I don't know how many are no longer in school, however. I was told that Travonte Junius was no longer enrolled during the season.

To my knowledge, Junius is a greyshirt. Thus he cannot enroll until January 2015, or he would forfeit a full year of eligibility.

[Zips Win!]

Shows (to me) a long term commitment to development and building for the future ............ I like it

Sure, but we can revisit this when we see next year's schedule.

[Balsy]

Shows (to me) a long term commitment to development and building for the future ............ I like it

Yep. And that's an important metric to show that the program is stable. It'a a luxury that comes from having depth.

One thing can be said at least for now: we've become stable from 1-11 seasons to 5-7 seasons. Getting more talent on the team, and refining of that talent that takes place, this team will start to go places. (at least that's what I hope).

Lee Adams is correct that a lot hinges on QB play (I thought that was pretty much a given). I didn't list QB as a weakness because we simply don't know that yet. I figure there's at least a 50% chance it will be a new face to the program. I refuse to assume that is a bad thing.

I think you are underestimating that chance.

[johnnyzip84]

To my knowledge, Junius is a greyshirt. Thus he cannot enroll until January 2015, or he would forfeit a full year of eligibility.

Thanks for the additional insight, CK

I think you are underestimating that chance.

How can I be underestimating when I said "at least"?