Grading the Zips so far

[Dr Z]

QuarterbacksLuke Getsy has completed 51.4 percent of his passes, totaling 1,395 yards with 10 touchdowns. Yardage-wise, he is the best passer in the MAC this year. Through the first six games last year, however, Getsy piled up close to 1,600 yards with 12 touchdowns."I think he's doing a good job," Brookhart said. "He's grading out extremely well. He misses a couple throws a game, but some of those errant throws aren't his fault. I think he's done a good job of not taking sacks as much. He throws it away when he needs to. I am pleased with how Luke's playing. He can get better, though."ReceiversOne of the biggest concerns entering the season was the receiving corps. After graduating last season's top two receivers, there was room for younger players to step up. They have. Nobody has made more of an impact on the passing game this year than true freshman David Harvey.Harvey is fifth in the conference in receiving yards per game, averaging 83 yards.Freshman Jermaine Lindsay has also proven himself capable, averaging 14.4 yards per reception on 14 catches.Brookhart thinks his young receivers still have room for improvement."There are still some things in the young receivers that have to be cleaned up," the third-year head coach said. "Some technique and fundamental things you teach in camp that may slide a bit."Tight ends Kris Kasparek and Merce Poindexter combined for just 28.6 yards per game with one touchdown catch, by Poindexter.Running backsAkron's running game has produced just 70.3 yards per game through the first half of this season, which is last in the MAC.Part of the problem has been the health of Dennis Kennedy, who hasn't fully recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered in the loss to Central Michigan and kept him out against North Texas. Brookhart did say that Kennedy's shoulder is nearly fully healed. Andre Walker has primarily backed him up."I thought our running backs could have done a better job," Brookhart said. "I think from my standpoint I put them in positions of being unsure what they are doing exactly."Offensive lineNot only have they allowed 20 sacks, fourth most in the league, but it has cost the team 169 yards, the most yards lost via the sack."It has been hit and miss," Brookhart said about the line. "Little bit inconsistent, with a little bit on them and a little on me. Hopefully, we get things cleaned up."Defensive lineThe defensive line has held opponents to just 135.2 rushing yards per game, good for fourth in the conference. But Brookhart has been mostly displeased with the line's lack of ability to rush the quarterback, which has registered less than one sack per game."I am disappointed we obviously haven't got more pass rush and more pressure," Brookhart said. "Some of it can be explained but you still like to see more."Linebackers, secondaryWith the 3-3-5 stack defense that the Zips play, the line between linebackers and members of the secondary is skewed. Regardless, they have yet to give up a 300-yard passing day and their worst game defending the pass was against Penn State, where they gave up 282 passing yards.The defense as a whole has struggled more with the legs of quarterbacks than the arms. The opposing quarterback has led the team in rushing in three games this season.Brookhart also indicated that his starters have been tired near the end of games because they are on the field too much."Our (back-ups) on defense right now are not where they should be to be able to spell our guys," Brookhart said. "You couple that with the fact that your offense has had a number of three-and-outs. By the time you get to nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and you are using all those defensive players on special teams, they are worn out."Special teamsThis unit has been a major area of concern. Their struggles in the kicking game, which have been well-documented, forced Brookhart to use a soccer player to kick field goals and extra points.The punting game hasn't been much better. It is 10th in the conference, netting 29.6 yards per punt.According to Brookhart, punt protection and place kicking were some of the major things that the Zips worked on during their bye week.source

[Captain Kangaroo]

QuarterbacksLuke Getsy : BWhen he's had time to throw, he's been very good. He's had little time to throw and had little running game to support him. He's typically throwing to 2 Fr. WR's + Jabari, who remains a hot/cold work-in-process. Considering the circumstances, he's doing fine. Wish he was a bit more elusive...it would help his health.ReceiversB-Jabari has been inconsistant. Harvey has been pretty solid. Overall, too many drops...routes abandoned too soon. A #3 WR hasn't stepped up.Tight ends CKris Kasparek hasn't done much since that nice 4th and 7 snag vs. Penn State. One of the bigger disappointments of the 2006 season. Merce Poindexter is playing well, but still has some key drops. Jose' Cruz seems to has fallen below Flaherty? Not much help coming from the TE's in run or pass blocking.Running backsCRunning game has disappeared since the team left Raleigh. Even NTSU shut us down in the 2nd half. And before you say "Who cares...we were up 33-6," I'll offer this: When you're up 33-6 in the second half you should impose your will on the opposing defense...run it down their throats...eat clock and get out of dodge. We couldn't move the ball to save our life against a really crappy team. K.e.n.t and Cinci were no-shows by the RB's too.Offensive lineD"It has been hit and miss," Brookhart said about the line. "Little bit inconsistent..."I would say our collective OL has been very consistent. Consistently bad. No time for Luke to throw. No holes for the RB's to hit. Penalties galore (how familiar is 2nd and 25 to this Zips team?). The opponent has a sack-fest every week. Unlike the WR's, where one guy can be outstanding and make the overall WR grade good...if only one, two or three OL's are pulling their weight and one or two are not...it is crippling.Defensive lineC+Good run defense, Z-E-R-O pressure on the QB. LinebackersBGrant, Mackey(I'll call him an LB) and Groza have been great. Stokes is solid.SecondaryB-They aren't playing too poorly. The lack of pressure on the opposing QB is really making their job difficult.Special teamsDBad punting and punt protection. Horrific place kicking.Kick offs have been ok (deep enough). Kick returns have been good. Special teams coverage has been good.

[AZipsCrazy]

QB: C I think Getsy needs to be more consistent. Especially when you consider he is a RS(SR.) and has been playing college football for 5 years now. I realize that the line hasn't given him the protection that he has needed, but regardless the passes he has been making at times are just not acceptable. Due to his being clutch in the N.C. State game I gave him a C. Without that game and the North Texas game he's got a D... not good.WR: BI know they have had a few drops but you have to keep in mind that they are Freshmen, with the exception of Long and Arthur. Arthur is a converted QB and he is yet to show the dominating play that he displayed in the MCB last year. David Harvey is going to be the best reciever to ever step foot on a field at Akron by the time he's done and he'll be a first round pick if he stays for four years. Jermaine Lindsey has performed well, but Getsy seems to have trouble getting him the ball enough, because he seems to lock in on Harvey whenever he's struggling. Overall I am pleased with the recievers play considering the situation.RB: C-Dennis Kennedy was impressive before he hurt his shoulder, but since his injury he seems to bounce the ball outside too frequently. As well the back-ups have yet to step up. I'm not sure if Aaris Reed burned his RS but if he did he definitely needs more touches. Kennedy needs to get his confidence back and start running in the middle of the field.OL: D+It makes me sick to see Getsy taking shots from opposing players that go through our line untouched. The only reason they havent recieved an F is because they protected Getsy enough against N.C. State to win the ball game. They need to be consistent because they show that they can block well on certain plays giving Getsy all-day to throw but on the next play they'll mis an assignment.DL: CThey haven't really gotten much pressure on the QB and they have yet to dominate the line of scrimmage since the N.C. State game. Nate Robinson has played well but he needs to work harder in the off-season next year, because I feel like he doesn't play hard every play and he gets dominated when he doesn't. Kiki and Jermaine have been average at best and they had recieved alot of hype from us going into this season and they just haven't ived up to it. There has yet to be a game where I feel bad for the opposing teams QB because he's getting beat up all game. Cecchetti hasn't played bad either but once again hasn't dominated or been consistently beating his man. They need to turn up the heat on the QB if the defense is going to be effective.LB: CAs well they haven't been consistently good. They have blown some coverages and haven't pressured the QB as much as I expected. As well there have been too many arm tackles and hits where they aren't wrapping up. They need to get back to the fundamentals of tackling and that will solidify the middle for us.DB: B-Now you may be thinking "B- are you crazy", yes "B-" and the reason is that there have been breakdowns in coverage, but when the recieverss have all day to run their routes then run scramble drill it's tough to be a solid defensive backfield. Andre Jones has played very well and will be a great DB in years to come. Chevin Pace being out really doesn't matter much because he doesn't tackle well at all and that's kind of an important part of playing safety. Tate was burned pretty bad against Can't and really hasn't shown much. I still give our DB's the benefit of the doubt and if our DL and LB's can put more pressure on the QB they'll make some plays. ST: COur kicking game has been piss poor and Igor needs to come back or our future won't be looking too bright. Punting has not been terrible, I can't tell you how many times I thought Stec was going to get blocked and he somehow gets it off. But on the bright side of ST's is our kick return game... thanks Harvey.With all that said I don't feel it's a lack of talent or ability with our team but rather a lack of consistently good play. I also believe that if this team gets a chip on their shoulder and realizes that everybody now thinks last year a fluke and they got lucky. Go out there and play the way the can, and they'll win out, BUT only if they do it CONSISTENTLY!!!

[Z-P]

Doc, more of us would come in (as you well know) but with this crappy schedule this year many of us haven't been able to see enough action to bring a take.Isn't that a pitiful thing to say?ILFSITFYou guys had better bring in a representative Apple Pie or you're on report to Auntie Barb!

[Quickzips]

Am I the only one a little curious to see JD add a "Coaching" section to those grades? Maybe it is just me but I'd like to see how he feels about his own performance. Maybe I'm getting a little annoying with this but I think we've been pretty clearly outcoached a couple times this year (granted JD and staff wiped Amato's behind) praticularly at Can't State. Lets not forget that a big part of what got LO fired was losing to Can't (once).

[GP1]

Lets not forget that a big part of what got LO fired was losing to Can't (once).

Losing to Can't in the Devine Intervention game of 2003 did not lose Owens his job. 40 wins in 9 years lost him his job.

[scooter]

I agree with most of the grading on the board; However, I think you guys are way off on the TE position. Kris has not done well this year and merce is probably dropping more balls than Kris. We need to get Doug Fife or Jose in there. Fife looked good in the intrasquad games and I've been told from players on the team that he should be playing. TE coach wants his own guys in there and that is why Fife isn't playing. Don't know enough about Jose to make a decision about his abilities.Kris and Merce are not helping Getsy, so why not see what these other guys can do. It can't get any worse!

[Ballingirl]

I agree with most of the grading, especially on the fact that Brookhart doesn't say anything about the coaching. He said they had some mistakes, but that's about it. He told the team in meetings that they haven't had confidence in this year's team. When you start a season off with a coaching staff that, to the team, admittedly doesn't have confidence, how do you expect the team to PLAY with confidence? There has been consistent bad play calling. Am I the only one that saw, on 3rd and 26 at Cinci, a pitch to Kennedy was called? He has averaged like 3 yards every time he has the ball? 3 yards isn't going to do much on 3rd and 26. That's coaching right there. And I admit, the defense hasn't lived up to the hype so far, but they have been on the field most of every game. It's hard to play that much and not get worn down. By the second half, those boys are exhausted. I am looking for Kiki and Jermaine to bring in a total of 4 sacks against Miami, and the defense as a whole are going to be racking up the tackles and TFLs. TEs have had some dropped balls, but they need more chances. I would to a coaching staff and a QB that USE their TEs. Kris K. was on the mark every time last year, but he has hardly had a chance to show his stuff again this year. We constantly go to Kennedy and Jabari. Defenses can read our plays like a textbook. They know what's coming before they get on the line. Mix up the playcalling, and we will be the comeback team that we were known as last year, even if it doesn't take us all the way this year!