Still no starting QB

[ZachTheZip]

http://www.ohio.com/sports/9144481.htmlAn article I saw on the front page of the sports section about our QB situation. I think we'll be fine with whomever makes it, but I think one will transfer when it happens. We will have to adjust the offense to better suit each QB's talents, but it's not that big of a problem. I think you'll see a lot of running. "Run the ball, stop the run" will be our motto this year.

[Dr Z]

I'm not sure what JD is doing, flip the coin already. Zips still wait to hear choice for quarterbackNo clear passing leader emerges after a week of preseason practiceBy David Lee Morgan Jr. Beacon Journal sportswriterPublished on Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007A week into preseason camp for the University of Akron football team and STILL no decision on who is the No. 1 quarterback.With the season-opener against Army at Cleveland Browns Stadium less than three weeks away, one would think that the quarterback scenario would have played itself out by now. But it hasn't.Zips coach J.D. Brookhart isn't concerned, even though ideally he was hoping to have the starter named after the first week of preseason drills.''We're not pressed for that at all,'' Brookhart said. ''As long as we're having guys going through their ups and downs and working those things out, we'll be OK.''Sophomores Carlton Jackson and Chris Jacquemain and true freshman Matt Rodgers are all getting equal reps in practice. Jackson, theoretically, has a slight edge, mainly because he was the backup to Luke Getsy last season. But describing Jackson as a backup is somewhat misleading when you consider he appeared in only four games and attempted and completed one pass for 2 yards.As much as he has stayed with the company line, making sure he says all the right things when it comes to being a team player, Jackson wants the starting job.He's not frustrated somewhere between anxious and mystified.''Who wouldn't be?'' asked Jackson, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound Pompano Beach, Fla., native. ''But we just come out here and do what we can to limit our mistakes. The coaches do a lot of judging on the errors we make and the (bad) decisions we make. Since a decision hasn't been made yet, it gives us more drive to come out and execute. It brings out the best in all of us, and regardless of who becomes the starter, I have faith in the other guys and I know they have faith in me.''Meanwhile, Jacquemain, a 6-2, 210-pound Mentor native, has shown that he is very capable. He has done nothing but impress Brookhart and the staff with his play. And Rodgers, who was recently moved up to the No. 3 spot after redshirt freshman Sean Hakes left the team, has been impressive enough that he has earned valuable snaps.Backs look goodThe Zips have solid and experienced running backs in junior Dennis Kennedy and senior Andre Walker. Redshirt sophomore Alex Allen, who missed all of last season after a knee injury, has rebounded strongly. But junior running back Bryan Williams, a Buchtel High School star, is definitely making a name for himself at the University of Akron. After leaving the University of Pittsburgh to attend Valley Forge (Pa.) Military Academy the past two seasons, where he was a running back and defensive back, he is now solely a running back and is turning heads and catching eyes.During practice on Monday, Williams, who also was an all-state sprinter, had a long run that showcased his speed. Brookhart is high on him.

[skip-zip]

Ya, this sounds familiar. Maybe JD will flip a coin, and then alternate possessions. On the other hand, lets hope he realizes the disadvantages of doing something like that, because the Browns don't see it.

[Roo2]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but does anyone else think the longer JD waits to pick a starter, the more likely it is going to be Rodgers? If he really is doing as well protecting the ball as they say, maybe he should be the guy. We have a ton of running backs, so just build around a ball control style.

[ZachTheZip]

I think you may be right, Roo2. I think he's delaying it because Rodgers is a true freshman, and he wants to give his sophomore QB's the chance to start first since they've "earned" it by being with the team for over two years. I really think that whoever ends up starting will good, regardless of who it is. Just different play styles.

[skip-zip]

If JD was considering anyone other than Jaquemain or Jackson as the starter, Hakes would have never left. So, I don't think that's a possibility at all.

[blueandgold]

If JD was considering anyone other than Jaquemain or Jackson as the starter, Hakes would have never left. So, I don't think that's a possibility at all.

Don't you think that if Roger's had already passed Hakes a week or so ago then he (Hakes) saw the writing on the wall? That's what I read into the Hakes departure and the sudden emergence of Rodgers as a possible starter?

[skip-zip]

blueandgold...you could certainly be right. Maybe all 3 of them had moved ahead of Hakes.

[Zipsrifle]

I too think that Hakes saw that he would be #4. I would think that Rodgers would be at more of a disadvantge here for two reasons. First, as a true Freshman, he is still adjusting to the pace of D1-A college football. Second, he is a true Freshman, and that means if he doesn't get the nod, he could redshirt and have 2 years after Jackson and Jaquemain leave. Does anyone think both CJ's would leave if Rodgers got the nod? Don't want Rodgers to leave if he is this good. I haven't been a practice, but if it's that close, and nobody is courting Rodgers, I would see if he would want to Redshirt!

[RACER]

i think actually if it's close then you start the true freshman.the other guys have been in the program for two years already.if they were that much better it would have shown in practice.the first game will be on freindly turf,and against a team that we can beat.it would be perfect opening game before going to the shoe.if we redshirt him and does have an injury you lose him for a year.it's not like any of the other guys have any game experince either.all of them are green.it would be nice to see a qb for four more years at akron.i give jd credit for not hitting the panic button.it would be easy to name a starter just to do it.

[johnnyzip84]

All this talk about Rodgers is very intriguing. It made me try to think of the last TRUE freshmen to start a game for the Zips at QB. Was Willie Spencer (Massillon) a true FR? Or do we have to go back to Brian Magrell (Green)?Back on subject, I think Rodgers would need to clearly beat out the other two, not only in the coaches mind's, but also in the bulk of the players mind's as well, in order for him to have a good chance at leading the team effectively.

[Buckzip]

Didn't Mark Friday start as a true Freshman?

[74ZIP]

hey folks...obviously those wo picked Hakes....well...CJ had a REALLY poor TUDE last year...hopefully JD is trying to find out if he has any GUTS...if CJ bails because he doesn't get what he wants...good riddance...if he works to get the starters job everybody is better off...

[Buckzip]

I would be extremely surprised to see a true freshman start at QB fro UA.However, it he is equal to the other 2 then I would do it. Only because it could mean his upside is better.We could really freak out the Indiana fans if the freshman played.They used to have a QB named Matt Rogers too. IIRC he was pretty good.