QB in 2008

[johnnyzip84]

Now that CJ7 is reportedly leaving the program, there has already been some discussion on others threads about what we might expect to see next year at QB. Rogers seems to be a strong possibility since not many of us have a lot of confidence in CJ11. I was just looking on Scout.com and I noticed that verbal commit Jordan Miller from New Philly is now rated a 3 star with a position ranking of 45. Does anyone know much about this kid's game, and is there even a CHANCE that he might get to play as a true freshmen?

[Zip_ME87]

I don't know anything about Jordan Miller, but I think Akron teams shouldn't be concerned with red-shirting players. In my opinion, our teams should start the players that give us the best chance of winning regardless of what year they're in. Winning should be the #1 priority every year. Our coaches should have confidence that they can recruit the players that they need for the next years to come. Only when we start winning consistently and are loaded with talent should we be concerned with red-shirting.

[johnnyzip84]

Doing a little research on my own, it looks like this kid (Miller) has good size and strength (played some D-line in HS), but will probably not offer a whole lot of mobility.Jordan Miller's SR Stats

[Dkid24]

They should start Rodgers he was lights out in high school. He can make all the throws, he is a very smart kid and has his head on right do the right thing Brookhart and start the kid.Enough Said.

[ZachTheZip]

I would redshirt Miller, without any regrets. Rodgers seems to be the way to go, and at the very least he has had a year with the program already. CJ11 is a capable backup QB, as he can start fast off the bench for a limited time before he starts getting crappy. Remember that CJ always started games looking good before we devolved into crap.

[akronad]

I agree about devolvong into crap. But, was it all CJ's fault? Or was it the offensive plays and schemes that were or werre not called by the offensive coordinator the culprit? As I said many times b4, I was not and am not a fan of either CJ.JD put himself into this pickle and now it looks as though it is going to be difficult for him to get out from under.Remember b4 the season started that there appeared to be qb controversy and JD suuposedly put it all in prospective by naming CJ11 as the starter and allowing CJ7 to play a series in the 2nd quarter. JD even mentioned that nothing good comes out of a qb controversy. Well he was right with that assessment. Regardless of who he started heand the coaching staff needed to show either CJ that they had the confidence in him to run the team. We never saw that with either qb. JD needs to make a decision and stick with it rather than flip-flopping.

[Buckzip]

I agree about devolvong into crap. But, was it all CJ's fault? Or was it the offensive plays and schemes that were or werre not called by the offensive coordinator the culprit? As I said many times b4, I was not and am not a fan of either CJ.JD put himself into this pickle and now it looks as though it is going to be difficult for him to get out from under.Remember b4 the season started that there appeared to be qb controversy and JD suuposedly put it all in prospective by naming CJ11 as the starter and allowing CJ7 to play a series in the 2nd quarter. JD even mentioned that nothing good comes out of a qb controversy. Well he was right with that assessment. Regardless of who he started heand the coaching staff needed to show either CJ that they had the confidence in him to run the team. We never saw that with either qb. JD needs to make a decision and stick with it rather than flip-flopping.

"Devolving into crap" LOL

[Zip_ME87]

Regardless of who he started he and the coaching staff needed to show either CJ that they had the confidence in him to run the team. We never saw that with either qb. JD needs to make a decision and stick with it rather than flip-flopping.

How about the selected QB showing that he is worthy of being the one to "run the team"? Nether CJ showed that maturity once given the job.

[RACER]

i think it would be almost impossible to have a true freshmen start at qb.im not saying it does not happen,but you do not see it to much.it took charlie a redshirt year,and he was probably the best qb we ever had.mike johnson was a jc,and getsy was a transfer.jd better hope that rogers is alott better than cj.the only other things that may help us if cj is the starting qb is the kid from miami- rb is a stud,harvey,lindesy come back.no matter who the qb is they would have alot of weapons.other than that jd is in trouble if rogers is not alott better than cj.

[RACER]

i wonder since cj7 is leaving would jd go after a jc qb.i would think it would be kind of late in the process to find a solid jc qb ,but i dont see how another high school qb would help next year.

[zipboy]

Good point Racer,A few weeks back Joe Dunn hinted that was what JD was doing - looking for a JUCO QB. To me that makes a lot of sense. Miller looks like a good find, but I have to think that he will redshirt this year. Ideally, we bring in 1 QB per class. With Hakes and CJ7 leaving, we are down to 2QBs, Rodgers and CJ11. Bringing in 2 this year makes sense. While Rodgers may be great, he needs some competiton. Last year to me showed that CJ11 is not the guy. Pinning all of our hopes on Rodgers is too scary. He may get hurt, he may struggle, etc. Bringing in a quality JUCO QB will be the most important recruit this year along with 1 good WR.

[zipboy]

Good point Racer,A few weeks back Joe Dunn hinted that was what JD was doing - looking for a JUCO QB. To me that makes a lot of sense. Miller looks like a good find, but I have to think that he will redshirt this year. Ideally, we bring in 1 QB per class. With Hakes and CJ7 leaving, we are down to 2QBs, Rodgers and CJ11. Bringing in 2 this year makes sense. While Rodgers may be great, he needs some competiton. Last year to me showed that CJ11 is not the guy. Pinning all of our hopes on Rodgers is too scary. He may get hurt, he may struggle, etc. Bringing in a quality JUCO QB will be the most important recruit this year along with 1 good WR.

[Big Zip]

I'm wondering why nobody has ever commented when I point out there were weeks when CJ11 put up big numbers and lots of points and then the next would do nothing (ala the Miami game) if he was the only problem. There were times when he played well and I believe the biggest problem is the offensive coordinator -- the problem is we appear to be going into 2008 with the same offensive coordinator. I'm not giving up on CJ11 yet, but I am done with this offensive coordinator. All year long all I read was how CJ7 was the man and why wasn't he playing -- he finally got into a game and he was the worst QB I've seen here in a long time. Do you recall he single handedly lost the Miami game? On top of all of this if the new golden boy of the board Rodgers was so good how come he didn't beat out CJ11 last year. What makes you think he can do it this year.

[plowerman78]

i say bring in terrell pryor even though he is going to commit to ohio state today, i still say get him to decommit to akron, i mean geez we run the spread here so it wouldnt be a change in offense for him.

[Blue & Gold]

I'm wondering why nobody has ever commented when I point out there were weeks when CJ11 put up big numbers and lots of points and then the next would do nothing (ala the Miami game) if he was the only problem. There were times when he played well and I believe the biggest problem is the offensive coordinator -- the problem is we appear to be going into 2008 with the same offensive coordinator. I'm not giving up on CJ11 yet, but I am done with this offensive coordinator. All year long all I read was how CJ7 was the man and why wasn't he playing -- he finally got into a game and he was the worst QB I've seen here in a long time. Do you recall he single handedly lost the Miami game? On top of all of this if the new golden boy of the board Rodgers was so good how come he didn't beat out CJ11 last year. What makes you think he can do it this year.

I don't feel qualified to comment much about the OC. But I can say that generally I found our play calling to be vanilla, boring, predictable and quite underdeveloped. Watching the Zips O-playcalling last season was often like watching a high school game; about 6-8 bread-n-butter plays that are called and re-called perpetually (even if they've been consistently stuffed all game long.) I know that football fans in NEO are quite sophisticated and want to see much more creativity and execution at the D-1 college level. However, concerning Rogers not winning the starting job last season, I believe there are at least two reasons why: 1) rarely does a true freshman start at this level (personally, I don't ever remember a true freshman QB starting for the Zips) and 2) I remember hearing on this board that Rogers, for some reason, had a sore elbow last fall and it really limited the reps he got in practice. So I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that Rogers is truly a D-1 caliber QB (unlike either CJ) and that that makes all the difference in our ability to open up the offense.

[GP1]

The one thing I remember the most about listening to sports radio in NE Ohio was listening to Brenda talk about the mentality of NE Ohio sports fans. He always talked about them living in a constant state of wanting to build something; when in fact, they needed to stop the endless cycle of building and start winning. If a coach doesn't win in two years, fire the coach, tear it all down and rebuild. If that coach doesn't win in two years, do the same thing again. Etc., etc., etc. That gets me to my point.If Akron can get their hands on a JUCO QB that is immediately better than CJ11, they should get him. I'll say the same thing about the Zips as I said about the Browns after Week 1 (I'm not even a Browns fan). The Browns had too many good players on that team to be as bad as they were Week 1. All they needed was a QB change that could take advantage of the talent on the team. With that one change, the Browns went from a team in endless building mode to a playoff contender and one that can see some hope. Welcome to the big leagues Browns...we'll see if you can keep it up.I'll say the same thing about the Zips. There is too much talent on that team to wait for a freshman QB (CJ11) to maybe or maybe not develop and lead the team to a championship down the road at some point maybe. Please don't anyone get hyper-sensitive over about what I am about to type, but we went down the exact same road with Frye and I don't want to go down that road again. His first two seasons, the team went 4-7. Season three, they load up on two horrible I-AA teams and went 7-5 (5-5 against I-A teams). A lot of you got all tweedlefluttered after that season, but basically they got Owens fired after that season (See the sports section fromt he ABJ, November 17, 2003 and you will see a guy, Mike Thomas, who completely understood how bad the team was and how unimpressive that record was. Actually, see the quote at the bottom of this post.). Season four, without putting Biggs in the starting lineup, that team goes 3-8 or 4-7 again. With Biggs, they go 6-5 with a shot at the championship game until losing to that QB machine Betts from Miami the last game (I can't believe I typed that even jokingly. By the way, Betts has a Super Bowl ring. God, that makes my head hurt). The following year, with Biggs and a QB that didn't fold in big games, they win six games and win the conference. Miracle, no. Nothing happens by chance.Certainly most of you watched a lot of football this holiday season. I would hope that all of you now know what I have been saying for years on this board. It all starts with the QB. Teams with good QBs win...teams with bad QBs don't win. CJ7 wasn't the answer I though he would be, but I also don't think CJ11 is the answer either. At least I'm not willing to wait for CJ11. We need a seasoned QB to come in here and win games.Stop building, start winning. There is talent on the team that needs to be utilized. The OL was good, the TEs were good, the running backs were the best pair ever, the guys on defense are talented but playing in that horrible 3-3-5 defense. The only thing lacking is the QB. Let's get someone at QB that can take advantage of the talent that is there. This is season five for JD. It is a make or break season regardless of whether or not there is a new stadium. The new stadium is insignificant to what has to happen next year. He needs to win next year. The question is also, do you people want to win or do you just want to continue the endless building?Quote by Mike Thomas: "Even in winning seven games this season, I did not believe the program was on the right path for long-term success," Thomas said. "We were 5-5 against Divisioin I-A opponents with 17 starters returning, including 11 on offense, with the easiest schedule in the conference and possibly the easiest schedule in the country for a Division I-A program." ABJ, November 17, 2003, by David Lee Morgan Jr. Everyone should read this article so you understand everything that was wrong with the program then. Mike Thomas was the only person in the program at the time who had a clue as to how bad they were. The players' quotes show how absolutely clueless they were.

[Lee Adams]

The one thing I remember the most about listening to sports radio in NE Ohio was listening to Brenda talk about the mentality of NE Ohio sports fans. He always talked about them living in a constant state of wanting to build something; when in fact, they needed to stop the endless cycle of building and start winning. If a coach doesn't win in two years, fire the coach, tear it all down and rebuild. If that coach doesn't win in two years, do the same thing again. Etc., etc., etc. That gets me to my point.If Akron can get their hands on a JUCO QB that is immediately better than CJ11, they should get him. I'll say the same thing about the Zips as I said about the Browns after Week 1 (I'm not even a Browns fan). The Browns had too many good players on that team to be as bad as they were Week 1. All they needed was a QB change that could take advantage of the talent on the team. With that one change, the Browns went from a team in endless building mode to a playoff contender and one that can see some hope. Welcome to the big leagues Browns...we'll see if you can keep it up.I'll say the same thing about the Zips. There is too much talent on that team to wait for a freshman QB (CJ11) to maybe or maybe not develop and lead the team to a championship down the road at some point maybe. Please don't anyone get hyper-sensitive over about what I am about to type, but we went down the exact same road with Frye and I don't want to go down that road again. His first two seasons, the team went 4-7. Season three, they load up on two horrible I-AA teams and went 7-5 (5-5 against I-A teams). A lot of you got all tweedlefluttered after that season, but basically they got Owens fired after that season (See the sports section fromt he ABJ, November 17, 2003 and you will see a guy, Mike Thomas, who completely understood how bad the team was and how unimpressive that record was. Actually, see the quote at the bottom of this post.). Season four, without putting Biggs in the starting lineup, that team goes 3-8 or 4-7 again. With Biggs, they go 6-5 with a shot at the championship game until losing to that QB machine Betts from Miami the last game (I can't believe I typed that even jokingly. By the way, Betts has a Super Bowl ring. God, that makes my head hurt). The following year, with Biggs and a QB that didn't fold in big games, they win six games and win the conference. Miracle, no. Nothing happens by chance.Certainly most of you watched a lot of football this holiday season. I would hope that all of you now know what I have been saying for years on this board. It all starts with the QB. Teams with good QBs win...teams with bad QBs don't win. CJ7 wasn't the answer I though he would be, but I also don't think CJ11 is the answer either. At least I'm not willing to wait for CJ11. We need a seasoned QB to come in here and win games.Stop building, start winning. There is talent on the team that needs to be utilized. The OL was good, the TEs were good, the running backs were the best pair ever, the guys on defense are talented but playing in that horrible 3-3-5 defense. The only thing lacking is the QB. Let's get someone at QB that can take advantage of the talent that is there. This is season five for JD. It is a make or break season regardless of whether or not there is a new stadium. The new stadium is insignificant to what has to happen next year. He needs to win next year. The question is also, do you people want to win or do you just want to continue the endless building?Quote by Mike Thomas: "Even in winning seven games this season, I did not believe the program was on the right path for long-term success," Thomas said. "We were 5-5 against Divisioin I-A opponents with 17 starters returning, including 11 on offense, with the easiest schedule in the conference and possibly the easiest schedule in the country for a Division I-A program." ABJ, November 17, 2003, by David Lee Morgan Jr. Everyone should read this article so you understand everything that was wrong with the program then. Mike Thomas was the only person in the program at the time who had a clue as to how bad they were. The players' quotes show how absolutely clueless they were.

this doesn't mean thomas,who is no longer here was THE ONLY ONE who realized the problems, he was the one who had stepped in to the job and wanted to lower expectations, like all good politicians do...plenty of us...you and i knew also...wasn't like it was rocket science...course thomas ain't here...we have had 2 losing seasons in a row...so what's wrong now?

[Z.I.P.]

I believe the biggest problem is the offensive coordinator -- the problem is we appear to be going into 2008 with the same offensive coordinator. I'm not giving up on CJ11 yet, but I am done with this offensive coordinator.

Amen to that brother!I have to believe that sitting pat on the hand Akron holds is a sign that the crew in charge fail to understand just how poor the team -- meaning the offensive attack (Nike once had a hiking boot called the Noatak -- it was named after JD Brookhart's offense) was in 2007. It reminds me of the Cleveland Cavaliers failing to bring in anyone to help LBJ before this season. The lack of offensive performance shows the team must bring in a leader with some imagination to call plays -- BUT that is not the only problem with the offense, and I believe the biggest problem is the underperformance of the blockers and the blocking schemes. This team has some great young players on its offensive line -- and they should be able to manhandle opposing lines, at least in the MAC. So, yes, bring in a OC with proven ability either at the BCS level, or from a lower level. But we have also got to find someone who can teach the kids on the line how to block. QB is a key position in college FB, but by itself, a quarterback cannot win games. We need to upgrade the whole team and program, and should rely on the strengths we have. The O-line is the area of the team that has the most potential for improvement, and can be what leads Akron to a bowl season in 2008. Go Zips!

[zipboy]

I agree that the OC was part of the problem last year. But I don't see JD bringing in a new coordinator at this point. If he did, the guy would be fairly unproven. So does JD take the reigns back over?

[Zips Win!]

I believe the biggest problem is the offensive coordinator -- the problem is we appear to be going into 2008 with the same offensive coordinator. I'm not giving up on CJ11 yet, but I am done with this offensive coordinator.

Amen to that brother!I have to believe that sitting pat on the hand Akron holds is a sign that the crew in charge fail to understand just how poor the team -- meaning the offensive attack (Nike once had a hiking boot called the Noatak -- it was named after JD Brookhart's offense) was in 2007. It reminds me of the Cleveland Cavaliers failing to bring in anyone to help LBJ before this season. The lack of offensive performance shows the team must bring in a leader with some imagination to call plays -- BUT that is not the only problem with the offense, and I believe the biggest problem is the underperformance of the blockers and the blocking schemes. This team has some great young players on its offensive line -- and they should be able to manhandle opposing lines, at least in the MAC. So, yes, bring in a OC with proven ability either at the BCS level, or from a lower level. But we have also got to find someone who can teach the kids on the line how to block. QB is a key position in college FB, but by itself, a quarterback cannot win games. We need to upgrade the whole team and program, and should rely on the strengths we have. The O-line is the area of the team that has the most potential for improvement, and can be what leads Akron to a bowl season in 2008. Go Zips!

Blame the offensive coordinator all you want.....If he had just an average qb to work with we win 6 games...Better than average--we win 7-8.Find a quarterback now, even if it means bringing in a JUCO....(although 15 years in to our MAC affiliation, I continue to be befuddled on why a good Ohio high school quarterback wouldn't choose to play for the Zips with an opportunity to start for 4 years, but they don't.)

[Lee Adams]

I believe the biggest problem is the offensive coordinator -- the problem is we appear to be going into 2008 with the same offensive coordinator. I'm not giving up on CJ11 yet, but I am done with this offensive coordinator.

Amen to that brother!I have to believe that sitting pat on the hand Akron holds is a sign that the crew in charge fail to understand just how poor the team -- meaning the offensive attack (Nike once had a hiking boot called the Noatak -- it was named after JD Brookhart's offense) was in 2007. It reminds me of the Cleveland Cavaliers failing to bring in anyone to help LBJ before this season. The lack of offensive performance shows the team must bring in a leader with some imagination to call plays -- BUT that is not the only problem with the offense, and I believe the biggest problem is the underperformance of the blockers and the blocking schemes. This team has some great young players on its offensive line -- and they should be able to manhandle opposing lines, at least in the MAC. So, yes, bring in a OC with proven ability either at the BCS level, or from a lower level. But we have also got to find someone who can teach the kids on the line how to block. QB is a key position in college FB, but by itself, a quarterback cannot win games. We need to upgrade the whole team and program, and should rely on the strengths we have. The O-line is the area of the team that has the most potential for improvement, and can be what leads Akron to a bowl season in 2008. Go Zips!

if we see the OC as a problem don't you think good 'ol JD also can see that?...and if so don't you think IF he wants to stay at Akron he would make the change?...JD is ultimately responsible for the play calling...IF he had a big problem with it during the season wouldn't one assume HE would have made some changes...apparently he doesn't have a huge problem with the play calling or the change would have been made...OR the play calling wasn't the real problem!!!

[uafan]

Blame the offensive coordinator all you want.....If he had just an average qb to work with we win 6 games...Better than average--we win 7-8.Find a quarterback now, even if it means bringing in a JUCO....(although 15 years in to our MAC affiliation, I continue to be befuddled on why a good Ohio high school quarterback wouldn't choose to play for the Zips with an opportunity to start for 4 years, but they don't.).........................Let me say a couple of things here...I'm not sure JD would know a good HS QB if he saw one. There was a kid from SW Ohio a couple of years ago that was All-ohio first team D-1. 6'3", 205#, once threw 8 TD passes in one game. JD said that he didn't like the way the kid threw. Oh, wait a minute...he was from SW Ohio. JD doesn't recruit there. Now, if the kid was from California or Florida, JD would have jumped all over the kid!

[gozips19]

who was the kid and what school did he end up at? and if you want J.D. to recruit a top ohio qb look no further than Miller this year although i'd like to see them make another run at Britt (haven't heard anything about it yet).

[uafan]

who was the kid and what school did he end up at? and if you want J.D. to recruit a top ohio qb look no further than Miller this year although i'd like to see them make another run at Britt (haven't heard anything about it yet).Name was Horner. Not sure where he ended up.

[anth10]

Miller is ranked third best pro style qb in the state of Ohio. Here is highlights of his teamate wr Bryant Mcknight. Miller is in about 95% of the video.http://www.scoutingohio.com/Bryant_McNight...hiladelphia.htm