Football

It seemed like the coaching staff was pleased with Nate Robinson’s progress this spring.

He looked slimmer, too.

However, the post-spring depth chart shows Wallace Pendleton as the starting nose tackle. That’s the biggest surprise in the new depth chart.

There is still no decision at quarterback. All three candidates are tied for the race. Place kicker also is up in the air.

You can compare the old and new depth chart (Post-spring Depth Chart PDF) or just read below as I have outlined the other changes…

Offense:
There is no third-string running back listed. It formerly was Bryant McMillon.

Casey Estrada moved from third-string left tackle to second-string right tackle.

Jason Sekinger moved from backup right tackle to third-string right guard.

Mike Ward moved from backup center to starting left guard.

Elliott Bates moved from backup left guard to backup center.

Garrett Brewster moved from starting left guard to backup left guard.

Joe Tuzze has moved up to a tie for the starting fullback job with Joe McDaniel.

Defense:

Mitchell Magloire took the backup defensive end job from Craig Truax, who was injured this spring.

Shawn Lemon moved to second-string defensive tackle, rather than Nick Legger.

Amin Kabir advanced to second-string bandit.

Brandon Anderson is the new starting strong safety. Chevin Pace will back him up.

Davanzo Tate beat out Anderson for one cornerback spot. Rodney Etienne will back him up.

Jose Cruz is the new backup to Brian Flaherty at long snapper.

Football

I’m hearing Luke Getsy will sign with San Francisco today.

The 49ers have Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer and Shaun Hill at quarterback already, but it’s possible the former Zips signal caller could beat out the latter.

If true, Getsy will join Mike Nori, Akron former tight ends coach who is now an offensive assistant under coach Mike Nolan.

Football

Andy Alleman became antsy as soon as Dallas and New Orleans traded out of the second round.

The former Zips guard had visited both teams in the past few weeks. Their hospitality made Alleman believe they were two of his most likely suitors.

“There was a lot of tension in the room,” Alleman said.

As the third round progressed, Alleman became more and more worried he could plummet to the fourth round.

At about 10:45, a New Orleans coach called Alleman to tell him the news. He would be the Saints’ pick at No. 88 overall.

“To hear my name was a big relief,” Alleman said. “It feels great.”

As one might expect, the Alleman household became flooded with tears.

“I broke down when they called,” he said. “It was very emotional.”

Within minutes after ESPN announced the pick, Alleman’s phone went berserk with about 17 text messages, he estimated.

“It was frantic,” Alleman said. “It was a bit of a blur.”

Alleman will report to rookie camp in two weeks. Knowing the time between the draft and camp would be hectic, he bought a new car ahead of time. I think he said it was a Lexus, making Alleman one of the league’s few linemen not driving a truck or SUV.

It might be a blessing that the Saints don’t expect Alleman to start right away. They have solid starters in Jamal Nesbit and Jahri Evans. It should give the former Zip time to acclimate himself to the NFL before Nesbit hits free agency next season.

Golf

Akron placed second in the FirstEnergy Intercollegiate at Firestone Country Club, just one stroke back of Eastern Kentucky.

It was the Zips’ best finish in their home event, and they topped several MAC teams. That should give them momentum heading into next week’s conference tournament.

Colin Clemente finished in fourth place at even par. Blake Sattler, Ryan Gutowski and Brad Wright were close behind.

I’m really rooting for the team to bring home an unexpected MAC title next weekend.

Football

Rivals.com reports Akron has offered scholarships to six more players…

Julian Harrell, wide receiver, Harrisburg, Pa.
Offers: Akron, Buffalo and Miami
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 210
Speed: 4.55
Notes: Harrell seems like a fairly heady player. He told Rivals he wanted to play at several schools because they run a pass-dominant offense. His No. 1 target is Georgia Tech, but the Yellow Jackets have not offered yet. Michigan, Pittsburgh and Tennessee also could offer, Harrell says.
Likelihood: Of his current offers, Harrell knows most about Miami. He doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to make a decision. Reading his quotes, however, a BCS offer would lure him away from the MAC. Likelihood is low.

Mike Shanahan, wide receiver, North Huntingdon, Pa.
Offers: Akron and West Virginia
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200
Speed: 4.8
Notes: The all-conference player looks like a possession receiver. There’s not much more I can find on him. Nothing leads me to believe he is related to the Broncos head coach, although that would help the Zips’ chances considering J.D. Brookhart formerly worked for Denver.
Likelihood: Going against a perennial top-25 program will be difficult. Possible offers from Pittsburgh and Penn State could complicate things. Shanahan is probably not coming to Akron.

Justin Virbitsky, tight end, Jermyn, Pa.
Offers: Akron and Buffalo
Height: 6-5
Weight: 251
Speed: 5.0
Notes: Virbitsky sent a highlight tape to Akron’s coaches and received a scholarship offer just a few days later. He has made unofficial visits to Connecticut, Penn State and Boston College. Virbitsky is from the same high school as current Zips running back Joe Tuzze.
Likelihood: Virbitsky likes that Akron was the first to offer. Having a familiar face on the team is another plus, he said. I’d say there’s a good chance he’ll be a Zip.

James Searcy, defensive end, Newnan, Ga.
Offers: Akron and Troy
Height: 6-3
Weight: 255
Speed: 4.68
Notes: I watched a highlight video of Searcy. He looked like a high-motor player who excels at pass rushing. Given his speed and the Zips’ 3-3-5 defense, Searcy might fit in best as a linebacker.
Likelihood: Searcy said Florida State is close to offering. It doesn’t help that he wants to play in a 4-3 defense. Still, he says he likes Akron. It’s possible he’ll come north.

Tyrell Harris, cornerback, Harrisburg, Pa.
Offers: Akron and Syracuse
Height: 6-2
Weight: 194
Speed: 4.44
Notes: He has a great combination of speed and size — a combination no current Zips defensive back possesses. Harris plans to visit Akron. He says his leaders are Notre Dame and Georgia Tech, but those schools haven’t offered yet.
Likelihood: In the stories I’ve read about Harris, he hasn’t said a thing about Akron. That’s not good. Likelihood low.

Cameron Saddler, athlete, Monroeville, Pa.
Offers: Akron, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Syracuse, Temple and North Carolina
Height: 5-6
Weight: 153
Speed: 4.4
Notes: If Saddler was taller, he would be one of the nation’s top cornerbacks. His athleticism still intrigues a handful of BCS schools. He projects as a returner in college, but coaches will want him on the field however they can.
Likelihood: Michigan is close to offering. Saddler lists Virginia and Pittsburgh as his favorites, but the Wolverines will leapfrog them. It would take a miracle for Akron to land this electifying athlete. Likelihood is very low.

Football

Andy Alleman gave some great quotes to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

It’s worth reading.

It looks like the Saints are stockpiling Ohio’s college players. After grabbing Tennessee’s Robert Meachem with their first rounder, New Orleans took Kent State’s Usama Young, Alleman and then Ohio State’s Antonio Pittman.

I think they took Young too early, yet got a steal with Pittman in the fourth round. Alleman went just about where I expected him to fall.

Football

Andy Alleman is far from your typical party animal.

For the first time, I saw him out on the town trying to celebrate the fact that he’s a third-round NFL draft pick. To be honest, I’m not sure if he was consuming alcoholic beverages. I don’t think he was.

Bottom line: It’s good to see a guy who works so hard get something he deserves.

Football

Andy Alleman is heading to the NFC finalist New Orleans Saints to play on the same line as former Brown Jeff Faine.

The Saints took him 88th overall, making him the fourth-highest Akron player ever drafted, behind Jason Taylor, Charlie Frye and Dwight Smith.

I am going to give him a call sometime tonight to get his reaction for you guys.

Football

The ABJ’s Terry Pluto writes that the Joe Thomas selection will help Charlie Frye, whether he’s a backup or starter in 2007.

He also mentions the sizable hole at right guard, where Akron’s Andy Alleman might fit in.

I’m still skeptical the Browns will use a third rounder on Alleman after using the first two picks (and one from next year) on the passing game and protection.

I hoped that Frye would get a more fair shake at starting for the Browns, but it doesn’t appear that way. As an acquaintance of Frye and Browns fan, I’m hoping he gets traded for a third rounder, increasing the probability Alleman stays in northeast Ohio.

Best case scenario, of course, is that Frye wins the job and performs admirably enough to make him a more tradable asset (See Philip Rivers/Drew Brees in 2006).

Football

The Browns traded up to select a free-falling Brady Quinn at No. 22 overall in the NFL Draft.

That has to be bad news for Charlie Frye and the Browns, since they gave up this year’s second round pick and next year’s first rounder.

It’s a lopsided deal, and Phil Savage better pray Quinn is a Pro Bowler or else this trade is a travesty. Think about what the Browns just did…

They traded a high second rounder this year and a high first rounder next year (presumably) for a quarterback whom many don’t even consider the franchise variety. That’s awful.

Of course, it probably means the end of Frye’s starting career with Cleveland.

If you’re wondering how this affects Andy Alleman, I think it makes it even less likely the Browns will go offense again to select an offensive guard.