Football

The situation: Akron’s quarterback situation has always been fairly stable. Ever since Charlie Frye won the job his freshman year, Zips fans could count on a proven entity. Even two years ago, when Luke Getsy and Jabari Arthur battled for the position, the prevailing thought was that converting the latter to wide receiver would serve more team needs. Getsy, also, was a BCS recruit who nearly won the starting job at Pitt.

Three signal callers are in play this fall. They are sophomores Carlton Jackson and Chris Jacquemain and freshman Sean Hakes. Although Jackson finished last season as No. 2 behind Getsy, Zips coaches publicly say it’s a wide-open job, and it almost certainly will come down to performance during preseason camp, which begins Monday.

The question: Which quarterback fits best into the Zips offensive philosophy?

Discussion: From what I can tell, the talent is not that much different. There are different skills, however. Each player possesses running ability, but in different ways. Jackson is a speedster. Jacquemain has the field vision. Hakes is more physical and doesn’t mind trucking over a tackler.

Each can throw the ball, too, but in different ways. Jackson has a strong arm and showed off his deep ball in his only pass last season. Jacquemain appears to be a great fit for a team with a lot of possession receivers. Hakes likes to throw on the run. But like I said, the real question is which quarterback fits in best with the team’s strategy, which is to run the ball and rely on the pass defense to keep the game close.

Now you have to factor in an inexperience offensive line. Due to a lack of healthy quarterbacks and a more pressing concern to better the run blocking, J.D. Brookhart focused on moving the ball on the ground during the spring. It appears the line will be able to block at least adequately for Dennis Kennedy and Alex Allen.

The line’s progression at pass blocking, however, may very well sway the coaching staff from one quarterback to another. Here’s what I’m talking about … Jackson needs a good line. At only 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, he could be one solid sack from an injury. That isn’t so important for Hakes, who is more in the mold of Frye. He will scramble and looks less brittle than Jackson. Jacquemain is strong, too, but prefers pocket passing.

There’s also another objective for the Zips’ quarterback: Don’t screw up. The offense’s job isn’t to put up 40 points and 400 yards passing. It’s to let the running game dominate, but also keep the defense from stacking the box. Hakes has shown a propensity for screw ups. His competition has done a little better, but the preseason practices should wipe the slate clean.

Lastly, look at the other personnel on offense. Without David Harvey, there are few, if any, deep threats. That takes away from Jackson’s game.

Prediction: The coaches will use all of these factors to make the decision. The main factor, though, is how the quarterbacks play the next few weeks. Jackson has done nothing to take away his status as the leader at the end of last season. Given the personnel, it might make more sense to have a durable, mistake-free quarterback. If the pass protection falters, that probably works into Hakes’ favor.

I’m embarassed to say I have flip-flopped on this for awhile. I went from Jackson to Hakes to Jacquemain to Jackson again. What do you think?

A new commitment…

Marvase Byrd, cornerback, McKeesport, Pa.
Offers: He chose Akron over offers from West Virginia, Cincinnati, Minnesota and Indiana.
Height: 5-8
Weight: 179
Speed: 4.56
Notes: Usually Akron pulls the coup a few times per recruiting season. This certainly is one. He had an offer from West Virginia — an outstanding football school that has two Heisman Trophy candidates on its roster this season. Why? He wants to play, and he loves Akron’s coaches and campus. Props to Joe Moorhead for reeling him in.

By the way, check out the new Ohio.com if you have a chance. The staff, including Jim Arnold, Val Pipps and Linda Lyell, did a great job optimizing it.

Football

The situation: Akron’s defensive line might be one injury away from a catastrophe. Depth certainly is thin this season. Only three d-linemen on the roster, Eric Lively, Jared Cecchetti and Nate Robinson, have some experience.

Robinson, once the No. 1 prospect in the nation, could not keep his job this spring. Sophomore Wallace Pendleton overtook him at nose tackle. In a way, that’s good news because Akron coaches believe they have a fourth serviceable defensive lineman.

In the spring, a possible fifth lineman emerged in Shawn Lemon. The freshman worked his way onto the depth chart behind Cecchetti. But he’s a lineman closer to the mold of Doug Williams, whom Akron converted to linebacker because he’s not bulky enough to play line in the 3-3-5 defense.

The question: Will a sixth or seventh lineman emerge to lighten the load on the starters and lessen the blow on a potential injury? Also, will the 3-3-5 defense last all season?

Discussion: Akron was OK against the run last season, but the Zips defensive linemen totaled just 7.5 sacks all season. Allowing opposing quarterbacks so much time had two negative results. First, at times it made the Zips’ secondary look worse than it really was. Second, it allowed mobile quarterbacks time to find gaps to run and crippled Akron on third downs.

Mind you, this was with a defensive line that included two future professionals in Kiki Gonzalez (Kansas City Chiefs) and Jermaine Reid (CFL). If the line can’t affect the game with talented, adequately sized players, how will it fare without them?

That brings me to my whacky idea. Can we please ditch the 3-3-5? It’s concealing the true talent on this defense while accentuating a weakness — interior linemen. With a 4-3 defense, which is pretty standard in any level of football, Williams and Lemon could play defensive end. The team would have depth at defensive tackle, but of course, lose some at end.

Prediction: J.D. Brookhart has sworn allegiance to the 3-3-5, and that’s fine. It’s not very feasible to switch during camp anyhow. With any luck, one of the true freshmen will show some ability to adapt to college football sooner than expected. Although I’m convinced Akron would be better served without the 3-3-5, the more important goal for camp is to find another lineman who can play. I think the Zips will.

Tomorrow: Who is the quarterback?

Football

Players report for camp on Aug. 5. They begin practice the next day.

In the week heading up to this momentus occasion, I will address the five burning questions that training camp poses. I hope you readers will chime in with your own assessments and predictions.

Monday – Will any defensive line depth emerge — and can the 3-3-5 defense last the season?
Tuesday – Who is the quarterback?
Wednesday – What incoming freshmen, if any, can make an impact?
Thursday – Can the offensive line gel quickly enough to protect a new quarterback?
Friday – Are there enough playmakers on this team?

Football

Here’s a look at how the MAC teams are faring according to Rivals.com.

Commitments
Miami - 8 (including an outstanding quarterback and a slew of players whom non-BCS schools fought over)
Temple - 8 (with an average rating of 1.67 stars)
Western Michigan - 3 (including tight end Blake Hammond, whom Akron was recruiting)
Eastern Michigan - 2 (including a giant Canadian defensive end, who is a three-star player)
Akron - 1 (not including Kyle Roddenberry, who is not listed yet)
Bowling Green - 1 (an unranked athlete who had no other offers)
Northern Illinois - 1 (an unrated offensive lineman who chose NIU over Central Michigan)
Ball State - 0
Buffalo - 0
Central Michigan - 0
Kent State - 0
Ohio - 0
Toledo - 0

The amount of commitments is not very important. The quality is. Miami is leading in both categories, on its way to another top-half of the MAC recruiting class.

Watch for the announcement about the new stadium, which is coming Wednesday, to nudge some of Akron’s targets into a verbal commitment.

Smooth Danny Kadar broke down two more MAC teams recently. Ohio, he writes, may take a step back. An easy schedule, however, should land the Bobcats in a second-consecutive bowl game. On the other hand, Buffalo has a decent running back and fairly good secondary. The rest of the team is awful.

Akron landed at No. 90 in the list of ESPN.com’s best football programs of the last decade.

Football

Three players tied for the highest rating in the new NCAA Football video game.

Reggie Corner, Brion Stokes and Jabari Arthur each received an 87 rating.

The lowest is player No. 44 with a rating of 51. Player No. 44 is not listed on the roster.

In other news, J.D. Brookhart said he’s not sure David Harvey will be missed. He likes his team’s leadership much more this season so it could be a wash.

Football

By the end of the first week of camp, Akron’s quarterback situation should be a bit clearer.

The team will narrow the three-candidate race to two by then, J.D. Brookhart said during yesterday’s MAC Media Day.

David Lee Morgan’s ABJ story also confirms that David Harvey has left the team due to academic reasons.

I found his quote to be somewhat interesting: “It’s disappointing not having David, but we all have requirements to take care of,” Brookhart said. “Unfortunately, that’s the way it is, and we’re moving on.”

It mirrors what he said during spring practice, except I believe he used the word “obligations,” rather than “requirements.” At the time, it sounded a lot like he was helping a sick family member or something nobler than flunking out.

I will say it again — and this prediction rests on no inside information — I don’t think we’ve seen the last of David Harvey.

A new scholarship offer:

Manley Waller, cornerback, Decatur, Ga.
Offers: Akron, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Ohio and Alabama-Birmingham
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 160
Speed: 4.46
Notes: Waller is the son of former Olympic gold medalist sprinter Gwen Torrence. Scout.com says he is a physical player, despite his size. Waller could be considered a kick returner or wide receiver at the next level as well.
Likelihood: With four of the top MAC teams in the mix, Waller would be a great commitment. Not only are you getting a guy you want, but your on-field competition loses a player they want. He also has interest in Auburn and Ohio State. (In a related note, I have interest in Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie.)

Football

A few of you asked if I would attend Media Day in Detroit.

It’s a lousy city. I have three jobs. Law school is going to make me too broke to hit up the casinos to make the trip worth it.

So no. I did not attend, or even consider it.

But MACReportOnline.com did. Dave Ruthenberg of that site wrote down some notes. Check them out.

Football

Akron will finish third in the seven-team MAC East, according to the annual poll at the conference’s media day today.

Ohio and Kent State will take first and second, respectively. Miami, Bowling Green, Temple and Buffalo will round out the division.

Western Michigan will take the West, followed by Central Michigan, Toledo, Ball State, Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan.

Brion Stokes and Jabari Arthur accompanied J.D. Brookhart to this year’s media day held in Detroit.

Football

The ABJ’s Carol Biliczky wrote a fascinating article about Manuel Nemer and the impending eminent domain battle for his businesses on Exchange Street.

The story suggests Manny wants more than fair market value for his businesses — Manny’s Pub and Aroma Coffee and Tea. He wants to be part of the new stadium complex, or at least nearby.

In the end, the businesses cannot stay. They absolutely are part of the university’s stadium complex plan. It probably will come down to UA helping Manny stay on the Zip Strip in a different location, or UA not helping Manny and having to go to court.

If I came to America with $6, I’m pretty sure I’d be pretty strong willed to keep my businesses, too.

Miscellaneous

Just read the story. Those bastards!

I wonder if Nike would like a new collegiate partner.