My thoughts on Torrence
Posted August 4th, 2008 by mrasor
Football
A few people have asked me what I think about Akron taking on Devoe Torrence. To be honest, I really haven’t formed an opinion. I will talk it out through this blog post. Hopefully, I will have an informed take on it by the end.
Optimist: There is no disputing Torrence’s talent. With the logjam of running backs this season, Torrence’s arrival does not sound like a necessary gambit. Next fall, however, we could be talking about how sorely the Zips need a reliable back since Dennis Kennedy, Alex Allen and Andrew Johnson have left.
It would be the equivalent to the Zips having an All-MAC passer on the burner when Luke Getsy retired. Rather, Chris Jacquemain and Carlton Jackson played patty-cake on the way to a four-win season.
Pessimist: But what’s the point if Torrence gets in trouble? J.D. Brookhart’s team already has NCAA sanctions to deal with. And what about all of those troubled souls whom he ejected last fall? Isn’t this just replenishing the supply?
O: But let’s not get carried away. Torrence was never guilty of anything. There is no indication he will be a bad student or leave the program, which would hurt the team’s Academic Progress Rate.
P: That may be true, but you have heard from a few people that Torrence is cocky. That won’t play well on a mid-major team, especially if he leads the offense. Torrence showed that he is not the ultimate teammate when he refused to play linebacker after transferring to Washington High School from Canton South.
O: He’s cocky. So what? Go up and down that roster and I’m sure you’ll find some guys whose heads don’t fit in the Airdock. I want to see you complain about cockiness when Torrence is trampling MAC defenses for 200-yard games.
P: Come on, Optimist. This stinks of desperation. Brookhart knows he’ll get canned without a .500 season or better. Torrence is a band-aid — and one that has more infection on it than medicine.
O: I stand by Brookhart. And I stand by this decision. The coaching staff has a lot to lose if it doesn’t work. They investigated and thought it to be a prudent decision. How do you — or any fan — have the knowledge or experience to dispute that? The team knows it cannot have an image problem when it’s trying to sell tickets for InfoCision Stadium.
P: OK. You win.
O: That’s right, I win. At least we can agree that Paul Rodgers is the best singer of all time.
P: Amen, brother.
- Notes…
It’s not looking good for the Zips landing Chaz Russell, the four-star junior college cornerback. He recently visited West Virginia and told Scout.com that the Mountaineers are No. 1 on his list. A decision will be coming on Monday, so there is still hope.
I should be back at football camp on Thursday. The team won’t practice in full gear until then, at the earliest. I plan to provide a video report with my old tag-team partner Dan Kadar, who is now working at Ohio.com.
New scholarship offers…
Anthony Meriwether, wide receiver, Midpark, Ohio
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 185
Speed: Not listed
Notes: I cannot find a darn thing on this guy. If you know anything, feel free to comment.
Jack Jamerson, defensive end, Washington, Pa.
Offers: Akron, Army, Kent State, Miami (Ohio) and Ohio
Height: 6-4
Weight: 245
Speed: Not listed
Notes: Scout.com calls him the No. 158 defensive end in the nation. He also has interest in Maryland, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Penn State and West Virginia.
August 5th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Hey Rasor, what can you tell us about Larry Dawson. I know that we technically should not have to use a scholarship on him since he was part of some program where his school would be paid for no matter what. I was just wondering with the lack of depth at DB how is he looking?
August 5th, 2008 at 8:48 am
No doubt Rasor. It’s good to see someone with some sense on the subject of Devoe. And I would like to know about Larry Dawson as well.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Here is a video link for Meriwether. http://www.scoutingohio.com/Anthony_Meriwether_Midpark.htm
August 5th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I think Alex Allen is only a junior. He will be back next year.
I think Torrence is too slow to be a good RB. I feel he is a better LB anyway.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
I’d like to see Torrence play defense in a big way.
Also, Paul Rodgers will forever and always suck in a big way.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Stick to the Zips Rasor, Paul Rodgers hands glasses of water to Chris Cornell on stage. Lane Staley is dead, and STILL has a better voice.
Dreadful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6TvnPLuKpM
You need to borrow somebody’s ipod for awhile. Smash yours.
If the Zips are deep at one position, it’s RB.
Get Torrence on the field anyway you can.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
DSmith,
I’ll give you Cornell. Staley, no dice.
BZ,
You’re right about Allen. Thanks.
August 5th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Paul Rodgers is good, but he is not Freddie Mercury..
August 6th, 2008 at 5:19 am
JD can tolerate this new guy, but couldn’t handle the little freshman All-MAC returner/receiver he dumped a year or so ago (can’t recall his name)? He needs to make up his mind. Are we going to rehabilitate problem kids or not?
August 6th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Jason, there is a difference between a kid not showing up for class and making it impossible for him to be academically eligible. And a guy who was ACQUITTED of charges of STATUTORY rape. This kid has done nothing. Harvey was an f-up, in the class, and in society.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:07 am
G-Mann - How can you say this kid has done nothing? Have you read the article? This kid had a 12 yr old girl in his bedroom. It was his word against hers. I would say that this kid is more of problem than Harvey. If you read the article, it states that the girls were between 12-14. Why would a 17 yr old kid have girls this young in his house? Why is he hanging around girls this young? YOU’RE DEAD WRONG WHEN YOU SAY THIS KID HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG. I wonder if you have any daughters?
August 6th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Mike - We play you this Sunday @ 7pm in the position round. I just signed a player from Steele’s Sports who was cut from their team due to some bogus kiddie porn charges, so look out!
On topic — Torrence was acquitted of the charges in a one-day trial. You take him on the team. It is a no-brainer.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
CK,
LOL. Are you serious about the kiddie porn guy? That’s fabulous. You guys must really want to win. Our manager says we have the 1 seed locked up. If you’re in a must-win situation, maybe our team can be bought.
Regarding Torrence, I agree. The judge thought the victim was so non-believable that he didn’t even let it go to the jury. It’s hard to truly believe everyone is innocent until proven guilty, but it shouldn’t be too far of a stretch to assume a guy is innocent when THE COURT SAYS HE’S INNOCENT.