Events Calendar
In This Section
Zips nip Chipps with late barrage
Zips play strong, but lack of consistency shows
Man in motion: New coach for the Zips tackles rebuilding
Victory is never too late for Zips
Zips women win 5th game in a row
Victory is never too late for the Zips
Zips hit the road after home stretch
Zips women feast on Chipps 62-55
Most Read Stories
Man robbed at Tallmadge Avenue eatery
Another winter punch heading toward Ohio
Four teens restrain man, take items from his Akron home
Complaints against officer keep coming
Police: Ohio girl dies after fall into snow bank
Region makes way for latest batch of snow; cancellations rise
Cuyahoga Falls residents come home to find burning couch on balcony
Blogs:
First Bell - On Education:
No City of Akron basketball tonight
Pets:
Pet telethon re-airs
The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30
Akron Zips:
Late surge gives Zips ugly road win
Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated
Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
Varsity Letters:
Garfield at Buchtel basketball
All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions
Akron Law Café:
Citizens United v. F.E.C. (Part 4): Kennedy's and O'Connor's Basic Approaches to Constitutional Decisionmaking – Top Down and Bottom Up
Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend
HRLite House:
Track HR Research
Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'
See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering
Brookhart unimpressed after closed scrimmage
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Thursday, Aug 21, 2008
University of Akron coach J.D. Brookhart had a definite opinion what he liked best Wednesday about his team's second scrimmage of the preseason.
''That it's over,'' he said without a trace of humor.
The injury-riddled Zips held an 80-play, 70-minute scrimmage at the Stile Athletics Field House that was closed to the public and to the media. Brookhart might have felt it was closed to the UA players as well.
''Without looking at the tape, there wasn't much to like,'' Brookhart said. ''I am really disappointed right now. Our injury situation is killing us. I have no
idea where we are at right now because of that.''
The Zips were without starting noseguard Ryan Bain, wide receiver candidate Deryn Bowser and several other key performers as the clock surges toward the opener Aug. 30 at the University of Wisconsin.
The good news is that starting defensive linemen Almondo Sewell and Eric Lively, who combined for 73 tackles in 2007, and tailback Dennis Kennedy, who has rushed for 1,201 yards in his first three seasons, have recovered from injuries and participated in the drills Wednesday.
The first half of the scrimmage was offense versus defense. Starting quarterback Chris Jacquemain completed 9-of-15 passes for 89 yards. Backup Matt Rodgers completed 8-of-13 for 49 yards.
The second half was dedicated to third-down situations, with both the first and second units converting 4-of-8 opportunities.
''It was sloppy; it was inconsistent,'' Brookhart said. ''We have guys in positions they have not played because of injuries. We are kind of piecing it together.''
Jacquemain, who started nine games last year, agreed there is work to be done and that a return to health would help.
''There were some good things today. There were some bad things,'' Jacquemain said. ''At times, we were sloppy and didn't execute. But our effort was there. We are banged up. All we can do is keep working hard and work to get ready for Wisconsin.''
Brookhart said his primary concern, besides the injuries, is the work of the secondary, which will feature new starters at every position.
''Right now, we are playing a lot of inexperienced guys back there,'' he said. ''That is showing a little bit.''
Brookhart said the young cornerback who has caught his attention is freshman Manley Waller of Decatur, Ga., who recorded 112 tackles in his junior and senior seasons at Southwest Dekalb High School.
Waller has speed passed on by his mother, Gwen Torrence, who won a gold medal in the 1992 Olympic Games in the 200 meters and two relay gold medals in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.
''He has a great spirit out there,'' Brookhart said. ''He is a tremendous competitor, and he has very good speed.''
Brookhart said few individuals stood out in the scrimmage. When asked whether he could name any or many, he paused for a full 10 seconds, then said, ''I don't know.''
The Zips will continue preseason camp with practices today and Friday. Preparation for Wisconsin will begin Sunday, and classes start Monday.
After a road game Sept. 6 at Syracuse, the Zips play their first home game at 1 p.m. Sept. 13 against Ball State.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
University of Akron coach J.D. Brookhart had a definite opinion what he liked best Wednesday about his team's second scrimmage of the preseason.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 07:07 PM, 10/12/2008
it's looking like time for JD to go
