Through a tough preseason camp, Patrick Nicely only saw the bright side of fighting to be Akron's starting QB.
As a freshman filling in at quarterback for the final eight games of the season (including seven starts) Patrick Nicely completed 120 of 222 passes for 1,349 yards, with six TDs and six interceptions for the Akron Zips.AKRON, Ohio -- The old saying is that possession is nine-tenths of the law. So when it comes to being the Akron Zips' starting quarterback, QB Patrick Nicely has a blunt answer when asked about his competition against junior Matt Rodgers.
"[Rodgers] is a good quarterback," Nicely began. "I'm not saying anything bad about him. But this is my job."
Last Wednesday, first-year head coach Rob Ianello made it official: Nicely is indeed the No.1. Through a tough preseason camp that included challenges with the new pro-style offense, the product of Willoughby South only saw the bright side.
"I think I'm doing a real good job," the 6-4, 215-pound sophomore said.
This swagger comes on the heels of Nicely surviving a tough 3-9 season in 2009, culminating with the firing of coach J.D. Brookhart.
Ianello brings a pro-style offense with him, a distinct change from the spread Akron ran under Brookhart -- an offense favored by most head coaches in the pass-happy Mid-American Conference.
Last season, as a true freshman, Nicely took over after four games of turmoil. Original starter Chris Jacquemain was mysteriously dismissed from the team. Rodgers was injured in the line of duty. Nicely finished 2-5 as a starter, including a big win over rival Kent State. It was Nicely's best game, as he completed 19 of 34 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
On the season, Nicely completed 120 of 222 passes for 1,349 yards, with six TDs and six interceptions.
Ianello entered this season facing the age-old conundrum for many first-year head coaches: Should he adapt his offense to the personnel on hand and wait to recruit players who fit his system? Or should he change immediately, which may put some square pegs in round holes?
Ianello decided on a bit of both.
"Our offensive system is one where we fit the system to the personnel," Ianello said. "But I do believe that our quarterback has to be able to be under center, because we are not a spread team. You have to be under center because now, the defense will always have to defend the run. We will be in the [shot]gun, but I'm a believer that you've got to be able to get that center-quarterback exchange done, and we will."
Throughout spring drills, Nicely struggled in that regard, as more than one center-QB exchange was botched.
During preseason camp, the snap has gone much better, but the transition was slowed even more by the fact all three centers were injured during one week of practice, pushing Akron's first scrimmage back by at least three days.
Nicely admits it has not been easy.
"I dive into this opportunity," he said. "This is a great opportunity. I'm jumping at the chance to run a pro-style offense."
In the first scrimmage, Nicely cleanly handled every snap and threw numerous strikes to his receivers. If that was his first hurdle toward taking a firm grasp of the job, the future clearly looks better than the past.
"The transition was difficult," Nicely admitted. "I was used to standing back and seeing the whole field from a different perspective. It feels like I'm a lot closer to the line. The big guys are right there. ... It's harder than the shotgun, because it's the rhythm of the drop. Here it's more the footwork, and getting to time up with your wide receivers."
The result is all eyes will be on the quarterback as the Ianello regime begins, and on the rookie coach to see how he transitions this team from what it was to what he wants it to be.
Nicely has no doubt about his role.
"I'm the leader," Nicely said. "Listen to me and that's how it's going to be. I'm not backing down from anything."