8/28/2003 - Football
Navy Football Preview

Coach Paul Johnson has been noticeably reserved when asked to assess the

Navy football team's prospects in 2003. Throughout preseason, Johnson has

refrained from making any predictions or proclamations and carefully avoided the

type of optimism most coaches exude during August practice.

That attitude is understandable coming off a 2-10 season that clearly stung a

proud coach who has known nothing but success during his 24-year career.

Johnson endured as many losses in one season at Navy as he did during a five-

year tenure as head coach of Division I-AA powerhouse Georgia Southern.

Johnson came in knowing Navy's program was in sad shape, but could not

have fully understood how dire the situation was until the team started playing

_ and losing _ games.

So Johnson is taking a wait-and-see approach to his second season at the

helm. Having 30 returning lettermen, including15 starters, and a favorable schedule

might normally be reasons for confidence, but Johnson knows Navy still has a long

way to go and that a dramatic turnaround is not likely this quickly in the rebuilding

process.

"When you win two games, you would be hard-pressed to say we have any

area that's just outstanding," Johnson said early in camp. "We have to get better

at everything. I think we have a positive outlook because it's a new season, but

the way you have a good year and a good program is to worry about one game at

a time and work to get better week to week. You try to win one game then you try

to win two and go from there."

While it wasn't reflected in the won-loss record, Navy did make strides last

season. The Midshipmen were competitive in three of their final four games, nearly

upsetting Notre Dame and Wake Forest then routing archrival Army.

"I felt like we were a better football team towards the end of the year. I know we

made progress and learned what it takes to win, the kind of commitment and effort

you need to have," Johnson said. "We need to cut down on the mistakes on both

sides of the ball if we want to continue to make progress."

Johnson's patented triple-option offense was explosive at times in 2002,

averaging 369 yards and producing 20 points or more in seven of 12 games. The

Mids ranked third nationally in rushing with an average of 270 yards per game on

the ground.

It appears the parts are in place to take another step forward offensively as

quarterback Craig Candeto heads a list of returning starters at the skill positions.

Candeto has a firm grasp of the offense and is a proven playmaker while slot backs

Eric Roberts and Tony Lane along with fullbacks Kyle Eckel and Michael Brimage

all had their moments a year ago.

There are three returning starters along the offensive line in center August

Roitsch, right guard Shane Todd and right tackle Josh Goodin. Left tackle Nick

Wilson has been one of the top performers in preseason practice, leaving the

left guard spot (Sean Magee or Dennis Ray Phillips) as the only question mark.

Navy figures to be improved at wide receiver as returnees Lionel Wesley and

Amir Jenkins, who combined to make nine starts last season, both had strong

offseasons in terms of strength and conditioning. Plebe Jason Tomlinson has

been impressive in camp and could provide a big-play threat.

What's most important is that all the front-line players have a year's worth of

experience in the triple-option, which is reliant on precision execution.

"At most places I've coached, there has been a big improvement on offense

from year one to year two because the kids understand the system better,"

Johnson said. "It's easier to adjust during the game because they have a better

concept of the basics. Last year, we had four or five basic plays that we ran and

if we needed to make a little tweak sometimes it would blow people's minds."

Cutting down on turnovers will be crucial for Navy, which lost 25 fumbles and

tossed nine interceptions. Johnson felt the bulk of fumbles that occured in the

option game were unforced and the result of poor ballhandling.

"I don't think there's any question we need to take care of the ball better and

not beat ourselves," he said.

Navy struggled defensively throughout 2002, giving up 422 yards and nearly

40 points per game. Defensive coordinator Buddy Green has switched to a 3-4

alignment in hopes of taking better advantage of the team's personnel.

Navy has a number of decent linebackers led by co-captain Eddie Carthan,

who finished second on the team with 74 tackles. Fellow outside linebacker

Lane Jackson along with insiders Ben Mathews and Jeremy Chase are also

returning starters. There is plenty of depth behind those four as Green is high

on Bobby McClarin and Dustin Elliott for inside as well as Reggie Sealey, Jason

Monts and freshman surprise David Mahoney on the outside.

"I think the 3-4 is more conducive to the type of guys we have here. If you

take the guys that run faster and move around better, we have more at 230 pounds

than at 275," Johnson said. "Hopefully, it helps us get more speed on the field and

allows us to get to the ball better."

Free safety Josh Smith, who came out of nowhere to lead Navy with 127

tackles, anchors a solid secondary that includes a pair of returning starters in

cornerbacks Shalimar Brazier and Vaughn Kelley.

There has been some concern in preseason about Navy's defensive line as

there are multiple players battling at all three positions. Senior Kevin Schwind

was being counted on to anchor the unit at nose guard, but is still rusty after

undergoing major reconstructive knee surgery. Ends Pierre Moss and Ralph

Henry both started some games last season, but are adjusting to new positions

and assignments.

Navy has a solid third-year starting punter in John Skaggs and a pair of

veteran placekickers in Eric Rolfs and Geoff Blumenfeld. However, special teams

in general remain a major concern.

"Special teams weren't a strong point for us at all last year. We had a kickoff

returned for a touchdown, we committed a bunch of fumbles on returns, we got two

punts blocked. There's a lot of room for improvement in that area."

Good news is that the schedule has been dramatically downgraded with

Division I-AA opponents VMI and Delaware replacing the likes of Washington and

Boston College. Games against Army, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and

Rutgers are also quite winnable. Last season, Navy played eight opponents that

wound up bowl eligible.

"I think the schedule gives us a better chance to be competitive. We probably

aren't going to be double digit underdogs against everybody like we were last year,"

Johnson said.