Nov. 29, 2005

Q. So is it true you are writing Strasemeier a check for 25 thousand dollars to help pay for his wedding?

A. Yes, it's true.

Q. I mean he deserves to have a nice wedding.

A. He's the highest paid Sports Information Director in the country. He should be giving me money. He makes more than I do.

Q. Talk a little bit more about Army. Has Zach Dahman, their quarterback, improved?

A. Yeah, I think they've improved everywhere. Certainly Zach has another year under his belt. He's made good decisions. Carlton Jones has always been a great player. Scott Wesley is a very good back and their tight ends are good. They have gotten better.

Q. You talked last week about how hard they are playing defensively. What in particular has stood out to you?

A. They just fly to the ball. They are really running to the ball and playing hard. You can tell that they have bought in to what they are doing and they believe in what they are doing. You can tell when guys are running to the ball and playing hard. They have confidence and they have a little swagger. We have to see if we can't take that away a little bit.

Q. And they've cut down on their mistakes offensively I presume?

A. Yeah, they've given themselves a chance to win. That's what I was saying. They've learned how to win instead of how to lose. I think you have to give Coach Ross and their staff credit for that. They are playing smarter.

Q. You said that leaps off the tape at you. Do your players see that leaping off the tape?

A. I'm sure they do. We understand what we are about to partake in. We like to think that we've made our calling card the same way. That's why they play the game.

Q. Do you feel like you have an advantage in any particular area? Do you feel like you have more speed than them?

A. I don't know. That's why you play. We will see. They think they've caught us. We will find out. Maybe they have. We will find out on Saturday.

Q. Can you sum up what Army-Navy is all about for you and what this game means?

A. It's the biggest game of the year. You are playing for so many different aspects. You are playing for not only the Brigade but for Sailors and Marines out there for bragging rights. It's just a neat, neat game. I think the two schools have so much respect for each other and I have a great deal of respect for the young men at West Point and Coach Ross. I think they feel the same way. It's just a fun game to be a part of.

Q. Do you think after participating in the game for a few years that you are starting to get immune to the whole atmosphere of the game and just coach or have you always been that way?

A. I don't think you ever get immune to the atmosphere. I would like to think I've just been able to coach this game like any other game. If I haven't coached the same way I haven't noticed it. Once the game starts I'm pretty good most times on tunnel vision. I can't tell you how many people are in the stands or who we are playing other than the uniforms. I get dialed in pretty good.

Q. Are you surprised that after 105 years that this series is tied?

A. That just shows you how competitive the teams are. We had to go on a little run here just to get it tied. Hopefully if we can find way a way to claw and scratch and win this year we will nudge ahead. It's been a while since Navy has led this series.

Q. It's pretty amazing to have played 105 times and the series still be tied.

A. You have two programs that are very similar. You recruit the same kind of kids. It's apples and apples.

Q. Is there anybody on their defense that has been a key playmaker for them?

A. Campbell. Campbell is a great player. He could play anywhere in the country I think.

Q. Tarver isn't bad either.

A. No, they have all played well everywhere but if you ask me to pick one out it would be Campbell.

Q. Does it make any difference in their change of scheme as far as you're concerned?

A. I'm sure their confidence level is better. It doesn't matter if you play a 4-2-5, a 4-3, a 9-2, you have to play and you have to play fundamentally and protect your gaps. I'm sure they have some confidence. We don't even know how they are going to line up. We will see when the game starts. The last couple of years they haven't lined up against us like they did against Air Force so we will see.

Q. In the last few days of practice have you gotten an indication of which slot back will replace Karlos and his role.

A. It may be several. We will role a lot of guys in there. We will have to play it by ear and see.

Q. Is answer No. 1 just give the starters more reps?

A. It could be, but Eddie Martin has played some, Byron McCoy, Zerbin Singleton, Shun White, John Forbes. We have a bunch of guys that can play. I'm not worried about that.

Q. So you aren't going to worry about putting guys in there? You've got confidence in them.

A. I'm not going to worry about that. They've all played.

Q. Can you talk about the offensive line?

A. I think, like all offensive lines, the more experience we get the better we have played. We aren't as consistent as I would like, but I think they've made strides like everybody else. They take a lot of criticism at times and they aren't any better or any worse than any other position we have.

Q. You are leading the nation in rushing.

A. So they've done a good job. Lamar has done a good job of getting us in the right plays and our perimeter guys have blocked. It's a team thing. Certainly the offensive line has done some good things.

Q. Has there anybody in particular that has played well?

A. I think that Matt Pritchett has had a pretty good year. It's hard to single guys out. Antron Harper has played pretty well. They have all, at times, played well. It's hard to single any of them out.