Q: The first thing I must ask about is your game last week against North Texas. There were SO many points being scored. Is there one spot on Navy's defense that is a major problem or is it an all -around thing? Also is there a major defensive standout, like our DE Larry English?
A: To the first part of the question; yes, it's basically a situation where the entire defense is struggling. In fact, as we've debated on my blog for the better part of this past week, struggling may be a generous term. The point is that the defense just isn't good and won't approach being good this year. It's young though, and the general consensus is that it will get better- just not this season. (As a side note, for an interesting take on Navy's defense, I'd check out the comments on this post. One of the comments is from one of Navy's senior defensive backs, who expresses hope for the future.) If I'd have to pick out the "biggest" weakness of the defense, it would probably be pass defense, where Navy is currently ranked dead last in the country in terms of pass efficiency defense. We do have a defense STUD at inside linebacker in Irv Spencer, who actually may have an opportunity to play in the NFL. He has all the physical tools and is an aggressive and instinctual player who currently leads the team in tackles. Also watch out for freshmen Wyatt Middleton. He's raw and makes some assignment mistakes, but he's an athletic free safety who can bring the wood.
Q: We've been decimated by injuries this season. Have you guys had anystruggles with this problem, just so there can be some comparison there?
A: You're not alone on the injury front. Navy lost it's two most veteran defense players for the season - LB Clint Sovie and FS Jeff Deliz- against Rutgers in week two. Since then the defense has experienced even more injuries, including our best cornerback Rashawn King (who is questionable for the game) and starting rover Ketric Buffin (who I believe is also questionable.) On offense, we've lost a very physical wide receiver in Greg Sudderth for the year, and as you know our starting quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku Enhada will not play against NIU due to a still undisclosed knee injury he suffered against North Texas.
Q: You've said that your defense consistently struggles against the spread offense. How do you predict that you will do against our pretty much straight-ahead balanced running attack and have you faced a team that runs as much as NIU does?
A: I think Navy will have some success against NIU's offense. We need to understand that in context though, as "some success" for this defense means holding the offense to less than 40 points. As I mentioned previously, there is some young talent on Navy's defense, but the biggest problems have been fundamental in nature. Basically, Navy's players struggle with the scheme, which makes them very slow when playing in space. To make matters work, most of the players just don't tackle well. Notre Dame runs a pretty "vanilla" offense and Navy held them to only 28 regulation points, and considering NIU's struggles this year I think Navy could have some success against the running game. We'll have to see though. I try to have an open mind when it comes to the defense every week, but every week the defense almost seems to regress. It's been frustrating to say the least.
Q: Can you pronounce the name of QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada? And will the switch from him to Jarod Bryant be a major change and how will it effect the outcome of the game?
A: Yep. It's phonetic actually, and a lot easier than it seems. Obviously anytime you lose your starting quarterback there is some dropoff, but Jarod Bryant is a player and has shown the ability to lead this team in the past. He's one of the best athletes on the team and led the Mids in a comeback win against Duke and what should have been a comeback win against Ball State. He also played most of the second half last week against North Texas, and ran for a score in the win. Remember, he's the guy who led Hoover High school to it's last "National Championship" in 2004 and was recruited by Auburn as a defensive back, so you know he has talent. The team should be in very capable hands on Saturday.
Q: Looking at the boxscore of the North Texas game, there were so many guys getting a decent amount of yards rushing. Just how many guys are in the backfield and are there truly huge playmakers back there, or is it all part of Navy's system?
A: You wouldn't be wrong to assume much of it comes from the system, but the individual players who make it work also have a lot to do with the success Navy has on the ground. It all starts with great blocking up front with the O-line and smart and athletic quarterbacks that makes the correct reads and react correctly. There is also a talented group of slotbacks and fullbacks in the backfield which do well to compliment each other. Eric Kettani, who is second on the team in rushing, probably has more talent than any other Navy fullback we've seen under Johnson, and that's saying a lot considering he shares time with Adam Ballard, who himself probably had a good shot at the NFL had he not decided to become a Marine Crops officer. Both Reggie Campbell and Shun White are legitimate 4.4 guys at the slotback position, while Zerbin Singleton, the other slotback, is an all around player who is dangerous as both a runner, receiver, and blocker. Watch out for Campbell though. He's one of the most dynamic offensive players in Navy history and something tells me he's going to have a huge game in his last home game on Saturday.
Q: I have to ask you for a couple predictions: What do you think the outcome of this game will be and how many rushing yards will be ran for overall?
A: I think Navy wins this one, and I'm almost tempted to say by a "comfertable" margin (ie. something more than a touchdown.) We'll almost certainly run for more than 300 yard, and if I'd have to guess I'd say Navy will top 500 total yards again this week and possibly even approach 500 yards on the ground. Th key will be the three stops Paul Johnson has been asking his defense to get. If Navy can stop NIU at least three times, the Midshipmen offense will carry the day.
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