<p>Transcript of Navy Head Football Coach Paul Johnson's Press Briefing Following Practice On Monday, Sept. 24</p>
<p>In Attendance: Bill Wagner (Annapolis Capital), Christian Swezey (Washington Post), Bob Socci (Navy Radio) </p>
<p>Wagner: It's Air Force week. What do you think? </p>
<p>Johnson: We have to get ready to play just like every other week. It's a fun time of the year and it's a big game. </p>
<p>Wagner: But it's not just any game. </p>
<p>Johnson: No, it's a big game. There is no sense in ducking that. It's a big game. </p>
<p>Swezey: What jumped out at you after watching tape of the Duke game? </p>
<p>Johnson: I thought we played closer to the way we have to play (as far as effort) to be successful at Navy, especially in the second half. We had a gut check and we fought, scratched and clawed for whatever we got. We still have a lot of improvement to make and a lot of room to grow, but I saw progress and that's encouraging. </p>
<p>Wagner: You told me that the efforts (lack of) went way down against Ball State. Can we presume that they went down again against Duke? </p>
<p>Johnson: They were about the same. The offense was up a few, but they had way more plays. The defense was down a few, but they had less plays. It was about the same. </p>
<p>Swezey: Do you remember the numbers? </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't know them off the top of my head. </p>
<p>Swezey: Is Air Force any different with their new coaches, offense or defense? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, they are a lot different offensively. They run a lot of formations. Defensively they are doing a lot more zone pressures and they are more aggressive. They are still running the 3-4, but it's a different style. </p>
<p>Wagner: It seems like they are trying to introduce a different offense, but they haven't recruited their own players yet. Are they still running some option? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, they still run the option. </p>
<p>Wagner: Speed option? </p>
<p>Johnson: They run all kinds. They still run some triple. They don't run as much read option as they have. They run certain options out of certain formations. </p>
<p>Wagner: So the film from this year is all that is applicable? Last year's tape probably doesn't help you much. </p>
<p>Johnson: It's still the same kids. They are doing a lot of the same stuff. It isn't a radical change; they are just doing it from different formations. </p>
<p>Swezey: How much do you see Air Force in recruiting? </p>
<p>Johnson: We recruit a lot of the same kids. </p>
<p>Swezey: Is a game like this important for recruiting when you are going up against Air Force so much for the same kids? </p>
<p>Johnson: I think it probably comes into play some, but there are a lot of other differences between the two places so winning isn't the only thing that matters when it comes to recruiting. </p>
<p>Socci: When you go against a coach head-to-head for five straight years do you get a sense what a coach is going to do, especially late in the game? </p>
<p>Johnson: You might, but everybody is different. We are just going to play our game. I worry about my team. I don't worry about the other team. We will get in the game and adjust as we go. We will do whatever we think gives us the best chance to win. </p>
<p>Wagner: Have you talked to Troy personally since he was hired at Air Force? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, I've seen him around a couple of times. I've known Troy for a long time. </p>
<p>Wagner: Dating back to when? </p>
<p>Johnson: Since he was playing at Air Force or right after he finished playing. I've known him for a long time and I have a lot of respect for him. He's a good coach. </p>
<p>Wagner: Were you at Hawaii when he was playing for Air Force? </p>
<p>Johnson: I think he had finished playing when I was at Hawaii. His senior year might have been my first year at Hawaii. I can't remember when he finished playing. My first year in Hawaii was 1987. </p>
<p>Swezey: I think he graduated in 1986 or 1987. </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, I think he was finished playing and was coaching at Air Force. </p>
<p>Wagner: They have beaten some good teams this year. I know last week they had a rough time against Air Force, but Utah and TCU are quality opponents. </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, both of those teams were very highly thought of in the preseason. TCU has an outstanding defense and Utah kicked UCLA so they are two good teams. </p>
<p>Wagner: Do you think that winning the way you did last week, having to dig deep and pull a game out, can that be more of a confidence builder than winning by three touchdowns? </p>
<p>Johnson: I think that any time you win is a positive. I just told the team today that this week is no different than last week; we have to put the game behind us. It's over. Move on and get ready to play this week. Sometimes it is easier to put a game behind you when you win. We just have to move on. We did some good things and some not so good things. We have to learn and try to get better. </p>
<p>Wagner: You have an interesting situation with your quarterbacks. You have two good players that have shown they can do good things. How do you manage that moving forward? </p>
<p>Johnson: We will do just what we have done. They both played well on Saturday and they both have a role. We will use them how we feel will give us the best chance to win the game. I thought they both played well (on Saturday). I thought Kaipo played really well and then Jarod came in and led us down the field to a couple of scores and helped us win the game. He played an outstanding game as well. Not a lot has changed in my mind. </p>
<p>Socci: If you get a day like this past Saturday (hot) this Saturday would you put Jarod in the game earlier to spell Kaipo? </p>
<p>Johnson: It depends on how the game is going and what we need to do. Whatever we think gives us the best chance to win is what we are going to do.</p>