<p>Everything you need to know about college balls best rivalry</p>
<p>Published in today's Navy Times:</p>
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Like all great rivalries, the Army-Navy game is a close battle.</p>
<p>Sure, there have been blowouts from year to year. But the Midshipmen and the Black Knights have traded enough wins and losses to leave Navy only the slimmest of series leads going into this years clash....
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<p>Black Knights struggle to post winning season</p>
<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>
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It seems the competitive gap between the two programs widens with each passing season.</p>
<p>Navy continues to post winning records and advance to bowl games while Army continues to tread water....
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<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>
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Just call him Mr. Versatility.</p>
<p>That's not Jeremy McGown's nickname but it's exactly what the Navy senior safety is known for in the Mids' secondary....
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<p>Sports Brotherhood:
Football brotherhood carries Mids through tough times</p>
<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>
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Editors's Note: This is the third in a week-long series of columns taking a look at where the military has taken players who competed in the Army-Navy game four years ago.</p>
<p>In the years since Chandler Sims caught his last pass for the Navy football team, he has gone through a great deal of training, mostly to prepare him to be a Marine Corps pilot....
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<p>Following Practice On Tuesday, November 28, 2006 </p>
<p>Nov. 28, 2006</p>
<p>In Attendance: Bill Wagner (Annapolis Capital), Gary Lambrecht (Baltimore Sun), Corey Masisak (Washington Times), Bob Socci (Navy Radio), Comcast SportsNet, CBS-TV </p>
<p>The TV portion was not recorded </p>
<p>Wagner: Real quickly, let's get this out of the way; the Mobile Register reported today that you are a candidate for the Alabama job. </p>
<p>Johnson: Wow. </p>
<p>Wagner: What do you think of that? </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't think much about it. I haven't thought about it at all. I'm thinking about trying to get ready to play Army. </p>
<p>Wagner: Is it going to be annoying though that every time a job opening comes up your name is mentioned? You're like the new Bobby Petrino. </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't know about that. He makes a lot more money than I do. I think that's a compliment to the program, to the players and the assistant coaches. I learned a long time ago that you don't believe everything that you read. </p>
<p>Wagner: You don't trust us print guys? </p>
<p>Johnson: Oh, some of you are OK I guess. I don't know how you answer that. You would much rather have it that way than be the guy they are talking about getting rid of. It's either or in this profession. </p>
<p>Wagner: Scott told me that Hampton is going to dress. Can you talk about that and why that would be the case? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, Brian asked me if he could dress and we will let him do that. As far as why he's dressing, it's because he wants too. He's a senior and he's put his time into the program. It's his last Army-Navy game and if he wants to dress then more power to him. </p>
<p>Wagner: How about Eddie Martin? </p>
<p>Johnson: He hasn't mentioned anything to me, neither he nor DuJuan Price have mentioned anything about dressing. Brian is the only one I've talked too. He asked me about it and I told him he could dress. </p>
<p>Wagner: Has he been traveling at all with the team? </p>
<p>Johnson: No. Not on the road. </p>
<p>Wagner: So this will be the first road game he's gone on since his injury? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah. </p>
<p>Wagner: You try to bring a larger contingent of guys to the Army-Navy game anyway, don't you? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah. That's why he's there. We take all the seniors no matter what. </p>
<p>Masisak: You've talked about it before, but can you talk about the first time you beat Army and how that win propelled the team to greater success? </p>
<p>Johnson: What it did was give us some momentum for the off-season and for the next season for the guys to build on. It was a big win. Any time you beat Army here it's a big win. It was a good ending to a long season. That first year I didn't think was ever going to get over. I try not to remember much about it. We had some great kids, but the games weren't much fun. </p>
<p>Wagner: Obviously during your tenure Army has struggled to stop the option. You guys have put up a lot of yardage and points against them. Do you have an explanation for that? Obviously they have played the option now for four years you would think they would have a pretty good handle on what you do. </p>
<p>Johnson: I think we've just made plays. The kids have done a good job executing. We've executed really well in the past against them, but we will see this year. We haven't gained a yard against them yet. They might come in and stone us. </p>
<p>Wagner: Their guys have talked about how in the past couple of years you have thrown out some sort of wrinkle for this game that they weren't ready for. </p>
<p>Johnson: No. We wouldn't do that. We do that in every game, at least we try to do that. It's the nature of what we do on offense. If they are going to try and play a certain play, then we are going to add a little wrinkle to it. Most of what we do has more than one option. If they are playing the one option then we try to run the other. It's just the nature of what we do. </p>
<p>Wagner: Do you think Coach Ross will bring up what happened earlier in the year when the two kids were held out of the first game because of eligibility issues? </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't know anything about that. I said at the time I didn't know anything about it. I didn't have anything to do with it. </p>
<p>Wagner: They think Navy was responsible. </p>
<p>Johnson: They can think whatever they want. Maybe Navy was, but it wasn't me. I didn't have any idea about it. The first I knew about it was when I saw it in the paper. </p>
<p>Wagner: In a game like this, when anything can be used for motivation, do you think it will be a factor? </p>
<p>Johnson: You know what? In a game like this after the first lick is delivered and the snot bubbles start flying there ain't nobody going to care about any of that.</p>
<p>Snot bubbles! Isn't that what the Navy guys use to breath under water. Hey, isn't that cheating throwing snot bubbles during a football game?!?</p>
<p>Published in today's Washington Compost:</p>
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On option plays, Navy center James Rossi listens to the call in the huddle. He lines up, snaps the ball and carries out his block. He does this minus one crucial bit of information: The identity of the ballcarrier.</p>
<p>The nature of Navy's option plays is that none of the team's coaches or players knows beforehand which player will get the ball. In essence, the carrier is determined by what the defense does....
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<p>Published in today's BS:</p>
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Navy has had its way with Army throughout the five-year tenure of coach Paul Johnson, whose Midshipmen have beaten the Black Knights by an average of 31 points in four previous meetings. The Mids, who are pursuing an unprecedented fourth consecutive Commander in Chief's Trophy on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field, could achieve a five-game winning streak against Army for only the third time during the 107-game rivalry. </p>
<p>Judging by the enthusiasm it has shown in practice this week, Navy (8-3) is not letting complacency creep into its preparation. But, early in Friday morning's workout, just before the players took off for a weekend holiday break, Johnson stopped practice and threatened to restart the session. Too many players had lost focus and looked stale. Tempo was lacking....
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<p>Published in today's Times Herald-Record:</p>
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Forget about the five-game losing streak.</p>
<p>Army says it has.</p>
<p>In fact, the Black Knights (3-8) have put everything disappointing about this year behind them....
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<p>Tee Hee -
Army Strong!
Beat Navy!</p>
<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>
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Editors's Note: This is the fourth in a week-long series of stories profiling Navy seniors who will compete in Saturday's Army-Navy game.</p>
<p>John Chan is not your typical Division I defensive end....
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<p>Sports Comment:
2002 captains helped change expectations</p>
<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>
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Editors's Note: This is the fourth in a week-long series of columns taking a look at where the military has taken players who competed in the Army-Navy game four years ago.</p>
<p>While the 2002 season ignited a spark that would mark the beginning of a new era of Navy football, the eventual 2-10 record was painful for everyone associated with the program. It was more painful for the team captains Donnie Fricks and Josh Brindel, who spent most of their season on the sideline with injuries....
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Army Strong!
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<p>Army wrong. :D</p>
<p>Reports mention coach for openings</p>
<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>
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It looks like it's going to be a long December for Navy football fans, who must wait and wonder whether another school is attempting to woo head coach Paul Johnson.</p>
<p>With the latest round of firings comes the latest rumors that Johnson is a candidate to become a head coach elsewhere. The Mobile Register reported yesterday that Johnson is on the short list of candidates to replace Mike Shula at Alabama while the RaleighNews & Observer has mentioned the Navy head coach as a possible successor to Chuck Amato at N.C. State....
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<p>Anyone know what they pay the head coach at Navy and the other SA's? :confused:</p>
<p>Paul Johnson is currently earning approximately a cool $1 million per year plus incentives. The AD has increased PJ's compensation several times over the past five years -- well deserved raises in my opinion.</p>
<p>Women's dual at 3:45 p.m.; men's meet at 7:15 p.m. </p>
<p>Nov. 29, 2006</p>
<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The annual Army-Navy men's and women's swimming and diving doubleheader will take place Thursday night at Crandall Pool in West Point. The women's dual meet will begin at 3:45 p.m., with the men's meet slated to follow at 7:15 p.m. </p>
<p>The Navy women's team has posted a 9-0 record on the season, while Army enters the meet with a 2-3 record on the year. </p>
<p>"Our team is really looking forward to the meet," said Navy women's swimming head coach John Morrison. "Army has a new coaching staff and is competing very well. As we have done throughout our fall season, we will need to rely on a total team effort to win. This competition means so much to all involved, we expect a great meet from both teams." </p>
<p>The Midshipmen recorded a 188.5-111.5 victory over the Black Knights last year in Annapolis. It was the 17th-straight win in the series by Navy, and raised its all-time series lead over Army to 21-4. The Mids return each of the swimmers who combined to win their 10 individual events last year, as well as seven of the eight swimmers who comprised the two victorious relay teams. </p>
<p>Winning individual events last year for Navy were Aubra Thomas (Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa.), Kelly Zahalka (So., Richmond, Va.), Jennie Spencer (So., Smithburg, W. Va.), Sally Bakewell (So., St. John's, Fla.) and Cameron Wallace (So., Fredericksburg, Va.). Thomas won both breaststroke events and the 200 individual medley race last year, Zahalka won the 100, 200 and 400 freestyle events, Spencer claimed both backstroke events, Bakewell won the 800 freestyle race and Wallace won the 200 butterfly. </p>
<p>This season, Thomas has posted victories in four different events, Zahalka has totaled 12 individual event victories and an additional 11 second-place showings, and Spencer has placed either first or second in each of her backstroke races. </p>
<p>Also having a strong fall for Navy is Katie Griffin (Jr., Ellicott City, Md.), who is a combined 13-1 in diving events this year. </p>
<p>Several newcomers have added to the Navy depth this season, including Tara Chapmon (Fr., Virginia Beach, Va.), Mallory Dietrich (Fr., Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Thuy-Mi Dinh (Fr., Anaheim, Calif.). Chapmon has already totaled 20 individual event victories this fall and has set the Navy record in the 200 free, Dietrich has posted a 22-0 record in dual meet races and has posted the second-fastest Navy time in the 200 breast, while Dinh, the Navy record holder in the 50 free, is a combined 12-2 in the sprint freestyle races. </p>
<p>Army, meanwhile, returns Paige Delavalle, winner of the 50 free last year against the Mids, and Chelsey Freeman, who won the 100 fly event one year ago. Winning a pair of events for the Black Knights last year was Chelsea Haviland, a 2006 graduate of the school who swept the two diving boards. </p>
<p>As for the two men's teams, Navy brings a 9-0 record into the meet while Army has won four of its five meets on the season. </p>
<p>"To date, this Navy team has done everything we have asked of them," said Navy men's swimming head coach Bill Roberts. "They are training and racing as well as ever, and they are led well by team captain Andy Bockus (Sr., Oklahoma City, Okla.) and the entire Class of 2007. Each team member is prepared to do their part in this meet. They understand the significance of this challenge and are ready to compete." </p>
<p>The Mids ran their winning streak over the Black Knights to 15 years and took a 39-29 lead in the series with a 179-64 victory last year in Annapolis. Navy won both relay events and nine individual events last year and return the majority of its standout performers from a year ago. </p>
<p>Individual event winners who return for Navy are David Guthmann (So., Waxhaw, N.C.), winner of the 800 free last year, Danny Flemming (Sr., Loganville, Ga.), who won the 200 and 400 freestyle races, Kevin Mukri (Sr., Silver Spring, Md.), who won the 200 backstroke, and Kevin Teague (Sr., Lexington, Ky.), who swept the two diving boards last year. </p>
<p>Among returning athletes this year, Mukri and Teague are again pacing the Navy team. Mukri has posted a combined record of 12-1 in the two backstroke events this fall, while Teague has posted a 12-2 record on the two diving boards to raise his career dual meet record to 103-7. </p>
<p>Among newcomers, Adam Meyer (Fr., Bethesda, Md.) has a combined 18-1 record while competing in five different events, while Cody Reeb (Fr., St. Louis, Mo.) is undefeated (13-0) in the two distance freestyle events. </p>
<p>Army returns Efri Ruthenberg, Zach Disbrow and Jake Mentele, all of whom have garnered First-Team All-Patriot League honors during their careers. Disbrow won the 200 fly and Mentele took the 200 breaststroke event one year ago, while Ruthenberg was topped by Flemming by just one-tenth of a second in the 200 free during the 2005 dual meet.</p>
<p>Go Navy! Beat Army!</p>
<p>Following Practice On Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006 </p>
<p>Nov. 29, 2006</p>
<p>In Attendance: Bill Wagner (Annapolis Capital), Gary Lambrecht (Baltimore Sun), Corey Masisak (Washington Times), Christian Swezey (Washington Post) Bob Socci (Navy Radio), Mark McCarter (Huntsville Times), WBAL-TV (Baltimore), WTTG-TV (Washington) </p>
<p>The TV portion was not recorded </p>
<p>Wagner: We won't see you again before Saturday. Do you feel like you are ready or going to be ready by Saturday? </p>
<p>Johnson: Well, I think so. We've had some good practices and the enthusiasm has been good. We still have to show up and play, but I think we are ready. I don't think we are going to be surprised by anything. At least I hope not. </p>
<p>Wagner: As far as freshman, how do you think they handle this game? I was going to write about some of the freshman about playing in this game. They have no idea what it's really all about. </p>
<p>Johnson: I think that might be a good thing. The key to playing in rivalry games, in my opinion, is that you have to be able to manage your emotions. Everybody is going to be emotional and motivated and that kind of thing, but the team that can channel their emotions and not waste their energy and not do crazy things and play within the framework of the way you played all year will have the best chance to win and that is why experience is so important. Would you rather have a bunch of guys that have played in this game? Sure, because they have been there and they know what they are walking into, but each player handles it differently. Some guys are pretty cool and some guys can't tell you their name when the game starts. Everybody is different. </p>
<p>Wagner: So you figure you will have a handful of freshmen play? </p>
<p>Johnson: The only guy that will play a bunch is Jeromy Miles. </p>
<p>McCarter: How do you describe this rivalry to people? You know how it is down South and we have some super special rivalries. </p>
<p>Johnson: Both sides have a great deal of respect for the other side. In our rivalry it's more about respect. We certainly respect the young people that play at West Point and the coaching staff and what Army is all about because we know it closely mirrors what we are about here. In other rivalry games the two schools just don't like each other, but that's not the case here. We do like each other. This game is like two brothers in the backyard fighting like crazy. I know when I was growing up my brother and I, when we got into a fight we would fight to the finish, but if somebody else tried to fight one of us they had to fight both. That's kind of the way Army-Navy is I think. </p>
<p>Swezey: Paul, why do you think you've had so much success with the fullback against the other two Service Academies? </p>
<p>Johnson: Because they've decided not to take them on the option. It's hard to say. We go into every game trying to tweak things. Sometimes the yards are misleading. Last year Adam Ballard had an 80-yard run so that's going to help your average a bunch. Anytime you can get your fullback established in the running game you should do pretty well. That's one of our goals going in, to get that established. </p>
<p>Wagner: I was talking to their defensive coordinator about that very topic and he said that you guys just wore them down a little bit and when they wore down on the defensive line that is when the fullback broke. </p>
<p>Johnson: He knows his defense better than I do I guess. </p>
<p>Wagner: Do you feel like you can wear them down over the course of a game? </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't know if I've ever bought into the wear down syndrome. The guys that are playing on offense are playing just as many plays as the guys on the other side of the ball, why don't they wear down? Unless we are in better shape than they are. I don't know about wearing somebody down. It sounds good. </p>
<p>McCarter: I'm going to write something about Jarod Bryant, being an Alabama kid. Can you talk about his progress? </p>
<p>Johnson: I think that Jarod has done remarkably well considering the circumstances involved. I have so much respect for him as a person the way he's handled everything from the death of his father to the way things have happened at quarterback. We are excited about Jarod. I think he has a lot of ability. He was a little bit behind Kaipo on the option part of the offense and that's kind of how it's evolved. Give him another spring practice and he very well could be right there. There isn't that much difference between he and Kaipo. He has to work on the option aspect, but as far as understanding the game and game management and being a competitor and having all the traits you look for he's got it. </p>
<p>McCarter: When did his father die? </p>
<p>Johnson: It was back in the winter, before spring practice. </p>
<p>McCarter: I have to ask you this. Your name is on the list of suspects at Alabama. What's your reaction to that? </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't really have a reaction. Like I said yesterday, I learned a long time ago not to answer hypothetical questions. To me it's a good thing if people are talking about you in that vain as opposed to who is going to replace you. It's never a good thing when they are asking you who is going to replace you and usually in this business it's unfortunately one or the other. That's all I can say about it right now.</p>
<p>Awesome photos from Iraq:</p>
<p>Getting Them Established Is an Offensive Priority</p>
<p>Published in today's Washington Compost:</p>
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It did not take long for Army senior defensive end Cameron Craig to name one of the main differences between the option scheme of Navy and that of Air Force.</p>
<p>"For one," he said, "Navy runs the fullback right at you."...
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