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Monday, August 23, 2010

Independents

Army

Last Year

After winning a mere 20 games in the 21st century the Black Knights came close to a bowl game with a 5-7 season under new Head Coach Rich Ellerson. They did this behind a stellar defense that was 3rd in the nation against the pass and held 7 opponents to less than 17 points. The problem was a lack of consistency. Army have gone back to basics, running the triple option, which is Ellerson's forte. Unfortunately, after attempting to run a pro-style offense previously, many of the pieces required to run the offense effectively are not yet in place. Quarterback certainly is after Ellerson went with freshman Trent Steelman who showed enough to inspire hope for the future. Things are looking up in West Point.

Offense

Steelman's first season was an all-timer by any stretch of the imagination, but he completed 49.1% of his passes for 637 yards, 3 TDs and only 2 interceptions. More importantly, he ran for 706 yards and 5 TDs. He'll be better with a year's experience under his belt. Backing him up will be senior Chip Bowden (34.6%, 101 yds, TD, INT, 19-59-0), who has good experience and can play in a pinch. Patrick Mealy (110-673-3), who also played some Fullback, and Jameson Carter (59-238-2) return at the Slotback positions. Neither is ideal at the position, but they work hard and are tough runners. Air Force transfer sophomore Jared Hassin will be the Fullback and is a better fit for the position than last year's starter Kingsley Ehie (114-473-2), who's moved back to Linebacker. There are some track stars in reserve who'll be starting down the road. The offensive line, which did a good job last season, returns four starters and should be even better. Anees Merzi returns at Left Tackle, together with C Zach Peterson, RG Seth Reed and RT Jason Johnson. The new starter will be sophomore LG Frank Allen, who's the most talented of the bunch. The receivers are new – juniors Davyd Brooks (2-45-0), who is a big play guy and excelled in spring camp, and Austin Barr (3-23-0), a good possession receiver and tenacious blocker. There is some speed in reserve too. The offense is still limited at some of the skill positions, but should be better this season.

Defense

The defense returns eight starters which bodes well for the coming year. Nose Tackle Mike Gann (34 tkls, 6 tfls, 1 sack, 1 PBU) was good last season and looked even better in camp. The star of the show is DE Josh McNary (65 tkls, 10 tfls, 2 PBUS) though. He had 12.5 sacks last season and is lightning fast into the backfield. The new End will be senior Marcus Hilton (27 tkls, 1 tfl), who has started 3 games in two years. As with most Army lineman, depth is small and quick, but they lack much experience. All three true Linebackers return and they get to the ball in a hurry. MLB Stephen Anderson (83 tkls, 6.5 tfls, 2.5 sacks, 2 PBUs) missed the last three games last season with a torn ACL and MCL but returns this season. WLB Andrew Rodriguez (85tkls, 1 tfl, .5 sack, 3 PBUs, 2 INTs) is a playmaker and SLB Steven Erzinger (71 tkls, 6.5 tfls, 1 sack, 1 PBU, 1 INT) covers the run and pass with equal gusto. The hybrid "Bandit" will be sophomore Nate Combs, who won the job in camp by displaying great versatility. The secondary returns three starters, including both safeties. SS Donovan Travis (71 tkls, 2 tfls, 2 PBUs, 4 INTs) is a hard hitter and is joined by FS Donnie Dixon (29 tkls, 3 tfls, 1 sack, 2 PBUs). The returning Corner is Antuan Aaron (52 tkls, .5 tfl, 5 PBUs, 1 INT) is solid and the unit will benefit from the return of senior Richard King, who wasn't on the team last year. Depth is decent too. The defense should be tough again this season.

Special Teams

Kicker Alex Carlton (100% PATs, 18/24 FGs) struggled in spring and will lose his spot to Punter Jonathon Bulls if it carries over to the season. Bulls averaged only 39.2 gross and 34.2 net, but has good placement. Mealy and receiver Malcolm Brown will return kicks, and Josh Jones (only 5.8 ypr) will return punts again in 2010. Coverage teams were poor, allowing 3 return TDs (1 KR, 2 PRs). They must improve in this area this year.

Next Season

There is little doubt that the Black Knights will be better as a team in 2010, but the question is whether their record will reflect it. They have a schedule that brings tough opponents such as Temple, Rutgers, Notre Dame and the other two service academies. They only have four away games though and they're winnable (Eastern Michigan, Duke, Tulane and Kent State) and this is an experienced team that should pull out the close games they lost last season. With probably only 6 wins needed for Army to get to bowl game, their 13 year bowl drought should be at an end.

Navy

Last Year

When Navy opened up the season pushing Ohio State to the limit and still having a chance to win but two for two last second failed "Hail Mary" attempts, it looked this would be one of their better seasons – and it was. A 10-4 record, which included a second consecutive victory over Notre Dame as well as their 7th consecutive bowl game and Commander-in-Chief trophies. QB Ricky Dobbs set an NCAA record for rushing TDs by a QB with 27, and the defense was its best in years. A 35-13 thrashing of Missouri in the bowl game polished off a fine season. There was some concern that Navy would slip when Coach Paul Johnson left for Georgia Tech, but his protégé and new Coach Ken Niumatalolo has carried on without missing a beat.

Offense

Dobbs did more than just rush for TDs; he also completed 53.3% of his passes for 1031 yards, 6 TDs and just 3 interceptions to go with his 1203 yards rushing. His running of the offense is peerless, always seeming to make the right call. There is legitimate talk of a run at the Heisman Trophy this season too. The big concern is if he goes down, which is a possibility with the amount of contact he receives, who will replace him? Junior Kriss Proctor only threw 4 passes last season, although he ran for 223 yards and 5 TDs (53 carries). It remains to be seen whether he can sustain that production over a number of games. Fullback Vince Murray ran for 971 yards and 6 TDs on 182 carries last season (only lost 1 yard all season), even though he didn't start until the 6th game. He'll be joined by new Slotbacks, junior Aaron Santiago (1-9-0) and sophomore Gee Gee Greene (41-253-0). The reserve FB will Alexander Teich (70-379-0), who started the first six games, but the depth at the Slot is inexperienced. The offensive line returns two starters, sterling tackles Jeff Battipaglia (left) and Matt Molloy (right). The new guards will be sophomore Josh Cabral on the left, who has limited experience, and junior Brady DeMell, who started two games and played in every other, opposite him. Junior C Eric Douglass started four games and played in nine others. There isn't much experience in reserve. Like all Nay lines, this one is small, but athletic, and there should be no dropoff in the running attack this season. Greg Jones (6-149-1) returns at receiver, as does Mike Schupp (6-61-0). Both are super blockers, and should see more passes come their way this season. Depth is solid. The Slotbacks should see their share of the ball as receiver too.

Defense

The defense was great last year but only returns five starters this season, which is a cause for concern. The line returns two starters but one, NT Chase Burge (29 tkls, .5 tfl, .5 sack, 3 PBUs) is locked in a training camp battle with fellow senior Shane Bothel (6 tkls, 1 tfl). Burge is bigger and more experienced, but the competition should increase the standard at the position at the very least. Jabaree Tuani (54 tkls, 2 tfls, 3.5 sacks, 2 PBUs, 1 INT) returns at one end and will be joined this year by senior Billy Yarborough (14 tkls, sack, PBU). The reserve strength lacks much experience. Four new linebackers need to be found, making this unit the team's biggest question. Senior ILB Tyler Simmons (68 tkls, 1 tfl, 2 PBUs) did a sterling job backing up the inside last season and steps into one of the starting roles. He'll be joined by junior Caleb King (2 tkls). The OLBs will be senior Jerry Hauburger and either junior Aaron McCauley (4 tkls) or sophomore Brye French (2 tkls). Outside of Simmons, this unit is very inexperienced. Three members of the secondary return, including both Safeties, which makes this the most experienced unit on the team. SS Wyatt Middleton (68 tkls, 2 tfls, 7 PBUs, 4 INTs) led the way last season, but FS Emmett Merchant (54 tkls, 4 PBUs, 2 INTs) can make plays too. The returning Corner is Kevin Edwards (51 tkls, 2 tfls, 6 PBUs, 1 INT) and he did a good job last season. Joining him will be junior Kwesi Mitchell (29 tkls, .5 sacks, 2 PBUs), who started two games last season and played in all 14. The number of seniors on the defense will help with knowing the system, but the lack of game experience could hurt in tight games.

Special Teams

Joe Buckley returns as the Placekicker after a good season in which he was perfect on PATs and made 10 of 13 FGs (50 long). The team will be pleased if Kyle Delahooke (43.1 gross, 38.3 net) can maintain last season's production. Greene (18.4 ypr) and Teich will returns kicks, with junior WR Gary Myers returning punts. Both kick and punt coverage units allowed TD returns, but were okay otherwise. They need to tighten up consistently though.

Next Season

Navy will need to make a run at a perfect season give Dobbs a decent shot at the Heisman. The offense will be tough to stop again (slow might be a better word), but the defense could be a major issue if the new faces struggle. However, Navy has a recent history of slotting in inexperienced starters and just carrying on with little dropoff in production. The schedule is very manageable, with the toughest games at Air Force and Wake Forest, with home games against SMU and Notre Dame. The last game of the season against Army could be a stumbling block. It would be a surprise if Navy fail to make a bowl game for the eight straight year, but whether they can top last season is another matter.

Notre Dame

Last Year

Charlie Weis' career here started well, going 19-6 in his first two seasons before things started to wrong. A 3-9 season was almost forgiven due to player turnover, and a 7-6 season seemed to show things were going in the right direction. A 6-2 start to last year behind a dynamic offense was promising, but a 0-4 finish led to management finally giving up on Weis and dismissing him in favor of Cincinnati Head Brian Kelly, who turned an average program into a BCS contender. The offense last season, led by Jimmy Clausen throwing to Golden Tate, Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph, was 8th in total yardage and kept the team in every game. Unfortunately all six losses, which were by a TD or less, were the result of a defense that struggled to stop anyone after the first game and set a school record for futility. There is no excuse for a team with the Fighting Irish's talent to struggle this much, and Kelly will have no time for anyone who can't maintain his pace. Interesting times lie ahead in South Bend.

Offense

Clausen has moved onto the NFL, so junior Dayne Crist (50% comp, 130 yds, TD, INT) will be charged with the job of replacing him. Crist has the arm to run Kelly's attack, but a torn ACL suffered last year may hinder his mobility. If he can't come up with the goods, junior Nate (son of Joe) Montana is the primary reserve. His only experience is as a JUCO last year, and the offense could go downhill in a hurry if he steps in. Watch for next-big-thing Andrew Hendrix sooner rather than later. RB Armando Allen (142-697-3) was injured often last season, but is more than capable when healthy. Expect to see Robert Hughes (88-416-5) to get plenty of carries too. The offensive line only returns two starters – LG Chris Stewart and RG Trevor Robinson. Sophomore Zack Martin will step in at LT, the Center will be the very experienced senior Dan Wenger and RT will be senior Taylor Dever who has played regularly in reserve. The depth has some solid experience, and the talent is unquestioned. The receivers are the class of the offense. Floyd missed 5½ games last season yet still caught 44 passes for 795 yards and 9 TDs. He'll be the go-to guy this year. Joining him will be senior Duval Kamara (23-218-1), a possession receiver, and sophomore Theo Riddick (6-43-0), who played running back (29-160-0) last season. The reserves are all former top recruits. TE Kyle Rudolph (33-364-3) is All-American quality as both a blocker and receiver. He'll be backed up by senior Bobby Burger (2-10-0).

Defense

The defense returns nine starters and should be better for the experience. Kelly is installing a 3-4 defense which suits the personnel better and should lead to vast improvement in 2010. Ian Williams (39 tkls, 6 tfls, 1 PBU, 1 INT) will move into the NT spot after a decent season. The Ends will be Ethan Johnson (32 tkls, 2.5 tfls, 4 sacks, 1 PBU) and Kapron Lewis-Moore (46 tkls, 4.5 tfls, 2.5 sacks), both of who were solid last season but could improve their pass rushing. Depth is thin but talented. The Linebackers should be the strength of the defense, with all three from last season returning. Darius Fleming (29 tkls, 9 tfls, 3 sacks) and Brian Smith (71 tkls, 4 tfls, 1.5 sacks, 2 INTs) will man the outside and are capable of making big plays. The Inside Linebackers will be Manti Te'o (63 tkls, 4.5 tfls, 1 sack, 1 PBU), who looked good as a freshman, and junior Anthony McDonald (10 tkls). There is depth and talent in reserve. The secondary returns both Corners – Darrin Walls (27 tkls, 1 tfl, 6 PBUs, 1 INT) and Gary Gray (28 tkls, 1 PBU, 1 INT). Both could stand to improve, but the experience should help. SS Harrison Smith (69 tkls, 6.5 tfls, 4 PBUs) also returns after playing Safety and Linebacker last season. The Free Safety spot will be manned by junior Jamoris Slaughter (14 tkls), who started one game last season. Depth is okay. This defense should be far better this year.

Special Teams

Nick Tausch (27/30 PATs, 14/17 FGs – 46 long) returns at Kicker after missing the last three games. If he struggles, last season's replacement David Ruffer (9/10 PATs, 5/5FGs – 42 long), is more than capable of stepping in. The Punter will be Ben Turk (38.2 gross, 33.5 net), but he needs to improve his distance. RB Cierre Wood and Riddick (22.9) will return kicks, and Allen will return punts, although Tate's skills will be missed. Both kick (2 TD returns) and punt coverage units need to improve in the coming season.

Next Season

This team has enough talent for Kelly to make an impact straight away, but the issue with the Fighting Irish the last couple of seasons was not talent. Kelly has established discipline and a rigorous conditioning program, and the team appears to have responded well. The schedule this season is littered with teams who could beat Notre Dame, but are not unbeatable (maybe Pittsburgh). A quick turnaround is very possible, but Crist needs to hit the ground running (Kelly is a QB expert) and the defense needs to improve. A lot.

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