Navy coach Paul Johnson is more cautious than a mortgage banker staring at risky applicants. He worries about everything.
His biggest concern this season? Punter.
Friends, that’s like saying make your bowl plans now.
The Midshipmen have three straight winning seasons and bowl berths since its resurrection under Johnson. The 35 seniors seek to become the first class to ever reach a bowl each season and not lose to Army or Air Force.
Oh yeah, one preseason magazine also said Navy could go undefeated if it beats Notre Dame.
They are royalty in the Navy football history that dates back to 1879. You have to return to the heady days of the early 1960s under quarterbacks Joe Bellino and Roger Staubach to find a comparable group, though the 1978-81 era wasn’t bad.
Navy’s 26 victories over three years equaled the previous six seasons combined. Now the Brigade expects Saturday nights off after football victories. The Annapolis economy needs the bump.
All of this hoopla leaves Johnson colder than an unpaid landlord. He’s worried about replacing the punter and snapper. About starting a different quarterback for the fourth straight season. About everyone now expecting Navy to win regularly against a schedule that still includes road games against Stanford, Notre Dame and Air Force with just two home contests in the final eight weeks.
“I think there is probably a difference in attitude,” Johnson said, “but I don’t think I ever went into a season without high expectations and with guys that didn’t want to win. This class has a chance to do some really special things. . . . They can leave their legacy on Navy football as the group that came in and helped get this program turned around.”
The offseason stain involving quarterback Lamar Owens even seems to be fading. Rape charges were dismissed against Owens after an ugly trial and players and Johnson say they can now move on. Maybe some fans will remember, perhaps some opposing fan will say something ugly, but Johnson can only stay between the lines.
“I don’t think (Owens) took away from anybody’s focus,” Johnson said. “Fortunately, he was exonerated for a large part of it and I’m happy for him. I don’t think it really affected the football program or the guys’ approach to the season.”
Plebes do pushups on the sidelines afterNavy’s touchdowns at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Maybe they should watch from the ground level rather than repeatedly climb from the stands in-between.
The Mids’ triple-option led the nation with 318 yards rushing per game last season while averaging 34 points. Brian Hampton becomes the fourth different passer to open the season since 2003, but he can always depend on running back Reggie Campbell, who scored five touchdowns in the 51-30 victory over Colorado State in the Poinsettia Bowl last season. Matt Hall and Adam Ballard combined for 1,181 yards. Then there’s Jason Tomlinson coming off 51 catches for 833 yards.
Defensively, the Mids have strong linebacking in David Mahoney and Tyler Tidwell along with All-American candidate Rob Caldwell.
Maybe it all comes down to punter Greg Veteto trying to replace departed Eric Shuey. Johnson sure might rest easier if Veteto booms a few. “There’s such a thin line because winning and losing,” Johnson said. “It would be easy to step back.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
