TCY: Navy Midshipmen Football

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

Fullback was one of our biggest needs in this class as we have no depth at the position. It's one and done in this class with Nolan Ramsey, the 12th ranked FB in the country. He's a tough, hard-nosed kid from Long Island whose best attribute is his blocking in the run game...which is saying something because he averages 9 yards a carry and has 700 yards receiving.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

We snag a long, athletic offensive lineman in Calvert T Lawrence Cooper. Another one we had to take the admissions counselors out to dinner in order to sneak in. He's just 30 miles outside of Annapolis but still a really nice pickup for a program that's struggling to get wins on the field.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

The final member of the 2004 recruiting class is a bit of a surprise. We take our third DE in Troy Manning. We had just a couple of guys we were willing to spend our last scholarship on and Manning was one of them despite having already fulfilled our needs at DE. He was too good to pass up with his size, abilities and top-notch leadership qualities.

[alexr5111]

[QuikSand]

Okay, incoming class taking shape. I think it would be wise to gain a foothold in some of the MD/DE high schools with high ratings in both academics and athletics, if/when you have any throwaway slots on the roster. A no-talent guy from such a school might help you more than a end-of-bench guy rated 18/18 but from a school you don't really want to target.

Having a player from a school is a nice hook if/when that aspirational target from nearby comes along... the high/high schools are the best for obvious reasons. (Athletic reputation translates to their initial development, which in all the FOF games has mattered a lot)

[alexr5111]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Okay, incoming class taking shape. I think it would be wise to gain a foothold in some of the MD/DE high schools with high ratings in both academics and athletics, if/when you have any throwaway slots on the roster. A no-talent guy from such a school might help you more than a end-of-bench guy rated 18/18 but from a school you don't really want to target.

Having a player from a school is a nice hook if/when that aspirational target from nearby comes along... the high/high schools are the best for obvious reasons. (Athletic reputation translates to their initial development, which in all the FOF games has mattered a lot)

Interesting, I never knew about the athletic reputation. Too bad because I like the idea of having to recruit from crappy programs

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

This is a really big game this week, we've had a bunch of close calls against mediocre teams which are hard to swallow, but Rutgers is bad. They are ranked #117 (We're #99). Their only win was over Kent St. and they've scored 2 TD in a game just once all year. To lose this would be the deathblow especially leading up to the Army game in two weeks. No significant changes in the lineup and no new injuries (DE Leonard Johnson remains out). We are ten point favorites.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

Week 13 thoughts....

This game was a wild one and the score was not indicative of how close it was. We scored 17 points in the final 2:30 after taking over on downs deep inside Rutgers territory each time.

Neither team wanted to win this game - there were 5 interceptions and 6 fumbles total. It was yet another wet, messy one in a season full of them.

Irving Nelson's 99 yard INT return for a TD in the 2nd quarter was a game changing play and a highlight for our pass defense in what was an otherwise poor performance.

Our pass rush did show up, however, collecting 4 sacks. This included one from walk-on freshman defensive back Eugene Nixon.

Quentin Bush was his usual self, leading the team on spectacular drives with third down conversions one minute, and then throwing crucial interceptions the next.

It's another bye week this week before Army-Navy in Week 15.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

If anybody is following this....thoughts on how I should display the playoffs? (I'm doing tournament style) Should I do weekly results or just a summary at the end for the championship? Put a poll at the top of the thread.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

Army-Navy thoughts..

A great way to finish off the season and to end it with 2 wins in a row.

Quentin Bush picked a good time to play his best game of the year. He went 11 for 15 for 205 yards, 2 TD and 0 Int. It gives him a nice confidence boost heading into the offseason

The run game was productive enough. Mike Hicks ran for 91 yards on 27 carries and Patrick Cobb and Quentin Bush combined for 60. It was good enough to control the clock in the 2nd half and get the win. Cobb also contributed with 2 catches for 69 yards and a TD.

Mel McWilliams continued to play his best football at the end of the year. It seemed like the hand injury he suffered early in the season really nagged him and he is finally fully recovered. He caught 5 passes for 93 yards and a TD in this one.

The offensive line was excellent, led by game MVP, Kerry Bradley. They didn't allow a sack all game and combined for 13 key run blocks, with Bradley having 6 of those.

The linebacking group continued their strong play. Arnie Reinhardt finished with a team high 10 tackles. Irving Nelson had 8 and 5 assists and Kevin Wright's 83 yard fumble return for a TD was the play of the day.

It's always big to beat Army. We finish the season 5-6 by starting and finishing strong.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by alexr5111

If anybody is following this....thoughts on how I should display the playoffs? (I'm doing tournament style) Should I do weekly results or just a summary at the end for the championship? Put a poll at the top of the thread.

My two cents? I'm bumping in from time to time and I think there's one crucial thing that really matters: it's what you like to do with your dynasty. If you enjoy what you're writing/creating (this thread is a piece of art), you will make the best efforts, as a result display something that's worth looking at for others and will continue to be something people will keep coming back to to read.

[alexr5111]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

My two cents? I'm bumping in from time to time and I think there's one crucial thing that really matters: it's what you like to do with your dynasty. If you enjoy what you're writing/creating (this thread is a piece of art), you will make the best efforts, as a result display something that's worth looking at for others and will continue to be something people will keep coming back to to read.

Thanks. For me it's just as fun creating the stuff as it is playing the game. It also kind of forces me to immerse myself in the game a little more (normally I'd just blow through the playoffs or never check who else was recruiting who). Appreciate the comment.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

Some general recruiting thoughts..

Overall pretty happy with the class. It's always disappointing that you're capped at 16, particularly in the first few seasons.

I'm curious to see what kind of an effect Nolan Ramsey will have on the offense. I expect he has a chance to win the starting FB job as a freshman.

In some mildly big offseason news, we've released starting OG Arnie Truitt from the team. He failed a class last semester and had a 1.57 GPA. Any player being ruled academically ineligible will be released from the team. With that said, we now have an opening on the offensive line. We signed no guards in this class but it's possible Lawrence Cooper or Sean Villars could fill that role.

Obviously feel really good about the signings on the defensive front 7. The front 4 were painful to watch last year and we've injected a ton of size and ability into this group. It's the strength of this class.

We did take one extra DE than I had planned for. It would've gone towards another DB and we are pretty lacking in that area this season. It'll be a big focus in our next recruiting class. We also made the decision to redshirt one of our two junior punters late in the season which makes the Courtney Guffey signing less needed. Oh well.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

USC with a heck of a haul in 2004. California is loaded in 2005 too so it probably will be more of the same for them.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

Also just a sidenote - because we're Independent I thought it was pretty useless to announce conference awards. However, OT Kerry Bradley was named 2nd team All-America...so that's pretty cool.

One thing I need to remember to do next season because I forgot - end of season statistics. If I forgot anything else, let me know.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

We brought a few new scouts on board but these were the two big moves.

Tommy Falls was previously the QB coach at Brown and has a reputation as a QB guru. He was involved somewhat in the play calling over the last couple of years and we've heard good things in that regard as well. A decent recruiter as well. He wasn't working the T-Formation previously but we will continue to run it here in Annapolis.

We're hoping Troy Stephens will bring the kind of intensity and principles that we're looking for on the defensive side of the ball. He was the linebackers coach at Western Kentucky last year. He did call plays previously at the D2 level and did a great job with it so we're excited for him to have the chance to do it again.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

Michael Hicks keeps his job as the top running back that he won over the departed Patrick Cobb last year. True Frosh Dixon Horner will get plenty of opportunities at the WB spot. Redshirt Sophomore Everett Weyand will get carries as well. Freshman Peter Nance will likely redshirt.

Freshman Nolan Ramsey is the opening day starter at FB but last year's starter, Peter Hardy will get some playing time as well. SR Mercury Gatson retains his role as the starting TE in the offense.

No change at QB with Quentin Bush. His main target will be Ben Cash. Cash was our kick returner last year but becomes the #1 WR with the graduations of Mel McWilliams and Rufus Johnson.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

The offensive line is without a doubt the strength of the team. There would be 5 returning starters if it weren't for Arnie Truitt's dismissal.

The All-American, Bradley and Randy Bartee are the stars of the unit but Howard Scott is not far behind. He took over the starting center job early last season.

True FroshSean Villars gets the early shot at replacing Truitt. He is a natural tackle but we'll see how he does when kicked inside. Fellow freshman Lawrence Cooper is another possibility here.

Les Dicaprio struggled at tackle at times last year and his job isn't completely safe. If he were to find the bench, Cooper, Villars or Senior Claude Flynn are all options at the RT spot.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

In what may be somewhat surprising, both DT's are returning starters. Vinny Houck and Ethan Clemons were steady but not spectacular last year. The plan now is to redshirt freshman, Isaac Roberson. Andrew White will rotate in plenty but not start...at least yet. rSR Brock Thomas will get some pass rush duty as well.

Defensive end is a different story. Both opening day starters will be freshmen. Rufus Ingersoll and Troy Manning get the nod. We've got a lot of bodies here with seniors, Kerry Huxtable, Jason Frederick available. As well as freshman Paul Gillespie and last year's starter, Jamie Newhouse.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

The linebacking crew has a ton of potential but is inexperienced. The only returning starter is Irving Nelson and he's only a sophomore.

The two freshmen, Rondell Reese and Ian Tate will man the OLB spots and there's not a whole lot available beyond that. rFr Jimmie Perez is likely the next man up.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

We're in good hands at the safety position with Clifton Norris and freshman Bennie Contreras. Contreras absolutely looks ready to play right now. Sr Brady Rowan is the next man in and he has game experience at the position.

Cornerback is a little more dicey. We lost Bruce Walton to graduation and now freshman Wade Lake needs to step up. We feel good about Alonzo Barnes but he is injury prone and there is no scholarship depth at this spot.

[alexr5111]

[alexr5111]

Not much to report here. Both kickers retain their positions. Brandon Valadez takes over the return duties as Ben Cash becomes our starting wideout.

[alexr5111]