Monday, March 24, 2008
Spring Football Is Here
New Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo held a press conference at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to discuss spring football practice, which began Monday afternoon.
Niumatalolo said the players have looked good during offseason workouts in terms of weightlifting and conditioning. However, he said the true test will come when the team puts on pads and starts hitting.
"Football is not played in shorts. There are a lot of players who look good in shorts," Niumatalolo said. "We won't know what we really have until we put on the pads."
This afternoon's practice truly marked the start of the Niumatalolo era at Navy, although the long-time assistant didn't expect too many changes with regard to practice organization.
"I've never been one to worry about putting my stamp on the program. I'm going to do what is best for the program and what I think will lead to winning," said Niumatalolo, adding that the most noticeable difference is that he will not ride around in a golf cart ala predecessor Paul Johnson. "The structure of practice will be pretty much the same."
Niumatalolo said several of the new assistants have brought fresh ideas and he thought that was wonderful. This marks the first time since Johnson arrived that Navy's had significant turnover within the coaching staff and new hires such as Joe DuPaix (slot backs), Ashley Ingram (offensive line), Steve Johns (inside linebackers) and Mike Judge (fullbacks) have brought philosophies and thoughts from other programs.
"There's been an infusion of new ideas and I think it's been refreshing for the staff. The learning curve during the offseason has been great," Niumatalolo said.
Several players have undergone position changes and none is more notable than Jarod Bryant, who remain in the role of backup quarterback while also working at slot back and punt returner.
"Jarod is a senior and too talented to sit on the bench," Niumatalolo said. "We think Jarod is special with the football in his hands and we need to find a way to get him on the field."
Navy must also find a center to replace standout Antron Harper and two players have been moved to the position to produce competition. Ricky Moore, who saw significant action at tackle in 2007, is listed as the starter going into the spring.
"We play teams like Air Force that use odd fronts and we needed someone who is bigger and more physical and can go against a nose guard," Niumatalolo said when explaining why the staff chose the 6-foot-4, 283-pound Moore.
In the next breath, Niumatalolo said the staff would prefer to keep Moore at tackle and was hopeful converted nose guard Andy Lark could develop into a credible center. Lark may be the strongest player on the entire team, but was third on the depth chart at nose guard.
Shun White is the team's most experienced slot back and enjoyed a very productive campaign in 2007. The Midshipmen need to find a second starter at slot and have moved rising freshman Emmett Merchant to that position in hopes of utilizing his speed and quickness.
"We had a lot of talented, young kids at defensive back and rather than have (Merchant) stuck in a logjam, we want to give him a chance to show what he can do on (the offensive) side of the ball," Niumatalolo said.
I will post some additional notes and quotes from Niumatalolo's press conference later tonight.
Niumatalolo said the players have looked good during offseason workouts in terms of weightlifting and conditioning. However, he said the true test will come when the team puts on pads and starts hitting.
"Football is not played in shorts. There are a lot of players who look good in shorts," Niumatalolo said. "We won't know what we really have until we put on the pads."
This afternoon's practice truly marked the start of the Niumatalolo era at Navy, although the long-time assistant didn't expect too many changes with regard to practice organization.
"I've never been one to worry about putting my stamp on the program. I'm going to do what is best for the program and what I think will lead to winning," said Niumatalolo, adding that the most noticeable difference is that he will not ride around in a golf cart ala predecessor Paul Johnson. "The structure of practice will be pretty much the same."
Niumatalolo said several of the new assistants have brought fresh ideas and he thought that was wonderful. This marks the first time since Johnson arrived that Navy's had significant turnover within the coaching staff and new hires such as Joe DuPaix (slot backs), Ashley Ingram (offensive line), Steve Johns (inside linebackers) and Mike Judge (fullbacks) have brought philosophies and thoughts from other programs.
"There's been an infusion of new ideas and I think it's been refreshing for the staff. The learning curve during the offseason has been great," Niumatalolo said.
Several players have undergone position changes and none is more notable than Jarod Bryant, who remain in the role of backup quarterback while also working at slot back and punt returner.
"Jarod is a senior and too talented to sit on the bench," Niumatalolo said. "We think Jarod is special with the football in his hands and we need to find a way to get him on the field."
Navy must also find a center to replace standout Antron Harper and two players have been moved to the position to produce competition. Ricky Moore, who saw significant action at tackle in 2007, is listed as the starter going into the spring.
"We play teams like Air Force that use odd fronts and we needed someone who is bigger and more physical and can go against a nose guard," Niumatalolo said when explaining why the staff chose the 6-foot-4, 283-pound Moore.
In the next breath, Niumatalolo said the staff would prefer to keep Moore at tackle and was hopeful converted nose guard Andy Lark could develop into a credible center. Lark may be the strongest player on the entire team, but was third on the depth chart at nose guard.
Shun White is the team's most experienced slot back and enjoyed a very productive campaign in 2007. The Midshipmen need to find a second starter at slot and have moved rising freshman Emmett Merchant to that position in hopes of utilizing his speed and quickness.
"We had a lot of talented, young kids at defensive back and rather than have (Merchant) stuck in a logjam, we want to give him a chance to show what he can do on (the offensive) side of the ball," Niumatalolo said.
I will post some additional notes and quotes from Niumatalolo's press conference later tonight.
