I thought the Navy football team looked good in its initial intra-squad scrimmage of preseason camp. Players on both sides of the ball flew around and competed hard on an unbearably hot, humid day. It's fairly remarkable that Navy's players are already in such good condition that no one was felled by the severe heat, which was worse down on the artificial turf field due to the black rubber that is part of the surface. I'm venturing to guess the temperature was at least 100 degrees at field level.

     An article about the scrimmage appeared in Sunday's edition of The Capital, but here are some additional notes and observations.

     * Quarterback Ricky Dobbs looked really good throwing the ball. Dobbs is just a natural passer who sets up nicely in the pocket and shows outstanding form while delivering the ball on time and on target. Had Mario Washington not dove for a pass over the middle and simply caught it in stride, Dobbs would have finished with eight completions in nine attempts for 176 yards. If the junior signal-caller can do that during a regular season game, it would certainly add a different dimension to Navy's offense.

     * Despite dropping what could have been a 63-yard touchdown pass, Washington looked capable of becoming the go-to receiver the Mishipmen need to replace Tyree Barnes. Washington got open repeatedly and did make a 31-yard catch. Dobbs said afterward that he and Washington, who are classmates and close friends, played pitch-and-catch all summer so I'm guessing they have developed some chemistry. 

     Dobbs was asked if he gave Washington a hard time for dropping the very catchable ball. "I could have put it in a better spot, but Mario said he should have caught it because he got his hands on it."  

     Washington had the hit of the day, absolutely laying out nose guard Chase Burge with a blindside block. Washington looked like a strong safety as he double-backed toward the line of scrimmage and caught the 6-foot-4, 270-pound Burge flush in the shoulder pads, drawing oohs and aahs from fans and fellow players alike.

    * Nose guard Nate Frazier and end Jabaree Tuani look like the could form the best defensive line duo that Navy's had in many years. The offensive line has struggled to block Frazier and Tuani, who got penetration into the backfield throughout the scrimmage. It all starts up front and defensive coordinator Buddy Green must sleep well at night knowing he has that tandem at the point of attack.

    On the down side, the dominance of Frazier in particular has produced concern about the center position. Sophomore Brady DeMell (6-foot-3, 286 pounds) has struggled so far in camp, understandable considering he did not take a varsity snap as a plebe. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo said sophomore Eric Douglass is pushing DeMell and admitted that both have a long way to go in order to get ready for the season opener.

   "Fortunately, we have three more weeks to get them ready. They need a lot of work. They both have to get a ton better," he said.

   * Dobbs drew hearty laughs from the assembled media with his response to a question about the speed of Ohio State quarterback Terelle Pryor. Adam Nettina of GoMidshipmen.com asked Dobbs if he thought he could beat Pryor in a 40-yard dash.

    "Probably not," said Dobbs, who was informed that Pryor reportedly runs the 40 in 4.3 seconds. "Yeah, they say he runs a 4.3 and I probably run a forever," Dobbs said.