Navy cornerback Blake Carter has come out of games lately feeling as though he's been involved with a traumatic accident. "After every game it feels like I was in a car crash, or maybe even a plane crash," he said.

   Navy has played nine games without a bye and won't get one until Nov. 21 -- after 11 games have been played. Just about every other college football team in the country has received a bye by this point in the season and the players have used the week off to heal nagging injuries.

    Navy has not gotten a much-needed break and the nonstop schedule is beginning to take its toll. Inside linebacker Tony Haberer, safety Wyatt Middleton and cornerback Kevin Edwards were all wearing green non-contact jerseys during Tuesday's practice. Slotback Marcus Curry was still sporting the red jersey that means he is not participating in the padded portions of practice at all.

     "We could pretty much have all 22 starters in green. Everybody has something. We’re beat up. We’re beat to heck," head coach Ken Niumatalolo said.

     Niumatalolo said the Navy coaching staff is working closely with the training staff to put together a plan to help those players with nagging injuries get through the week of practice and be able to play on Saturdays.  

     "We have to be smart with the guys that have nicks and bruises and just try them to get to the game. There’s a lot of things we try to do in our schedule to get them some rest," Niumatalolo said. "I don’t want to tell people how many days we go in pads and shells, but we try to cut back on certain things."

     Niumatalolo said the coaching staff has to find a balance between resting certain players and getting them enough contact work during the practice week that they are prepared for the inevitable physical pounding that occurs during games.

    "We have to be pad ready, too. It’s a fine line. Do you come out in shells and give them some rest then the first time they get hit on Saturday it’s (a shock to the system)," he said.

      Niumatalolo is constantly impressed and amazed by the fact players with bothersome injuries continue to practice and perform at a high level on game day. He credited Dr. Jeff Fair, the team trainer, with helping injured players get ready for the upcoming game.

     "We have tough kids. These guys do a great job of sucking it up. Doc Fair and the training staff do a great job of getting our guys back on the field," Niumatalolo said.  

     Carter admitted it's tough to fight through the pain, but said players do so for the good of the team.

      "I feel beat up. Ten weeks with no bye... it takes a toll on you. It’s a grind," he said. "We stay in the training room and try to take care of our bodies as best we can. Everybody knows that come Saturday, you have to strap it on and do it again."