Navy football is far from finished product

On offense, Navy needs to further develop a revamped offensive line, find a reliable backup fullback and identify starters at one slot back and one wide receiver spot. Defensively, the Midshipmen must develop depth along the defensive line, settle on a starter at one outside linebacker spot and sort out a crowded secondary. In terms of special teams, the competition for the starting punter and punt returner is wide open.

Navy has 19 more practices and two intra-squad scrimmages in which to find answers between now and the Aug. 30 opener against Towson. While there are several personnel issues that must be solved, Niumatalolo is not worried about what type of effort he'll get from this year's team over the next three weeks.

"I can see the look in our guys' eyes and we are hungry. We have a lot of people that have something to prove. We have a lot of things as a team we want to prove to people," he said.

"We understand who we are. We are not going to be bigger and faster than the other teams, but nobody is going to play harder than us. That will not change. That is our mantra. We will be the hardest playing team in the country."

Niumatalolo was pleased with the results of the running test held Thursday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Every player was timed in a 300-yard shuttle under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coordinator Mike Brass.

Brass has established standard times that various position groups must meet and every player passed the test. That pleased Niumatalolo, who said at least a few players have failed to achieve the minimum time in years past.

"Coach Brass did a phenomenal job of getting our guys in shape. This is the best we've done on this test in six years as far as results," Niumatalolo said. "I'm very pleased with the time and effort our players put in during the off-season. What happened today was proof that our kids worked hard."

Following are a few of the questions that must be addressed during August camp.

1. Who will be the backup fullback?

Navy has a solid starter in senior Eric Kettani, who led Navy in rushing last season with 880 yards on 152 carries. The 6-foot-1, 233-pounder averaged 5.8 yards per attempt and scored 10 touchdowns.

However, the Midshipmen have become accustomed to having a strong one-two tandem at the fullback position and right now there is no proven backup. Junior Kevin Campbell emerged from spring practice No. 2 on the depth chart, but will have to fight hard to stay there.

Campbell (5-11, 193) has all of three career carries, but that's more than any of the other fullbacks in the mix. Sophomores Vince Murray (6-1, 217) and Wes Holland (5-11, 204) both played on the junior varsity last season while the other candidate is freshman Alexander Teich, a prep school product who was switched from slot back on the eve of practice.

"Backup fullback was a big question in the spring, but we were very pleased with the way Campbell and Murray played," Niumatalolo said. "It is still an open battle and those guys know that the number two spot is still up for grabs. We moved Holland and Teich from slot to fullback to up the competition."

For the past four years, two Navy fullbacks have basically split the carries. That probably will not be the case this season as Kettani figures to get most of the work. It would be the first time since Kyle Eckel that one fullback was asked to carry the load.

"That position takes a pounding so we would like to find another guy we can roll in there," Niumatalolo said. "The reps won't be split like they were last year with Adam (Ballard) and Eric, but we need to find somebody that can come in and spell Eric."

2. Who will start opposite Tyree Barnes at wide receiver?

Barnes is by far the most experienced wide receiver, having started all 13 games a year ago and played in 37 games over the course of his career. The sleek 6-foot-2, 197-pound senior is finally healthy after battling leg injuries the past two seasons.

Barnes has proven that he can get open and catch the ball, but his blocking has been questioned in the past. Niumatalolo believes that was largely the result of the youngster not being able to physically execute blocking assignments.

"A lot of that has been his knee. His knee is a lot better. He had a great summer rehabbing his knee. He struggled with breaking down and cutting people last year because of his knee. We expect him to improve this year as a blocker," Niumatalolo said.

However, Navy graduated its most complete wide receiver in O.J. Washington, who led the unit with 12 receptions in 2007 and was an outstanding blocker. Seniors Curtis Sharp and T.J. Thiel enter August drills neck-and-neck with sophomore Mario Washington pushing hard to get in the mix.

3. Who will replace Reggie Campbell at slot back?

Truth be told, you don't replace a player the caliber of Campbell, who could do it all well in terms of running, receiving and blocking. It would not be a stretch to say that Campbell was the best slot back of the current era since Navy resumed running the triple option.

Senior Shun White has been a dynamic runner during his career and will now become the primary weapon at that position. He rushed for 620 yards and seven touchdowns last season. However, the 5-foot-9, 190-pound speedster still has room to improve as a receiver and blocker.

Tiny sophomore Andre Byrd emerged from spring camp as the other starter, but that battle is far from over. Senior Greg Shinego is a solid player in all facets while backup quarterback Jarod Bryant will take all repetitions at slot this August in hopes of earning the starting job.

Byrd, who at 5-foot-7 and 157 pounds reminds many of Campbell, is a dangerous runner due to outstanding speed and quickness. Like most young players at the slot position, he must get better at executing blocking assignments.

A pair of plebes - Chris Hill (Lansing, Kansas) and Jarren Brown (Upper Marlboro, Md.) - could get in the mix at slot.

4. How will the offensive line shape up?

Navy lost three starters from an offensive line that paved the way for the team to lead the nation in rushing offense with an average of 348.8 yards per game.

Right tackle Andrew McGinn and left guard Anthony Gaskins are the lone returning starters on the unit. Senior Ricky Moore was switched from tackle to center to replace Antron Harper while juniors Austin Milke and Curtis Bass are listed as the starters at left tackle (Josh Meek) and right guard (Ben Gabbard), respectively.

"We have some guys that we feel good about, but they still have to prove it on the field," Niumatalolo said. "Curtis Bass is a guy we feel good about at guard, but he still has to prove it in a game. We feel good about Austin Milke at tackle, but he has to prove it in a game."

Big, strong junior Andy Lark was moved from nose guard to center to serve as backup to Moore and is still learning the position. Lark (6-0, 289) is one of the strongest players on the team.

"I'm starting to like what I see (out of Lark). He's a pup at center right now so he is running around like a chicken with his head cut off, but he plays with great intensity and he is very strong," Niumatalolo said.

There is also stiff competition to determine a third guard and tackle to spell the two starters at those positions.

5. Can Navy create some quality depth at defensive line?

Defensive coordinator Buddy Green feels good about the three current starters along the line - ends Michael Walsh and Matt Nechak along with nose guard Nate Frazier. Walsh and Frazier both started every game last season and gained lots of experience. Nechak was bumped down to end from outside linebacker and performed well in the role of pass-rushing specialist.

Junior Jordan Stephens played in 12 games with one start at nose guard last season while Kyle Bookhout saw some time at defensive end. Both will be asked to step it up this season. Meanwhile, sophomore Maurice Cumberland came out of spring ball as the backup to Walsh at left end. He did not see any varsity action a year ago.

6. How will the Midshipmen find playing time for all the defensive backs?

Navy has a surplus of solid secondary players as no fewer than 10 returnees saw significant action in 2007. Rashawn King, Kevin Edwards, Jesse Iwuji, Ketric Buffin, Wyatt Middleton, Jeff Deliz, Darius Terry and Blake Carter all started games.

It's a nice problem to have and Green also likes the fact many of the aforementioned players can be used at either safety or cornerback.

Deliz, last year's defensive captain, suffered a severe foot injury in the second game and did not return after undergoing surgery. He is a fifth-year senior with a ton of experience and is already listed atop the depth chart at rover alongside sophomore Emmett Merchant.

"Jeff worked very hard to rehabilitate and moved real well today," Green said. "I think it's going to take time for him to get back to 100 percent, mainly with his cutting. That is something he needs to be smart with and ease into."

Middleton, who ranked second on the squad with 88 total tackles as a plebe, will be hard to supplant at free safety. The solidly-built 6-foot, 192-pound Georgia native looked terrific during the spring. Merchant and Iwuji will battle for playing time behind Middleton.

There is some serious competition at cornerback, where King is listed as the starter on the left side with Buffin and Carter battling for the No. 1 job on the right side. Buffin started the initial two games of 2007 while Carter started the final nine at that spot.

Edwards, a sophomore who earned three starters last season when King was injured, will also push for playing time.

"To me, it's all unsettled. The bottom line is that we're going to compete and see who shows that they deserve to start," Green said.

7. Who will kick and receive the punts?

Campbell was a reliable and sometimes dangerous punt returner a year ago, averaging 14.3 yards an attempt with a long of 46 yards. Several players are auditioning for the job with the elusive Bryant listed No. 1 going into preseason. He possesses the good hands and quick moves you look for in a punt return man.

Washington, the speedy sophomore receiver with good hips and an ability to juke tacklers, is also a serious candidate.

Meanwhile, a bevy of youngsters are fighting to replace Greg Veteto as the No. 1 punter. Sophomore Kyle Delahooke came out of spring camp as the starter, but is still being challenged by classmate Joe Buckley and highly-touted freshman Jon Teague.

Teague is the highest-rated kicker-punter signed by Navy in many years and has looked good so far despite being worn down by the rigors of plebe summer.

"(Teague) is coming from plebe summer so hopefully he will get his pop back, but even with plebe summer legs he's looking good," Niumatalolo said following Friday's initial practice. "Delahooke and Buckley kicked well today too. That is going to be a battle to watch."