Scouting the Midshipmen

Navy returns after a bowl season, with a 8-5 overall record. This year's team has 25 letterwinners and 13 starters returning. Navy has led the NCAA in a record four-consecutive seasons, last year getting 292.4 rushing yards/game.

Offense
Junior QB Ricky Dobbs returns to the team as the leading rusher with 495 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He played in 7 of 13 games, only starting once. Dobbs completed 9 of 16 for 212 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was the third leading rusher last season. He did not see any action as QB in 2007. Expected to lineup at slotback are Sophomore Marcus Curry and Senior Bobby Doyle. Curry played in seven games last year, but did not start or have any carries. Curry will also return kicks, and is one of the fastest players on the team. Doyle lines up at the other SB spot. Doyle was originally recruited as a QB, but he played as SB in all 13 games last year with one start, getting 16 carries for 169 yards. The Chardon, OH native played in all 13 games in 2007, but had limited touches. At fullback is sophomore Alexander Teich. Teich played in 12 games last season, no starts, with seven carries for 24 yards. He also has returned kicks, averaging 15.3 yards/return. At wide receiver are junior Greg Jones and Mike Schupp. The wide receivers won't have that many passes in this offense

Defense
Junior LB Ross Pospisil returns after racking up 106 tackles last year. Posposil is the defensive team captain. He returns after starting in all 13 games at inside linebacker last season. Last year's unit gave up 35 points to Ball State and both Duke and Pittsburgh had over 40 points. Seven players are expected to return as starters, including most of the lineman and linebackers. The secondary could be a major weakness, due to inexperience.