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Thankfully, Marshall made that statement during World War II and the mission involved that trivial matter of saving the world for democracy. For if the General were looking for Army football players to accomplish the daunting mission of, say, escaping the Conference USA cellar in 2003, the task might be a little tougher. Though the Black Knights haven't enjoyed a winning season since 1996 and have posted a 7-27 league record in five seasons as a member of C-USA, there is an air of cautious optimism surrounding the program as fourth-year coach Todd Berry finally fields a team with some experience. These are his recruits, and expectations -- if not exactly high -- are higher than they have been in some time. OFFENSIVE KEYS: Perhaps the best news of the spring for Army football was junior quarterback Reggie Nevels' decision to rejoin the team. Nevels left the program for "personal reasons" in February, but was welcomed back in late April. The multi-dimensional signal caller started six games in 2002 and led the team in total yards per game (111.9).Nevels' biggest competition will come from sophomore Zac Dahman. While Dahman isn't the running threat that Nevels is, he is a more prolific passer, having led Army with 1,039 passing yards a year ago. No matter who starts, Army desperately needs to improve its offensive punch. The team ranked last in the conference in both total offense (299.5 ypg) and scoring offense (18.8 ppg). When the Cadets run the ball, they'll most often put the pigskin in the capable hands of sophomore Carlton Jones. As a freshman, Jones led the team with 611 rushing yards. With six lettermen returning, the receiver position is one of Army's deepest. William White and Aaron Alexander are the team's most talented wideouts. The 6-foot-5 Alexander provides quite a target, and he led the team with 17.5 yards per catch. White paced the team with 30 receptions and always seemed to make the clutch catches. Army loses four of its five offensive line starters, a unit that allowed a C-USA-low 18 sacks. Hulking junior left tackle Joel Glover (6-foot-5, 276) is the lone returning starter. DEFENSIVE KEYS: Ever the optimist, Berry lists the defensive line as one of the team's real strengths, this despite giving up a league-high 210 yards rushing per game last year. Juniors Keenan Beasley and Odene Brathwaite anchor the unit at the end positions, while former end Will Sullivan will start at one of the tackle positions. Trey Landry, who started four games last year, is expected to earn the other starting job.Army is justifiably proud of the type of leaders its produces, and there is no finer example than senior outside linebacker Ryan Kent. Army's leading tackler last year, Kent is more importantly the team's emotional leader. "When Ryan talks," says Berry, "everyone on the football team listens. He's the guy that runs the ship and everyone knows it." Junior corners Jonathan Lewis and Delente Brewer are both back for their third year as starters, giving Army some measure of confidence and experience in the defensive backfield. SPECIAL TEAMS: Left-footed junior Alex Bradford inherits punting duties, while Joe Riley, who improved as the season went on last year, returns as placekicker. White is one of the nation's top kick returners, ranking 44th in the country last year with 22.5 yards per return.FINAL ANALYSIS: When football coaches take on a rebuilding job, they always point to that year in the future when their own recruits will be starting on both sides of the ball, when they'll have a little depth and experience at key positions. For Army, this is that year.Berry was pleased with the work ethic his players showed during the offseason, and he expects dramatic improvement from last year's 1-11 showing. If Jones continues to improve like Berry believes he will, and if quarterbacks Nevels and Dahman give Berry the nice problem of having two good quarterbacks, this team could put some points on the board. • Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
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