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Last season, when a reporter suggested before the Army-Navy game that athletes from the two academies were more intelligent and more articulate than their counterparts at football factories like Miami and Nebraska, Johnson didn't disagree. But he was quick to add a caveat. "They run a little slower too," Johnson said. The program hit rock bottom with an 0-10 record in 2001 under former coach Charlie Weatherbie. The Mids improved to 2-10 last season under Johnson, and while that wasn't what the new coach had in mind, Navy showed some signs of life late in the season, including a rousing 58-12 win over Army. With a little luck, that should continue this season. Johnson has a talented leader in quarterback Craig Candeto, and slotback Eric Roberts could have a big year if he can hold onto the ball. Johnson has also revamped his defense; he asked for, and received, a more realistic schedule; and he landed one of the best recruiting classes the Naval Academy has seen in a decade. The Midshipmen won't be world-beaters in 2003, but the program seems to be headed in the right direction for the first time in awhile. OFFENSIVE KEYS: Navy lacks both size and speed on offense, but the Midshipmen do have at least one thing going for them this fall: an experienced, fearless quarterback. If Candeto can stay healthy, he could be in line for a big season running Navy's triple option attack. Navy averaged 270.8 yards rushing per game in 2002, third best in the country. The 5-foot-11, 197-pound senior was electric at times. Candeto participated only sparingly in spring practices because he's also one of Navy's best baseball players, but backup Aaron Polanco looked sharp in the spring.Though Navy doesn't throw much, it would help if Candeto improved his accuracy. Last season he completed just 49.5 percent of his passes. At running back, Roberts is one of Navy's best athletes, but he needs to prove he can hold onto the ball. Roberts is also Navy's best receiving threat coming out of the backfield. Several players will compete for time at the fullback spot, including Kyle Eckel, Michael Brimage and Bronston Carroll. Brimage was the most effective of the bunch last season. Navy will need to fill some holes at wide receiver and on the offensive line. Lionel Wesley is the Mids' leading returner at wideout, but he caught only eight passes last season. Right tackle Josh Goodin is Navy's only full-time returning starter up front, although August Roitsch and Shane Todd split time at center last season. Todd, the Mids' biggest lineman, will move to guard. DEFENSIVE KEYS: Defensive coordinator Buddy Green has permanently shifted the Mids into a 3-4 alignment in an effort to improve team speed by putting another linebacker on the field. Navy rarely got pressure on opposing quarterbacks without blitzing. The Mids' defensive line recorded only 11 sacks on the year. Senior Ralph Henry and junior Pierre Moss will try to improve that statistic.The Mids are hoping for a big year from senior outside linebacker Eddie Carthan, who led the team in tackles for a loss last year. "He's probably our best defensive player," Johnson said. "He's our best pass rusher, so you'll probably see him coming off the edge at times." Carthan will need help from sophomore Jeremy Chase, who showed tremendous promise at middle linebacker as a freshman, and safety Josh Smith, who led the team in tackles with 127. SPECIAL TEAMS: Two years ago, punter John Skaggs set a school record and was ranked fifth nationally with a 44.8-yard average. That slipped to 41.2 last season. Junior Aaron Weedo could provide a spark returning both kickoffs and punts. He returned a punt 45 yards against Notre Dame last year in one of Navy's few big plays on special teams. Kicker Eric Rolfs has a strong leg but needs to improve his consistency.FINAL ANALYSIS: Year one of Johnson's tenure went about as well as could be expected, but there is still a ton of work to be done. Candeto could be a very productive player, but only if three new starters on the offensive line jell quickly. The defense still desperately lacks speed and size. Working in the Midshipmen's favor is a more realistic schedule. A near-upset of Notre Dame last year at Ravens Stadium breathed some life into the program. Johnson said watching his players in tears after the 30-23 loss proved to him they really did care about turning the program around.• Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
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