Injury Update...Navy

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Navy starting quarterback Ricky Dobbs looked outstanding in practice yesterday, running with no obvious discomfort and throwing some great passes. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo agreed that Dobbs performed at a high level and wondered whether two weeks off might have energized the junior.

"(Dobbs) had a great practice. I?m very excited about what I saw. I?m always looking to see if he?s dragging his leg or anything. I didn?t see any of that. He ran hard in drills, ran hard in conditioning," Niumatalolo said. "Maybe those two weeks off let him rejuvenate and freshen up a bit. Maybe those two weeks off will result in a fresher Ricky. He was taking a pounding, running the ball a lot."

Niumatalolo was not as encouraged by the progress of slotback Marcus Curry, who is still hampered by a quadricep injury. Curry, the team's third-leading rusher with 393 yards and four touchdowns, was not able to go full speed. Niumatalolo said the dangerous sophomore was probably doubtful for Saturday's game against Notre Dame.

"(Curry) did some things, but wasn?t really able to open up. He was still a little hesitant about opening up," Niumatalolo said.



Defensive end Jabaree Tuani was wearing a green jersey indicating no contact, but Niumatalolo said that was just precautionary because the standout sophomore's sore back had stiffened up a bit. Tuani, whom Niumatalolo said has really "battled in the trenches for us," is expected to play on Saturday.

 

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Extended stretch taking a toll on Midshipmen
Injuries mounting for Navy

Navy cornerback Blake Carter has come out of games lately feeling as though he's been involved in 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 week off 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.

"We could pretty much have all 22 starters in green. Everybody has something. We're beat up. We're beat to heck," Navy 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.

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 praised Dr. Jeff Fair, the team trainer, for getting injured players ready for games.

"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."



BACK-AND-FORTH: Promising sophomore Mike Stukel continued to practice at quarterback this week, but he will be back at slotback as soon as classmate Kriss Proctor recovers from an ankle injury suffered against Temple.

Stukel has flip-flopped between the two positions throughout the season, and hasn't gotten to play much in games as a result.

Stukel originally moved to slotback during preseason practice after losing the battle to be the backup quarterback to Proctor. While Proctor showed slightly better option skills, a factor in the coaching staff's decision was that Stukel had the speed and athleticism to play another position.

Stukel rose to No. 2 on the depth chart at one point and seemed a sure bet to earn playing time. Then Proctor suffered a knee injury just prior to the opener and Stukel returned to quarterback to serve as the backup for the initial three games of the season.

Stukel switched back to slot back after Proctor resumed practicing on Sept. 20. The Florida native made his debut at slot against Western Kentucky, rushing for 14 yards on one carry. The 5-foot-11,195-pounder, who is one of the fastest players on the squad, picked up 25 yards on four carries versus Rice. He broke loose for a 16-yard gain in that game.

However, Stukel was forced to resume practicing at quarterback after Dobbs suffered a knee injury against SMU and Proctor took over as starter for the past two games. Niumatalolo said Stukel will probably be moved to slotback permanently next season after Navy gets another crop of quarterbacks in the program as part of the 2010 recruiting class.