So if you have a gripe, send it to Offtheyard@gmail.com. Today, we will be revealing the First Team and Honorable Mention selections for the Offense.
First Team Offense
QB: Ricky Dobbs Navy
Comments: Dobbs gets the nod here because of his potential and because the unsettled situation at Air Force. As Dobbs goes, so too will Navy’s offense this season. He’s got all the tools to be great, but he will be thrown to the sharks in week one against you-know-who.
RB: Asher Clark Air Force
Comments: I’m not so sure I believe all this talk about Clark pushing Tim Jefferson at QB mostly because he is such an established running back. He had a break-out year in ’08 with 588 yards and 5 TDs.
RB: Bobby Doyle Navy
Comments: Somebody is going to have to step up for the Mids at slot back and fill the hole left by Shun White. That responsibility will fall first and foremost to the converted QB. Good things always seemed to happen when Doyle got an opportunity in ’08, and Navy will need him to do more.
RB: Patrick Mealy Army
Comments: The lone Army representative on the first-team offense, Mealy is here based almost entirely on his potential to flourish in Coach Rich Ellerson’s triple option offense. He is Army’s biggest threat on offense and should help take some pressure off of Chip Bowden.
WR: Kyle Halderman Air Force
Comments: Halderman’s collarbone injury will sideline him for at least six more weeks and his loss will be huge for the Falcons. Halderman is the Falcons’ best dual threat receiver/runner and an instrumental part to Troy Calhoun’s offense. When healthy, he could still top last year’s production (over 600 yards of total offense).
WR: Mario Washington Navy
Comments: All this talk about Ricky Dobbs’ ability to throw the ball has got folks in Annapolis excited about the potential for a passing game to emerge. If this happens (big ‘if’), Washington should be the main recipient, making 30 catches and 400 yards a definite possibility.
OL: Jeff Battipaglia Navy
Comments: With no stand-out centers at any of the schools, the line will feature two guards and three tackles – including Battipaglia. The junior started all 13 games last season and will have the primary responsibility of keeping Dobbs upright when he throws the ball.
OL: Nick Charles Air Force
Comments: If Charles’ nagging hamstring injury is serious, Air Force’s offense will have problems this season. Charles is arguably the best player on this team and the most important part of the Falcons’ attack.
OL: Curtis Bass Navy
Comments: When Ricky Dobbs ran inside last season, he had a lot more success. A lot of that running room can be attributed to Bass who emerged as a leader of the Mids’ offensive line. Navy will need him to be even better this season as the center position is a major question mark.
OL: Chris Campbell Air Force
Comments: Campbell has great size (6-3, 270) and excels at pass protection. The senior also has some good quickness which will continue to help Air Force rack up the rushing yards.
OL: Matt Malloy Navy
Comments: The word ‘nasty’ always seems to come immediately after someone asks what Malloy is like. I guess that is a good quality to have for an offensive tackle. Malloy has the potential to be the best lineman on this team (outside of Charles), but Navy just needs him to be consistent.
Honorable Mention
QB: Chip Bowden Army
QB: Tim Jefferson Air Force
RB: Jared Tew Air Force
RB: Alexander Teich Navy
WR: Kevin Fogler Air Force