Being left at a loss for words
Jackson forces announcers to search for new adjectives
It’s not that Gerry Sandusky thought he’d seen it all.
He was open to the possibility of something new and fresh, something fun. But after hundreds of games as the radio voice of the Ravens, Sandusky had seen a lot. And a lot of what he’d seen seemed to play over and over, like a song stuck on repeat.
So when Lamar Jackson made his first start as Ravens quarterback in November 2018, Sandusky figured that, fromhis perch high up in M&T Bank Stadium, he would be prepared to do his job. Then Jackson
started to hold the ball out on zone-read plays, and the running back would go one way and Jackson the other, and Sandusky, for so long a reliable narrator of on-field happenings, just wouldn’t know who had
that refers to filling holes and plugging gaps.
Newberry, in his second season as coordinator, cited the lack of live scrimmaging during August training camp as the main culprit. Navy implemented full-contact practices in the wake of the 55-3 blowout by BYU, but the pad level and physicality still was not where it needed to be in the first half against Tulane.
“We are not fitting things in our base defense the way we should be at this point,” Newberry said. “That goes back to the lack of livework during camp and not having spring ball.
“At this time last season, wewere really greased up and could fit just about anything in our base defense. It was second nature. This season, it’s not at this point.”
As was the case versus BYU, Navy had someof its best defenders— notablyFagot and safetyKevinBrennan— attempting to fix all the problems themselves. Newberry addressed the entire unit Monday and reminded defenders to trust the men next to them, espousing the Bill Belichick manta of “do your job.”
“We still have guys overcompensating and trying to do too much, especially when things break down,” Newberry said. “When you get your eyes in the wrong place and get out of your gaps, that’swhen breakdowns occur.”
Newberry and the rest of the defensive staff made some minor adjustments at halftime and talked about winning the third quarter. Navy’s defense did that and then some, basically stonewalling Tulane throughout the second half.
Fagot said therewere no fiery speeches or other motivational ploys used by the coaching staff at halftime. Rather, it was the three senior captains and other team leaders who took charge during intermission, which led to the greatest comeback inNavy football history.
“There was no special formula. We kept emphasizing: Do your job,” Fagot said. “Coach Newberry had some good things drawn up schematically and we just executed what he asked us to do.”
Fagot said the string of three-and-out defensive stops buoyed a unit that had allowed 79 points and 871 total yards through three halves.
“It gave us that much-needed confidence on the sideline,” he said. “We kind of got our mojo back.”
It started with stopping the run and forcing the host team into third-and-long situations. That enabled Newberry to use blitzes to put pressure on Howard, who completed just one pass in the second half.
“I think our effort level was really good,” Newberry said. “We had a lot of guys around the football in that second half. At the same time, ifwe’re being really honest with ourselves, Tulane helped us a little bit in the second half.”
Newberry must change gears and get the defense ready for a triple-option opponent as Navy travels to Colorado Springs to take on Air Force next Saturday. Normally, after scrimmaging during spring practice and August training camp, the unit would have considerable experience going against the option.
That is not the case this season and the Midshipmen were fortunate to have an unexpected bye week to make up for lost time. Navy was slated to play Temple on Saturday, but that game was postponed because of a coronavirus spike on the campus of the Philadelphia school.
“We’re going to come out this week with renewed purpose and get ready for AirForce,” Newberry said. “We still have a long, longway to go.
“It’s not even close to wherewe need to be to win football games. Our guys know that.”
Stats don’t determine value
Fagot was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of theWeek for his performance against Tulane. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior recorded nine tackles, six of whichwere solo and two of whichwent for a loss.
Fagot notched a big sack and also had two pass breakups and was clearly the catalyst behind the big turnaround.
However, he was not named Defensive Player of the Game by the Navy coaching staff. That honor sent to defensive lineman Jackson Perkins, who was credited with three tackles and a quarterback hurry.
WhenNewberry grades defensive linemen, he gives credit for absorbing a block or taking on a double-team so trailing linebackers canmake tackles.
“That’s an assist and just as important to making [a] play yourself,” he said. “Ifwe had 11 guys playing the game the way
Perkins does in terms of effort level and attention to detail, we’d be pretty dang good.”
Senior safety Evan Fochtman earned the “Blue Collar” award from the coaching staff after making three tackles (one for a loss) againstTulane. TheArchbishop Spalding product was recognized for consistency with executing assignments.
Fagot, cornerback Michael McMorris (four tackles, one pass breakup) and outside linebacker JohnMarshall earned honorable mention notice from the coaching staff.
Marshall was making his debut at the striker position after moving there from safety following the season opener. Newberry liked what he saw out of the 6-2, 197-pound sophomore, who did not see any varsity action last season.
“[Marshall] played all but one snap and really threw his body around,” Newberry said. “He’s not afraid to mix it up. I was proud of thewayMarshall played consideringwemoved him there twoweeks ago. His effort levelwas outstanding.”
Newberry describedMarshall as being, in essence, like a redshirt freshman. He believes the Gonzaga College graduate, who grew up in Highland, Maryland, will make dramatic improvement with each game.
Newberry would like to see Marshall add 10 to 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason now that he’s playing on the second level.
Reversing course
During the offseason, Newberry decided to have Perkins and junior J’arius Warren switch positions.
Perkins moved from end to tackle and Warren did the opposite. After watching the BYU tape, the defensive coordinator decided the changewas not productive.
So Perkinswas back at end andWarren returned to tackle against Tulane. Both players are listed at 257 pounds, but Newberry said Warren is sturdier and therefore better equipped to go up against guards.
“We moved Perkins inside thinking he would be able to put on weight and he wasn’t able to do that,” Newberry said. “We flipped them back and I think that’s where those guys belong.”
Meanwhile, senior Christian Pearson (6-3, 317) started at nose guard and responded with a solid outing, making two solo tackles with one coming behind the line of scrimmage.