Dobbs 'positive' as Navy springs forward

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By Mike Fratto

Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo almost witnessed his worst nightmare when starting quarterback Ricky Dobbs was slow to get up after his final carry of Friday's Blue-Gold spring game.

"I saw everything flash before me," the second-year coach said. "I was talking to somebody and I didn't hear a word that person said -- all I could see was Ricky on the ground. Fortunately, he could have went back in if it was a game."

Dobbs played only two series for the Gold team, which won 19-0. He felt no ill effects afterward from rolling his ankle.

Dobbs opened the eyes of the coaching staff last year in spot duty and wound up second on the team with eight rushing touchdowns despite playing only eight games. Niumatalolo and offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper have high hopes for Dobbs, who has perhaps the strongest arm of any quarterback in the team's triple-option era. Dobbs' effectiveness as a passer will be a key component in how successful the Mids can be this fall.

The 6-foot-1 rising junior spent most of fall camp working on the mental aspect of running the triple option -- making the proper reads and cutting down on turnovers. He finished the spring game with 18 yards on eight carries.

"Everybody grew up [this spring]," Dobbs said. "I had a lot of growing pains, but I feel real positive going into the summer and working every day. We got a long way to go, but I think we're on our way."

While sophomore Alex Teich can feel secure about his spot as starting fullback entering fall camp, Navy's slot back situation is muddled. Cory Finnerty and Bobby Doyle are slated to be the only seniors at the position; sophomores Marcus Curry and Aaron Santiago have been impressive, and junior Andre Byrd has flashed promise as well.

Added to that mix this summer will be third-string quarterback Mike Stukel, a sophomore.

"He'll still be a guy that will compete at quarterback, but he's going to get a very good look at [slot back] this summer. He's one of our faster kids; he's got a different speed with the ball in his hands."

Junior linebacker Tyler Simmons received the Admiral Mack award as the Mids' most improved player during the spring. With senior Clint Sovie moving to outside linebacker, the coaches hoped someone would step up in to provide depth at inside linebacker since defensive coordinator Buddy Green likes to rotate defenders in and out.

"It was an easy choice for us," Niumatalolo said. "He was not only the best defender [this spring], he was by far and away the best football player. My wife could have watched the practice and asked 'Who is [No.] 54?' He was all over the place."

Simmons was mostly a special teams player last season but leapfrogged three players on the depth chart this spring. He credits his development to mimicking incumbent starters Ross Pospisil, Navy's leading tackler last season, and Tony Haberer.

"I'm in a very fortunate position to be able to play under Ross and Tony," Simmons said. "They just know what they're doing."

Being named most improved player was a relief for Simmons considering that he was in Niumatalolo's doghouse for hitting Dobbs late in a scrimmage earlier this month. He received an earful from Niumatalolo, and his hit caused extra up-downs in subsequent practices.

"I'm surprised I'm still living," Simmons joked. "That's a no-no -- especially with Ricky."