Like any other school, graduation is the highlight of the year at the service academies. That isn’t the case for everybody, though. The end of the school year also means that some midshipmen and cadets with low grades will have their fate determined by the Superintendent and senior faculty at an academic board. Not everyone makes it through.
Author: Mike
DOD Gets it Wrong
When the news broke that Joe Cardona had reported to his ship after the Patriots’ season ended, I was optimistic that the Navy hadn’t lost its way. Playing football for a few months that would have otherwise been spent doing busy work was reasonable, and it wouldn’t interfere with a naval career. Even if Cardona was allowed to return to the team after two years, he’d at least have his SWO pin and a good story to tell. It wouldn’t be my preference, but if nothing else I could make an intellectually honest argument to justify it.
Throwback Thursday
2004
Navy tops Cornell 6-5 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA lacrosse tournament.
The Other Draft Post
Last week, the Capital published an editorial urging Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to allow Keenan Reynolds and Chris Swain to play in the NFL.
I understand the sentiment, and to a point I share it. We all grew up idolizing our sports heroes. The thought of some of our midshipmen becoming those heroes for the next generation is appealing. We’ve spent years cheering for these guys, and we don’t want good things to come to an end. There is, however, a bigger picture to all of this, and I hope we don’t forget that.
Throwback Thursday
1978
In Tallahassee, this errant pass from Florida State’s Wally Woodham was picked off by Navy’s Charlie Meyers. It was Meyers’ third interception of the season.
Meyers was a defensive back that wore #66 because he was a converted nose guard. This play was peak George Welsh.
The Draft Post
Here’s the list of past Navy opponents who were selected in this year’s NFL draft:
Round 1
Joey Bosa – DE – Ohio State
Ezekiel Elliot – RB –Ohio State
Ronnie Stanley – OT – Notre Dame
Eli Apple – CB – Ohio State
Taylor Decker – T – Ohio State
Darron Lee – LB – Ohio State
Will Fuller – WR – Notre Dame
William Jackson III – CB – Houston
Paxton Lynch – QB – Memphis
Round 2
Jaylon Smith – LB – Notre Dame
Michael Thomas – WR – Ohio State
Jason Spriggs – T – Indiana
Nick Martin – G – Notre Dame
Tyler Boyd – WR – Pitt
Vonn Bell – S – Ohio State
Round 3
Kevin Byard – S – Middle Tennessee State
Carl Nassib – DE – Penn State*
KeiVarae Russell – CB – Notre Dame
Adolphus Washington – DT – Ohio State
Braxton Miller – WR – Ohio State**
Leonte Carroo – WR – Rutgers
C.J. Prosise – RB – Notre Dame
Nick Vannett – TE – Ohio State
Round 4
Joshua Perry – LB – Ohio State
Sheldon Day – DT – Notre Dame
Tavon Young – CB – Temple
Tyler Higbee – TE – Western Kentucky
Tyler Ervin – RB – San Jose State
Cardale Jones – QB – Ohio State**
Round 5
Jordan Howard – RB – Indiana
Matthew Ioannidis – DT – Temple
Brandon Shell – T – South Carolina***
Antwione Williams – LB – Georgia Southern
Round 6
Nate Sudfeld – QB – Indiana
Wes Schweitzer – G – San Jose State
Anthony Zettel – DT – Penn State
Jordan Lucas – S – Penn State
Kavon Frazier – S – Central Michigan
Elandon Roberts – LB – Houston
Round 7
DeMarcus Ayers – WR – Houston
Tyler Matakevich – LB – Temple
Prince Charles Iworah – CB – Western Kentucky
**Did not appear in 2014 game
***Did not appear in 2011 game
Remembering the Past, Planning for the Future
Last week, I explained why the American is the strongest of the Group of Five conferences, and how that doesn’t appear likely to change. That makes great fodder for message board arguments, but what does it really mean?
Well, it depends…
Continue reading “Remembering the Past, Planning for the Future”