I hate their football style, ie. that cut blocking shit. We have a nice shot at the playoffs. Injuries can derail that goal and Navy can be solely responsible. I hope we hang 50 on em by halftime and get all first teamers off the fuckin field.
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I have no problem with a clean cut block, where a single blocker aims his shoulders at the defender's waist or thigh. If it's done cleanly, then the chances of a defender being injured are no more than a regular block. The San Francisco 49'ers used it all of the time in the Bill Walsh / George Seifert era, and opposing defenders weren't injured at any rate higher than the usual ones.
I do have a problem with Navy, Air Force, etc., where they'll make a blocker engage a defender up high, while another blocker dives at his knees / ankles. Just before the second blocker hits him low, the first blocker releases from the high block, technically making it a cut block instead of a chop block, but it's still as damaging as a chop block.
I've seen it basically end the career of Eric Jones in 1991, whose foot was almost severed from his leg because of a gruesomely shattered ankle. That same game, Bryant Young also ended up with a knee sprain that really slowed him down for several games afterwards, including the Tennessee game where we blew a 31-7 lead, and the Penn State game, where we got manhandled.
It also killed off Joe Schmidt's ability as a decent player. He had below average speed when healthy, and in 2014, when that Navy blocker chopped him at the knee in the manner described above, that turned him into a stick in the mud that even Tommy Rees could probably outrun.
Yes, Eric Jones, #81 I believe, was the one I was thinking of. He was injured against AF. USC used this a few years ago against Oregon State who had a D line comprised of massive Polynesian players. By the end of the game, 3 starters were out with knee injuries. Oregon State coaches were livid. I think USC dropped the technique after that game.
Thanks for the background info.
Every team uses cut blocks, the academies just use them far more than most.
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A cut block isn't supposed to be below the thigh of the defender. Navy and Air Force are notorious for diving at your ankles and knees.
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These kids will be defending our way of life . We need to man up , they will They will not be whining about playing us
to play the Naval Academy..Love the game, and hope it is always played..Would like to see Army a bit more, especially now that the Cadets are more competitive
Boring game.
Win it, you get zero credit. Lose it, your program is awful. Even though Navy has been a good program for awhile now.
Not great for recruiting.
Cut block Injuries.
It's a wasted week of preparation since no other team plays like them.
There is nothing but downside, every year, for ND in this matchup. If we win by a lot, America yawns. If it is close or, God forbid, we lose, it tanks us. And pointless injuries are always a threat given their style. It is really time to drop it. Dad fought with the Navy in the Big One, then went to ND. I should love this game, but in fact I hate it.
Hate this whining every year It is an honor to play any of the service academies .
Dudes at the academies are really brave. I like them a lot. But I don't see it as more of an honor than playing any place with patriotic Americans.