Oct. 31, 2007

Comments from Navy head football coach Paul Johnson following practice on Tuesday, Oct. 30

On the Delaware game

"We didn't do enough little things to win the game. It doesn't matter how many points you score. The object is to win the game whether it's 6-3 or 59-52. You have to score more points than the other team does. We made some mistakes and some fundamental things. We have to do a better job coaching and they have to do a better job listening."

On the team's attitude after losing two-straight games

"We had a pretty good day of practice. We have a tough assignment on Saturday. Everybody thinks that Notre Dame is down because they look at their record, but looking at the tape they still have really good players. It's still Notre Dame. They have all kinds of High School All-American's running around and a lot of guys that will be playing in the NFL."

On Notre Dame having two weeks to prepare

"It's an advantage. They have gotten healthy and it gives them an extra week to prepare for the offense. It seems like everybody we play this year has two weeks to prepare for us. That's just the way it has worked this year with the schedule."

On what he expects Notre Dame to do offensively (run or pass more)

"They will do whatever they think is in their best interest from an offensive standpoint. I'm sure after looking at our tape everything looks good. They have a huge offensive line and they will have a big size differential against us. I am sure they will try and get their running back going and I'm sure they will toss it deep a few times as well, everybody we play does.

On Ketric Buffin

"He is not playing this week. He should be back next week."

On Bridgers starting at tackle last week

"Paul has been working real hard and playing well when he got in there and Coach Spencer wanted to give him a start. They both (Bridgers and McGinn) played a lot. It looks like McGinn is out this week so Bridgers will start again. Ricky Moore will play on Saturday as well with McGinn out."

"The one fumble was a poor decision (by Kaipo) the other was poor fundamentals (Kettani). It was an effort play. You aren't going to go through the year without turning the ball over. It is more noticeable because we aren't getting any turnovers (on defense). When you aren't getting any turnovers and you aren't getting many stops then every time you make a mistake it becomes magnified."

Difference between Evan Sharpley and Jimmy Clausen

"I think Sharpley probably has a stronger arm and is maybe bigger and more mature. Clausen is very talented too. Without seeing more of them live or in practice it would be hard for me to say anything more.