The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-10-23

At the Naval Academy the team
is never permitted to open up its
strongest attack early In the season,
and players who might be able TO
win a big game are either kept out
or withdrawn from the game early
IL there seems to be a possibility
that the team might lose their
services for the final game.
The game at Princeton Saturday
was a notable instance Of this policy.
It Ii agreed that TIE Navy team
showed as fine ability In delivering
a line attack as any team In the
country was able 20 exhibit. It did
nothing. however, with the pass,
and 1t 10 the opinion OF many that
team using only line attack has
no more chance against strong
opponent than q fighter with one
arm tied to his side.
The Navy team simply wore IT.
self out with its line attack and
fell an easy victim to PrincetOM's
really brilliant aerial 0ffense in
the second half. Also, the whole
Navy line and part Of its back
field had been withdrawn, a. the
coaches did not intend to take
more chances than necessary Of
permanent injuries to It's players
so that they would be unavailable
for the final game.
While the Navy has demonstrated
that II has a real punch and can
develop as fine straight attack as
any team In the coustry, there are
distinct deficiencies In its play apart
rom the open attack, which may
be developed later. 1t has an ex.
tremely poor defense against good
passing, and, also, fast end cunning,
and 1t is badly backward as to Ger.
tain important phases of the kicking
game.
Chillingworth. guard, is doing
most OF the punting. He can pro.
pei the ball over a fine space, but
he is not well protected by the
formation used by the Navy. He IL
q tall fellow and has just begun
to punt In matches. Naturally, he
takes some time in getting off his
punts, though he is improving in
this particular.
The Navy uses formation which
does not protect the kicker from an
opponent standing outside OF tackle.
A fast end or back can often reach
the kicker quick enough to block
the punt, or at least hurry him and
cause the Kick to go too high or be
badly placed. Either Chillingworth
must get the ball off more quickly
or be given a formation to afford
better protection.
The Navy Il also weak at the
Kickoff. Flippen did this work
against Princeton, and most Of his
kicks were low, so that they were
caught before the line could get
down, and returned much further
up field than they should be. Only
as to placement kicking for mod
crate distances, at which Shapely
Is well qualified, can the Navy be
said to be well equipped in the
kicking game.
Thus with it's weakness in de.
Tending. against the forward pass,
its inability to prevent the ends
reaching the man receiving the
kick, and it's undeveloped open
game, as well as its failure as to
important phases of the kicking
game, the Navy cannot be said to
be a well qualified team at this
time. Folwell and his assistants
are working hard with the team.
however, and definite, improve.
ment Is expected in the next game,
against West Virginia Wesleyan.
Not all members Of the local
contingent are agreed that II Is a
wise policy to hold back the
more open attack OF the Naval
team in the early games. They
point to the fact that the straight
attack Is proving too exhausting
and that q team using It ex.
clusively cannot be expected to win
from any good team using both
arms Of attack. This was proved