A big reason for Navy's sustained success over the past seven years is the coaching staff's willingness to try players at different positions. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo and defensive coordinator Buddy Green will move anybody at any time in order to get the best players on the field, evidenced by the switch of Mario Washington from wide receiver to cornerback this spring. Sometimes the moves don't work out, but more often than not the staff has a good feel for what position changes make the most sense.

   Green has done a bunch of shuffling lately with one of the more interesting moves involving the flip-flopping of freshmen Josh Dowling-Fitzpatrick and Collin Sturdivant.

   Sturdivant opened spring camp No. 2 on the depth chart at left end while Dowling-Fitzpatrick was No. 3 at outside linebacker. One week into camp, Green switched the two youngsters with Dowling-Fitzpatrick moving to end and Sturdivant going to outside linebacker.

   "We thought Collin had good mobility. He has some quickness and speed for his size and that is better utilized at linebacker," Green said. "We felt Fitz was better suited to playing with his hand down. He was an end in high school and it just seems like a more natural position for him."

  After reviewing the videotape of last Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage, Green is convinced the switch was for the best as both Dowling-Fitzpatrick and Sturdivant are excelling at their new positions.

   "Same is so with Fitz.  Athletically, we think he has the tools to be a pretty good pass rusher. He has a lot to learn, but he plays hard and has good instincts," Green said.