by BILL WAGNER Staff Writer , The Capital

"No, actually I'll get to meet Chet Moeller, and for a defensive back that is even better," Lepore replied. "That guy is an absolute legend. I'll be star-struck just to shake his hand."

In the discussion of former Navy football greats, two names stand out above the rest. Staubach, the 1963 Heisman Trophy winner, is rightfully regarded as the greatest offensive player in program history. Moeller, a consensus first team All-American as a senior in 1975, is considered the finest defensive player to every suit up for the Midshipmen.

Moeller's exploits truly are legendary and it's a shame Navy did not keep tackle statistics during his career because he would probably hold the school record. The Ohio native is a candidate for the College Football Hall of Fame and there are many voters who believe he should get in.

Moeller's ferocious style, textbook tackling and ability to explode on blockers and ball-carriers prompted former Navy secondary coach Lenny Fontes to make him the subject of a training tape that he showed incoming defensive backs. Current defensive coordinator Buddy Green still has the tape and routinely uses it to demonstrate tackling fundamentals to members of his unit.

"It's an amazing tape. Moeller sells out and sacrifices his body time after time to make plays. It's just one unbelievable clip after another," Green said. "It's just a perfect example of how to play defensive football as far as staying low, staying square to the ball and hitting with incredible force."

USC head coach Pete Carroll heard about the tape, requested a copy from the Navy coaching staff and now shows it to all his freshmen defenders. Lt. Lepore, who is currently stationed with the Office of Naval Intelligence in D.C. and coaches high school football in northern Virginia, recently watched the Moeller video.

"The man played with reckless abandon and no regard for his body. It's a highlight reel of him taking people out left and right," Lepore said.

John Sturges made the All-Stadium squad on the strength of holding the Navy career record for interceptions with 13. The Ohio native notched eight of those pickoffs as a senior in 1977 and was named a third team All-American. Sturges played alongside Moeller as a sophomore and said the rover back was indeed a special performer.

"Chet was totally fearless and had incredible instincts. When you talk about defenders blowing up a running play, Chet made a habit of it," Sturges said.

Moeller hailed from Kettering, Ohio and grew up watching Ohio State games at a time when the great Jack Tatum was an All-American free safety. To Moeller, Tatum epitomized how to play the position and modeled his own style after the Oakland Raiders All-Pro.

"Jack Tatum was one of the most brutal hitters I've ever seen. Perhaps subconsciously I tried to play like him," Moeller said. "I just went full speed and full force to get to the ball-carrier. It didn't matter who was in my way."

Moeller, the ECAC Player of the Year in 1975, was not an imposing figure at 6-foot and 185 pounds, but hit like a ton of bricks. He earned the Ernie Davis Award as Most Valuable Player of the Coaches' All-American Game, played in three other senior all-star events and most certainly have been drafted by the NFL if not for the five-year military commitment.

Marc Firlie did play in an era when tackles were recorded and his 328 career stops is tied for fourth-most in Navy history. The Cumberland native and Bishop Walsh Academy product was an honorable mention All-American and Hula Bowl selection as a senior in 1986.

Firlie was inserted into the lineup as a sophomore against North Carolina and intercepted a pass in the end zone to preserve a 33-30 season-opening victory. He never relinquished that starting spot and was part of a team that upset second-ranked South Carolina that same season at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

"It just goes to show that you have to take advantage of your opportunities. I was a backup in 1984, but Steve Brady got hurt the week of the opener and I had to play," said Firlie, who now lives in Timonium.

Lepore led Navy in tackles in 1999 (127) and 2000 (109) while also recording a team-high five interceptions as a senior. He was selected to the Gridiron Classic and Hula Bowl senior all-star games and was an honorable mention All-American.

"It's truly an honor to be part of Navy football history in this way. It's real special to be picked for this team because of what that stadium represents. It's more than just a football field, it's a memorial to all the men and women who served and a monument to all the great battles the Navy has fought."

Gervy Alota (1994-97) finished with 384 career tackles, second-most in school history. He started 40 straight games and was named first team All-East after leading Navy with 105 tackles as a senior.

Sean Andrews (1995-97) led the nation and tied a single-season school record with eight interceptions as a sophomore starter for the 1996 Aloha Bowl championship team and was named a second team All-American.

Rick Bayer (1965-67) finished with 12 career interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Josh Smith (2002-2004) ranks third in Navy history with 354 career tackles, leading the team in that category for three straight seasons.

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