Coming in to last year, Army's biggest blocking weapon was at
the fullback position. Mike Viti became known for his vicious blocks, leveling
opposing linemen and linebackers as he opened up holes for the likes of Carlton
Jones and Scott Wesley. Though his presence was often "felt" by opposing
defenses, he was not known for carrying the ball.
In 2006, all that changed.
Viti continued his domination in the blocking game, but
opened his game up, showing he could carry the ball out of the backfield, be a
weapon as a receiver, and could even play the featured back role as he did
against Navy. Viti truly emerged as a complete player. What was even more
impressive was the selfless fashion in which he approached each and every play.
For him, the truly glory comes in how he helps his team, not in individual
accolades.
A year ago, the main question Viti kept hearing was how his
knees were holding up, and if he was injury free. Little did anyone know (or
could they tell) that Viti had arthroscopic surgery only 10 days before Army
opened against Arkansas State. This year is a different story all together. "I
feel great. Entering the season physically, in shape, my body is probably the
best I have felt since playing at Army," explains the bruising back.
Viti's selfless nature on the football field coupled with his
fire on the sideline and in the game, accepting nothing but success on every
play, made him an obvious candidate to be named captain of the 2007 team. Fans
were not surprised with his election by his teammates in the spring. "Being
named team captain in the spring, I was honored," starts Viti. "It was a
tremendous honor to be picked by my teammates, being named a leader of a group
of leaders. I took the opportunity and ran with it."
When
the academic year began a few weeks ago, Viti was again honored, this time by
the Academy as a leader in the Corps. Viti was named Regimental Commander,
charged with leading one of four regiments of cadets at West Point. "With
regimental commander, I was a little surprised but in some ways expected it with
how I did this summer, and then my boards. I look at it as another opportunity
to take on another role as a leader at West Point," explains a subtly confident
Viti.
Being a captain puts a great amount of responsibility on Viti,
but what seems to tuly relish is the ability to help the younger players along,
sharing the experiences on the field that make him one of Army's true gridiron
veterans. "What I really like is helping to mentor some of the freshmen and
sophomores – guys who haven't played yet, giving them on-field advice about what
things are going to look like in a game, what to expect," explains Viti. "You
know, I've seen that look a few more times than they have, and I tell them how I
reacted to it or what I found to be successful. Talking to them about training
and other things here at West Point - I've really enjoyed that, and being a
veteran player has allowed me to do that."
Viti's character is that of a winner. There is never a time
that you watch an Army play where you can question his commitment to win on
every play. He translates that commitment to excellence when he speaks about
his expectations for the upcoming season. "I honestly see us, first of all,
beating Air Force and Navy, and then making it to a bowl game. All of the
pieces are in place, and now we just need to carry it out."
There is a confidence in his voice and in his body language
that makes you believe him.
Viti has the benefit of a proven innovator being at the helm
of the offense in 2007. Former Portland State head coach Tim Walsh brings a
fresh perspective on a known scheme that has the offense looking forward to
getting on the field. "Looking at this year, I am extremely excited. I think
we got a lot of good packages in, a lot of things that are really going to
display what we have on the field, and use the weapons really efficiently. If
we carry out what Coach Walsh and Coach Brock have put in for us, we are just
going to be extremely successful," details the confident back.
Fans have watched Viti transform himself from a pure blocking
back, to a diverse offensive weapon, but when Mike Viti explains what he enjoys
most about the position, it says much more than how he likes to play, it tells
the story of what a selfless player he is. "Without a doubt, pancaking
someone. Running a guy over, that's only one guy that I am taking out. If I
pancake somebody, that involves another one of my teammates carrying the ball
behind me, so a couple of more guys are involved. I take a lot of pride in
being able to do that."
As Army fans get ready to watch Viti lead his team on to the
field at Akron, he has only one request of them.
"Bring the 12th man, and bring it hard."