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This is very welcome news as the punting was horrendous at the Spring Game. Whatever academic issues Austin Parker had I sincerely hope he has grown as a person as a result of his suspension and is ready to get back to work in the classroom and on the gridiron.
There has been a significant uptick in sacks allowed the past two seasons:Quote:
Originally Posted by rtnorthrup
2017 - 29
2016 - 31
2015 - 18
2014 - 13
2013 - 17
2012 - 19
Some of the issue is Daniel Jones holding on to the ball too long but the OL has to own some of the responsibility. I agree with you we will be ok in pass protection but I certainly stick with my opinion pass protection is an area of concern.
Very glad to hear that Parker is rejoining the team, and I hope he has learned from this episode. Good on him for apparently earning his way back in.
As for the team: while that may resolve some question marks, I'm not sure it adds many exclamation marks either. Our special teams is still in need of significant improvement over last season, in all phases of it.
Parker was above average as a place-kicker and punter last season.Quote:
Originally Posted by OldPhiKap
The folks we saw this past spring were a long way from average.
Remember A.J. Reed's 3-for-10 train-wreck all the way back in 2016? He was in the mix for 2018.
I think Parker's reinstatement is worth exclamation points, cinder blocks, pies and assorted huzzahs and hurrahs.
Punting in the spring game looked like a junior high school game.
Seeing as Jim isn't prone to overstatement, his comments above drive home how dire the kicking/punting could have been in 2018. Austin Parker being back on the team is a really big deal.Quote:
Originally Posted by jimsumner
Agreed with all of this....I think the kicking game was on track to cost 3-4 wins this coming season. Now it appears it can be average or slightly above.Quote:
Originally Posted by jimsumner
I hope that is right. My point was not that the alternative looked bleak — it did — but that our kicking game was not great last year regardless. Using this as a source: https://www.footballdb.com/college-f...&conf=1&mode=UQuote:
Originally Posted by jimsumner
- Parker was 11th of 14 in average yards per punt, and last in net yards.
- tied for most touchbacks in the league, and also the lowest number of punts inside the 20.
On the positive side: https://www.footballdb.com/college-f...&conf=1&mode=K
— Parker was 6th in kicking points
— very respectable FG and PAT stats
I understand that our kicking game could have been atrocious this season. My point is that, IMHO, it was well below average last year when it came to painting and average-ish in scoring. I would love Parker to have a huge breakthrough year, and also hoping for a beyond-serviceable punt returner.
Let’s Go Duke!!!
I hope it wasn't a case of situational ethics; I hope the press asks Cut about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by OZ
You omitted sporks and hand-crafted ales. :oQuote:
Originally Posted by jimsumner
yup, if this were the holes, we'd we'd be noting the brevity of Parker's absence. I'm just happy to have him back...Quote:
Originally Posted by Reilly
As I understand it, it was an academic suspension. I don't think there were any crimes, any DUI, any drugs, any sexual assault situations. So he straightens out the books, problem solved. This is not like he's doing stuff that's gonna get us in Michigan State territory.Quote:
Originally Posted by Reilly
If David Cutcliffe hasn't earned your trust by now, you're not going to fully believe his answer anyway. But I'd love to hear him talk about it myself. Austin must have been really impressive in his rehabilitation. Last we heard, there was no chance of the guy returning.Quote:
Originally Posted by Reilly
David Cutcliffe has earned my trust, as much as anybody I've met only in passing. From what I know of Cut, I really like how he handles things w/ great integrity. I also hope it wasn't a case of situational ethics. And I want to hear from Cut. All of those statements can be true and can live side-by-side. Cut, like all humans, can make mistakes and can make judgments that I or others may disagree with. Not saying that happened here.Quote:
Originally Posted by killerleft
After I posted, I noticed Cut gave a quote. Here it is:
“During this process, Parker has displayed humility and wisdom while, through his actions, regaining our trust,” Cutcliffe said. “This certainly hasn’t been easy, but that’s the way life lessons can be taught. He went through the procedure for re-application to the school and, most importantly, continues his education here at Duke immediately with the first summer school session.”
http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.db...DB_OEM_ID=4200
Good find. Great for Cut and young Mr. Parker. Looking forward to a fine season of special teams' performances, led by our P/PK. (And PR and/or KOR specialists, too :).)Quote:
Originally Posted by Reilly
I don’t need more Parker info. If there’s a court case, we can read all about it. If not, I like the idea of letting people retain some privacy.
I don't think anyone is asking for details of what happened (we already know it was academic and can pretty much surmise from there anyway). But when the coach pretty emphatically says that there is no chance a player will ever rejoin the team, it probably calls for at least a generic, token explanation of why that stance might have changed so drastically. Presumably the answer would reflect very positively on Parker for having earned it back.Quote:
Originally Posted by johnb
How bout when this happened and came to light Coach Cut was very disappointed and upset with Parker and made a rash decision with out time to reflect and consider that both the player, Parker and the school, Duke might let him come back to Duke after completing the required steps to be readmitted. If the school decided and was willing to let Parker back in why shouldn't Coach Cut let me back on the team as well once he admitted to his mistake and apologized for it. Though I'd presume he is no longer receiving a football scholarship.Quote:
Originally Posted by Acymetric
Just saw that Duke opener v. Army is moved to Friday night, 8/31 and will be on ESPNU. Great news IMO.
Arrrrrgh!!!!!!!!!!!! Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!! From a TV perspective, it's fine, but from a tailgating perspective, it's a nightmare. Arrrrgh!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by OldPhiKap
(Although, since we celebrate our anniversary on Labor Day, my gf will be thrilled that I will be able to spend most of the weekend with her.)