Football 2015

[devildeac]

Good thing the only way we play Clemson or FSU is in an ACC championship game, which would be the mark of a successful season.

None of these rankings matter. None. Ever.

Unless Cut uses that ranking to provide a bit extra motivation in the weight room and on the field during the pre-season and throughout the campaign. I agree with you though. Let's finish first in the division and then worry about the Tigers or those crabby 'Noles.

[jimsumner]

I think 7 shows it has demonstrated that Jim - that suggests they expect us to be at least an average acc team and a bowl team in a rebuilding year. That's pretty incredible!

And duke loses a ton of it's offense in the line, qb and crowder , even if blakeny comes back. 7 seems fair to me. And they rightfully have unc not high so I'm good

Blakeney? He's long gone.

I guess my disagreement is with the premise that this is a rebuilding year. Duke returns three starting OL and its top OL reserve, two of its top four WRs, all of its tight ends and adds Deaver, has three outstanding running backs and moves its back-up QB to starter.

On defense, Duke has depth and quality at DT, some question marks at DE, Kelby Brown back at LB, joining some outstanding young talent and a defensive backfield to die for. And one of the better place-kicking/punting combos around.

And there is young talent galore. I've called this an example of cognitive dissonance, an acknowledgment that Cut has upgraded the recruiting standards, while worrying that the young guys won't be as good as the guys they're replacing.

I can hardly be more excited about this season. Mark down names like Chris Taylor, T.J. Raahming, Edgar Cerenord, Ben Humphries, Xavier Carmichael and a host of others. Duke is going to be good, real good in 2015. And 2016. And 2017. Et. al.

[OldPhiKap]

Blakeney? He's long gone.

I guess my disagreement is with the premise that this is a rebuilding year. Duke returns three starting OL and its top OL reserve, two of its top four WRs, all of its tight ends and adds Deaver, has three outstanding running backs and moves its back-up QB to starter.

On defense, Duke has depth and quality at DT, some question marks at DE, Kelby Brown back at LB, joining some outstanding young talent and a defensive backfield to die for. And one of the better place-kicking/punting combos around.

And there is young talent galore. I've called this an example of cognitive dissonance, an acknowledgment that Cut has upgraded the recruiting standards, while worrying that the young guys won't be as good as the guys they're replacing.

I can hardly be more excited about this season. Mark down names like Chris Taylor, T.J. Raahming, Edgar Cerenord, Ben Humphries, Xavier Carmichael and a host of others. Duke is going to be good, real good in 2015. And 2016. And 2017. Et. al.

Agree. There is a world of difference between "unproven talent" and a lack of capable talent.

[duke blue brewcrew]

Blakeney? He's long gone.

I guess my disagreement is with the premise that this is a rebuilding year. Duke returns three starting OL and its top OL reserve, two of its top four WRs, all of its tight ends and adds Deaver, has three outstanding running backs and moves its back-up QB to starter.

On defense, Duke has depth and quality at DT, some question marks at DE, Kelby Brown back at LB, joining some outstanding young talent and a defensive backfield to die for. And one of the better place-kicking/punting combos around.

And there is young talent galore. I've called this an example of cognitive dissonance, an acknowledgment that Cut has upgraded the recruiting standards, while worrying that the young guys won't be as good as the guys they're replacing.

I can hardly be more excited about this season. Mark down names like Chris Taylor, T.J. Raahming, Edgar Cerenord, Ben Humphries, Xavier Carmichael and a host of others. Duke is going to be good, real good in 2015. And 2016. And 2017. Et. al.

Blakeney is working to make an NFL roster right now and good for him. I don't disagree that there is an exciting wealth of young talent on the Duke team and it is all thanks to Coach Cut & Co. I love the quote Coach Cut gave about recruiting earlier this year, paraphrasing - "We're fishing in some different ponds this year, and it seems to be paying off for us." Those are words to make a Blue Devil fan swoon! I like that Duke's schedule this year, it isn't as tough as the two years to follow. That will gives this young team a chance to gel and get some experience under it's collective belt, which is the one thing it really needs. Duke has a lot of talent, but in some critical positions it is very young. Both OTs will be first time starters and in charge of protecting a rookie QB. That's an interesting and potentially dangerous combo IMO. As a fan, I'm still a little nervous about the DL as a whole. If I had to guess, it's in the best shape it has been in for quite some time, which is exciting. Experience will help that group also. I'm itching to see this team play, I think it will be a fun season to watch this team come together, forge their own identity and continue the progression of Duke Football in the Coach Cut era.

[devildeac]

Blakeney? He's long gone.

I guess my disagreement is with the premise that this is a rebuilding year. Duke returns three starting OL and its top OL reserve, two of its top four WRs, all of its tight ends and adds Deaver, has three outstanding running backs and moves its back-up QB to starter.

On defense, Duke has depth and quality at DT, some question marks at DE, Kelby Brown back at LB, joining some outstanding young talent and a defensive backfield to die for. And one of the better place-kicking/punting combos around.

And there is young talent galore. I've called this an example of cognitive dissonance, an acknowledgment that Cut has upgraded the recruiting standards, while worrying that the young guys won't be as good as the guys they're replacing.

I can hardly be more excited about this season. Mark down names like Chris Taylor, T.J. Raahming, Edgar Cerenord, Ben Humphries, Xavier Carmichael and a host of others. Duke is going to be good, real good in 2015. And 2016. And 2017. Et. al.

Your last paragraph is very comforting and exciting to read. And Happy Birthday, too.

[Bob Green]

Both OTs will be first time starters and in charge of protecting a rookie QB.

Casey Blaser started at RT in 2014 so he will not be a first time starter. He will most likely move to LT in 2015.

[jimsumner]

Casey Blaser started at RT in 2014 so he will not be a first time starter. He will most likely move to LT in 2015.

Gabe Brander worked as first-team LT all spring. Blaser is at right tackle.

Let's examine the premise that 2015 will be a rebuilding year.

Remember 2013. Duke suffered significant losses following that season, some expected, some unexpected.

OL. Lost multi-year starters Dave Harding and Perry Simmons. Simmons was third-team All-ACC.

TE.Lost third-team All-ACC Braxton Deaver for the season to a knee injury. Deaver had 46 receptions in 2013.

WR. Lost starter Brandon Braxton. His 39 receptions were second on the team by a WR.

RB. Lost Juwan Thompson to graduation (and the NFL) and Jela Duncan to academics. The duo combined for 910 rushing yards and 20 receptions.

QB-Lost co-starter Brandon Connette and his 1549 total yards and 27 touchdowns. 27 touchdowns!! The entire Duke team didn't score that many nine seasons from 1996 through 2006.

DL. Lost three starters, Kenny Anunike, Justin Foxx and Sidney Sarmiento. Anunike led the team in sacks and was second-team All-ACC.

LB-First-team All-ACC Kelby Brown lost for the season due to knee injury.

DB. Lost first-team All-ACC Ross Cockrell and spot starter Garrett Patterson. Cockrell is first in Duke career PBUs.

These comprise a pretty significant talent hit, five All-ACC players. Many skeptics thought this signaled a rebuilding year in 2014.

Duke won nine games.

So much for rebuilding.

That's what I mean by establishing a good program not just a good team. Fred Goldsmith's first Duke team was two stops away from finishing the regular season
10-1. But he couldn't sustain it and never came close to duplicating that success. In fairness to Goldsmith, he lost his two top assistants in large part because Duke wasn't in the business of paying competitive salaries to assistant football coaches. But there's no doubt that he never built much of a recruiting network at Duke and that's on him.

Cutcliffe is building a sustainable program, one that loses talented players and replaces them with players of equal or even superior talent. Look at that 2012 team, from which Duke lost such notables as Sean Renfree, Connor Vernon, Lee Butler, Desmond Scott and Walt Canty and won 10 games the following season.

That's what good programs do and I think Duke has turned the corner from good team to good program. Rather than lament the lost players, I prefer to wish them the best of luck and focus on the players still around, players that I feel confident will help Duke be better than the seventh-best team in the ACC. I'll be surprised and disappointed in anything less than a division title.

[Bob Green]

Gabe Brander worked as first-team LT all spring. Blaser is at right tackle.

Thanks for the correction. I'm not sure where I read or why I assumed Blaser would move.

I'll be surprised and disappointed in anything less than a division title.

Your optimism fuels my optimism!

[duke blue brewcrew]

Gabe Brander worked as first-team LT all spring. Blaser is at right tackle.

Let's examine the premise that 2015 will be a rebuilding year.

Remember 2013. Duke suffered significant losses following that season, some expected, some unexpected.

OL. Lost multi-year starters Dave Harding and Perry Simmons. Simmons was third-team All-ACC.

TE.Lost third-team All-ACC Braxton Deaver for the season to a knee injury. Deaver had 46 receptions in 2013.

WR. Lost starter Brandon Braxton. His 39 receptions were second on the team by a WR.

RB. Lost Juwan Thompson to graduation (and the NFL) and Jela Duncan to academics. The duo combined for 910 rushing yards and 20 receptions.

QB-Lost co-starter Brandon Connette and his 1549 total yards and 27 touchdowns. 27 touchdowns!! The entire Duke team didn't score that many nine seasons from 1996 through 2006.

DL. Lost three starters, Kenny Anunike, Justin Foxx and Sidney Sarmiento. Anunike led the team in sacks and was second-team All-ACC.

LB-First-team All-ACC Kelby Brown lost for the season due to knee injury.

DB. Lost first-team All-ACC Ross Cockrell and spot starter Garrett Patterson. Cockrell is first in Duke career PBUs.

These comprise a pretty significant talent hit, five All-ACC players. Many skeptics thought this signaled a rebuilding year in 2014.

Duke won nine games.

So much for rebuilding.

That's what I mean by establishing a good program not just a good team. Fred Goldsmith's first Duke team was two stops away from finishing the regular season
10-1. But he couldn't sustain it and never came close to duplicating that success. In fairness to Goldsmith, he lost his two top assistants in large part because Duke wasn't in the business of paying competitive salaries to assistant football coaches. But there's no doubt that he never built much of a recruiting network at Duke and that's on him.

Cutcliffe is building a sustainable program, one that loses talented players and replaces them with players of equal or even superior talent. Look at that 2012 team, from which Duke lost such notables as Sean Renfree, Connor Vernon, Lee Butler, Desmond Scott and Walt Canty and won 10 games the following season.

That's what good programs do and I think Duke has turned the corner from good team to good program. Rather than lament the lost players, I prefer to wish them the best of luck and focus on the players still around, players that I feel confident will help Duke be better than the seventh-best team in the ACC. I'll be surprised and disappointed in anything less than a division title.

Exceptional analysis as always. I hope my thoughts weren't interpreted as lamenting the past. I absolutely wish those guys well. For what it's worth, I think Sirk has the potential ability to be a much better QB than Boone and same with the OL/ DL. I can't wait to see it all unfold this upcoming season!

[luvdahops]

Just picked up their CFB preview today

Coastal:

1-Georgia Tech
2-Duke
3-Virginia Tech
4-Miami
5-UNC
6-Pitt
7-Virginia

Atlantic:

1-FSU
2-Clemson
3-Louisville
4-NCSU
5-BC
6-Syracuse
7-Wake

Matt Skura, Kelby Brown and Jeremy Cash are All-ACC (1 team only)
Cut named Best Coach as Strategist
Shaq Powell named Most Likely to Succeed (off the field)

I'll take it....

[OldPhiKap]

Just picked up their CFB preview today

Coastal:

1-Georgia Tech
2-Duke
3-Virginia Tech
4-Miami
5-UNC
6-Pitt
7-Virginia

Atlantic:

1-FSU
2-Clemson
3-Louisville
4-NCSU
5-BC
6-Syracuse
7-Wake

Matt Skura, Kelby Brown and Jeremy Cash are All-ACC (1 team only)
Cut named Best Coach as Strategist
Shaq Powell named Most Likely to Succeed (off the field)

I'll take it....

Looks like a reasonable order, although I like our chances to win the Coastal.

[mbird30]

Just picked up their CFB preview today

Coastal:

1-Georgia Tech
2-Duke
3-Virginia Tech
4-Miami
5-UNC
6-Pitt
7-Virginia

Atlantic:

1-FSU
2-Clemson
3-Louisville
4-NCSU
5-BC
6-Syracuse
7-Wake

Matt Skura, Kelby Brown and Jeremy Cash are All-ACC (1 team only)
Cut named Best Coach as Strategist
Shaq Powell named Most Likely to Succeed (off the field)

I'll take it....

I think this is the best ranking we will get, as most won't be able to get over how a team like Duke can have the depth to lose its top quarterback, WR, De's, and 2 NFL O-lineman and somehow be better than the year before. I have unreasonably high hopes for this team for some reason.

[Olympic Fan]

Sportsbook has come out with its over-under for the ACC teams next season:

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/i...all-win-totals

Duke's over/under is seven wins.

I will point out that Duke has gone over the predicted total for the last three years in a row.

[Bob Green]

Athlon predicts Duke will finish sixth in the Coastal ahead of only Virginia. They say we will go 7-5 overall, 3-5 in the ACC.

[devildeac]

Athlon predicts Duke will finish sixth in the Coastal ahead of only Virginia. They say we will go 7-5 overall, 3-5 in the ACC.

Good thing to tape up on the locker room wall.

[mbird30]

Athlon predicts Duke will finish sixth in the Coastal ahead of only Virginia. They say we will go 7-5 overall, 3-5 in the ACC.

It's god to think that going 7-5 (3-5) is a disappointment now days. Shows our visible improvement

[sagegrouse]

It's god to think that going 7-5 (3-5) is a disappointment now days. Shows our visible improvement

Yep. The current student body is getting spoiled. We took our grandson on a college tour of Duke in November, and the student guide, while gesturing at Wally Wade from afar, said, "I'm not very happy with our football team this year." Although we had just lost to UNC, our record at the time was 8-3.

At the speech that provided my signature quote, Cut also said, "It's not just that the recruits don't remember when Duke football was good, but their parents also don't remember." Now there are a few souls on earth who don't remember when Duke football was bad, and some of them go to Duke.

Kindly, Sage
'I don't know who goes on these college tours, but there were at least 70 people in the room for the briefing beforehand. The speaker asked if there were any Duke alumni present. My hand was the only one that went up.'

[Bob Green]

It's good to think that going 7-5 (3-5) is a disappointment now days. Shows our visible improvement

There are several key unknowns headed into the season such as how Sirk plays at QB, are Kelby Brown and Braxton Deaver healthy and able to produce at their pre-injury level and who steps up at WR and DE. Creating a consistent pass rush is my biggest concern. I'm optimistic the pieces are in place for another 9 or 10 win season, but I will not be disappointed if the team goes 7-5. I will be disappointed if the team goes 5-7. My benchmark is six wins and a fourth straight bowl game appearance. This team will exceed my benchmark.

[mbird30]

There are several key unknowns headed into the season such as how Sirk plays at QB, are Kelby Brown and Braxton Deaver healthy and able to produce at their pre-injury level and who steps up at WR and DE. Creating a consistent pass rush is my biggest concern. I'm optimistic the pieces are in place for another 9 or 10 win season, but I will not be disappointed if the team goes 7-5. I will be disappointed if the team goes 5-7. My benchmark is six wins and a fourth straight bowl game appearance. This team will exceed my benchmark.

Your right that we have some holes, but I think we will fill those holes. First of all I am concerned about Sirk moving in at quarterback too, but I think our team will become a run first team and Sirk is plenty good enough to run. In cases where he will need to throw I don't think Cut won't give him a ton of options at first (so he won't have to make tough decisions) and we will probably have a lot of plays that have 1 or 2 check downs to keep it easy on Sirk, and I've heard he throws a "GREAT" deep ball which is also important with a run first offence.
The O-line will be good but not great since we lost some of our key pieces, but I don't think anyone will stand out as a weak link and we will be a better run blocking team than pass blocking. I think that Skurra has the chance to have an awesome season too.
The running backs will be awesome and hopefully Jela is dominant again.
The wide receivers won't be great, but we have a lot of deep threat guys and some great speedy receivers. Max will be consistent and I think his blocking will be his best quality this season. I see some screen pass sepcialists in this group too.
Our tight ends will be a strong spot and they will keep getting stronger in each foreseeable year (except maybe a little step back next year). No need to say much about them except that they have a chance to be either really good or great.

On defense I am overly optimistic about our DE's. I really like how Kyler will be more like an additional outside linebacker and I love how we will be a hybrid between a 3-3-5 and a 4-2-5. Although he isn't the best it will be interesting to see how opposing offences adjust to him (I could also see Humphreys play this role as he played both middle and outside linebacker in high school). I am not excited about Britton Grier as a strong side DE but I think he could surprise me, as well as Marquise Price later in the season.
Our interior line on defense will be the best its been since VO was there and maybe the deepest its been in 10 years. Something about the tenacity that AJ Wolf plays with makes me really like him, and Carlos Wray can really hold his own in there. I expect that our inside the tackle run defense to be the best it has been in years.
Our Linebacking core is really good. If Kelby plays even 50% of his best he will be a beast. I think Dwayne Norman will be really strong, and I am a huge fan a Zavier Carmichael. Chirs Holmes will be strong and if Humphreys plays he will be productive too.
Lastly our DB's will be DOMINANT. I think our 3 Safeties are among the best in the nation and I'd take them over any other combination in the country. At CB Breon will be really good this year and I think Fields may be getting over the hill when it comes to his coverage skills. Our depth at CB is great too and I think Mcduffie could take someones spot on the depth chart if he plays CB.

So, after all of that optimism I do think we should be a better than 7-5 team (especially with our schedule) and we have the talent to beat any team on our schedule. Not that we will go undefeated, but its the best chance we've had in over 20 years to do so. OK I'm done with the optimism.

[OldPhiKap]

Your right that we have some holes, but I think we will fill those holes. First of all I am concerned about Sirk moving in at quarterback too, but I think our team will become a run first team and Sirk is plenty good enough to run. In cases where he will need to throw I don't think Cut won't give him a ton of options at first (so he won't have to make tough decisions) and we will probably have a lot of plays that have 1 or 2 check downs to keep it easy on Sirk, and I've heard he throws a "GREAT" deep ball which is also important with a run first offence.
The O-line will be good but not great since we lost some of our key pieces, but I don't think anyone will stand out as a weak link and we will be a better run blocking team than pass blocking. I think that Skurra has the chance to have an awesome season too.
The running backs will be awesome and hopefully Jela is dominant again.
The wide receivers won't be great, but we have a lot of deep threat guys and some great speedy receivers. Max will be consistent and I think his blocking will be his best quality this season. I see some screen pass sepcialists in this group too.
Our tight ends will be a strong spot and they will keep getting stronger in each foreseeable year (except maybe a little step back next year). No need to say much about them except that they have a chance to be either really good or great.

On defense I am overly optimistic about our DE's. I really like how Kyler will be more like an additional outside linebacker and I love how we will be a hybrid between a 3-3-5 and a 4-2-5. Although he isn't the best it will be interesting to see how opposing offences adjust to him (I could also see Humphreys play this role as he played both middle and outside linebacker in high school). I am not excited about Britton Grier as a strong side DE but I think he could surprise me, as well as Marquise Price later in the season.
Our interior line on defense will be the best its been since VO was there and maybe the deepest its been in 10 years. Something about the tenacity that AJ Wolf plays with makes me really like him, and Carlos Wray can really hold his own in there. I expect that our inside the tackle run defense to be the best it has been in years.
Our Linebacking core is really good. If Kelby plays even 50% of his best he will be a beast. I think Dwayne Norman will be really strong, and I am a huge fan a Zavier Carmichael. Chirs Holmes will be strong and if Humphreys plays he will be productive too.
Lastly our DB's will be DOMINANT. I think our 3 Safeties are among the best in the nation and I'd take them over any other combination in the country. At CB Breon will be really good this year and I think Fields may be getting over the hill when it comes to his coverage skills. Our depth at CB is great too and I think Mcduffie could take someones spot on the depth chart if he plays CB.

So, after all of that optimism I do think we should be a better than 7-5 team (especially with our schedule) and we have the talent to beat any team on our schedule. Not that we will go undefeated, but its the best chance we've had in over 20 years to do so. OK I'm done with the optimism.

This is spot on. My two cents:

1. You never know what we will get with a new quarterback. But Boone, for his great leadership skills and ability to read defenses, was not a strong passer downfield. If Sirk "gets it" and has an accurate arm downfield, it could really open up the offense.

2. We lose experience on the O line but have some really good kids coming back too. I think the O line will be pretty good.

3. Defensive secondary always seems to come down to depth. We play a lot of smaller, quicker players -- but we have a lot of positions to fill in the 4-2-5.

4. We were very lucky last year with few injuries (Kelby and Braxton aside). I hope that is a sign of better conditioning and technique, but there is an element of randomness.

5. Don't stop the optimism. Embrace it. This can be a wonderful season!

Rip 'em up, tear 'em up, give'm hell DUKE!