Duke Football Practice Report

[watzone]

I figured this deserved it's own thread. I will be covering Duke Football Practices leading up to the home opener against James Madison.

Here is the first report - http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/

This would also be a great place to place links from Bryan Strickland of the Herald Sun who also covers the beat. The N & O has yet to send anyone out since the start of practice. I discuss the changes I saw having watched several coaches practice systems over the years and a few players who seem prepared to help.

I haven't this impressed since the Spurrier era. There is some great coaching, but the same players. As Cut gets more prospects into the the system, the infusion of talent will be a Godsend.

It would be silly to expect too many wins, but one has to feel we have great opportunities to improve and get more wins this season than in the past three.

[OldPhiKap]

Good stuff, Watzone. Thanks.

It is nice to hear that we're trying to run a real D-1 program with a coach who knows how to do it. Cut's experience is at a whole different level than what we've had in the last 20 years.

It seems that Cut has toned down the expectations lately, from
"we're here to win championships" and "we expect improvement sooner rather than later," to now more of a "well, November is when you can start to tell what this team can do." Am I right in that sense?

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Good stuff, Watzone. Thanks.

It is nice to hear that we're trying to run a real D-1 program with a coach who knows how to do it. Cut's experience is at a whole different level than what we've had in the last 20 years.

It seems that Cut has toned down the expectations lately, from
"we're here to win championships" and "we expect improvement sooner rather than later," to now more of a "well, November is when you can start to tell what this team can do." Am I right in that sense?

I concur! Thanks for the report on practice!

I've taken Coach Cutcliffe's comments to demonstrate a range of vision which is narrowing down. The first comments about winning championships are very general in scope. Subsequent comments become more and more narrowly focused. This is somewhat like a general overview (longterm) followed by more and more detailed comments or observations down to the up close evaluation of progress coming in November..... vision like a zoom lens at a distance, gradually zoom down to November to see how the team performs after various changes have had time to influence outcome.

[bigj4194]

Thanks Watzone!

I look forward to seeing what he is planning on doing with kicking/extra points after his comments! This should be an interesting season. I have high hopes!

[watzone]

It's a bit of a natural thing for coaches at Duke to tone it down after the hire. Cutcliffe must have genuine support from the Duke Administration to accomplish what he wants to. It has likely been a shock for him to see a football program with such limited interest from the media. That said, it is a bit natural to curb expectations and see how the support and effort comes one step at a time. In pointing to November, he is stating that they have to finish strong at the end to compete or have any chance at a bowl for they require a strong finish for an invite. Talking bowl with the program he was dealt could prove unwise for us as fans but he is up to the challenge. They indeed want tro finish strong and realize implementing a news system sometimes takes time to master on the field.

[watzone]

Duke Practice Report #2

"No feet, defeat"

http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/category/duke-football/

[OldPhiKap]

Duke Practice Report #2

"No feet, defeat"

http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/category/duke-football/

It sounds like all the players have bought in and are excited.

Good stuff, thanks!

[watzone]

Duke Football Practice Reports #3 and 4.
http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/category/duke-football/

Running backs have become scarce!

Here is a link from GoDuke.com
http://www.goduke.com/

[DDB4208]

Thanks watzone. It might be too soon to tell but, who do you think is in the lead for the starting HB spot if Boyette is out?

[Wander]

How is Asack's little bro doing?

[watzone]

Thanks watzone. It might be too soon to tell but, who do you think is in the lead for the starting HB spot if Boyette is out?

It's wide open! Look for a possible postition change in the coming week. My money is that Clifford Harris will get the start if healthy (should be). Duke will emply two backs at times this season. The freshman, Hollingsworth has a lot of potential as does a couple of others. Cut is looking for one to step forward and "take" the job.

[watzone]

How is Asack's little bro doing?

Nobody has seen him kick with the exception of the staff. That is one of the most asked questions in media circles. Duke is not addressing or allowing freshman to interview at this point and time.

[Wander]

Secret weapon!

[OldPhiKap]

Secret weapon!

He and Gus the kicking Mule.

[Newton_14]

Nobody has seen him kick with the exception of the staff. That is one of the most asked questions in media circles. Duke is not addressing or allowing freshman to interview at this point and time.

Wats, thanks for the info, I got caught up on all your football reports last night. Good stuff, please keep it coming.

As for the mystery kicker, I am praying this guy can kick. If not, surely there is some 5 foot 6 inch soccer star on campus somewhere that can nail 50 yarders effortlessly?? This is the area I worry about the most...

[watzone]

http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/category/duke-football/

Tielor Robinson chats of switching to TE.

[watzone]

http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/category/duke-football/

Chris Respress (earned first unit DL) from yesterdays practice -

[watzone]

Duke defensive front looks to play four quarters -

http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/category/duke-football/

[Bluedawg]

It seems that Cut has toned down the expectations lately, from "we're here to win championships" and "we expect improvement sooner rather than later," to now more of a "well, November is when you can start to tell what this team can do." Am I right in that sense?

I think the early comments were based on questions from the media, questions asking when he will start winning. Most first year coaches have a "timetable" for winning that tends to correspond to when their contract runs out. I think he was saying that he doesn't play those games and his focus is to win ASAP.

[watzone]

Meet the Devils Pic Gallery with scrimmage one just below it.

http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/category/duke-football/

[CameronBornAndBred]

Get to sneak peek tonite. This is from http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=1556048

On SportsSouth, the preview show will air on the following dates:

August 19, 8 p.m.
August 20, 11 p.m.
August 21, 11 a.m. & 5 p.m.
August 23, 8 p.m.
On FSN South, the program will be shown on:

August 21, 8 p.m.
August 22, 1:30 p.m.
August 24, 1 p.m.
The show will feature Duke head coach David Cutcliffe along with junior defensive tackle Vince Oghobaase.

[watzone]

DURHAM, N.C. -- Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis completed nine-of-11 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown and added another score on the ground to highlight Duke's 50-play controlled scrimmage on Tuesday afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium.goduke (http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=1556794)

[formerdukeathlete]

goduke (http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=1556794)

1s versus 1s only, I take it from the audio - no contact. prelude to getting ready for JMU - starting roster pretty well set - working on the timing.

goduke http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=1556794

watzone, you are right on the money and up to the minute. thanks.:cool:

[watzone]

goduke (http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=1556794)


It was a press release. Either way, be sure you go to the ticket link at the bottom of the article for those of you holding out.

[watzone]

http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/category/duke-football/

Cut talks defense and being ready for JMU during Friday's practice

[OldPhiKap]

^ Gracias. Guess Cut's serious about the kicking game.

[watzone]

LB and co-captain Vinnie Rey took the time to talk to me after practice.

http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/category/duke-football/

[watzone]

Freshman of influence for DFB this season -

http://bluedevilnation.wordpress.com/