jimsumner
11-19-2013, 02:27 PM
My first one of these for a nationally-ranked team.
The narrative is that Duke remains level-headed and focused on Wake Forest. Given the track record, I'm inclined to believe the narrative.
Cut said that the "leadership of the team has done a nice job of focusing on the job at hand."
Cut said Duke had its best practice of the season this morning. "The players know what's out there for them. I'm happy that they're feeling good. There's no question we're focused on Wake Forest. It's an intense rivalry game." He added that you could feel good but stay focused.
Look for the quarterback rotation to remain intact for Wake.
Cut acknowledged that there was some early-season tension among the running-back corps. "There are never enough footballs for skill people." Cut said he had some conversations but that the players "corrected themselves." Gave Juwan Thompson--the only senior running back--a lot of credit. Said Thompson's unselfishness defined "what we've become as a program."
Duke pretty healthy. Jonathan Woodruff (elbow) got some work today but is not likely to play Saturday.
Wake coming into the game off an open date. Cut said that they should be a little better rested than Duke and added "we're all looking for a little energy edge" this time of the season. He also added that worrying about playing a team coming off an open date is "pure wasted energy."
Cutcliffe likes Nikita Whitlock. A lot.
Some discussion of the punt unit, which has allowed touchdown returns in the last two games. Cut said that when a unit is doing well, there is a tendency to assume that someone else will make the play. Says Duke has "lost its edge" in that area. Needs to get it back.
Cut was asked if he was enjoying this season or if that would have to wait until the off-season. He referenced his open-heart surgery and stated that he's "enjoyed everything after that. Before that, I never even noticed the leaves change."
Ross Cockrell on maintaining focus. "The message has been fairly simple all year, going back to the spring. We want to make sure we finish. Obviously, guys are excited. This is the first time we've been in a situation like this. But we know the job is not done. We understand, because we've been there before. We've been through 3-9 seasons, 5-7 seasons. We've been on the other end."
Sidney Sarmiento on the same subject. "We're fighting for something bigger than just ourselves. We're fighting for each other, we're fighting to have the best season we can possibly have."
The narrative is that Duke remains level-headed and focused on Wake Forest. Given the track record, I'm inclined to believe the narrative.
Cut said that the "leadership of the team has done a nice job of focusing on the job at hand."
Cut said Duke had its best practice of the season this morning. "The players know what's out there for them. I'm happy that they're feeling good. There's no question we're focused on Wake Forest. It's an intense rivalry game." He added that you could feel good but stay focused.
Look for the quarterback rotation to remain intact for Wake.
Cut acknowledged that there was some early-season tension among the running-back corps. "There are never enough footballs for skill people." Cut said he had some conversations but that the players "corrected themselves." Gave Juwan Thompson--the only senior running back--a lot of credit. Said Thompson's unselfishness defined "what we've become as a program."
Duke pretty healthy. Jonathan Woodruff (elbow) got some work today but is not likely to play Saturday.
Wake coming into the game off an open date. Cut said that they should be a little better rested than Duke and added "we're all looking for a little energy edge" this time of the season. He also added that worrying about playing a team coming off an open date is "pure wasted energy."
Cutcliffe likes Nikita Whitlock. A lot.
Some discussion of the punt unit, which has allowed touchdown returns in the last two games. Cut said that when a unit is doing well, there is a tendency to assume that someone else will make the play. Says Duke has "lost its edge" in that area. Needs to get it back.
Cut was asked if he was enjoying this season or if that would have to wait until the off-season. He referenced his open-heart surgery and stated that he's "enjoyed everything after that. Before that, I never even noticed the leaves change."
Ross Cockrell on maintaining focus. "The message has been fairly simple all year, going back to the spring. We want to make sure we finish. Obviously, guys are excited. This is the first time we've been in a situation like this. But we know the job is not done. We understand, because we've been there before. We've been through 3-9 seasons, 5-7 seasons. We've been on the other end."
Sidney Sarmiento on the same subject. "We're fighting for something bigger than just ourselves. We're fighting for each other, we're fighting to have the best season we can possibly have."