jimsumner
09-23-2014, 02:35 PM
Laken Tomlinson was to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, announced by Allstate Insurance and the American Football Coaches Association.
You may have heard that the non-conference portion of Duke’s schedule is over.
Coaches always talk up their next opponent. But when David Cutcliffe describes Miami with such praise as “their offensive front is as good as we’ll see all year,” or “their speed at all skill positions is exceptional,” it doesn’t sound like coach-speak. This is Miami after all.
Then again, Miami has allowed 31 and 41 points against their two top-tier opponents this season.
Cut says Miami running back Duke Johnson is a first-round pick. He says Johnson is “a fierce, fierce competitor, with great strength and speed.”
When asked how Duke could control Johnson, Jeremy Cash smiled and said “tackle him.” When asked to elaborate, he added “cut him off at the knees.”
DeVon Edwards had a more nuanced approach. “We’ve just got to tackle great and fit our holes well and not make many false steps and just do what we’re supposed to do. As long as you’re disciplined, you’re going to have help coming."
Johnson did not play against Duke last season due to injury.
Miami’s quarterback is true freshman Brad Kayaa. Cutcliffe had high praise for Kayaa. But Duke flummoxed Tulane redshirt freshman Tanner Lee last week with multiple looks and lots of blitzing. Cutcliffe noted that Kaaya “is surrounded by a heck of a cast. We’ll have to mix things up not just to stop him but to stop Duke Johnson.”
Duke is entering a stretch with only one home game until November 15. Cutcliffe says his team likes playing on the road. Duke has a good routine and sometimes there are fewer distractions. He adds “We all know we have to win on the road to have the kind of season we want.”
Speaking of going on the road, Duke has 16 players from Florida, second only to the 23 from North Carolina. Cutcliffe said that Duke sends out letters to the parents before the season reminding them that road games are business trips and that opportunities for socializing will be limited. Jeremy Cash, from Miami, is the most prominent Duke Floridian.
Duke rushed for 358 yards against Miami last season. Takoby Cofield talked about the possibility of duplicating that this season. “Last year we really tried to establish our mentality and bring a physical presence and get downhill on them. Our running game is something we rely heavily on. We’re just trying to get after people and impose our will.”
An interesting discussion on Isaac Blakeney. When asked if Blakeney realized how high his ceiling was, Cut indicated that Blakeney sometimes “restricts himself. He needs to believe in himself.”
You may have heard that the non-conference portion of Duke’s schedule is over.
Coaches always talk up their next opponent. But when David Cutcliffe describes Miami with such praise as “their offensive front is as good as we’ll see all year,” or “their speed at all skill positions is exceptional,” it doesn’t sound like coach-speak. This is Miami after all.
Then again, Miami has allowed 31 and 41 points against their two top-tier opponents this season.
Cut says Miami running back Duke Johnson is a first-round pick. He says Johnson is “a fierce, fierce competitor, with great strength and speed.”
When asked how Duke could control Johnson, Jeremy Cash smiled and said “tackle him.” When asked to elaborate, he added “cut him off at the knees.”
DeVon Edwards had a more nuanced approach. “We’ve just got to tackle great and fit our holes well and not make many false steps and just do what we’re supposed to do. As long as you’re disciplined, you’re going to have help coming."
Johnson did not play against Duke last season due to injury.
Miami’s quarterback is true freshman Brad Kayaa. Cutcliffe had high praise for Kayaa. But Duke flummoxed Tulane redshirt freshman Tanner Lee last week with multiple looks and lots of blitzing. Cutcliffe noted that Kaaya “is surrounded by a heck of a cast. We’ll have to mix things up not just to stop him but to stop Duke Johnson.”
Duke is entering a stretch with only one home game until November 15. Cutcliffe says his team likes playing on the road. Duke has a good routine and sometimes there are fewer distractions. He adds “We all know we have to win on the road to have the kind of season we want.”
Speaking of going on the road, Duke has 16 players from Florida, second only to the 23 from North Carolina. Cutcliffe said that Duke sends out letters to the parents before the season reminding them that road games are business trips and that opportunities for socializing will be limited. Jeremy Cash, from Miami, is the most prominent Duke Floridian.
Duke rushed for 358 yards against Miami last season. Takoby Cofield talked about the possibility of duplicating that this season. “Last year we really tried to establish our mentality and bring a physical presence and get downhill on them. Our running game is something we rely heavily on. We’re just trying to get after people and impose our will.”
An interesting discussion on Isaac Blakeney. When asked if Blakeney realized how high his ceiling was, Cut indicated that Blakeney sometimes “restricts himself. He needs to believe in himself.”