jimsumner
10-28-2014, 02:26 PM
Anthony Boone called a players-only meeting this morning.
Topics of discussion? Boone. “Staying focused and not letting the rankings play for us. Let our execution and who we are take of it and the rankings can come later.”
Fellow senior Takoby Cofield. “It’s time. It’s November. Younger guys that remember last year but who maybe didn’t have a big role and guys who were on the team last year but who maybe didn’t play a lot, are going to have to step into a bigger role. It’s the time of year when you get bumps and bruises and we’re going to need that second and third guy to be ready, to be locked in and know the game plan. Everybody matters and now’s the time to buckle down and be ready.”
Several players told me that the meeting was not the result of any perceived slippage in practice but was more proactive.
Pitt? Every player I talked to referenced Pitt’s physicality and toughness.
Cutcliffe agreed, noting that Duke could not match Pitt’s size but would have to compensate with superior technique and execution. “You’re not going to tackle a 250-pound running back without good technique.”
The 250-pound running back referred to by Cutcliffe is James Conner, who does indeed weigh 250. Conner is having a great season.
Duke linebacker C.J. France weighs 230. He describes the challenges of James Conner. “It’s always a challenge going against a big, physical back. He runs the ball hard. He drives his feet well.”
Who played Conner in practice? None of Duke’s four scholarship backs. Instead Duke used walk-ons Eric Adams (5-8 175) and Eamon Vain-Callahan (5-9, 195) to replicate Conner. Duke had a very run-centric practice today, 60 or so running plays against the Duke D.
Cutcliffe says Duke’s biggest challenge down the stretch is “finding consistency.” Execution more than effort. “Be clean.”
Center Matt Skura is from Ohio and practically salivated at the weather forecast for Pitt, cold and breezy, maybe even some snow flurries. “Being a Midwest guy, I kind of like the cold. It’s going to be fun. Some guys might not like the cold as much but offensive linemen, we love that stuff.”
Cutcliffe said he has been too busy to read any of the Wainstein report and doesn’t know many specifics. He says he’s “not concerned a bit” about any such thing happening at Duke. “Our people are great at catching things.” Small campus, no place to hide phony classes, good checks and balances in place.
Topics of discussion? Boone. “Staying focused and not letting the rankings play for us. Let our execution and who we are take of it and the rankings can come later.”
Fellow senior Takoby Cofield. “It’s time. It’s November. Younger guys that remember last year but who maybe didn’t have a big role and guys who were on the team last year but who maybe didn’t play a lot, are going to have to step into a bigger role. It’s the time of year when you get bumps and bruises and we’re going to need that second and third guy to be ready, to be locked in and know the game plan. Everybody matters and now’s the time to buckle down and be ready.”
Several players told me that the meeting was not the result of any perceived slippage in practice but was more proactive.
Pitt? Every player I talked to referenced Pitt’s physicality and toughness.
Cutcliffe agreed, noting that Duke could not match Pitt’s size but would have to compensate with superior technique and execution. “You’re not going to tackle a 250-pound running back without good technique.”
The 250-pound running back referred to by Cutcliffe is James Conner, who does indeed weigh 250. Conner is having a great season.
Duke linebacker C.J. France weighs 230. He describes the challenges of James Conner. “It’s always a challenge going against a big, physical back. He runs the ball hard. He drives his feet well.”
Who played Conner in practice? None of Duke’s four scholarship backs. Instead Duke used walk-ons Eric Adams (5-8 175) and Eamon Vain-Callahan (5-9, 195) to replicate Conner. Duke had a very run-centric practice today, 60 or so running plays against the Duke D.
Cutcliffe says Duke’s biggest challenge down the stretch is “finding consistency.” Execution more than effort. “Be clean.”
Center Matt Skura is from Ohio and practically salivated at the weather forecast for Pitt, cold and breezy, maybe even some snow flurries. “Being a Midwest guy, I kind of like the cold. It’s going to be fun. Some guys might not like the cold as much but offensive linemen, we love that stuff.”
Cutcliffe said he has been too busy to read any of the Wainstein report and doesn’t know many specifics. He says he’s “not concerned a bit” about any such thing happening at Duke. “Our people are great at catching things.” Small campus, no place to hide phony classes, good checks and balances in place.