jimsumner
10-10-2017, 02:00 PM
Not a lot of substance today. Lots of talk about focus, intensity, execution and other virtues in life.
What does Duke need to do better? "Throw and catch, tackle and pursue," according to the head coach.
If Duke is planning wholesale changes this Saturday, then they are well hidden. David Cutcliffe says that Duke's habits have worked well in the past, so there's no need to make fundamental changes. "I'm not pressing the bell labeled 'alarm.' I'm about work, doing everything we can to solve the problem."
Cut says urgency is a "winning edge. We're expecting them to respond."
Practicing well remains the key. That means practicing hard but also practicing smart. Cut says there is no such thing as a "gamer." Good players show up in practice.
Daniel Jones said he's let some bad habits into his game, footwork, balance and so forth. Cut says this can happen to a 10-year NFL vet and has to be addressed in practice.
Cut got down and dirty with the wide-receiver group, working on basics such as stance and accelerating quickly. Says that any of eight or nine guys has a chance to play at WR and he's still looking for guys to step up and take advantage of the opportunity. Scott Bracey is one of this group but Cut declined an opportunity to elevate him above anyone else.
Ben Humphreys and Joe Giles-Harris both lamented Duke's poor tackling in the second half at Charlottesville. Cut agreed but added that Duke needed to do a better job of getting more people to the ball, noting that it's a lot easier to make one guy miss than to make three guys miss.
Duke lost the time-of-possession battle to Virginia, the first time that has happened this season. Tight end Daniel Helm said Duke has to do better on first downs. Falling behind the chains leads to third-and-long, which leads to punts, which puts a tired defense back on the field.
Humphreys and Giles-Harris both denied that Virginia's score late in the first half carried over to the beginning of the second half. Humphreys called Duke's late-half wobbles a "coincidence." No discernible pattern.
Christian Harris was a feel-good story from last week. The redshirt junior offensive tackle was thrown into the fire when Gabe Brandner went down with an injury Saturday. He acquitted himself well and was singled out in practice Sunday. Cut said Harris "answered the bell. Two weeks ago in practice I could see a difference in his approach."
Cutcliffe said other players were making an impression in practice but elected not to name them.
Cut said that the 2017 team has the ability to make a 2013-type run. "We've got to be capable. We're at that point."
If anyone thinks FSU is vulnerable, they kept that opinion to themselves. Their defensive speed is Cut's greatest concern. "They can consume the field."
What does Duke need to do better? "Throw and catch, tackle and pursue," according to the head coach.
If Duke is planning wholesale changes this Saturday, then they are well hidden. David Cutcliffe says that Duke's habits have worked well in the past, so there's no need to make fundamental changes. "I'm not pressing the bell labeled 'alarm.' I'm about work, doing everything we can to solve the problem."
Cut says urgency is a "winning edge. We're expecting them to respond."
Practicing well remains the key. That means practicing hard but also practicing smart. Cut says there is no such thing as a "gamer." Good players show up in practice.
Daniel Jones said he's let some bad habits into his game, footwork, balance and so forth. Cut says this can happen to a 10-year NFL vet and has to be addressed in practice.
Cut got down and dirty with the wide-receiver group, working on basics such as stance and accelerating quickly. Says that any of eight or nine guys has a chance to play at WR and he's still looking for guys to step up and take advantage of the opportunity. Scott Bracey is one of this group but Cut declined an opportunity to elevate him above anyone else.
Ben Humphreys and Joe Giles-Harris both lamented Duke's poor tackling in the second half at Charlottesville. Cut agreed but added that Duke needed to do a better job of getting more people to the ball, noting that it's a lot easier to make one guy miss than to make three guys miss.
Duke lost the time-of-possession battle to Virginia, the first time that has happened this season. Tight end Daniel Helm said Duke has to do better on first downs. Falling behind the chains leads to third-and-long, which leads to punts, which puts a tired defense back on the field.
Humphreys and Giles-Harris both denied that Virginia's score late in the first half carried over to the beginning of the second half. Humphreys called Duke's late-half wobbles a "coincidence." No discernible pattern.
Christian Harris was a feel-good story from last week. The redshirt junior offensive tackle was thrown into the fire when Gabe Brandner went down with an injury Saturday. He acquitted himself well and was singled out in practice Sunday. Cut said Harris "answered the bell. Two weeks ago in practice I could see a difference in his approach."
Cutcliffe said other players were making an impression in practice but elected not to name them.
Cut said that the 2017 team has the ability to make a 2013-type run. "We've got to be capable. We're at that point."
If anyone thinks FSU is vulnerable, they kept that opinion to themselves. Their defensive speed is Cut's greatest concern. "They can consume the field."