jimsumner
11-20-2007, 03:44 PM
Okay, first things first.
Roof was asked about his job status. Says he is still coach and no one has told him any different. Expects to sit down with the powers-that-be shortly after the Carolina game.
When asked if he expects to be coaching Duke season, his response was that he hoped to be. Draw your own conclusions.
Roof says he's coaching for something more important than his job, he's coaching for the team and the university.
Thad Lewis and Matt Rumsey also talked to the media. Everybody maintains that Duke football is improving. Rumsey says "talent level, athleticism, coaching, and attitude" have all improved under Roof's tenure. Lewis says Duke has improved "in every area" and "has the talent to match up with anyone."
No one seems willing or able to articulate why this improvement hasn't shown up on the scoreboard, although Roof did maintain that the progression goes from bad to competitive to winning. According to Roof, Duke has gone from bad to competitive. Winning is next.
Rumsey was articulate, even moving, in talking about Roof. "He's one of the prime reasons I came to Duke." Rumsey praised Roof's passion and enthusiasm. When asked what he had learned from Roof, he responded "respecting other people, perseverance, coming to work every day and doing your best regardless of what other people are saying about you."
Matt also spoke at some length about putting on the uniform for the last time Saturday and "lining up with his brothers" for the last time.
When asked the same question about what he had learned from Roof, Thad said "Don't be content. Continue to work hard. Hard work is the key."
Speaking of Thad. The plan late in the first half v. Notre Dame was to run out the clock. Thad saw that Wright wasn't being guarded and thought it was something Duke could exploit so he audibled out of the called play. Roof said that Duke gives its quarterbacks wide latitude in this sort of thing but refused to hang Thad out to dry. Roof did point out that Duke's running backs would also have had to hold onto the ball had they stuck with the original play. There was no question that he regarded this as a crucial play.
Speaking of Thad, II. Thad will start at QB Saturday but playing Asack more is "under definite consideration."
Speaking of Thad, III. TR maintains that Thad is showing some mechanical problems, mainly not setting his feet properly before throwing and that accounts for his recent slump.
Thad describes the mood of the team as "angry." Matt as "frustrated." A win Saturday would go a long way towards establishing a good off-season, regardless of the coach.
Roof was asked about his job status. Says he is still coach and no one has told him any different. Expects to sit down with the powers-that-be shortly after the Carolina game.
When asked if he expects to be coaching Duke season, his response was that he hoped to be. Draw your own conclusions.
Roof says he's coaching for something more important than his job, he's coaching for the team and the university.
Thad Lewis and Matt Rumsey also talked to the media. Everybody maintains that Duke football is improving. Rumsey says "talent level, athleticism, coaching, and attitude" have all improved under Roof's tenure. Lewis says Duke has improved "in every area" and "has the talent to match up with anyone."
No one seems willing or able to articulate why this improvement hasn't shown up on the scoreboard, although Roof did maintain that the progression goes from bad to competitive to winning. According to Roof, Duke has gone from bad to competitive. Winning is next.
Rumsey was articulate, even moving, in talking about Roof. "He's one of the prime reasons I came to Duke." Rumsey praised Roof's passion and enthusiasm. When asked what he had learned from Roof, he responded "respecting other people, perseverance, coming to work every day and doing your best regardless of what other people are saying about you."
Matt also spoke at some length about putting on the uniform for the last time Saturday and "lining up with his brothers" for the last time.
When asked the same question about what he had learned from Roof, Thad said "Don't be content. Continue to work hard. Hard work is the key."
Speaking of Thad. The plan late in the first half v. Notre Dame was to run out the clock. Thad saw that Wright wasn't being guarded and thought it was something Duke could exploit so he audibled out of the called play. Roof said that Duke gives its quarterbacks wide latitude in this sort of thing but refused to hang Thad out to dry. Roof did point out that Duke's running backs would also have had to hold onto the ball had they stuck with the original play. There was no question that he regarded this as a crucial play.
Speaking of Thad, II. Thad will start at QB Saturday but playing Asack more is "under definite consideration."
Speaking of Thad, III. TR maintains that Thad is showing some mechanical problems, mainly not setting his feet properly before throwing and that accounts for his recent slump.
Thad describes the mood of the team as "angry." Matt as "frustrated." A win Saturday would go a long way towards establishing a good off-season, regardless of the coach.