FB: Duke @ Navy Pre-game and In-Game thread

[Bob Green]

Duke travels to Annapolis to take on the Midshipmen this Saturday. Navy is a good team with a very strong running game, but they are not unbeatable. This is a game Duke is capable of winning if we play a little better and don't turn the ball over. I'll get the discussion started with a couple of general questions.

Hugh Millen, former NFL and Washington Huskies QB, was discussing the quick slant route on Seattle sports radio (KGR-AM 950) a couple of days ago and his comments seem appropriate to share here at DBR. I desire to be very clear up front, Millen was discussing the Washington Huskies not Duke. I'm the one taking his comments and applying them to things I've observed in Duke games this season.

Millen stated the quick slant is a timing route designed to be run with the QB taking a quick drop back from under center and delivering the ball. He went on to elaborate that when executed out of a shotgun formation the pass is inherently late.

It seems to me, last season, Thad Lewis had great success throwing the quick slant as well as the wide receiver screen. This season Sean Renfree has had less success with the slant route and seems to go to the wide receiver screen as his bread and butter play. Lewis lined up both under center and in the shotgun, while Renfree is exclusively running the offense out of the shotgun and pistol formations.

My question, to those on the board who know a lot more about the X's and O's of football than I do, is does Hugh Millen's comments partially explain some of the offensive woes we are currently experiencing or am I grasping at straws for an explanation? I realize Coach Cutcliffe is a QB maestro but Hugh Millen played in the NFL for nine seasons so his comments have merit. Would the offense benefit if Renfree moved up under center for 10-12 plays a game?

Thoughts?

[OldPhiKap]

I'm not sure if the problem is where he starts the play. It's that he ends the play on his backside because of blitzes and/or beating the blocking scheme.

At least, that's how it seems to me although there are plenty on the board who know better than I do. We have a young QB, and everyone has decided (correctly) that putting pressure on him is key because he does fairly well when he has time to go through his checks. Instead, he has to rush and it leads to mistakes.

Of course, the flip side is -- if you can consistently hit those quick slants and bubbles, the other side has to stop committing so much to the rush/blitz.

Oh well. Go Duke, beat Navy!

[alteran]

Thoughts?

Yeah-- who are you gonna root for?

(You are a Navy man, right?)

[mkline09]

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert but I would agree a slant is a designed quick step drop after the QB lines up under center. With Renfree in the shotgun or the pistol the main run option (although I know there are more than just one) is a draw. Defenses see this and the linebackers stay home in the middle for the potential draw. That is where the receivers are going and that is where, at least to me some of the interceptions are coming from.
Receivers a bit gun shy about going across the middle where linebackers are waiting. And the backers or even the corner know Duke likes to run the slant so will sit tight on their man in man coverage. Slants are good against zone coverage when you can find the holes.

A drop from under center would at least get the linebackers, except on blitzes, dropping back in coverage a little and opening up the middle for the screens and or slants.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Here's my take on the situation:
Coach Cutcliffe is going to fit the system to the strengths of the players, not the players to the system. Thad and Sean are two different QB's, each with his own array of strengths and weaknesses.

Sean has appeared shell shocked since Alabama. He continues to rush himself to get passes off. The result is that his timing and that of the receivers rarely gets into a rhythm and defenders have more opportunities for deflecting, picking off, etc.

Self confidence is one of the most fragile aspects of life. Even the most secure can be subject to losing confidence in themselves. Experience and maturity can help in regaining confidence, but don't guarantee.

[OldPhiKap]

Here's my take on the situation:
Coach Cutcliffe is going to fit the system to the strengths of the players, not the players to the system. Thad and Sean are two different QB's, each with his own array of strengths and weaknesses.

Sean has appeared shell shocked since Alabama. He continues to rush himself to get passes off. The result is that his timing and that of the receivers rarely gets into a rhythm and defenders have more opportunities for deflecting, picking off, etc.

Self confidence is one of the most fragile aspects of life. Even the most secure can be subject to losing confidence in themselves. Experience and maturity can help in regaining confidence, but don't guarantee.

Very well said, DiBD. OPK

[Bob Green]

Yeah-- who are you gonna root for?

(You are a Navy man, right?)

I spent 30 years on active duty as an enlisted Sailor. Annapolis is officer BS. I like seeing future officers put in their place. Go Duke! Beat Navy!

Seriously, I will pull for Navy against the other 118 FBS schools but this Saturday it is all about Duke.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Very well said, DiBD. OPK

Thank you! I've watched a game or two. Also had the good fortune of being in a flag football class in women's PE back in the golden days on East Campus.

[4decadedukie]

I will attend with another Duke alum (couple) from San Diego, who was also a career senior officer. We try to do this whenever Duke and the USNA play. Our loyalties are undivided, however: Go Duke, Beat Navy!!!!

[Bob Green]

I will attend with another Duke alum (couple) from San Diego, who was also a career senior officer. We try to do this whenever Duke and the USNA play. Our loyalties are undivided, however: Go Duke, Beat Navy!!!!

Of course my negative comments about Officers do not apply to 4decadedukie. He knows the Goat Locker likes him.

For the masses, the term "Goat Locker" has nothing to do with Carolina, I'm just talking Navy as we have our own language. 4decadedukie understands me.

[4decadedukie]

I was merely an officer, perhaps a fairly good one. On the other hand -- and he would never "toot his own horn" about this -- Bob was a Master Chief, which is something a great deal more special. The far more critical link, however, is being long-term shipmates in the service to our Navy and its nation.

Every other game, I root for Navy; however, this Saturday -- and every day, for that matter -- I am a Dukie first.

[Bob Green]

Here is every Duke fan's favorite author on Navy's defense:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...102502095.html

[Bob Green]

More on Navy, from the Washington Post, this article is about the offensive line:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...102705603.html

Navy is flying high after their 35-17 win over Notre Dame, hopefully, Duke can ground the Midshipmen.

[CameronBornAndBred]

More on Navy, from the Washington Post, this article is about the offensive line:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...102705603.html

Navy is flying high after their 35-17 win over Notre Dame, hopefully, Duke can ground the Midshipmen.

I hope so too...but I'm not looking forward to the outcome. (And I'm a Duke football optimist to the extreme!) I think both GT and Navy are gonna squash us, I think we can beat both BC and UVA; the heels I'm reserving judgement on until I see what they look like game week. So assuming that we are going to get beat by Navy, what I really want to see is some confidence back in this team, and some progress. They need some good things to happen to start building on for the spring practices. Let's see the offense once again move the ball, let's see Renfree once again play well and make smart choices. Let's see some points put up on the board and the game still be a game in the second half.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Psssst! Here's a little secret. Duke has learned to defend the option (run) offense pretty well in the last couple of years. Just sayin'...

[77devil]

I hope so too...but I'm not looking forward to the outcome. (And I'm a Duke football optimist to the extreme!) I think both GT and Navy are gonna squash us.

I was relatively optimistic before the season when I purchased tickets for the Navy game. Now, not so much. If Duke plays the way it has been, I'm afraid the game will be over at halftime.

I suppose boozing heavily at the tailgate is an option and Annapolis is a lovely town. C'mon Devils, make me wrong.

[Bob Green]

Here is another opportunity to skew a poll:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/mid...e_navy-du.html

Come on DBR, let's show the football team some love!

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Here is another opportunity to skew a poll:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/mid...e_navy-du.html

Come on DBR, let's show the football team some love!

Having multiple options for voting somewhat dilutes the effects of our voting.... unless we use one browser for Duke wins with close score and another browser for Duke wins in a blow out. My vote in each category raised each result by 2%. Only 41 had voted... and I was two of those!

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

One of our football players posted this video online. He's going to play to win!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqdJsyvkybs

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I'm afraid the game will be over at halftime.

Nah, Navy will hang in there for about 3 quarter and then get blown out.