Duke Football: Offseason & Spring Practice

[Acymetric]

True, but realistic...we lost a whole lot of talent. I think this is an adjustment year, I'll be very impressed if we keep the bowl streak alive...

We lost a few of our best players, but return a majority of our two-deep. Biggest issues are breaking in a new QB and seeing if we can solve our O-Line problems with player development, new contributors, and scheming. Linebacker looks like a big loss until you remember that we were missing one or both of our top guys there for large chunks of the season.

[Bob Green]

Linebacker looks like a big loss until you remember that we were missing one or both of our top guys there for large chunks of the season.

Koby Quansah and Brandon Hill saw significant playing time due to the injuries you cite above. Chris Rumph has been mentioned as a LB possibility plus redshirt freshmen Rocky Shelton and Shaka Heyward will be in the mix. There is no doubt we will miss Joe Giles-Harris and Ben Humphreys but the cupboard is far from bare.

If everyone fully recovers from last season's injuries, the defense should be in good shape. Presumptive starters Mark Gilbert, Edgar Cerenord and Dylan Singleton are key guys who were lost for the season last year.

[chrishoke]

WOW!
Jets are giving WR Jamison Crowder a 3-year, $28.5 million deal that includes $17 million guaranteed - just now tweeted.

[Acymetric]

WOW!
Jets are giving WR Jamison Crowder a 3-year, $28.5 million deal that includes $17 million guaranteed - just now tweeted.

Do they still have Robbie Anderson and Enunwa?

Either way, great news for Crowder.

[DevilHorse]

Do they still have Robbie Anderson and Enunwa?

Either way, great news for Crowder.

The Jets signed Enunwa and tendered Anderson at the Second-Round level (it means that Anderson could sign the Tender, or if Anderson signs with another team through April 19 that the Jets could match, otherwise the Jets get a 2nd round pick in compensation).

If Crowder is over his ankle injury, and the Jets improve their offensive line (how could they not) they have their best slot receiver since Chrebet.

Larry
DevilHorse

[Bob Green]

Duke football was back at spring practice today. Here is an interview with running backs coach Re'quan Boyette:

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.db...DB_OEM_ID=4200

Good stuff - here is a sample:

GoDuke.com: What are one or two things that you are focused on, as far as improvement, for the spring?
RB: “You asked for one or two, but we have three goals. The first goal is that we wanted to improve our ball security. We had too many fumbles, in my opinion, last year. We need to clean that up. The little details of ball security, like understanding when you are in traffic, what to do with the ball when you’re not in traffic and where to have it. Also, our pad leverage needs to improve. We’re big and strong, but I thought a couple of times we ran too high. If we run lower, we can get what we call 'dirty yards,' or those yards after contact, a lot better. The third thing for us is everybody being able to play in our empty package, not just one guy. We want to have every back being interchangeable in everything we do.”

That third goal makes it sound like the staff is committed to going five wide frequently.

[devildeac]

Duke football was back at spring practice today. Here is an interview with running backs coach Re'quan Boyette:

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.db...DB_OEM_ID=4200

Good stuff - here is a sample:



That third goal makes it sound like the staff is committed to going five wide frequently.

It'd be interesting to interview the OL coach next with that supposition.

[chrishoke]

Nice interview with soph D back Lummie Young.
https://247sports.com/college/duke/A...019-130278717/

[chrishoke]

Brandon Hill has knee surgery. Injury occurred in spring practice. Damn. http://www.goduke.com/

[budwom]

Brandon Hill has knee surgery. Injury occurred in spring practice. Damn. http://www.goduke.com/

ouch, linebacker is a position where we lost valuable guys to graduation and have little proven depth...another argument in favor of Rumph playing there...

[Acymetric]

ouch, linebacker is a position where we lost valuable guys to graduation and have little proven depth...another argument in favor of Rumph playing there...

Yeah, I'm betting Rumph and Quansah are our starters now, and that we'll be looking towards some of the younger guys (who I don't know much about) for depth.

On the other hand, while "indefinitely" sounds ominous since we don't know the injury it isn't clear if that means "a few months" or "likely to miss the season." Who knows, maybe we get him back.

[richmclean]

Details on surgery? Arthroscopic means not ACL?

[Bob Green]

Brandon Hill has knee surgery. Injury occurred in spring practice. Damn. http://www.goduke.com/

Rats, rats, rats!

Time for Shaka Heyward to step up. He has good size at 6'4" 230 and has received good press in an article at GoDuke. I was really, really hoping we would avoid the "next man up" mantra this spring.

[devildeac]

Yeah, I'm betting Rumph and Quansah are our starters now, and that we'll be looking towards some of the younger guys (who I don't know much about) for depth.

On the other hand, while "indefinitely" sounds ominous since we don't know the injury it isn't clear if that means "a few months" or "likely to miss the season." Who knows, maybe we get him back.

Bob Green and (maybe) Jim Sumner expressed high hopes/great potential for Shaka Heyward and Rocky Shelton II, both listed on the current 2019 roster as RFr.

[Acymetric]

Details on surgery? Arthroscopic means not ACL?

The article from 247 has some additional details. No mention of the nature of the injury, but while he'll miss the rest of spring practice he is expected back for the fall/start of the season. So good news, compared to what it could have been.

https://247sports.com/college/duke/A...ery-130430632/

[Acymetric]

So, not exactly Duke related, but did anyone else see that unc is going to switch Kenan to artificial turf starting next season?

[TruBlu]

So, not exactly Duke related, but did anyone else see that unc is going to switch Kenan to artificial turf starting next season?

To match their artificial classes?

[OZZIE4DUKE]

So, not exactly Duke related, but did anyone else see that unc is going to switch Kenan to artificial turf starting next season?

To match their artificial classes?

Artificial Zpork worthy!

[HereBeforeCoachK]

To match their artificial classes?

oh that was nicely played....next up, Tartan Rubber for the Myth Center?

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

So, not exactly Duke related, but did anyone else see that unc is going to switch Kenan to artificial turf starting next season?

Will the color choice for the turf follow the example of Boise State and be baby blue?