FB: Duke 21, North Carolina 20

azzefkram said:
I still think some of it is on Maliq. The second and 8, 9, or 10 doesn't help but it appears that he tries for the big play more often than not. I tend to focus on where the ball is so I am not certain but I would imagine that receivers are open in the shorter distance when he goes for the big play.
Click to expand...
Yea, my uninformed opinion is that he throws quite a few passes where there is almost a 0% chance the Duke receiver will catch the ball. I'm surprised we haven't seen more interceptions. I don't know if he wants to get the pass away before he gets hit or he simply doesn't have any better option other than to throw the ball in the vicinity of the receiver (and also the defender) and HOPE that it is a completion. I'm nervous every time he throws.
 
I think Maalik is in love with his arm strength and wants to use it whenever he can, similar to a great jumper who wants to dunk everything. Manny has said a couple times (including Saturday) that they can't try to "get it all back" on one play. I'm sure there is an ongoing conversation about this with Maalik but so far it hasn't resulted in a benching.

My guess is the coaches see his upside and are willing to be patient with his decision making considering he's a sophomore with very little game experience.
 
azzefkram said:
I am as happy as the rest of you that Duke is 5-0, but I wonder if Duke will get dinged for not playing anyone yet. :cool:
Click to expand...
Ha, as Rummy would have said, you can't play the schedule you'd like to have, you play the schedule you have! The schedule reflects the fact that Duke has known for some time how the math works...you want at least three very winnable out of conference games if you want to work your way to six wins and a bowl. We've muddled our way to 5-0, gotta be happy about that.
 
Maged said:
I think Maalik is in love with his arm strength and wants to use it whenever he can, similar to a great jumper who wants to dunk everything. Manny has said a couple times (including Saturday) that they can't try to "get it all back" on one play. I'm sure there is an ongoing conversation about this with Maalik but so far it hasn't resulted in a benching.

My guess is the coaches see his upside and are willing to be patient with his decision making considering he's a sophomore with very little game experience.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reminder re:his class. I imagine I'm not the only one who forgot that he's only a redshirt sophomore and will hopefully become a more mature QB minimizing risky decisions and becoming a more efficient passer. I have full confidence in both Maalik and the staff that this'll happen.
 
budwom said:
Ha, as Rummy would have said, you can't play the schedule you'd like to have, you play the schedule you have! The schedule reflects the fact that Duke has known for some time how the math works...you want at least three very winnable out of conference games if you want to work your way to six wins and a bowl. We've muddled our way to 5-0, gotta be happy about that.
Click to expand...
Well said, budwom!
 
Two-loss Georgia Tech has been installed as a favorite by more than a touchdown, so it's safe to say the bookmakers are not impressed by Duke's 5-0 record.
 
I finally had the chance late last night to watch the 2nd half of the game. Jeez...talk about 2 different halves! Manny's postgame comments mentioned that they challenged (my word, not his) the offensive and defensive lines. Whatever they said to the guys obviously worked and then some. Except for a few runs we did a much better job slowing down Hampton and of course we ratcheted up our own running game with both Star Thomas and Peyton Jones getting in on the action. I'll say this...watching Star Thomas juke, spin, and make people miss is a thing of beauty. He also is a more powerful runner than he would appear to be, as he often slipped out of the grasp of tacklers. Houston, we may have a running game!

Our defense in the 2nd half was so impressive. Sure, the offense finally got it together but the defense sealed the deal when it really mattered. Especially with some emerging playmakers, this is a mighty fun team to watch. Let's just hope we can keep injuries to a minimum.
 
budwom said:
Ha, as Rummy would have said, you can't play the schedule you'd like to have, you play the schedule you have! The schedule reflects the fact that Duke has known for some time how the math works...you want at least three very winnable out of conference games if you want to work your way to six wins and a bowl. We've muddled our way to 5-0, gotta be happy about that.
Click to expand...
All true.
What is also true is that people can, with some validity, question the value of those 5 wins given the schedule.

The two concepts are not mutually exclusive...
 
jafarr1 said:
Two-loss Georgia Tech has been installed as a favorite by more than a touchdown, so it's safe to say the bookmakers are not impressed by Duke's 5-0 record.
Click to expand...
perfectly fair assessment by the bookies. I had thought being favorites vs unc was NOT a good thing, especially after they were humiliated by James Madison. I know how the Football Gods work, and everything was aligned against us on Saturday...won't even mention the black jerseys...
I've attended some horror show games in Atlanta, trust the lads won't be overconfident.
 
budwom said:
Ha, as Rummy would have said, you can't play the schedule you'd like to have, you play the schedule you have! The schedule reflects the fact that Duke has known for some time how the math works...you want at least three very winnable out of conference games if you want to work your way to six wins and a bowl. We've muddled our way to 5-0, gotta be happy about that.
Click to expand...
I admit I did not stick the landing but this was meant as mostly a shot at unc. I should have picked a better emoji.
 
budwom said:
What has become clear is that what Manny calls the "Feeley Effect" is a real thing. Perhaps the best thing Elmo did for us was to bring David Feeley in as strength and conditioning czar, and by all accounts he's doing an amazing job. Those guys (the entire team) are in incredible shape, and as Manny points out, it manifests itself in the fourth quarter. The videos of Feeley exhorting the players in the weight room is very impressive. I know there were also some schematic changes, but the unc lines owned the line of scrimmage in the first half, and Duke's dominated in the second half..they just kept getting better and better.
Spoke to the father of a starting offensive lineman Saturday, and he reports that the lads really really like Manny, his staff, and their teammates, which is a very nice thing.
This team still has flaws, but you can't fault their tenacity and effort....not bad for a team that had to be greatly rebuilt this year.
Click to expand...
Do you have a link to the Feeley videos you referenced in your post? Thanks.
 
TKG said:
Do you have a link to the Feeley videos you referenced in your post? Thanks.
Click to expand...
I don't have them on hand, but have generally seen them linked from The Devils Den which has a great premium football board, well worth the money. Feeley has these guys motivated, it's a BIG deal when a guy goes for a personal best in some lift, everyone cheering him on, he's turned it into a fun and rewarding group activity.
 
budwom said:
perfectly fair assessment by the bookies. I had thought being favorites vs unc was NOT a good thing, especially after they were humiliated by James Madison. I know how the Football Gods work, and everything was aligned against us on Saturday...won't even mention the black jerseys...
I've attended some horror show games in Atlanta, trust the lads won't be overconfident.
Click to expand...
I do think Carolina was extra motivated after getting boat raced by JMU, and their staff did a good job of game planning - kept us off balance on both sides of the ball throughout the first half. Huge credit to our staff and squad for the second half comeback but I would have preferred a more decisive W.

Agree that installing us as a 7.5 point underdog is perfectly fair. Would also note that AP #27 Pitt is just a 3 point favorite at Chapel Hill this week, while AP #29 BC, with their starting QB questionable, is a 3 point underdog at UVA. And never mind Virginia Tech taking the Canes to the wire (an arguably winning) on Friday in Miami. It seems like there is still plenty to be sorted out in the ACC pecking order. But I like the way our schedule lines up the rest of the way, with only the U and SMU looking like longshots at this point.
 
luvdahops said:
I do think Carolina was extra motivated after getting boat raced by JMU, and their staff did a good job of game planning - kept us off balance on both sides of the ball throughout the first half. Huge credit to our staff and squad for the second half comeback but I would have preferred a more decisive W.

Agree that installing us as a 7.5 point underdog is perfectly fair. Would also note that AP #27 Pitt is just a 3 point favorite at Chapel Hill this week, while AP #29 BC, with their starting QB questionable, is a 3 point underdog at UVA. And never mind Virginia Tech taking the Canes to the wire (an arguably winning) on Friday in Miami. It seems like there is still plenty to be sorted out in the ACC pecking order. But I like the way our schedule lines up the rest of the way, with only the U and SMU looking like longshots at this point.
Click to expand...
Agreed, And I have to admit, Hampton was way better than I had expected, I can see why he's considered a future pro. That Thomas ended up outgaining him is a bit shocking...
 
budwom said:
perfectly fair assessment by the bookies. I had thought being favorites vs unc was NOT a good thing, especially after they were humiliated by James Madison. I know how the Football Gods work, and everything was aligned against us on Saturday...won't even mention the black jerseys...
I've attended some horror show games in Atlanta, trust the lads won't be overconfident.
Click to expand...
Bookies just guessing what bettors think and will wager.
 
budwom said:
Agreed, And I have to admit, Hampton was way better than I had expected, I can see why he's considered a future pro. That Thomas ended up outgaining him is a bit shocking...
Click to expand...

I thought Duke did a good job wrapping him up most of the time. I didn't see many "Saquon Barclay" type runs where he made multiple guys miss. Our tackling was sooo much better than their's was. There were times in the first half where he wasn't hit until he was 5 yards or so down the field but that didn't have to do with bad tackling.

Of course I've only watched the second half 3 times, I'm not bothering with watching the first half again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top