2014 Fall Camp

[Bob Green]

But who is the young dude(s) behind him?

Redshirt freshmen Chris Holmes and Dominic McDonald plus true freshmen Zavier Carmichael and Tinashe Bere. In addition to the youngsters, do not forget about redshirt senior C.J. France. France has played in 34 games (12 starts) and has recorded 103 tackles. He started 10 games in 2012 when Kelby Brown was out for the year.

[Bob Green]

David Helton quote:

I still have full confidence in this defense without a doubt,” Helton said. “We have tons of talent, tons of speed. It’s going to be a really enjoyable year. I have full confidence in that.

http://www.heraldsun.com/sports/x1071195358/DOWN-OUT

[The Football Fan]

While its true CJ held the position in 2012, lets be frank in also saying our defense was awful in 2012. Kelby made big plays and helped set the defense. This is a GIANT loss that isn't replaced. As bad as it is to fans...to be mom or dad Brown today has to be even infinitely worse. You know, we can hash out how the team adapts and if he comes back how we could improve from this, BUT....pure and simple this is devastating for that family. Rehab is painful. Being limited is painful. I'm sure his parents laid the foundation for Kelby to get through this....but for this to happen 3 times...it's just plain unfair. However, while I hope he has mentors in football, I really hope he also has mentors outside of the football world to help focus the mind for the future. He doesn't need one-liners. He'll need leaders that push him to not accept pity. The tragedy could be worse. Blair Holiday still isn't what he was prior to his accident and probably won't ever be what he was. There are really young kids diagnosed with brain cancer...Most of those kids never had a chance. I'm not making light of this horrible injury, I just hope there's some grounding for him personally. I hope there's support for the family.

That my friends is how you play a scrimmage against yourself and lose.

From a purely Duke Football fan side, here's a few thoughts.
- MacDonald or Holmes have to grow up quick and OWN that position. They have to be able to beat out CJ France. If CJ is 90% of Kelby, 7% more tackles go to the secondary. 3% more go for touchdowns. Every tackle that isn't stopped on 3rd down...moves chains...more tackle opportunities, but that keeps the offense off the field and runs the table for another 3% TD. # of tackles for a player to me isn't the best stat. If you never score and play defense all day, you'll get tackles. Tinashee Bere or Carmichael could also do it, but I'm kinda hoping for the other two.
- Realistically, this made the UNC, GaTech, and Miami games a lot harder. If Elijah Hood is squatting 600 lbs, you aint arm tackling that dude. You need someone to lay some lumber. Cash can get the shifty backs, but you don't want to rely on Cash and the DBs cleaning up tackles in the 2ndary. Tinashee is 220lbs...he needs that redshirt year to get bigger. MacDonald at 6-2 and 240 needs to step up big. Holmes is just 215 lbs....that's great for dropping in coverage or getting after the QB, but cleaning up in the run game....nother story. That's where we were weak before and it seems we'll still struggle there again this year. Until I see reason to believe otherwise, I think we drop games to teams with really good power backs. 3 loses seem a lot more likely than 1-2. I just don't know about that ACC Championship now.
- For 2015 when we have to start playing Clemson, Florida St, or Louisville....we should be in pretty good shape. I really hope Kelby wants to stick it out for a 6th year. Our linebacker would look MUCH better with him in the mix. Ben Humphrey's likely plays as a true freshman, but putting him in the game for designated snaps will decrease the chance of him getting injured. I expect someone in this 2nd tier crop to emerge. They'll provide a key starter beside Kelby for 2015. Our freshman and redshirt freshman can really come on strong there after. We'll also have some talented, but young, depth on the Defensive line.

[CameronBornAndBred]

While its true CJ held the position in 2012, lets be frank in also saying our defense was awful in 2012. Kelby made big plays and helped set the defense. This is a GIANT loss that isn't replaced. As bad as it is to fans...to be mom or dad Brown today has to be even infinitely worse.

Kelby's mom, Connie, invited us to the football parents tailgate last year at Wake Forest. It was a fun day (and victory), and it was nice to meet the group of parents. The Browns are in good company, and will get lots of support from other player's families. They even have their own group on facebook. I sent her a message yesterday letting her know that we all hated learning of the news, and that we hope to see them at one of CTN's tailgates this season.

Thanks for the rest of the post, that was some great analysis. I'm eager to see how we respond.

[Bob Green]

While its true CJ held the position in 2012, lets be frank in also saying our defense was awful in 2012.

While it is true our defense was awful in 2012, that cannot be blamed on C.J. France. The defensive line in front of him sucked and the secondary behind him sucked. Both units were wrecked by injuries. The defense in 2014 minus Kelby Brown will be entirely different than the defense in 2012 minus Kelby Brown.

I'm not attempting to imply France can replace Brown, I am simply stating France is another player in the mix to see action at Mike Linebacker.

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

While its true CJ held the position in 2012, lets be frank in also saying our defense was awful in 2012.

While it is true our defense was awful in 2012, that cannot be blamed on C.J. France. The defensive line in front of him sucked and the secondary behind him sucked. Both units were wrecked by injuries. The defense in 2014 minus Kelby Brown will be entirely different than the defense in 2012 minus Kelby Brown.

I'm not attempting to imply France can replace Brown, I am simply stating France is another player in the mix to see action at Mike Linebacker.

Kelby Brown brought so much to the Football Team. Not seeing #59 on the field this season is heartbreaking. I know he will be on the sidelines coaching it up and motivating his team.

Kelby's surgery is today! Prayers for a 100% recovery.

[devildeac]

While its true CJ held the position in 2012, lets be frank in also saying our defense was awful in 2012. Kelby made big plays and helped set the defense. This is a GIANT loss that isn't replaced. As bad as it is to fans...to be mom or dad Brown today has to be even infinitely worse. You know, we can hash out how the team adapts and if he comes back how we could improve from this, BUT....pure and simple this is devastating for that family. Rehab is painful. Being limited is painful. I'm sure his parents laid the foundation for Kelby to get through this....but for this to happen 3 times...it's just plain unfair. However, while I hope he has mentors in football, I really hope he also has mentors outside of the football world to help focus the mind for the future. He doesn't need one-liners. He'll need leaders that push him to not accept pity. The tragedy could be worse. Blair Holiday still isn't what he was prior to his accident and probably won't ever be what he was. There are really young kids diagnosed with brain cancer...Most of those kids never had a chance. I'm not making light of this horrible injury, I just hope there's some grounding for him personally. I hope there's support for the family.

That my friends is how you play a scrimmage against yourself and lose.

From a purely Duke Football fan side, here's a few thoughts.
- MacDonald or Holmes have to grow up quick and OWN that position. They have to be able to beat out CJ France. If CJ is 90% of Kelby, 7% more tackles go to the secondary. 3% more go for touchdowns. Every tackle that isn't stopped on 3rd down...moves chains...more tackle opportunities, but that keeps the offense off the field and runs the table for another 3% TD. # of tackles for a player to me isn't the best stat. If you never score and play defense all day, you'll get tackles. Tinashee Bere or Carmichael could also do it, but I'm kinda hoping for the other two.
- Realistically, this made the UNC, GaTech, and Miami games a lot harder. If Elijah Hood is squatting 600 lbs, you aint arm tackling that dude. You need someone to lay some lumber. Cash can get the shifty backs, but you don't want to rely on Cash and the DBs cleaning up tackles in the 2ndary. Tinashee is 220lbs...he needs that redshirt year to get bigger. MacDonald at 6-2 and 240 needs to step up big. Holmes is just 215 lbs....that's great for dropping in coverage or getting after the QB, but cleaning up in the run game....nother story. That's where we were weak before and it seems we'll still struggle there again this year. Until I see reason to believe otherwise, I think we drop games to teams with really good power backs. 3 loses seem a lot more likely than 1-2. I just don't know about that ACC Championship now.
- For 2015 when we have to start playing Clemson, Florida St, or Louisville....we should be in pretty good shape. I really hope Kelby wants to stick it out for a 6th year. Our linebacker would look MUCH better with him in the mix. Ben Humphrey's likely plays as a true freshman, but putting him in the game for designated snaps will decrease the chance of him getting injured. I expect someone in this 2nd tier crop to emerge. They'll provide a key starter beside Kelby for 2015. Our freshman and redshirt freshman can really come on strong there after. We'll also have some talented, but young, depth on the Defensive line.

Great analysis/thoughts. Thanks.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Laura Keeley has a writeup on Thomas Sirk.

http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/08/13/ ... 3/119/269/

[wolfpackdevil]

Some quick notes from DC Jim Knowles Press Conference this morning....

-David Helton will move over and play Kelby Brown's MLB position. This will put more responsibility on Helton and leave some pressure off guys like France and Holmes.

-Knowles says France, Holmes, and Carmichael are the leading guys to step in at LB position. They will be playing Helton's old position, WLB.

-Knowles says that they have many packages that will allow S Jeremy Cash and Dwayne Norman to play the WLB position.

-Knowles identified Cash as the vocal leader for this year's defense.

-Knowles says Chris Holmes has all the athletic tools to be a great defensive player. Having a tough time early with play recognition, which is normal for a freshman.

-The defensive line seems to be progressing very well and Knowles is impressed with the amount of pass rushers that have stepped up in camp.

[CameronBornAndBred]

-The defensive line seems to be progressing very well and Knowles is impressed with the amount of pass rushers that have stepped up in camp.

Love hearing that.

[Bob Green]

This one is stupid but very funny:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL4qGS6i75o

It doesn't pertain to Fall Camp but whatever...no reason to start a new thread or I 'd have to merge and issue an infraction, oh wait a sec, wrong website.

[Bob Green]

The second and last preseason scrimmage will be Friday morning at 10:30.

[Bob Green]

I saw a report Chris Holmes did not scrimmage today due to an unspecified leg (hamstring?) injury. This sounds like a routine camp bumps and bruises situation, but I'm sure folks will be trying to sensationalize it after Kelby's ACL.

[wolfpackdevil]

Sounds like today's scrimmage went very well! Great news after what seemed to be a lackluster scrimmage earlier this week. Cut sounded very pleased with the effort and execution during the scrimmage. And the best news is that there were no injuries during the scrimmage!

[Bob Green]

And the best news is that there were no injuries during the scrimmage!

Absolutely!!!

A good tweet from @Duke_FB quoting Coach Cutcliffe: "I think we’ve got 3 quarterbacks that will be ready to play when we start the season."

A team can never have too much talent and depth.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

And the best news is that there were no injuries during the scrimmage!

Absolutely!!!

A good tweet from @Duke_FB quoting Coach Cutcliffe: "I think we’ve got 3 quarterbacks that will be ready to play when we start the season."

A team can never have too much talent and depth.

Nick Saban would agree.

[Bob Green]

Comprehensive notes on the 2nd scrimmage in this TDD article:

http://duke.scout.com/story/1434532-sec ... mage-notes?

Cutcliffe added that freshman back Shaun Wilson will definitely factor into the rotation, saying there’s “no question” he will play.

Along the offensive line, redshirt junior left guard Lucas Patrick did not play due to concussion-like symptoms.

Offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery mentioned the running backs group is the one he has been the most pleased with, and Cutcliffe echoed that sentiment.

[lawgrad91]

I just got a pop up message that Braxton Deaver tore his ACL today.

[wolfpackdevil]

I just got a pop up message that Braxton Deaver tore his ACL today.

I have seen the same reports. Apparently Braxton went down during a non-contact drill this morning. The report said he was running a route and went down. I expect Duke will officially announce his injury and that he is out for the season later today.

We have lost 2 of arguably our top 6 players. What a rough week for Duke football.

[Bob Green]

Crap! Crap! Crap! It is 2012 all over again.