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If you were like me, then you thought this would be the year Duke made it to a bowl. Under that premise, one or more of the units underperformed. Certainly the kicking game had it's moments (Wake Forest), but considering the national recognition for Will and the number of recovered onside kicks, this group at least performed as expected. So, either the offense or defense underperformed. I would argue it was really the offense. I thought the Defense would've been a little better, but we all expected them to struggle. Coming down the stretch the Defense put the offense in positions to win games. With so many dropped passes and interceptions and struggling running game, I'd say it was the offense. For the first time in ages, receivers, QBs, line, TEs, running backs all had flashes of GREAT plays, but it just wasn't consistently there. What do you think?

I think the defense was our issue this year. Our secondary was continually smoked. After the Alabama game, the offense sure took a step back, but recovered after the win at Navy.
Losing Rey and Oghobaasse were also huge losses that obviously hurt. If it hadn't been for the discovery of Kelby Brown, we'd have been even more up the creek. I'm optimistic that the D will be much improved this year, and I'm really hoping we see a turnaround in the secondary. I'm also looking to see what a new DC will bring to the table.

The Football Fan wrote:If you were like me, then you thought this would be the year Duke made it to a bowl. Under that premise, one or more of the units underperformed. Certainly the kicking game had it's moments (Wake Forest), but considering the national recognition for Will and the number of recovered onside kicks, this group at least performed as expected. So, either the offense or defense underperformed. I would argue it was really the offense. I thought the Defense would've been a little better, but we all expected them to struggle. Coming down the stretch the Defense put the offense in positions to win games. With so many dropped passes and interceptions and struggling running game, I'd say it was the offense. For the first time in ages, receivers, QBs, line, TEs, running backs all had flashes of GREAT plays, but it just wasn't consistently there. What do you think?

Interesting question. I'm gonna think about this for about 24-36 hours (busy weekend coming up)and then post some thoughts.

The Football Fan wrote:So, either the offense or defense underperformed.

Looking at the whole season, it was the defense that underperformed. I'll agree the offense stunk it up during the mid-season slump when we turned the ball over so much (six times against Miami, Argh!). Additionally, the defense improved toward the end of the season. However, we never put any pressure on the opponent's QB, which caused our secondary to get burned too often. Prior to the season, there was much rhetoric from the coaching staff about the installation of the 3-4 to take advantage of our strength at LB and how the defense was going to gamble and shake things up on a routine basis and create turnovers and so forth and so on....but the reality is the DL couldn't stop the run in the 3-4 so we had to revert to a 4-3 or more often a 4-2-5 and no matter which defensive alignment we used we couldn't achieve sacks.

Unfortunately, I am very concerned we will have the same defensive challenges next season. The quality of our defensive lineman and cornerbacks is a big concern. Our LBs are an unknown due to graduation and Kelby Brown being injured, while we are strong at Safety. I expect to see a lot more of the 4-2-5 defense with Matt Daniels playing as a hybrid Safety/LB.

On offense, wait for it, broken record time...we have to run the ball to set-up the pass. And when we pass it can't be limited to the quick slants and wide receiver screens, the offense has to challenge our opponent vertically by throwing the ball down the field. Wide receiver is where we are deepest and most talented so we must capitalize on this strength.

Wow! I didn't mean to go off on a rant but once I started typing I got on a roll and I didn't even address utilizing two QBs. I think I'll save that topic for future discussion.

How neat is it to be discussing Duke football in January?

Bob Green wrote: How neat is it to be discussing Duke football in January?

DITBD mentioned on her FB status that spring practice starts Feb. 16th.

Bob Green wrote:Looking at the whole season, it was the defense that underperformed.

I would agree that the defense was a bigger problem, but I was expecting it to be the problem. Cutcliffe had sold me on the speed of the defense being much better, but still, they achieved closer to what I expected. Beginning of the season much worse than expected, but by the end of the year, they made up a lot ground and looked decent. Despite the loss of Thad lewis, I thought the offense was going to be good enough to beat a few more teams. I thought the passing/scoring was going to be 2nd or 3rd in the league and the running game was about what I expected...but I wasn't counting on Connette being such a good runner. So, really my expectation was for Scott and company to make a bigger impact.

Alas...I drank the kool aid...I expected\wanted more.

The Football Fan wrote:

Bob Green wrote:Looking at the whole season, it was the defense that underperformed.

I would agree that the defense was a bigger problem, but I was expecting it to be the problem. Cutcliffe had sold me on the speed of the defense being much better, but still, they achieved closer to what I expected. Beginning of the season much worse than expected, but by the end of the year, they made up a lot ground and looked decent. Despite the loss of Thad lewis, I thought the offense was going to be good enough to beat a few more teams. I thought the passing/scoring was going to be 2nd or 3rd in the league and the running game was about what I expected...but I wasn't counting on Connette being such a good runner. So, really my expectation was for Scott and company to make a bigger impact.

Alas...I drank the kool aid...I expected\wanted more.

I drank the kool aid, too. I didn't expect the offense to COST us games (Army, for example).

The Football Fan wrote:I would agree that the defense was a bigger problem, but I was expecting it to be the problem.

How about next year? What is your opinion on the prospects for improved performance on the defensive side of the ball? I'm concerned we may be in for more of the same. Also, special teams play needs to make the next step, which is big plays. We were solid on special teams this past year but to improve from solid to special is going to require pulling off big plays that change the flow of a game: blocked punt, kick-off or punt return for a touchdown, fake punt for a 1st down that sustains a drive at a key time. We pulled off some great onside kicks but we need more special plays from the special teams.

We got pushed around on the DL last season and I don't think that will be the case next year. I'm still not so sure about our ability to stop the run or rush the pass, but we didn't lose our two best Defensive players this year. Kromah will be a tough loss, but he wasn't so dominant that you'd say replacing him is impossible. In Hatcher and Hazelton, we have a solid middle. Sarmiento and Fox filled in well and Kenny Anunike has a season under his belt as a DE. I think that group will increase their production, but it's hard to predict the extent.

The main reason I don't see getting pushed around though is the red shirt freshman stepping in. I'm not suggesting that they'll be all conference players, but Will Byrant was 320 lbs starting last season and Steve Ingram was 340 lbs. That's a solid middle. You just don't throw 660 lbs around like rag dolls. When Ingram was recruited, I think their goal was to actually get him to lose a little weight and drop that percent body fat with the idea that his athleticism may pop with a change in the type of weight carried. Again, I don't think they will be all conference players this year, but they'll give Charlie Hatcher, also 300 lbs, a consistent back up that allows him to a playmaker at the end of games and at the end of the season. He's clearly capable of game changing plays. Also, there were several recruited DEs that may help with pass rushing; Dezmond Johnson, Jamal Wallace, Ondingo all have potential. I expect one of them to make an impact and finish the season contributing major minutes.

I'm a little concerned about the linebackers. Kelby Brown was good, but that's a tough injury to come back from and we all assume he'll pick up where he left off, but he may not...that's reality. Cutcliffe raved about the speed and depth at this position, but I didn't see playmaking aside from Kromah and Brown, it seemed rare to here another LB making a big play...until August Campbell laid a solid hit on the GT player and dislodged the ball. Campbell seemed to pick things up toward the end of year. Again though, I'm interested to see what the redshirt guys can give us. Issac Blakeney at 6'6'' 215 lbs runs a 4.5 40 (I think) and got a whole year to gain some mass on that frame....should be good, but ya never know. During the year, I remember cutcliffe mentioning him and Kevin Rojas. Recruiting sites showed solid stuff for CJ France, so I'd like to think there's a playmaker in the bunch to not just replace Kromah, but hopefully exceed his production. Perhaps Tyler Brown or Zeek Bigger as true freshman come in and make an impact, but if one does it sorta says the others listed above just didn't step up. That would be sad.

I know people are really down on the corners who got beat, but Cockrell beat out players with a much higher recruiting star than he had. I'd like to think it's because of his potential and as a Red shirt freshman he led the team in interceptions. That means some of Duke's highest star recruits will be competing to replace Rwabukumba. They had height and speed in High School...hopefully they keep their speed and add a little mass to stop create better push and knock competing receivers back and contribute in stopping the run. The safety positions are probably our best on the Defense and I like the recruits they're bringing in.

So the bottom line in my mind is this. On defense, Duke will be a little better this year. They probably won't top the league charts in anything, but if Duke can get on a roll early, I think they could be good enough to get the 6-7 wins needed for a bowl. I do think the next hire for the defense is critical. They've got to be someone that recruits can be excited about playing for and learning from. They have to be a teacher more than anything else.

I'll tell you my thoughts on special teams another time.

The Football Fan wrote:Perhaps Tyler Brown or Zeek Bigger as true freshman come in and make an impact, ...

Great post and I'll comment more later once I've digested all you said; however, just wanted to reply and let you know Zeek Bigger has de-committed and will be attending East Carolina. We are down to 20 commits so hopefully the staff can sign a few more guys.