Who do you think will have a breakout year?

[The Football Fan]

I'm ready to move on from the Glover incident.

So, think it over and give me an offensive and defensive breakout performer.

I'll go Isaac Blakeney for Defense. I think his speed and size are going to make a difference for the defense this year. He made some plays in the spring game to show that potential isn't just coming off the bus.

I'll take Cooper Helfet for a monster year. He was good last year, but I'm expecting an even bigger year this time around. He was hurt at the beginning of last year and had competition from two seniors. This year I think he takes it up a notch or two.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

I look for Coop and Conner to have great stats and run up some scores this season. Conner's on his way to some all time Duke records. Maybe Snyderwine's going to finish up with a special senior year. Still thinking over the defensive side of things.

[lawgrad91]

If Kelby Brown is healthy, he gets my vote on defense.

[devildeac]

Josh Snead on O-if his knee is healthy.
Matt Daniels on D.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I look for Coop and Conner to have great stats and run up some scores this season. Conner's on his way to some all time Duke records. Maybe Snyderwine's going to finish up with a special senior year. Still thinking over the defensive side of things.

I think Cooper and Conner will CONTINUE to be great, so I can't consider them for a "breakout" year. I'm with DD on O..I would love to see Snead be the man. Kelby Brown I think already broke out (way to go Mr. True Freshman!) so I've got to think some more on defense as well. What I hope on D is that it's no one we expect, much in the way Kelby was last year. Those unexpected surprises make us stronger, will give the other guys something new to think about.

[Bob Green]

With the improvements along the offensive line, I predict Desmond Scott will be our breakout offensive performer. I have to say I really didn't consider our receivers because they are proven performers. Conner Vernon and Donovan Varner have been fantastic the past two seasons and Cooper Helfet had a solid season in 2010 as well. We must run the ball much, much better! We have finished 12th in the ACC the past two seasons (and we were dead last in the entire FBS in 2009) in rushing offense.

Defense is a much tougher prediction. Kelby Brown was a terrific surprise in 2010 but he tore up his ACL so we have to wait and see how he is when he returns. I'm going to go out on a limb and say Ross Cockrell shines at CB and is our breakout defensive performer. However, the young defensive line is going to have to pressure the QB in support of our cover guys.

I'm ready for some football.

Bob

[devildeac]

With the improvements along the offensive line, I predict Desmond Scott will be our breakout offensive performer. I have to say I really didn't consider our receivers because they are proven performers. Conner Vernon and Donovan Varner have been fantastic the past two seasons and Cooper Helfet had a solid season in 2010 as well. We must run the ball much, much better! We have finished 12th in the ACC the past two seasons (and we were dead last in the entire FBS in 2009) in rushing offense.

Defense is a much tougher prediction. Kelby Brown was a terrific surprise in 2010 but he tore up his ACL so we have to wait and see how he is when he returns. I'm going to go out on a limb and say Ross Cockrell shines at CB and is our breakout defensive performer. However, the young defensive line is going to have to pressure the QB in support of our cover guys.

I'm ready for some football.

Bob

I thought about Ross Cockrell, too. He'd be my 2nd choice on D. I'd be happy if Des had an 800-1000 yards this year rushing the ball. Or Thompson. Or Snead. I'm not worried about the Killer Vs or Helfet. We gotta have a running game which makes our WR/TE so much more dangerous.

[CameronBornAndBred]

We gotta have a running game which makes our WR/TE so much more dangerous.

[captmojo]

We gotta have a running game which makes our WR/TE so much more dangerous.

I hate to have the thought go through my hot, steaming brain, only to reach this point and find that I was totally unoriginal with the idea I had, so then the only thing I can say was this.

Got to add to the post count anyway.

[The Football Fan]

I like the Ross Cockrell pick as well. I think the best reason for that comes from the Rick Petri hire. If he improves the Defensive line play even a little, that will help our corners. If he ups their performance significantly, then our corners will look much better. Ross could up the INT total from 3 to 5-6. That would really help make a difference. You don't hear much about the amazing receivers in the ACC and we know a lot of teams are starting new QBs. I think another good pick would be one of the true freshmen like Tim Burton or Jared Boyd. I'm not sure what else we can ask from Matt Daniels. He's been pretty darn good.

I thought Offense was much harder to predict a breakout season because many have had some success. I think you could choose a previously successful player for a breakout year, but then for it to be a true breakout season, they'd have to have a monster year where they were just unstoppable. For example, Renefree would have to have a 3,500+ year with 20 TDs to 5 turnovers and lead the team to 8+ wins. Continuing on pace to me would be another 3,000+ year with 17 TDs to 8 INT. That would be good and he'd get some ACC accolades, but that's on pace and I think more likely.

I think Snead's success hinges more on having another back making big strides with him. He's more of the scat back/home run threat, but not really built for pounding out games in the 4th quarter. Hollingsworth, Scott, and Thompson seem to fit that billing better. If any of those can put up 800 yards, then I think it will create more opportunities for Snead to break big runs. I think he gets within 10% of the top other back on the list.

I'll agree with Bob, this would seem to be Desmond Scott's year to bust out if it's going to happen.

[Bob Green]

I'll agree with Bob, this would seem to be Desmond Scott's year to bust out if it's going to happen.

I was ecstatic when Desmond Scott switched his commitment from Rutgers to Duke. I remain convinced he can be a star and seeing as we've significantly improved the offensive line, this year is the year it needs to happen. When is the last time Duke had a running back rush for 1,000 yards in a season?

The answer is 2003 when Chris Douglas gained 1,138 yards on 236 carries (4.8 yards per attempt). My fat, old, drunken ass will turn back flips in my living room if Scott gets over 200 rushing attempts this year. [Broken Record]We have to run to set up the pass![/Broken Record]

[devildeac]

I'll agree with Bob, this would seem to be Desmond Scott's year to bust out if it's going to happen.

I was ecstatic when Desmond Scott switched his commitment from Rutgers to Duke. I remain convinced he can be a star and seeing as we've significantly improved the offensive line, this year is the year it needs to happen. When is the last time Duke had a running back rush for 1,000 yards in a season?

The answer is 2003 when Chris Douglas gained 1,138 yards on 236 carries (4.8 yards per attempt). My fat, old, drunken ass will turn back flips in my living room if Scott gets over 200 rushing attempts this year. [Broken Record]We have to run to set up the pass![/Broken Record]

My will help/teach your FODA (fat, old, drunken ass) to perform those back flips in your LR should either/both those milestones be achieved.

[The Football Fan]

I'll call the play by play...

;)

[CameronBornAndBred]

Heather Dinich gives her nod to Brandon Braxton and August Campbell.

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/2 ... ayers-duke

[Bob Green]

Braxton is an interesting choice. With Vernon and Varner being two of the best receivers in the ACC, one has to wonder if Sean Renfree will look to a third wide receiver enough times for him to have the opportunity to breakout. Obviously, Duke has a pass first philosophy so perhaps the answer is yes. Braxton (and Tyree Watkins) need to gain experience for the future so hopefully they have solid years. Personally, I'm hoping Desmond Scott or Josh Snead rush for 1,000 yards.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Personally, I'm hoping Desmond Scott or Josh Snead rush for 1,000 yards.

Ditto to that!

[devildeac]

Braxton is an interesting choice. With Vernon and Varner being two of the best receivers in the ACC, one has to wonder if Sean Renfree will look to a third wide receiver enough times for him to have the opportunity to breakout. Obviously, Duke has a pass first philosophy so perhaps the answer is yes. Braxton (and Tyree Watkins) need to gain experience for the future so hopefully they have solid years. Personally, I'm hoping Desmond Scott or Josh Snead rush for 1,000 yards.

I'll take both scenarios : Another WR with 3-4 receptions/game to give us another deep threat plus a RB (or 2 ) who can accomplish a 1000 yard season. That makes our O really dangerous. Plus Helfet and maybe another TE who can be reliable receivers on 2nd/3rd and short situations.

[Bob Green]

Another good article on Duke football from Al Featherston:

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml? ... EM_ID=4200

I like the optimism surrounding the offensive line and how it will makes us better at running the ball.

[The Football Fan]

I think it's hard NOT to have high expectations for the offense.

Bob, I actually disagree with the notion that you have to run to set up the pass. When Coach Cutcliffe came in he improved the passing attack first and we won games because of it. We had an absolutely anemic running game in 2009 and the passing game did just fine. Last year our running game improved, but was still last in the ACC. Our passing game did quite well. I don't think you have to have a great running game to set up the pass. You can set up the pass and let that open some holes to the run game. But...you have to be able to take advantage of that and thus far we haven't had the O-Line or backs capable of getting that done.

That doesn't mean I don't think we need a running game or even that it doesn't help. I just question the accuracy of the mantra and that it has to go in that order. As the article pointed out, scoring in the redzone is much easier if you can run it in there. It's also important to help you control the flow of the game and in resting your defense. It can make leads stick so you're not in the shoot outs. When the safeties start cheating up and get closer to the line of scrimmage, you get a greater chance for a big play. So, I do think it's important, but I think it's too black and white to say...if you can't run, you can't pass it effectively. We actually had a good mix of run vs. pass plays last year (as referenced by another article posted by Cameron B&B). If we get more from the run game, I think we win more, but not because it made the passing attack better.

Again, I do think it helps...with a more experienced and older/bigger line and backs, you have to like our chances of an improved running game...and total offense. I also wondered if one of the incoming receivers...Blair Holliday, Nick Hill, or Jamison Crowder would provide the deep ball threat that we haven't had as much.

[Bob Green]

I think it's hard NOT to have high expectations for the offense.

Bob, I actually disagree with the notion that you have to run to set up the pass.

I'm firmly entrenched in the "run to set up the pass" mantra. The problem is our running game has been so anemic opponents have either stopped it with the four down linemen and played seven players against the pass or blitzed like crazy. Moreover, our inability to score touchdowns in the red zone cost us several games (Maryland, BC). The Maryland game is the prime example where we had the ball in the red zone four times in the 1st half and came away with 9 points on three FGs.

I also wondered if one of the incoming receivers...Blair Holliday, Nick Hill, or Jamison Crowder would provide the deep ball threat that we haven't had as much.

I expect all these freshman will redshirt. We are deep at receiver: Donovan Varner, Conner Vernon, Brandon Braxton, Tyree Watkins, Josh Trezvant, Brandon Watkins, Corey Gattis. If one of the freshmen earn playing time, that means they are really special.