Player Attrition

[The Football Fan]

We could have many theme songs for the year, but one on the list should be....

Another one bites the dust

Tim Burton, CB, dismissed from the team for policy program violations.

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/duke-cb-bu ... /11666814/

I'm not happy to see anyone booted from the team, but I'm proud of the coach for running the program with integrity.

aL

[Bob Green]

So who becomes our primary kick-off returner? Shaquille Powell? Corey Gattis? Please, please, please do not let it be Conner Vernon. It scares hell out of me everytime I see him return a punt. He is our MVP and we cannot afford to lose him to an injury on Special Teams.

[The Football Fan]

My vote would be for Patrick Kurunwune. We likely won't get a game breaking return, but I'm with you in that we need to protect Vernon. He has a chance to have a pro career if we get 6 wins and he gets through the year without any injury.

I'd also consider Blakeney if it potentially wins the game. I know you never know what play does it, but most of us get the idea on this one. Late 4th quarter and you need a spark to get win #6.... He has straight line speed and if he gets a hole, it's possible he does take it to the house.

Tough though...our defensive backfield is thin and we've got a top notch QB coming to town. Ugh

[The Football Fan]

Oh...and Desmond Scott would be a great option. We need him more involved with the ball anyway. He makes people miss and has a little burst. I hope that's on the agenda.

[devildeac]

I'll nominate Josh Snead. Good speed and hands. Able to break it long. Give Thompson and Duncan a few more snaps as RB perhaps.

[The Football Fan]

http://rivals.yahoo.com/duke/football/r ... Ca7qqQrpB4

Duke has been selective with their last few offers, so I wonder if the loss of Burton didn't open up a slot for this fellow to get an offer. He's listed as a 3-star with rivals, no stars listed for foxsports or ESPN. Foxsports did have a video on the players highlights and the first 3-4 plays are returns for TDs. We'll need to replace some good corners here in the next 2 years, so hopefully one of the many DBs we've recruited will be able to prevent a significant drop off.

We're losing...Lee Butler, Tony Foster, and Walt Canty. That may not seem big, but there's a lot of experience there.

[The Football Fan]

http://duke.scout.com/2/1248659.html

and now...Tavarez takes a bow and exits stage left....

Any idea what happened???

[lawgrad91]

He originally tweeted that he had to choose between acting and football. Then he deleted his tweet. I wonder if he had some acting offer that he felt couldn't wait. The timing does seem odd, a few weeks before his team's first bowl game since he was using a pacifier.

[The Football Fan]

Honestly, I'm glad it's that versus some other reason. I hope it works out for him in the best possible way. Hey maybe he makes it really big and becomes a big donor down the road!

[CameronBornAndBred]

Honestly, I'm glad it's that versus some other reason. I hope it works out for him in the best possible way. Hey maybe he makes it really big and becomes a big donor down the road!

Agree! His story has always been the acting vs football one, and it appears he has finally made a choice. Nothing wrong with that, college athletes are always turning pro! Happy that he has the opportunity in front of him. Maybe in 20 years there will be a Tavarez Theater being built on campus.