Off Season Discussion

[Bob Green]

A couple of discussion topics are out there so I thought I'd start a thread:

1. Wide receivers coach Gerad Parker has left for greener pastures at Penn State so there is an opening on the staff. I wonder if recently fired Scottie Montgomery is interested? On one hand, wide receivers coach would be a big step down but, on the other hand, he just got fired.

2. QB transfer rumor mill stated OU's Austin Kendall is interested in Duke. Kendall is from Waxhaw, NC and was a 4* recruit in 2016. My understanding is he followed Lincoln Riley to OU but has graduated and is looking to transfer.

[CameronBornAndBred]

This article says that Scottie could be in Wallace Wade again...but not on the Duke sideline. I don't think this is any reporting of interest vs "These guys are options", but he tosses out Montgomery as a possibility for OC at Pitt.
I'd have no problem with Coach Mo back in Durham as the wide receiver coach, but I can't imagine that's something he'd be keen on. My guess is pride over history.
https://www.cardiachill.com/2019/1/10/1 ... t-narduzzi

[Bob Green]

It appears Duke will hire Carl "Trooper" Taylor as the new wide receivers coach:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trooper_Taylor

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/201 ... y-7-staff/

Coming from Arkansas State with previous gigs all over the place including Tennessee. He was RB/WR coach in Knoxville 2004-07 while Coach Cutcliffe was Offensive Coordinator 2006-07.

[Bob Green]

I'm not superstitious nor do I believe in lucky numbers et cetera; however, it is the off season so I think the following is worth noting:

freshman wide receiver Darrell Harding, Jr (6'4" 200) will wear jersey # 3. Harding is early enrolled so he will participate in spring practice.

The last couple of guys to wear that jersey did pretty well: T.J. Rahming and Jamison Crowder. And the guy before them was Johnny Williams who did okay himself.

Can the trend continue?

[CameronBornAndBred]

I'm not superstitious nor do I believe in lucky numbers et cetera; however, it is the off season so I think the following is worth noting:

freshman wide receiver Darrell Harding, Jr (6'4" 200) will wear jersey # 3. Harding is early enrolled so he will participate in spring practice.

The last couple of guys to wear that jersey did pretty well: T.J. Rahming and Jamison Crowder. And the guy before them was Johnny Williams who did okay himself.

Can the trend continue?

Let's hope so! Between transfers and graduation, our less than stellar receiving corps last year has holes to fill. Hopefully guys step up and improve under our new coach (looking at you, Mr. Bracey) and perhaps a redshirt and/or true freshman can bring some shine, too.

[Bob Green]

Spring practice commenced today:

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

[Bob Green]

Jim Sumner on day one of spring practice:

https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/20 ... -cutcliffe

[Bob Green]

A couple of number changes have been announced:

RB Brittain Brown will wear #8 this year. He wore #22 previously.
WR Aaron Young will wear #81 this year. He wore #8 previously.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I'm curious to know how the QBs are doing. I'm assuming that the position is up for grabs this season, and it seems that we would have at least three legit contenders.

[Bob Green]

I'm curious to know how the QBs are doing. I'm assuming that the position is up for grabs this season, and it seems that we would have at least three legit contenders.

I expect there will be a lot of competition at quarterback during spring practice and in August. QB is one of five positions with a lot of unknown:

1. QB
2. Left Tackle
3. Wide Receiver
4. Place Kicker
5. Linebacker

Quentin Harris has the upper hand at QB due to having been in the system the longest and actually having starting experience. I believe he is the presumptive starter but it would not surprise me see him overtaken by Katrenick or Holmberg. In the end, talent is going to dictate who is the starter.

Jaylen Miller is the presumptive starter at LT but he suffered a season ending injury so his return to 100% healthy is unknown. After Miller, it is youngsters with zero experience. Patrick Leitten underwent surgery last year in March so he should e fully recovered by August. We have been underwhelming at LT ever since Takoby Cofield graduated after the 2014 season.

All three starting wide receivers graduated but in all honesty they were not that good...by all accounts wonderful people who represented Duke splendidly but this is a position where it is exciting to turn the page. A new position coach (Trooper Taylor) is another potential positive but a definite unknown. Jake Bobo should start alongside a healthy Aaron Young. Jarett Garner showed the speed to get behind the defense and Damond Philyaw-Johnson saw lots of snaps last season so they have potential to excel. Who knows perhaps Scott Bracey will actually show up.

It would be nice if the incoming freshman place kicker turns out to be a stud and not a dud.

We should be fine a linebacker. Koby Quansah and Brandon Hill played a lot of snaps last season and there is depth behind them. Chris Rumph could see action at linebacker and Shaka Heyward and Rocky Shelton were highly regarded coming out of high school.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Duke's NFL Pro Day is March 26th, at noon. Since that is such a precise timing, I'm thinking it will be televised?
Hope so...it's our last chance to see DJ in action in Durham.

[Bob Green]

Duke football back at spring practice today:

Here is an interview with running backs coach Re'quan Boyette:

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

GoDuke.com: What are one or two things that you are focused on, as far as improvement, for the spring?
RB: “You asked for one or two, but we have three goals. The first goal is that we wanted to improve our ball security. We had too many fumbles, in my opinion, last year. We need to clean that up. The little details of ball security, like understanding when you are in traffic, what to do with the ball when you’re not in traffic and where to have it. Also, our pad leverage needs to improve. We’re big and strong, but I thought a couple of times we ran too high. If we run lower, we can get what we call 'dirty yards,' or those yards after contact, a lot better. The third thing for us is everybody being able to play in our empty package, not just one guy. We want to have every back being interchangeable in everything we do.”

That third goal makes it sound like the coaching staff is committed to going five wide frequently.

[Bob Green]

Offensive lineman Jacob Rimmer underwent surgery on his left shoulder. He is out indefinitely:

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml? ... =211797455

[Bob Green]

Two new articles up at GoDuke.com:

Derek Jones interview which focuses on the defensive backs:

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

Spring Football Notebook No. 4:

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml? ... =211797672

Lots of good information in the notebook article including Coach Cutcliffe comments on Quentin Harris.

The key is you can either be handed the reins or you can take them. Quentin is accomplished right now in running our offense. He knows what he’s doing and how to do it. He has taken command of that operation. He is throwing the ball really well. There will be some adjustments and changes in how we approach things. We’ll be playing to Quentin’s strengths.

There is more defensive back discussion including comments on cornerbacks Josh Blackwell and Leonard Johnson.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Good to read Cut's comments on Harris. I have faith that he will succeed.

[Bob Green]

Good to read Cut's comments on Harris. I have faith that he will succeed.

Fans might be underselling Harris, he played pretty darn good against Baylor throwing three TD passes. One factor at play is Harris never excelled in the short yardage QB role Coach Cut likes to employ to give the back up playing reps. Harris has the potential to surprise some folks when he is out there running the complete playbook (like at Baylor).

Of course, an alternate possibility is that I am a Pollyanna.

[Bob Green]

Rising sophomore running back Mataeo Durant has underwent surgery on his left shoulder and is out indefinitely.

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

[Bob Green]

Spring Showcase thoughts:

1. Defensive line looked good, Vic Dimukeje stood out.
2. Jake Bobo was impressive catching the ball.
3. Aaron Young with a nice catch down the sidelines.
4. Brittain Brown with several nice runs. I really hope he is back 100% healthy.
5. Deon Jackson did not participate. Announcers stated he was taking the night off to rest so my interpretation is he is nicked up a bit.

Coach Cutcliffe was in the booth during the scrimmage providing some analysis and he pointed out the offensive line being beat by the defensive line more than once.

I'm disappointed I wasn't able to attend as you see so much more when you are at the stadium but Friday night just didn't work for me.

Recap article at GoDuke.com:

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

Duke’s passing game featured two completions of 35-plus yards with Harris connecting with rising redshirt senior receiver Aaron Young for a 38-yard gain and rising redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Katrenick finding freshman wideout Darrell Harding Jr. for a 37-yard completion.

Coach Cutcliffe interview:

http://www.goduke.com/mediaPortal/playe ... id=6317067

Paraphrased comments from the interview:

Thirteen players, from the 2 Deep, out. Team still has to prove it has playmakers. Jake Bobo and Darrell Harding, Jr have stood out. You are only as good as your 2s. Team hasn't been healthy since Week 3 of last season. This spring Damond Philyaw-Johnson, Scott Bracey and Aaron Young have been hurt. Quentin Harris threw the ball good. He had command of the offense. Brittain Brown is healthy he looked good.

[Bob Green]

Jim Sumner takes a look at the offensive line:

https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/20 ... -cutcliffe

Interior is solid but tackle is problematic. Projected left tackle Jaylen Miller missed the majority of spring practice recovering from ankle surgery while projected right tackle starter Robert Kraeling was sick most of spring.

Jim will be writing a series of articles on the position groups.

[Bob Green]

Jim Sumner takes a look at the running backs:

https://www.dukebasketballreport.com/20 ... s-football

If they both stay healthy, the Brittain Brown, Deon Jackson tandem can make a lot of noise in 2019.