Spring Practice Begins

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

It's cold (morning temperatures in the teens). It's Valentine's Day. Duke opens Spring Practice today..... first in Division I?
Year Three of the rebuild begins.

[DukePA]

In Cut We Trust! Go Duke!

[Rolvix]

Beat Alabama!

[devildeac]

A few tidbits:

1. Defense looks better than the offense after a week.
2. Renfree took a few snaps, a few steps and a few throws.
3. Freshman QB, Cornette (sp?) has a rocket but will probably take a 'shirt.
4. Williams may be the best DB we have.
5. A 3-4 defensive alignment is a possibility.

More later .

[DippyDawgBlueDevil]

A few tidbits:

1. Defense looks better than the offense after a week.
2. Renfree took a few snaps, a few steps and a few throws.
3. Freshman QB, Cornette (sp?) has a rocket but will probably take a 'shirt.
4. Williams may be the best DB we have.
5. A 3-4 defensive alignment is a possibility.

More later .

Is the Offensive Line improving because that was an issue last season.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

A few tidbits:

1. Defense looks better than the offense after a week.
2. Renfree took a few snaps, a few steps and a few throws.
3. Freshman QB, Cornette (sp?) has a rocket but will probably take a 'shirt.
4. Williams may be the best DB we have.
5. A 3-4 defensive alignment is a possibility.

More later .

Is the Offensive Line improving because that was an issue last season.

Here's an update posted yesterday on goduke.com.
http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml? ... =204894427

[wilson]

A few tidbits:

1. Defense looks better than the offense after a week.
2. Renfree took a few snaps, a few steps and a few throws.
3. Freshman QB, Cornette (sp?) has a rocket but will probably take a 'shirt.
4. Williams may be the best DB we have.
5. A 3-4 defensive alignment is a possibility.

More later .

Is the Offensive Line improving because that was an issue last season.

Last year's offensive line was young and inexperienced. One would have to think one more season under the kids' belts will yield improvement.
By contrast, last year's formidable, veteran defensive line (and in fact, the defense overall) loses several stalwarts: Vince Oghobaase and Ayanga Okpokowuruk on the DL (and yes, I did spell those correctly ;) ) and Vincent Rey at LB (last season's leading tackler).
We're breaking in a new QB this fall, and that's always uncertain, but Sean Renfree showed quite well in his action last season (I don't think we would have beaten Army without him), and I think he'll do well in his second year under Cutcliffe. If the OL can take a step forward, then the offense should be solid, especially if Desmond Scott and the other RBs can also progress (something else to which improved OL play would contribute).
The bigger question marks in my estimation are on defense, where some new guys will need to step up.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I'd also pitch in that while the O-line was younger, they did a really impressive job. Thad didn't get his numbers without some protection up front. Our ground game was lacking, and some of that was due to inexperience and size on the blocks. You have to expect they will be back bigger and wiser.

[devildeac]

A few tidbits:

1. Defense looks better than the offense after a week.
2. Renfree took a few snaps, a few steps and a few throws.
3. Freshman QB, Cornette (sp?) has a rocket but will probably take a 'shirt.
4. Williams may be the best DB we have.
5. A 3-4 defensive alignment is a possibility.

More later .

Is the Offensive Line improving because that was an issue last season.

I'll check with my source over the weekend ;) .

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Today is the day of The Game in Cameron.

Spring Scrimmage will be in three weeks! Surely we'll return to more normal temperatures by then.

[devildeac]

Today is the day of The Game in Cameron.

Spring Scrimmage will be in three weeks! Surely we'll return to more normal temperatures by then.

Absolutely. Global warming.

Plus 4-6" of snow.