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Cutcliffe wants new team on fast track
Former Vol assistant happy with Duke's progression
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DURHAM, N.C. - During his first spring practices, Duke coach David Cutcliffe has seen flashes of a "really good" football team.
But really, that's not good enough. He says the Blue Devils must become more consistent to end a string of 13 straight losing seasons.
Cutcliffe also has seen his team collectively lose about 400 pounds since January and gain speed, a priority. But to beat Florida State, it must reach Seminole speed. To beat Miami, it must achieve Hurricane speed.
He wants to put Duke on the fast track to success. After all, Cutcliffe is used to winning - as a head coach at Ole Miss, as a longtime assistant at Tennessee.
It's apparent he has given the Devils a hearty dose of SEC philosophy.
"The first day out there was like, what's going on?," said defensive end Ayanga Okpokowuruk. "The intensity is through the roof."
Quarterbacks, often spared hard knocks in practice, have been fair game and taken plenty of hits. Last year's starter, junior Thaddeus Lewis, emerged from the pile-ups still a starter - "right now," with Zack Asack in a backup role, Cutcliffe said.
Lewis, who threw for 21 touchdowns and 2,430 yards, fourth best among ACC quarterbacks, has impressed Cutcliffe with his grasp of a more up-tempo, pro-style, no-huddle offense, as well as accuracy and overall efficiency.
"He has really started to pick up what we want in tempo," Cutcliffe said, adding that Lewis' ability to take care of the ball has given him the edge. "But it will remain a competitive situation. We will have competition at every position."
Getting close inspection in the fall will be Arizona prep star Sean Renfree, the nation's No. 10 quarterback prospect by Scout.com. Other freshmen also will have opportunities.
Whoever does the throwing will have capable receivers led by Eron Riley, a second-team All-ACC performer Cutcliffe believes has the skill to reach NFL status.
"They (wide receivers) are quicker, which is encouraging," Cutcliffe said. "Quick enough? No. Are they making enough catches in tough situations? No. They've got to use their size better."
Defensively, Cutcliffe believes the front seven can be competitive, but wants to build more depth in the secondary. Overall, his biggest concern still swirls around the specialists' positions - snapping, punting and place-kicking, none of which has been settled.
But Joe Surgan created excitement in a recent scrimmage by booting a 55-yard field goal, prompting Cutcliffe to celebrate "three or four minutes."
Seeing quicker, faster running back Re'quan Boyette make two nifty cuts and dash 65 yards also looked good, especially considering Duke averaged an ACC-low 64 yards rushing per game last year.
"There are many positive things I can talk about," said Cutcliffe, who concluded drills with a spring game Saturday. "This football team came to work. Their focus, intensity level and attitude have never wavered. I don't know if I have been around a team that did not waste a single minute on the practice field."
He just hopes all that will translate into fall triumphs.
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Posted by mparker on April 20, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Betcha they don't run worth a darn. Still, Cut will mold some good QB's if the kids listen.
I've never understood, with Duke being Duke, why they can't have a better program. Look at their BBall, mena and womens. Sure, football is different, but to sell a Duke education to a smart kid shouldn't be too hard, and there ARE smart football players, believe it or not.
Posted by 02champs on April 21, 2008 at 12:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hell...he has more good things to say about them than he did about the Vols last season after spring practice. Interesting...could it be a better strategy to praise your players than say things like a player has "a million miles to go"..? Another thing...i wonder how many UT articles about spring practice have made Durham's newspaper. Just wondering..
Posted by DannyVol on April 21, 2008 at 12:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't follow Duke football, so I could care less.
Posted by Goodvol on April 21, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So if you could care less, then you do care a little. I don't mind checking out what Cut is doing at Duke. He has been a great coach and friend to Tennessee and I wish him well. I hope to see an article or two during the season!
Posted by khelton657 on April 21, 2008 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I enjoy seeing how Cut is doing, this is going to be interesting to see if a former UT coach can turn around one of the nation's worst college football programs. I'm pulling for him and enjoyed the article.
Posted by BIGEJ on April 21, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is bad enough Living here on tobacoo road, I have the opportunity to see all the local news about these ACC teams; I do not like seeing it the KNS. Tennessee or other teams do not make the news or papers here. Have to jump on the internet to KNS, even ESPN to get info. Report about the grass growing at Neyland before this stuff.
Posted by jawbreaker on April 21, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not care to read about Duke, or about Cutcliffe at this point; so, while I did not read the article above, I did scroll down to read the comments, which I am sure are more interesting.
Posted by GreerVol22 on April 21, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem is, as is with all conference bottom feeders, is that the second string usually is the difference. You just can't play the big hogs every play of every series, they will turn into bacon.
He will make this team competitive for a while, but in the end it could take several years to upgrade the second team to become competitive.
Spurrier won at Duke with speed at a time when the old slow ACC, was sleeping. Now, everyone is fast.
Posted by pdhuff on April 21, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Aw, still like old Cutt. He saved Phil's bacon by masking problems with dink and dunk.
Had a 11th ranked defense to assist him and somehow won ten. Miracle.
Free TDTN and bring back John Ward!
Posted by eb502us on April 21, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What is the KNS's fascination with ex coaches? I could care less about Cutcliffe and even more so about Buzz. One is a good guy who was an average OC and the other was a loser who was way over his head. File these stories under the topic of "who cares"
Posted by Hotllama2 on April 21, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can we lose the Cutcliffe hatred? I think an article or two about Cutliffe's undertaking at Duke is more than appropriate. Cutcliffe spent many years in Knoxville building good relationships and my personal belief is that he has earned as article or two. This is the Knoxville News Sentinel, not the University of Tennessee News Sentinel. Cutcliffe has been celebrated as Knoxville's favorite son and the savior of UT footbal on more than one occasion, so for this paper to check in on him occasionally is fine by me. This article could have been about UT women's golf. DO YOU REALLY WANT THAT?! Instead it's April and we're talking football. That's beautiful. I'll read about a Pop Warner game in Oregon in April... but only if we're recruiting their tailback.
Posted by stroker on April 21, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank KNS I was wondering how Cutt is doing.
Posted by rootin4volz on April 21, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have nothing against Cutt, he was a splendid coach here...BUT WHY DO WE CARE WHAT DUKE IS DOING? For that matter, why does ANYONE care what Duke football is doing...Cutt or not, they'll continue to get smacked in the mouth over there.
Posted by grvol on April 21, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can Duke dink and dunk its way to the top?
Posted by Rok_Etop on April 21, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great Article. Please do one on San Diego State next. They are another school I don't want to read about on this UT Vols web page. Then after that, do an article on D3 Rowan College of New Jersey!!
Posted by Basketball_Jones on April 21, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Cut is in a win win situation. At Duke the football expectations are not very high, he wins 3 or 4 games then its an improvement. He wins 1 game then they can't say he's doing worse. I would like to see him build Duke into a good program. It will take some time though
Posted by winbigvols on April 21, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who really cares, he went to Duke. Next we will here about Peterson again. We really don't care what he thinks or wants, this is a Vols site.
Posted by givehim6 on April 21, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not hate coach Cut. I think he did a good job with what he had. I know he wanted to be a head coach of UT, but fulmer wanted to be the next coach Nealand so to be a H/C again. so Duke gave him the chance to bring the SEC drive to a low ACC team. Maybe to give him a Old Miss filling, i wish him luck. But GO VOLS!
Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 21, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wish him the best of luck. I hope they win a bunch of games and start to build a program.
Posted by WD40plusVol on April 21, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is not a "Vols site". It is a website where KNS publishes stories relating to college sports.
Posted by General_Fritter on April 21, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
0-11 and so excited about the upcoming season.
Go Dukie Fritters
Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 21, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by WD40plusVol on April 21, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is not a "Vols site". It is a website where KNS publishes stories relating to college sports.
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Glad ya cleared that up, I sure had it wrong thinking a site named, "Go Vols Xtra" would be about the Vols. SIlly me!
Posted by shoalcreekvol on April 21, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Does anyone really want a quarterback named Zack-A-Sack????
Posted by IBleedOrange444 on April 21, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Better than Take-A-Sack or Lick-A-Sack!?!?
Posted by WD40plusVol on April 21, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey Lady! I suppose since you can give sarcasm you can recognize it too?
Posted by ncvol17 on April 21, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I went to the Duke spring game. They had a record crowd of 3100 show up on a beautiful afternoon. So many people they actually ran out of BBQ.The Game was booooring. A 7-3 masterpiece until a late fumble on the 4 yd line or so made it 14 - 3.
Lots of 3 yd. passes. There was 1 long run for a TD that was fun.Cut at halftime implored people to purchase season tickets (90.00 for sideline and 4 for 125.00 for end zone)
Just a bit different than our beloved Vol Nation.
Posted by nafslov on April 21, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh ???? I forgot. Is Duke in the SEC ? If not, why is this article on the mighty Vols board ? Go Vols !
Posted by DannyVol on April 21, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Umm, I was not "hating" on Cut...Some of you guys take everything personally, jumping at half a chance to argue like a bunch of menopausal housewives.
"I don't follow Duke football" means "I don't follow Duke football". I barely have time to follow the Vols, so when I get a chance to fire up govols, I do not want to see Duke stories.
Posted by jdcdjc on April 21, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who really cares what Cutliff and Duke are doing.
I came into this site to read about the Vols.
Posted by DaddyVol on April 21, 2008 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We should schedule duke every year. After cutt gets fired he can come back and be clawsons QB coach. HA,HA!! Really, there are more important things to be covering locally.
Posted by burntorangeVOLffle on April 22, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I enjoyed this article. I too am interested in what Coach Cut is doing at Duke. That's not to say I want daily updates but one article at the end of spring practice is nice.
The fact is those of you that don't care, don't have to click on the article. No one is forcing you to read it. There are plenty of articles on here about the Vols to read so pick one of those.
Meanwhile those of us that do care can read this once in (duke) blue moon story about Coach Cut.
Posted by hiresanders on April 22, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He'd win more if he was coaching track than football at Puke.
Posted by cjraney on April 22, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WD40-
Hard for the sarcasm to come through the keyboard sometimes.
Posted by philfan on April 22, 2008 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I like to hear about Cutcliffe every now and then. I think he took the Duke job for the sheer challenge of it. He turned Ole Miss around and will try to do the same at Duke. By the way, what ever happenned to Bill Battle? Remember him?
Posted by IPOrange on April 22, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
64 yards rushing per game last year - there's almost nowhere to go but up, coach Cut.
Posted by adimatteo on April 23, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
nothing against Cutcliffe, I always liked him, but why on this page???
Posted by General_Fritter on April 23, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good one IPOrange.
The only good thing about Duke football is that there is always cheap tickets available. Why, a good fritters cost more.
Posted by pdhuff on April 24, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Never been around a team that didn't waste a minute on the field". Hmmmmm is that a back-handed reference to his presvious situation.
#10 QB prospect. Hmmmmm might be some surprises down the road.
They must not have fritter downtime.
Or be so over-frittered as to give up a 100 in two games.
At times........
Posted by jcvet on April 24, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe that's the reason he dinked and dunked out to the sidelines. He thought there was a track around the field like in high schools. He wanted to get on the "fast track". Poor Duke.
Posted by grvol on April 24, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The dink and Duke!
Posted by lnbadger320 on April 24, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i'm so glad he's gone. it was so tough watching him try not to lose games for us.
Posted by pdhuff on April 24, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Philfan - Bill Battle did very well in the athletic field after coaching to the tune of over $80 million. He is well.
Very well.
Posted by douglasawilliams on April 26, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GoodVol I am with you. Cutcliffe has been an outstanding offensive coordinator at UT and I wish him all the success at Duke. He made UT at least a respectable offensive force the last two years averaging 32.5 points a game last year. And really the only thing that matters for an offense is how many points they actually score not rushing/passing yards. Lets face it, 2002-2005 we were not even in the top 20 final AP standings last year we climbed back to 12 I believe so he (sorry Coach Fulmer) restored some credibility back to a sliding football program. Lets hope Clawson can take us yet to another level with a new look and that is definitely not any shot at all on David Cutcliffe.
Posted by Madkels on May 1, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll bet you won't see Duke on our schedule in the near future. Remember when Spurrier embarrassed us? I wouldn't put it past Cut making an ACC contender out the Dukies.
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