Duke puts on pads Friday, scrimmage Saturday

Duke’s football team has a big weekend ahead. The Blue Devils hit the practice field for the first time in full pads on Friday morning. On Saturday, the squad will have its first pre-season scrimmage.

The scrimmage will be geared mostly towards special situations. Head coach David Cutcliffe said he’s eager to see how his team handles third-down opportunities, red-zone chances, and some scenarios in the kicking game. Saturday’s scrimmage will be followed by another one on Tuesday.

As for Thursday night’s practice, Cutcliffe likes where his team’s conditioning level is.

“Our ability to run is much better than it was in the spring,” Cutcliffe said. “Our young guys are providing speed and quickness on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.”

One of the key positions for any Cutcliffe coached team is tight end. In Cutcliffe’s system, the tight end has to be versatile. They have to know how to play wide receiver and fullback, too.

Cutcliffe mentioned he’d like to be able to play two or three tight ends at a time during the season. As for right now, that’s easier said than done. Brandon King and Kenny Anunike are both on the mend.

However, Tielor Robinson has had a good camp according to Duke’s first year coach. Because of some of the injuries, Duke’s staff is re-evaluating what they want to do at the position.

On the offensive line, the Blue Devils still have a ways to go from a depth standpoint. And it could have been worse. Offensive tackle Cameron Goldberg was suspended from the team this off-season for a violation of team rules. However, he’s been reinstated and has rebounded to have a solid camp.

“Cameron is stronger and quicker and working like I like to see a guy work,” Cutcliffe said. “He’s not saying a whole lot, but just going about his business and responding to coaching.”

On the injury front, Vincent Rey had to be excused with a slight head injury and Lee Butler is fighting a hamstring issue.

Looking ahead to the Blue Devils season opener against James Madison, some odds-makers have labeled Duke as a two-point favorite. Nevermind what the odds say, Cutcliffe just wants to be the favorite in his own mind.

“I don’t buy into what anyone else thinks,” Cutcliffe said. “I have great respect for JMU…They are a bunch of winners.”