Offensive Analysis
Basically ... It wasn't like the Blue Devil offense was a high-flying attack in 2003 scoring 17.6 points per game. Now wholesale changes need to be made on the offensive line and in the backfield as top running backs Chris Douglas and Alex Wade are gone along with four starters on the offensive line. The team is based on toughness and being physical, but the offense will initially revolve around the passing game with a veteran receiving corps begging to get passes their way. RB Cedric Dargan will be the featured workhorse hoping the line in front of him can quickly come together.
Star of the offense: Junior TE Andy Roland
P
layer that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore QB Mike Schneider
Unsung star on the rise: Roland
Best pro prospect: Senior OT Christian Mitchell
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Roland, 2) Mitchell, 3) RB Cedric
Dargan
Strength of the offense: Offensive line
Weakness of the offense: Receivers
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Mike Schneider, Soph. - Schneider could be a great passer in the new Duke offense if he fine tunes his accuracy. The 6-3, 215-pound sophomore made several freshman mistakes only completing 47% of his passes for 1,220 yards and four touchdown with six interceptions, but he has a big arm and is expected to be much better now that he has a year of experience. While not a runner, he's mobile enough to take off with 181 yards and a touchdown.
Top Backups
- Chris Dapolito, Sr. - A good runner and an experienced backup, the 6-3, 215-pound Dapolito threw for 343 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions to go along with 85 rushing yards. He knows the offense and has enough of the team's respect to be a strong number two.
- Curt Dukes, Soph. - The Nebraska transfer is a top runner who should add another element to the attack. He can throw a little bit, but he won't be used much as a passer.
The Skinny: Mike Schneider looks ready to be a very good, steady passer
if he can settle down and be more accurate. That will come in time. Chris
Dapolito isn't going to scare too many defenses, but he's a good number two
to have around and a strong enough player to step in occasionally if Schneider
isn't getting the job done. The X factor is Curt Dukes who adds the most mobility.
Player to keep an eye on: Curt Dukes ... Quarterback Rating: 5.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Cedric Dargan, Jr. - Dargan will get the job of replacing Duke's all-time leading rusher, Chris Douglas, coming off a 264-yard, five touchdown season. He has good size at 6-0 and 200 pounds and is a decent power back, but he lacks breakaway speed and quickness. Despite having problems with an ankle injury a few years ago, he's an effective workhorse if he gets good blocking.
Top Backups
- Aaron Fryer, Soph - Fryer has the talent to become a top back as one of the program's biggest recruits a few years ago. He's a quick back who was lost in the shuffle as a freshman only rushing for 25 yards, but now he'll be a major factor behind Cedric Dargan.
- Mike Dowling, Soph. - Duke is going to use more three-wide sets diminishing the importance of a fullback. When one is needed, the 245-pound Dowling will come in needing to replace the power of Alex Wade.
The Skinny: A program like Duke's can't immediately handle the loss
of talents like Chris Douglas and Alex Wade. Cedric Dargan isn't the most
talented back in the ACC, but he'll be effective if he can stay healthy. There
is little no no experience behind him as the Blue Devils are thin with only
sophomore Aaron Fryer looking like a viable rushing option. The development
of Mike Dowling will determine how often the fullback is used.
Player to keep an eye on: Aaron Fryer ... Running Back Rating: 5
Receivers
Projected Starters
- Senterrio Landrum, Sr. - A star on the Duke baseball team and one of the ACC's premier kickoff returners, the quick Landrum needs to become more involved in the passing game after only catching 11 passes for 101 yards. He has the skills and the hands to make big plays; now the quarterbacks have to get him the ball.
- Lance Johnson, Sr. - Johnson brings good size and great hands back to his starting spot. He was second on the team with 23 catches for 247 yards and a touchdown, but can produce much more if given the shot.
- Ronnie Elliott, Jr. - Elliott is a small, quick receiver ready to step into a starting role. He didn't do too much last year catching seven passes for 92 yards and a touchdown, but he has the the talent to be a deep receiver.
- Tight end Andy Roland, Jr. - Roland has is 6-4, 235 pounds and the team's top deep threat over the last two years averaging 16.6 yards per catch with three touchdowns. He'll start, but he'll combine with
Top Backups
- Mark Wigal. Jr. - A career reserve and special teamer, the 5-10 Wigal has made one career catch. He'll push Ronnie Elliott for playing time.
- Deon Adams, Soph. - The 6-2 sophomore saw time in ten games but only caught a pass for 21 yards against Northwestern. He has the size to fill in for Lance Johnson if needed.
- Ben Patrick, Soph. - At 260 pounds, Patrick is a bigger blocking tight end than Andy Roland. He earned some freshman All-America honors catching 17 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown and will combine with Roland in two tight end sets.
The Skinny: The receiving corps has a little bit of talent, but they
need someone to get them the ball. Senterrio Landrum is a deep threat waiting
to happen, while Lance Johnson and Ronnie Elliott have the potential to be
very good. Andy Roland and Ben Patrick are better-than-average tight ends.
Player to keep an eye on: Andy Roland ... Receiver Rating: 5.5
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Jim Moravchik, Jr. - The 6-6, 300-pound junior has enough experience to be considered a veteran on the inexperienced line. He started three games last year and should grow into the left tackle position with more time.
- Guard Chris Best, Jr. - Best has a little bit of experience seeing time in five games as a reserve. He still needs work, but at 6-5 and 305 pounds he's the biggest guard on the line and will need to quickly become a top performer on the left side. He can play tackle if needed.
- Center Tyler Kreig, Soph. - While he needs playing time, the 6-5, 300-pound sophomore, and bulked up linebacker, is one of the best athletes on the line and considered a rising star. He just needs a few more reps before he becomes the anchor of the young line.
- Guard Lavdrim Bauta, Soph. - Bauta saw a little bit of time in three games last year and is quickly being groomed for the job on the right side. He's a 6-5, 290-pound run blocker.
- Tackle Christian Mitchell, Sr. -The lone returning starter, the 6-7, 325-pound Mitchell has started 26 games and will be the rock on the right side. While not quite an All-ACC caliber performer, he'll have to play at that level for the line to shine.
Top Backups
- OG Joel East, Soph - East started out his career on the defensive side before duty called on the offensive line. At only 260 pounds he won't see too much time, but he's a good enough athlete and strong enough to give Lavdrim a bit of a break on the right side.
- C Dan Mooney, Sr. - While he doesn't have any starting experience, the 6-5, 300-pound Mooney is one of the line's most experienced players. He missed spring ball banged up and will still be a question mark this fall.
The Skinny: This could be the team's Achilles heel. Only one starter
returns to a line that wasn't out-of-this-world to begin with. New line coach
Don Yanowsky will have his hands full with a very green group led by Christian
Mitchell at right tackle. Tyler Kreig is a star of the future, but he needs
to be a rock of a center right now. The guards are the biggest concern.
