Duke held its first practice of the 2013 season Monday night as training camp officially began. With the Blue Devils seeking to make back-to-back bowl games for the first time in program history, here are three key questions Duke will have to answer during August camp.
1. How will the Blue Devils replace lost production at wide receiver?
Conner Vernon and Desmond Scott combined for 151 receptions last season. Now they are gone, and Max McCaffrey and Isaac Blakeney will be forced to step up their roles in Duke's receiving corps. Both had solid springs and appear to be ready to contribute, but it is unlikely that they will combine for 151 catches between them. Look for 6-foot-5 receiver Anthony Nash to make an impact, and with senior Brandon Braxton switching back from safety to his natural position of wide receiver this season, the Blue Devils will likely be able to spread the ball around more.
These four players will become even more important for Duke's receiving corps as junior Jamison Crowder adjusts to being the focal point of the team's offense. Largely overshadowed by his receiving counterpart, Vernon, Crowder had a quiet breakout year in 2012, catching 76 passes for 1,074 yards and eight touchdowns. But this season a lot of the double-teams that focused on Vernon last year will be shifting their eyes toward Crowder, putting more pressure on his teammates to step up and make big plays in the passing game.
2. Can Duke stay healthy?—The Blue Devils were hampered by injuries throughout the 2012 season, and the problems started from the first day of training camp. Duke had already lost five projected starters indefinitely by the start of August camp last season and played without key contributors like Braxton Deaver and Kelby Brown for the entire year. For the Blue Devils' season opener against Florida International, they had just 70 of 85 scholarship players available for action. This season, Duke seems to be off to the right start from a health standpoint. Backup quarterback Thomas Sirk still has a long road to recovery after rupturing his Achilles tendon in April. Backup defensive end Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo is still rehabbing his left ankle from offseason surgery and may not be ready to start the season, and defensive end Justin Foxx is limited as he continues to recover from knee surgery in January.
Duke was significantly limited by injuries last year, especially down the stretch. If the Blue Devils wish to repeat as a bowl team for the first time in program history, staying healthy will be one of the keys.
3. Can Duke's defensive line create a formidable pass rush?
The Blue Devils' secondary received the brunt of the criticism for the team's defensive inefficiencies as they allowed nearly 50 points a game in a five-game losing skid to end the season. But Duke's coaching staff has continually emphasized the defensive line's importance in defending the passing game—the team's secondary got beat, but opposing quarterbacks had plenty of time to do it. The Blue Devils were tied for eighth in the ACC last season with 25 sacks. It will be up to an experienced defensive front led by Foxx, Kenny Anunike, Sydney Sarmiento and Jamal Bruce to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks and force turnovers. Duke's defensive line struggled with injuries last year, so health could play a large factor here as well.
In case you missed it, here are three key position battles and three players to keep your eye on during August camp. Check back with The Blue Zone for continued coverage of Duke’s training camp.
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