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How many carries for Duke?

Martycane

Martycane

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A bad injury would probably be a disaster. There's no proven backup.
He's not a big guy. He was hurt for a few games last year.
So I'd say 15 carries -- plus a few passes and, say, 5 returns.
That's 22 touches.
And I 'd keep him on the returns. Big asset for field position.
 
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25 touches a game.. keep him out of the return game unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary.
 
we have

Artie, Carter, Coley, Corn, Dorsett for returns we don't need Duke on there unless these guys are not able to produce.
 
Martycane said:
A bad injury would probably be a disaster. There's no proven backup.
He's not a big guy. He was hurt for a few games last year.
So I'd say 15 carries -- plus a few passes and, say, 5 returns.
That's 22 touches.
And I 'd keep him on the returns. Big asset for field position.
Click to expand...

A few things

1. Most teams (not every) that have a ELITE player like Duke are going to be really hurt if they get injured. Recently if Manziel, if Gio Bernard, if Le'Von Bell went down...the team is severely screwed. Not every team has two GEMS ready to go.

2. Touches

Duke had 139 Carries, 27 Receptions and 27 Returns last year or 193 Touches (16.1 per game). I would try to get him at least 20-23 (increase by 20%) touches per game and considering he is by far out best and most proven RB, most of those will be on the ground. Until another RB can successfully run it, I suspect the amount of carries will go up and everything else will stay the same.

He might not get as many returns if our defense can limit the points (Kickoffs).
 
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DaU83 said:
25 touches a game.. keep him out of the return game unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary.
Click to expand...

He is too good to keep out of the return game. He averaged 33 Yards Per Return and had 2 TDs or 1 TD every 13.5 returns. Even if Duke Takes the ball 3 Yards Deep into the End Zone, he is getting the ball (on average) to the 30 yard line.
 
Consigliere said:
DaU83 said:
25 touches a game.. keep him out of the return game unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary.
Click to expand...

He is too good to keep out of the return game. He averaged 33 Yards Per Return and had 2 TDs or 1 TD every 13.5 returns. Even if Duke Takes the ball 3 Yards Deep into the End Zone, he is getting the ball (on average) to the 30 yard line.
Click to expand...

Take him out of the return game...we have so many guys who are awesome back there
 
Consigliere said:
DaU83 said:
25 touches a game.. keep him out of the return game unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary.
Click to expand...

He is too good to keep out of the return game. He averaged 33 Yards Per Return and had 2 TDs or 1 TD every 13.5 returns. Even if Duke Takes the ball 3 Yards Deep into the End Zone, he is getting the ball (on average) to the 30 yard line.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree, but I thin we have enough guys to pick up the slack in the return game.. we don't have enough guys that can pick up the slack at RB.
 
I think the amount of touches will be dictated by the situation in the game. We should have so many weapons on offense that Duke shouldn't be over worked. But, you can't prevent injuries, they can come on the first touch or the 15th, so just hope for the best. Go Canes!
 
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Dorsett is not a kick returner. I don't see it.
Too early to say about the others.
By the way, how many top teams don't have a good backup rb? You need two backs these days...maybe three...Think of all our backs who have been hurt over the years...James Jackson, McGahee, Gore, Portis (if I recall), Tyrone Moss. Even Mike James had turf toe supposedly in his junior year.
 
Johnson is small, but he's strong. I would use him on returns in the bigger games, but keep him off ST's if he's not needed. They could have used him more last year, but they were good about restricting his touches. Edwards coming in, along with Crawford, will be needed to keep him fresh.
 
grogz26 said:
Consigliere said:
DaU83 said:
25 touches a game.. keep him out of the return game unless it's ABSOLUTELY necessary.
Click to expand...

He is too good to keep out of the return game. He averaged 33 Yards Per Return and had 2 TDs or 1 TD every 13.5 returns. Even if Duke Takes the ball 3 Yards Deep into the End Zone, he is getting the ball (on average) to the 30 yard line.
Click to expand...

Take him out of the return game...we have so many guys who are awesome back there
Click to expand...
Who? We have guys who were good at it in high school. That doesn't mean it will translate to CFB.

I'd prefer if he didn't take every return, but I want him back there in big/close games until someone else proves themselves capable.
 
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'Nother thing: He's so dangerous that teams might start kicking it short.
The best of both worlds: we'd get good field position and he wouldn't get a hand laid on him.
 
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If my suspicions of Coley are correct, Duke will catch at least 40 passes this year. He'll probably get somewhere like 180 carries.
 
Martycane said:
Dorsett is not a kick returner. I don't see it.
Too early to say about the others.
By the way, how many top teams don't have a good backup rb? You need two backs these days...maybe three...Think of all our backs who have been hurt over the years...James Jackson, McGahee, Gore, Portis (if I recall), Tyrone Moss. Even Mike James had turf toe supposedly in his junior year.
Click to expand...
All that needs to be said: Artie "MotherPhuckin" Burns!
 
Martycane said:
A bad injury would probably be a disaster. There's no proven backup.
He's not a big guy. He was hurt for a few games last year.
So I'd say 15 carries -- plus a few passes and, say, 5 returns.
That's 22 touches.
And I 'd keep him on the returns. Big asset for field position.
Click to expand...

He may not be big, but he plays bigger than the average 190 lb back. He punishes defenders and he's more than capable running between the tackles.

He needs at least 15 carries a game and 20-25 touches per game IMO.
 
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