Duke will begin spring practice Friday; David Cutcliffe rules the sports calendar
David Cutcliffe has outsmarted everyone (again) by starting spring practice on Feb. 7. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
As many of you are probably aware, the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics is on Friday. This is a big deal, as the events in Sochi will mostly define the sports calendar over the course of the next three weeks.
Or so we thought -- much bigger news is coming out of Durham, N.C. Just two days removed from National Signing Day, Duke is set to begin spring practice. From The News & Observer:
It’s only been 38 days since Duke’s season ended Dec. 31 with a loss to Texas A&M in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
But it’s time for spring practice, as the Blue Devils will be one of the first teams to welcome the spring when practices start Friday.
“I like the momentum of this squad,” [Duke coach David] Cutcliffe said. “I like our returning squad. I want to see our young people in an environment where we’re not putting a bunch of things in, we’re going to think players, not plays. I want to see our young people compete.”
Football is back. Wait for it …
https://twitter.com/SInow/statuses/306441290709602307
YES.
So, it may not really be spring yet (technically). And this (kind of) feels like celebrating Christmas in mid-October. But it’s time to start thinking about how Duke will replace departing cornerback Ross Cockrell. That home opener against Elon is only 204 days away, after all.
