New Duke coach Cutcliffe wants quick results

DURHAM, N.C. -- During his first spring practices, Duke coach David Cutcliffe has seen flashes of a "really good" football team.But really, that's not good enough. He says the Blue Devils must become more consistent to end a string of 13 straight losing seasons.Cutcliffe also has seen his team collectively lose about 400 pounds since January and gain speed, a priority. But to beat Florida State, it must reach Seminole speed. To beat Miami, it must achieve Hurricane speed.He wants to put Duke on the fast track to success. After all, Cutcliffe is used to winning -- as a head coach at Ole Miss, as a longtime assistant at Tennessee.It's apparent he has given the Devils a hearty dose of Southeastern Conference philosophy."The first day out there was like, what's going on?," said defensive end Ayanga Okpokowuruk. "The intensity is through the roof."Quarterbacks, often spared hard knocks in practice, have been fair game and taken plenty of hits. Last year's starter, junior Thaddeus Lewis, emerged from the pile-ups still a starter -- "right now," with Zack Asack in a backup role, Cutcliffe said.Lewis, who threw for 21 touchdowns and 2,430 yards, fourth best among ACC quarterbacks, has impressed Cutcliffe with his grasp of a more up-tempo, pro-style, no-huddle offense, as well as accuracy and overall efficiency."He has really started to pick up what we want in tempo," Cutcliffe said, adding that Lewis' ability to take care of the ball has given him the edge. "But it will remain a competitive situation. We will have competition at every position."Getting close inspection in the fall will be Arizona prep star Sean Renfree, the nation's No. 10 quarterback prospect by Scout.com. Other freshmen also will have opportunities.Whomever does the throwing will have capable receivers led by Eron Riley, a second-team All-ACC performer Cutcliffe believes has the skill to reach NFL status."They (wide receivers) are quicker, which is encouraging," Cutcliffe said. "Quick enough? No. Are they making enough catches in tough situations? No. They've got to use their size better."Defensively, Cutcliffe believes the front seven can be competitive, but wants to build more depth in the secondary. Overall, his biggest concern still swirls around the specialists' positions -- snapping, punting and place-kicking, none of which has been settled.But Joe Surgan created excitement in a recent scrimmage by booting a 55-yard field goal, prompting Cutcliffe to celebrate "three or four minutes."Seeing quicker, faster running back Re'quan Boyette make two nifty cuts and dash 65 yards also looked good, especially considering Duke averaged an ACC-low 64 yards rushing per game last year."There are many positive things I can talk about," said Cutcliffe, who will conclude drills with a spring game at 1 p.m. on Saturday. "This football team came to work. Their focus, intensity level and attitude have never wavered. I don't know if I have been around a team that did not waste a single minute on the practice field."He just hopes all that will translate into fall triumphs. E-mail A.J. Carr at aj.carr(at)newsobserver.com(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)