Duke football coach David Cutcliffe said Wednesday that he had serious discussions with former point guard Greg Paulus about the possibility of joining the Blue Devils football team next season.
Cutcliffe told Paulus that if his goal was to play quarterback, he didn't have much of a shot at Duke. The Blue Devils have a fourth-year returning starter in Thaddeus Lewis.
Paulus, who has one year of football eligibility remaining after playing four seasons of basketball, visited Michigan on Tuesday to explore the possibility of playing there, Duke sports information director Art Chase confirmed.
Paulus — who chose to play basketball at Duke even though he was one of the top-rated quarterbacks in his class as a senior at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, N.Y. — also worked out for the Green Bay Packers last week.
"We talked extensively," Cutcliffe said Wednesday on the ACC football coaches' spring media teleconference. "He's a quarterback at heart. There was no way he was going to be able to compete and play quarterback for us, and I think that was the deciding factor."
Cutcliffe offered to let Paulus come out to Duke's final six practices and see if he could help at slot receiver, but Paulus didn't take him up on the offer. Cutcliffe said Michigan's offense and personnel situation might be more favorable to Paulus' skills if he decides to transfer.
In high school, Paulus ran a spread offense that more closely resembles Michigan's than Duke's.
"It's difficult when you haven't been playing quarterback in a long time just to step back in a pro-style offense and play," Cutcliffe said. "They've had quarterback issues [at Michigan], and certainly that offense would be more friendly with an athletic quarterback."
Comments
And So It Begins
Sun, 08/23/2009 - 13:00 — tonygreene113Tidbits | link directory |currency investments
Players come and go to the
Thu, 08/06/2009 - 00:33 — ninaninaPlayers come and go to the club. I wonder why every club does not just employ their "local" players only. classified ads |part time jobs |steam shower
Oh brother.....he used up
Fri, 04/17/2009 - 10:46 — occasionalOh brother.....he used up all his basketball eligibility so now it's on to football. And who cares which school it is as long as he can not attend class because he is always working out, training, traveling or playing. How about a year at Duke, a really good university academically, LEARNING SOMETHING! I can't believe he dosen't care if he graduates from Duke or Michigan or the NC School For The Blind as long as he can throw a football! If he goes to Michigan he better hope they don't have Appalachian State on the schedule.
WTF???
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 23:56 — RexJLewis is NOT a good QB, so what the hell does Cutcliffe have to lose by letting Paulus try out? If he is too rusty or not good enough, tell him to look for greener pastures. I am beside myself with happiness that you are at Duke, Coach Cut, but until you start going to a bowl every year, maybe you should not rule anything out.
Thaddeus Lewis
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:43 — gvillegatris a more than capable QB. it is the players around him that need to pick it up.
BUT,
I would have loved to have been in the room when The Rat put the infamous "football" bug in his year. "I will get you a tryout or a workout with anyone you want or wants you, Greg. You are a warrior and the consumate team player. I will get you on a football team. thanks for taking a back seat on OUR team."
Another Coach K success story?
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 22:34 — mayberry_lady1I guess Coach K used Paulus until he found a replacement. Sad he would do this to a young man who could play a much bigger role on another team. Paulus really doesn't have any other choice. Even fans have to see that he is not going to be drafted by being a 'role player' with very little time. If he has another year and can play football, I guess he will be Coach K's first 'success' in football. I lay the blame for this at the feet of the coach that never taught his player anything. Coach K is a opportunistic coach. Play to the best of your ability and he will use you until he finds something better.
Any local High School needs
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 21:55 — Z1234567Any local High School needs a PE school teacher???
HBO!!
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 08:29 — gvillegatrKenny "F'Ing" Powers!!!
Ditto on New comments
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 20:49 — coby70New, you said it best.
New?
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 22:30 — melvinfurdWho is this "New" you keep talking to?
Paulus
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 17:43 — pinklaptopThis is a difficult move for Paulus to try and make so late in the game. I wish him well.
Murrays Auto Parts
Greg Paulus
Wed, 04/15/2009 - 15:47 — ACDFkingGreg Paulus was and is the ultimate team player. When Nolen was a better fit to start, Greg gave him his full support; when Elliott was what the team needed, then both Nolen and Greg were behind him all the way.
When I read a comment that Paulus is not tough enough, I assume they never saw him take on the crowd at Comcast or go head to head with some of the gorillas he faced in his four years at Duke. Paulus never backed down. I hope Greg can play at Michigan or Green Bay. He deserves it.