Does anyone have insight on why Wesley Duke was kept on the active roster?

[BroncoInferno]

This move is perplexing. Our resident scouts made little comment on Duke during training camp, and he didn't do anything in the preseason. Do the coaches really like him so much that they were worried about someone else would pick him up for their active roster? Were there rumors that this was a possibility? We let some guys go who might could have contributed now (i.e. Dorsett Davis) or at least provided depth in case of injury (i.e. an extra offensive lineman). If we have a run of injuries at TE, I can't envision Duke being a guy who could contribute much at this stage of his development. Anybody heard anything at all on the logic here? I'll take a reasonable hypothesis at this point.

[broncogary]

Maybe he can block field goals.

[Smilin Assassin]

This move is perplexing. Our resident scouts made little comment on Duke during training camp, and he didn't do anything in the preseason. Do the coaches really like him so much that they were worried about someone else would pick him up for their active roster? Were there rumors that this was a possibility? We let some guys go who might could have contributed now (i.e. Dorsett Davis) or at least provided depth in case of injury (i.e. an extra offensive lineman). If we have a run of injuries at TE, I can't envision Duke being a guy who could contribute much at this stage of his development. Anybody heard anything at all on the logic here? I'll take a reasonable hypothesis at this point.


The commentators Saturday night were saying a lot of other teams were watching Duke closely, and that Denver felt he may get signed if he was cut by them.

Now, whether or not that's true, I dunno.

Maybe Shanahan thinks he could be the next Matt Dominguez. ;)

[UKBronco]

I only found out today that Duke has torn his left ACL THREE TIMES!!

That isn't a great start considering he's still only 24.

[footstepsfrom#27]

We have 5 tight ends...6 if you count House, who has yet to play Guard in a real game. 6 tight ends and 6 OL guys...mayby 5 1/2 since Carlyles one of 'em.. (House is a TE until he shows he can do it for real IMO)...but only 2 QB's? We have more kickers than QB's...more TE's than OL guys...Brandon Miree on the PS...anyone remember him at all? What's up with that? Davis should have made it IMO...he outplayed Pope and Veal, neither of whom looked like they can push the pocket. Jerry Rice is Shanahans age almost, yet we cut Triandos Luke and his 4.3 speed. He looked very good in the Cards game...Leseur gets cut but the Raider safety's here long enough for a cup of coffee and he stays...Q's gone but Sapp makes it? I know they play different positions but what's Sapp done to impress?

[footstepsfrom#27]

I only found out today that Duke has torn his left ACL THREE TIMES!!
That explains it...Shanny loves guys with injury histories...see Middlebrooks.

[delany]

When you have a guy coaching your team that helped make Gates who he is today ...you listen to what he thinks.

I am betting he weighed in on this decision.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Another reach by Shanahan (ala Rice, Clarett).


When you have a guy coaching your team that helped make Gates who he is today ...you listen to what he thinks.

I am betting he weighed in on this decision.
Kinda like listening to your RB coach?

[footstepsfrom#27]

The DE on the PS was a BB player too...but he also had a year in the Euro League and was MVP...why do we need 5 TE's?

[2KBack]

All of our tightends create match-up problems for the defense, and 2 of them are converted wr. I'm sure there is some offensive wrinkle that Shanny is adding that may get 3 or more TE on the field at once.

[footstepsfrom#27]

All of our tightends create match-up problems for the defense, and 2 of them are converted wr. I'm sure there is some offensive wrinkle that Shanny is adding that may get 3 or more TE on the field at once.
Let's hope some of them can play guard also.

[GreatBronco16]

Did you guys watch Duke in the final PS game. I could have sworn a much younger and bigger Sharpe was on the field. He had a couple of catches, and it took two or more defenders to bring him down. This guy can be a very big target to throw the ball to. He stands 6'5 over 220 pounds I think, and it 'seems' that he has some good hands also. Personally, why did we need to keep Leach?? All he does is long snap.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Did you guys watch Duke in the final PS game. I could have sworn a much younger and bigger Sharpe was on the field. He had a couple of catches, and it took two or more defenders to bring him down. This guy can be a very big target to throw the ball to. He stands 6'5 over 220 pounds I think, and it 'seems' that he has some good hands also. Personally, why did we need to keep Leach?? All he does is long snap.
Because all he does is long snap.

[GreatBronco16]

Because all he does is long snap.

Then he shouldn't be listed as a TE, and perhaps Denver should find someone else that actually plays to long snap. So we have a third kicker wasting a roster spot, and a player who does nothing but long snap wasting a roster spot. Ah well.

[minibronco]

i saw him win a dunk contest....

[footstepsfrom#27]

Then he shouldn't be listed as a TE, and perhaps Denver should find someone else that actually plays to long snap. So we have a third kicker wasting a roster spot, and a player who does nothing but long snap wasting a roster spot. Ah well.
I agree...but I'm not Shanny.

[Broncoman13]

He bulked up to 255 and ran a 4.11 40. He's also NEVER dropped a ball and can dunk it Tony Gonzalez style over the goal posts. My sources tell me his perfected a through the legs and around the back dunk that could make most NBAers hold up their "Perfect 10" signs. Also I hear his foot is a size 16 which means he covers more than 14" everytime he takes a step. He hasn't got the leap buildings in a single bound down yet, but I hear he'll be challenging Will Smith for a spot on MIB III b/c of his skills chasing down aliens!

Hope that cleared it up for you!

[clean]

. . . and a player who does nothing but long snap wasting a roster spot. Ah well.

http://www.longsnap.com/

"Developed and maintained by attorney and sports agent, Kevin Gold, a Certified Contract Advisor with the National Football League Players Association, Longsnap.com is the premier source for information on long snappers and long snapping since August 2000."

Lots of goat horns to go around:

http://www.recordonline.com/archive/2003/01/06/kkgcolap.htm

No glory for Giants' Junkin, just honor:

"Want to feel foolish? Bend over, throw a football between your legs to a target you see upside down. Jeff Van Note is a Hall of Fame-quality player, the Falcons' center for 246 games through 1986. Early on, he gave up long snapping. His problem: "The banana ball." His snaps described a flight pattern matching a banana's curvature."

http://i.tsn.com/voices/dave_kindred/20030113.html

Junkin mishap making teams focus on deep snappers:

It is reminiscent of another standout deep center, the late Dan Turk, who while playing for the Washington Redskins muffed a field goal snap in a 1999 playoff loss at Tampa Bay, then died of cancer before he ever got the opportunity to redeem himself.

In virtually all of the obituaries following Turk's death, that botched field goal snap was prominently noted, a bit unfair for a player who rated as one of the league's best at his position for 15 seasons.

http://www.longsnap.com/publicity/longsnapping/longsnapping.htm

[Broncoman13]

Because all he does is long snap.


But why do we need long snapping??? We're going to score TD's every drive and never punt or attempt a field goal. Don't worry about PAT's...We'll put BVP in the game and he'll flip the bird and everybody will stop to talk about it while he walks effortlessly into the endzone for the 2pt coversion!

[GreatBronco16]

But why do we need long snapping??? We're going to score TD's every drive and never punt or attempt a field goal. Don't worry about PAT's...We'll put BVP in the game and he'll flip the bird and everybody will stop to talk about it while he walks effortlessly into the endzone for the 2pt coversion!


I'm not saying we don't need a long snapper. I'm saying we don't need a roster spot just for a player who does nothing but long snap and nothing else. I'm sure that somone else on this team knows how to long snap. A backup C or someone. I just think wasting a roster spot on a long snapper is just as bad as wasting one on a third kicker.

[DBroncos4life]

I only found out today that Duke has torn his left ACL THREE TIMES!!

That isn't a great start considering he's still only 24.



Just to let you know the guy won a dunk contest after he tore his ACL THREE TIMES!

[Broncoman13]

I'm not saying we don't need a long snapper. I'm saying we don't need a roster spot just for a player who does nothing but long snap and nothing else. I'm sure that somone else on this team knows how to long snap. A backup C or someone. I just think wasting a roster spot on a long snapper is just as bad as wasting one on a third kicker.


They were hoping that Myers could LS... I think that's the first time I heard the banana snap term...

[DBroncos4life]

They were hoping that Myers could LS... I think that's the first time I heard the banana snap term...


I don't want Myers LS in a game this year. I guess if our season is over then yeah bring him up and let him do it but I don't see ANY reason to dump a guy as good as Leach. As pointed out Leach is also one of the first guys down to make the tackle on the punt as well.

[SoCalBronco]

Another reach by Shanahan (ala Rice, Clarett).



Kinda like listening to your RB coach?

How could it be a reach, Slug? We didnt even use a pick on him?

[Kaylore]

Woah! lots of crazy talk in this thread. Lets address somethings.

Mike Leach - He is quality depth that contributes on special teams. He can play tight end very well. He has soft hands and is a pretty good blocker. In special teams he doesn't "just long snap" by any means. Leach is always one of the first few guys down field making a tackle in punt and kick-off situations. Watch next time, its actually unreal how fast he gets down there. He was the one who almost recovered the fumbled kick-off in the Cards game. Lepsis long snaps as well, but after I saw him snap the ball over the goal post for a safety in practice I thought "well good thing Leach is on the team."

Duke - Duke looked really raw, but the last few practices he showed a lot of flash. I remember Mediator coming over to me and we were both thinking the same thing. The first thing he said to me was "did you see Duke?" He looked really good. I thought it was some signs that he has some talent, which it was, but apparently that progress continued enough to earn him a roster spot, at least for now to keep other teams' mits off of him.

[bilrob]

Leach is a special player for the Broncos, in addition to his Long Snapping, he is a very good ST player. He is also used on some of shannys trick plays in the Red Zone. He is a keeper. Now that Rice has retired, there two spots to be filled. One on the 53 man roster and one on the PS. Who or what will interesting on the outcome.

[-Slap-]

Does anyone have insight on why Wesley Duke was kept on the active roster?

Its one thing to "pass the eyeball test". Lots of guys can do that. Its another thing entirely when you come to camp looking like a freaking Greek god. Wesley showed just enough on the field to ensure a roster spot this season.

http://www2.mercer.edu/NR/rdonlyres/eyaba6jwlosmbkbn2vhg2jzx2wb75vk33mddkywdhxuui3v2vd fqbvzeegfph26pvraimwc6qse7vqvns75dpfmaowg/DukeDunk.jpg

[Hulamau]

Its for our new 4 TE sets ... Alexander, Putz, Jackson, Duke and maybe through Lelie in there would be quite a load and some large targets for the Hail Mary :-)

[Broncojef]

I too was shocked Davis was cut, but Pope is very solid and Veal played his butt off that last game. Jerry is now gone, thank the good Lord! Marques Anderson is just a better safety than Lesuer and I'm glad Shanny kept him. Sapp fits the Broncos running style for an extreme RB emergency and is also a healthy FB as well. Q was going no where and is too small to be an NFL back. IMO if he played this year he'd get hurt again this year. Hopefully the spot Jerry vacated can now be filled by an O-lineman to bulk up our roster. I really wish we'd cut Ernster/Rice and kept Myers,Watton or Myers,Sykes. I know Shanny is high on Nate Jackson but I would have cut him as well. I saw Duke make two plays and had instant flashes of Sharpe, very glad we kept him...Wow!!

[Mr. Trout]

Every frickin team in the league has a spot on the active roster JUST for a long snapper. It is necessary to have a seasoned long snapper. And as Kaylore mentioned, he is very versatile. Geez, you don't need to have 20 D line 20 WR's or 20 DB's, do you?

[Odysseus]

On paper Chad Friehauf and Wesley Duke look equally intriguing. They are big tall guys who play with lots of heart. They are smart, great attitude and could be potentially really good players.

Chad did not even make the practice squad. It speaks volumes they are giving this guy the long look by putting him on the roster.

If there is any injury Duke is the first one on the practice squad. If he gets any playing time he knows he has to leave no doubt.

[GreatBronco16]

Every frickin team in the league has a spot on the active roster JUST for a long snapper. It is necessary to have a seasoned long snapper. And as Kaylore mentioned, he is very versatile. Geez, you don't need to have 20 D line 20 WR's or 20 DB's, do you?


Well ofcourse. :snicker:

No, I really didn't know Leach did anything else. If he is a part of all ST play and stuff, then fine. But I just thought he only came in to long snap. That's why I thought another player who actually plays could do it. So I guess just disregard my comments. On the other side. Duke is gonna really become part of the game plan come week 5. Just wait. I don't even think VanPelt could overthrow him. ;)

[Tredici]

I heard Shanahan's boss Peggy suggested they keep the lad around....

[fontaine]

I don't know why everyone is b*tching about our TEs and Duke. They kept him for a very good reason: Because they think he can be the next great TE. There's nothing wrong IMO trying to create another Shannon Sharpe.

Also as regards to our QB position. I'm glad they had the cohones to keep just two. I'm delighted that a guy like Matt Mauck or Kanell won't see the field in Orange and Blue no matter what happens.

[Atlas]

Every frickin team in the league has a spot on the active roster JUST for a long snapper. It is necessary to have a seasoned long snapper. And as Kaylore mentioned, he is very versatile. Geez, you don't need to have 20 D line 20 WR's or 20 DB's, do you?

No but 8 OL would be nice

[footstepsfrom#27]

I don't know why everyone is b*tching about our TEs and Duke. They kept him for a very good reason: Because they think he can be the next great TE. There's nothing wrong IMO trying to create another Shannon Sharpe.
It might be a wee bit premature to compare a mediocre basketball player with 3 ACL scars and no football since high school to the greatest pass catching TE in NFL history.

He's probably just the next Tony Gonzalez. Uhh

[Atlas]

It might be a wee bit premature to compare a mediocre basketball player with 3 ACL scars and no football since high school to the greatest pass catching TE in NFL history.

He's probably just the next Tony Gonzalez. Uhh

LOL LOL LOL

[broncohaven]

People always forget that there are 8 spots on the roster that are for guys that aren't quite ready to play, but are too promising to put on the open market. With Gates's success the whole league is looking for basketball converts, and the Broncos got the most physically gifted of the group when they signed Duke. You can forget the ACL mumbo, he's had two years since the last one and the kids got a 40" vertical.

Multiple TE sets will be the norm against the 3-4 defense. You need the extra blockers to pick up the varied blitzes, and guys that can fill the pockets behind the blitzers.

[BritBronco Maniac]

I think the Wesley Duke secret got out pretty fast, when they played the colts CBS or whichever network it was, did a sideline slot on him.
Maybe they will cut him in a few weeks and try to sneak him onto the practise squad then but I doubt it.

[Atlas]

Here is a very good article on Duke
SoCals link:http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/sports/12563868.htm

Posted on Mon, Sep. 05, 2005

Duke surprised about making Broncos' roster

By Michael A. Lough TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER


Wesley Duke sat in the training room, the normal twists and bruises of football being tended to.

He watched as teammates became former teammates, walking by, one by one, to take the required physical after being released by an NFL team.

It was a five-hour window, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, when teams call in the players who won't make the 53-man season-opening roster. Duke's eyes followed the soon-to-be-unemployed for two of those hours.

Nearby sat Duke's cell phone. Quiet. Except for one phone call, from his immediate boss, Denver Broncos' tight ends coach Tim Brewster, explaining a variety of "what if?" scenarios.

But 2 p.m. came, and nobody told the 6-foot-5, 225-pound tight end to come along and bring his playbook, and that's how a former basketball player at Mercer found out he was a full-fledged Denver Bronco and member of the National Football League.

"It never crossed my mind that I'd make the active roster and be officially with the team," Duke said Sunday from Denver. "I thought I'd be practice squad. I just kept working hard, and I guess I got lucky.

"It was the longest hours."

Duke's appointment to the roster was a surprise move, for most figured the former Bears standout who hadn't played football since his senior season at Meadowcreek High in Norcross was destined for that eight-man practice unit to hone talents that hadn't been used since the late 1990s.

And he'd caught only one pass in the entire preseason, that coming on the Broncos' final exhibition game Friday night against Arizona. Another reception was wiped out by a penalty.

His last catch? It came on the first play of his senior year at Meadowcreek, on which he suffered the first of three torn anterior cruciate ligaments in a knee.

The feeling of finally making some serious contact on the football field for the first time in six years - DenverBroncos.com reported Duke's catch "spawned a celebration on the Broncos sideline" - was overshadowed a day later by the news of his new job.

"Friday, I was playing next to Jerry Rice," Duke said of the future Hall of Famer whose career may have ended that very evening. "It still hasn't sunk in."

Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan hosts a team party each year before the season, and Duke was among the guests.

"He came to me and said, 'We're happy to have you. We're looking for some good things,' " said Duke, still almost giddy while relating the meeting. "I was, I was, wow. I was excited about that."

Duke needed six years to play four basketball seasons at Mercer, the NCAA granting him the extra year because of his third torn ACL. He averaged 9.8 points and 5.9 rebounds with 173 blocks and 104 steals in 116 games and was known throughout the Atlantic Sun Conference for monster dunks.

He gained national notoriety for a dazzling and showy performance last April in the slam dunk competition during the men's basketball Final Four. Only a few weeks later, he was signed by Denver as a free agent after the conclusion of the second day of the NFL Draft.

"Several teams ... were watching Duke closely over the last three weeks because of his potential. It's likely he would not have cleared waivers before the Broncos could add him to their practice squad had he been released," the Rocky Mountain News reported Sunday.

His first game is Sunday in Miami, a team with several Georgians on the roster: running back Ronnie Brown (Cartersville/Auburn), safety Travares Tillman (Toombs County/ Georgia Tech), linebacker Channing Crowder (North Springs High/Florida), and
tight end Randy McMichael (Peach County/Georgia).

"No, not offhand," Duke said of knowing anybody at Miami before laughing about a three-time Pro Bowl pick. "I know Jason Taylor's playing defensive end, so I'm not looking forward to that blocking assignment."

[Broncoman13]

I heard Shanahan's boss Peggy suggested they keep the lad around....


That's funny, I'm just glad I was the first one to get him as my adopt a Bronco!!!

[fontaine]

It might be a wee bit premature to compare a mediocre basketball player with 3 ACL scars and no football since high school to the greatest pass catching TE in NFL history.

He's probably just the next Tony Gonzalez. Uhh

WTF?

Who's comparing the two? I just said that the team, every team, is on the look out for the next great TE. Like I said, he could be the next Shannon Sharpe and obviously the coaching staff believes in him.

[Ballhawk]

"No, not offhand," Duke said of knowing anybody at Miami before laughing about a three-time Pro Bowl pick. "I know Jason Taylor's playing defensive end, so I'm not looking forward to that blocking assignment."

rofl he actually thinks he is going to suit up

[Broncoman13]

rofl he actually thinks he is going to suit up


Never know, but I'd say the chances are slim and none.

Still, a dude that jump out of the stadium and stands 6'5 to begin with... well that makes me feel comfortable if he does get in the game. Jump balls should be his specialty!

[Atlas]

WTF?

Who's comparing the two? I just said that the team, every team, is on the look out for the next great TE. Like I said, he could be the next Shannon Sharpe and obviously the coaching staff believes in him.

Fontaine, he was making a joke there.... You know humor.

[broncosteven]

The DE on the PS was a BB player too...but he also had a year in the Euro League and was MVP...why do we need 5 TE's?

Because we don't have consistent # 3-5 WR's. We have to make up for lost #3 WR production by putting an extra Pass catching TE on the field. I think they may not be sure about Putz & are gooming Nate & Duke to replace him in a year or 2. I like Nate he can make great short mid yardage catches in traffic. If Nate & Duke learn to chip & find space downfield they will work out.

[fontaine]

Fontaine, he was making a joke there.... You know humor.

Sorry, my humor button must be turned off (while my lunatic button must be switched on)

There, it's fixed now.

[Broncoman13]

Because we don't have consistent # 3-5 WR's. We have to make up for lost #3 WR production by putting an extra Pass catching TE on the field. I think they may not be sure about Putz & are gooming Nate & Duke to replace him in a year or 2. I like Nate he can make great short mid yardage catches in traffic. If Nate & Duke learn to chip & find space downfield they will work out.


I'm thinking you can probably say we have unproven #3-5 WR's... They haven't had a chance to be consistent yet. 1 year in the leauge and first year starting off on the active roster for the other two.

[Atlas]

Sorry, my humor button must be turned off (while my lunatic button must be switched on)

There, it's fixed now.

He said you can't compare him to Sharpe but you can compare him to a lesser player like Gonzalez. LOL

Funny. I had to rep him for it.

[bloodsunday]

The commentators Saturday night were saying a lot of other teams were watching Duke closely, and that Denver felt he may get signed if he was cut by them.
That's the only thing I see as a possibility, the fear of losing him. What's ironic, the announcers also said Shannahan would never keep a player just to protect him from going somewhere else (and he couldn't help the Broncos). I think they may want to take that comment back. I mean if Duke can help you, why keep Nate Jackson?

[Cleo McDowell]

He bulked up to 255 and ran a 4.11 40. He's also NEVER dropped a ball and can dunk it Tony Gonzalez style over the goal posts. My sources tell me his perfected a through the legs and around the back dunk that could make most NBAers hold up their "Perfect 10" signs. Also I hear his foot is a size 16 which means he covers more than 14" everytime he takes a step. He hasn't got the leap buildings in a single bound down yet, but I hear he'll be challenging Will Smith for a spot on MIB III b/c of his skills chasing down aliens!

Hope that cleared it up for you!

255, 6'5 and a 4.11 second 40??? ARE YOU ****TIN ME????

[Cleo McDowell]

[QUOTE=jamjeehunta]255, 6'5 and a 4.11 second 40? ARE YOU S HITTING ME??

[bendog]

It's his bionic knee

[listopencil]

We need the extra TE's to help Carlisle block...

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showthread.php?p=713698#post713698

[watermock]

You can say we are inexperienced, but it's really not true.

First, Rod has only slowed a half step so far. Vet to the max. But so far, he can still play #1. We will notice when he has lost a full step. Hasn't happened yet, but could anytime.

Second, Lelie is looking like he's got it mastered finally. He's looked outstanding. He looks bigger, more confident, thicker in the upper body. He's looked fantastic so far, IMO. The bigger thing on Lelie is he is yet another year wiser, and hitting his prime.

Third. Altho Watts has been inconsistent, he was our #3 last year, and he's got a year under his belt. That can't be bad. He's still getting open and made two all-star snags last week. I was happy to see him have a strong game, even if he only caught three. He's only going to improve.

Fourth. Putz. He's going into his 4th year, so that is experienced IMO. He should still have some upside, which leaves us with:

Fifth. Tada...Stephen Alexander. This guy has mucho talent if he can stay healthy. He's the #1 TE which says something after we matched the Jets offer on Putz. Expect alot of 2 TE against the 3/4. Putz, Jackson were both WR's, and Gates is a hands guy with the BB as well. All three should have good hands and enough speed against LB's and average safeties. We won't talk about the fancy safeties like Ed Reed and Roy Williams.

Sixth. Ron Dayne. Don't call me crazy, I know he's a #3, but he probably has the best hands of all of the backs.

We have enough experience if you look at all the weapons. Even Tater Tot can only improve on his pass catching...I'm sure they keep working on it. Carswell can come in in House formations and go Tackle Eligible in the Jumbo pack at the goal line.

All in all, the team is MORE experienced than last year. Who did we lose again?

[MNBronco]

Who did we lose again?

C'mon, mock. We lost Hayward, remember. ALL the experts know. That's why we'll finish behind Oak, SD and KC.

We lost Hayward!!! :vermeil:

[BroncoInferno]

Woah! lots of crazy talk in this thread. Lets address somethings.

Mike Leach - He is quality depth that contributes on special teams. He can play tight end very well. He has soft hands and is a pretty good blocker. In special teams he doesn't "just long snap" by any means. Leach is always one of the first few guys down field making a tackle in punt and kick-off situations. Watch next time, its actually unreal how fast he gets down there. He was the one who almost recovered the fumbled kick-off in the Cards game. Lepsis long snaps as well, but after I saw him snap the ball over the goal post for a safety in practice I thought "well good thing Leach is on the team."

Duke - Duke looked really raw, but the last few practices he showed a lot of flash. I remember Mediator coming over to me and we were both thinking the same thing. The first thing he said to me was "did you see Duke?" He looked really good. I thought it was some signs that he has some talent, which it was, but apparently that progress continued enough to earn him a roster spot, at least for now to keep other teams' mits off of him.

That's the only explanation. He certainly has intriguing physical ability. It will be interesting to see if they try to use him in any of the packages this season. Maybe work him into the red zone package at some point. That would seem to require the least amount of experience. Just line him up against a physically overmatched LB or S and toss it up to him...let him use that ridiculous vertical leap. It will be interesting to see. Hopefully he'll be able to contribute something this season.