Wesley Duke Article

[GSRelyea]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/broncos/2005-09-06-broncos-duke_x.htm

Mercer basketball player adjusts to life in the NFL
By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY
Given he played only basketball in college, Wesley Duke was no slam-dunk to make the roster of the Denver Broncos. But he has, and now the rookie tight end aims to continue his transition from hoops to NFL hard knocks.

"In basketball, I could run into people and bully them. Here, everybody is as big, if not bigger, than I am. Running into them slows you down," says the 6-5, 225-pounder from Mercer University in Macon, Ga.

Duke, signed as a free agent, stayed at the team facility Saturday to await word on final cuts. "When I didn't get the call, then I knew," he said.

It really registered later Saturday when he went to a team party at the home of coach Mike Shanahan. "When I walked into the party, Coach Shanahan said, 'Congratulations. We're happy to have you.' ... That really made it official to me," Duke says.

He wears No. 84, the number worn in Denver by former star tight end Shannon Sharpe. The Broncos hope he follows in the footsteps of San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates, who also played only basketball in college.

Duke is coached in Denver by Tim Brewster, who tutored Gates in San Diego. "Coach Brewster has pushed me real hard and really worked with me," Duke says. "He really has been like a father. The only thing different is he doesn't always come and hug you at the end of the day. He lets you soak on it for a while."

In Denver's preseason finale against Arizona, Duke caught his first pass since high school, a 20-yarder. He had another 19-yard reception nullified by a penalty.

"Making the team or not making the team, I knew I was still going to have a long way to go," he says. "This is a starting point."

His agent, Virgil Adams, says, "I just figured he was going to surprise people. Everybody was thinking practice squad was a foregone conclusion. I said, 'Nah ... you mark my words ... Wesley is going to make the team, and he is going to play this year and he is going to contribute.' "

[Tredici]

This thread is worthless without pictures.

[i4jelway7]

I doubt he will even dress for a game this year .... let alone contribute

but I do like him and think he will be a great TE for the donks in the future

[Liquid Courage]

Recongizing that looks can be deceiving, I had a very good look at his catches and presence from the 2nd row of Sun Devil Stadium last Friday - albeit in the midst of losing 20lbs of water weight and replacing it with beer weight. He ran a precise route both times, handled the ball well and didn't panic. A great start and great promise IMO - aside from blocking (a big part indeed), this guy really looks the part. I hope he makes it and Brewster comes out of this looking like a true icon.

[Ballhawk]

I doubt he will even dress for a game this year .... let alone contribute

but I do like him and think he will be a great TE for the donks in the future

I think he will switch off with Jackson depending on practice. Most likely both will be in for a limited number of play calls.

[Kaylore]

Recongizing that looks can be deceiving, I had a very good look at his catches and presence from the 2nd row of Sun Devil Stadium last Friday - albeit in the midst of losing 20lbs of water weight and replacing it with beer weight. He ran a precise route both times, handled the ball well and didn't panic. A great start and great promise IMO - aside from blocking (a big part indeed), this guy really looks the part. I hope he makes it and Brewster comes out of this looking like a true icon.
LOL How did his blocking look, liquid?

From what it looked like on TV, there were quite a few Bronco fans representing there. I think in the third quarter I heard a "lets go Broncos!" chant from the crowd. Was that what it was like?

[i4jelway7]

I think he will switch off with Jackson depending on practice. Most likely both will be in for a limited number of play calls.



is it just me or does Nate Jack remind you of Eddie Mac

[Kaylore]

is it just me or does Nate Jack remind you of Eddie Mac
I could see that. He's like an Eddy Mac with glass joints.

[Ballhawk]

is it just me or does Nate Jack remind you of Eddie Mac

Tall and white is about all. Nate has great hands tho and needs to just find a way to stay healthy.

[watermock]

After Bobby Turner wanting Mo, you have to wonder about Duke, but let's give Brewster a project.

In case anyone doesn't know, a player has to clear waivers before they can be put on the PS. Once there, the team can match, but must also put them on the 53 man roster. Evidently, they were scared he would be claimed. We have a crazy amount of TE's, but whatever. It's all part of the plan. I hear he's had multiple ACL's but it's really the cartilage damage that is the big story. If he escaped that, he will be fine. If not, we are wasting our time.

[Kaylore]

After Bobby Turner wanting Mo, you have to wonder about Duke, but let's give Brewster a project.

In case anyone doesn't know, a player has to clear waivers before they can be put on the PS. Once there, the team can match, but must also put them on the 53 man roster. Evidently, they were scared he would be claimed. We have a crazy amount of TE's, but whatever. It's all part of the plan. I hear he's had multiple ACL's but it's really the cartilage damage that is the big story. If he escaped that, he will be fine. If not, we are wasting our time.
The nice thing about keeping tight ends is that it helps the o-line that everyone is worried about.

[Liquid Courage]

LOL How did his blocking look, liquid?

From what it looked like on TV, there were quite a few Bronco fans representing there. I think in the third quarter I heard a "lets go Broncos!" chant from the crowd. Was that what it was like?


Typical Cardinal fashion, Bronco fans dominated the scene and made ourselves comfortable. Nothing like going to an away game and seeing home fans have second thoughts about cheering - a true joy!

[Liquid Courage]

LOL How did his blocking look, liquid?

From what it looked like on TV, there were quite a few Bronco fans representing there. I think in the third quarter I heard a "lets go Broncos!" chant from the crowd. Was that what it was like?


Blocking looked great for a kid that has spent the last four years playing power forward. That being said, I don't mean to belittle his capability there, I just think that athleticism can largely take over in a run/catch atmosphere vs. a more technical aspect of the game like blocking . . . and, as our current #1 TE has demonstrated, the ability to block will often (exception can and will be made for situations where we happen to have the greatest pass catching TE in NFL history) supercede the ability to run/catch for Shanny and his offense.

[Tredici]

I doubt he will even dress for a game this year

Now that's what I'm talking about.

:rainbow:

[DomCasual]

Here is another good one, for those interested:

http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/sports/12563868.htm

I love the comment at the end about having to block Jason Taylor.

"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."

Um, I know you're excited and all, kid - but don't lose too much sleep about having to block Jason Taylor.

In all seriousness, though, I am excited to see what he does over the next year or so. It is a pretty remarkable story for him to even make it this far.

[watermock]

Blocking looked great for a kid that has spent the last four years playing power forward. That being said, I don't mean to belittle his capability there, I just think that athleticism can largely take over in a run/catch atmosphere vs. a more technical aspect of the game like blocking . . . and, as our current #1 TE has demonstrated, the ability to block will often (exception can and will be made for situations where we happen to have the greatest pass catching TE in NFL history) supercede the ability to run/catch for Shanny and his offense.

How amusing. Did they teach you to talk in circles in college or did it come naturally?

That post was quite amusing. You never even made a point. Not one. I'm not going to bother. I will say this.

We have Putz and Jackson....and Duke

[Liquid Courage]

How amusing. Did they teach you to talk in circles in college or did it come naturally?

That post was quite amusing. You never even made a point. Not one. I'm not going to bother. I will say this.

We have Putz and Jackson....and Duke

I aim to please and, yes, I was a Poli Sci major - it is a professional trait.

To put it simply: Duke's blocking looked very unpolished. This came as no surprise. His body position in making catches and route running looked particularly good. This was a pleasant surprise. The combo of the 2 = him making the team but rarely seeing the field.

[MNBronco]

His body position in making catches and route running looked particularly good. This was a pleasant surprise.

That shouldn't surprise, its the main reason this kind of crossover is occurring in the NFL today. He knows how to post up and get position on the defender.

[Tredici]

That shouldn't surprise, its the main reason this kind of crossover is occurring in the NFL today. He knows how to post up and get position on the defender.


:wave: Minny. Where the heck you been?

[Liquid Courage]

That shouldn't surprise, its the main reason this kind of crossover is occurring in the NFL today. He knows how to post up and get position on the defender.


Agreed on the body positioning. The surprise was more to his ability to catch the ball which, according to alumni from his school when he got drafted, was suspect on the court.

[TerryTate]

Dolphin fan here...

I have watched and followed Wesley Duke play basketball for three years as he was a conference opponent of UCF (I'm in Orlando). As part of the student media there, I observed a guy that was just a tank and would just overpower people. I think it was a pretty good pickup for the Broncos. We'll see if he can push around DLinemen like he did to some centers. It ovbiously won't be the same.

[Saulbadguy]

He is a freakish athlete.

[Ratboy]

I could see that. He's like an Eddy Mac with glass joints.

Brb, I need to clean my monitor. :cuss:

[-Slap-]

That shouldn't surprise, its the main reason this kind of crossover is occurring in the NFL today. He knows how to post up and get position on the defender.
What's up, Minnesota!

:wave:

[Atlas]

I doubt he will even dress for a game this year .... let alone contribute

but I do like him and think he will be a great TE for the donks in the future

I think he will get some playing time. Shanny will want to see what he can do.

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=609&videoID=783