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Thomas Duarte with Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Pandarilla, Jun 7, 2016.

  1. Pandarilla

    Pandarilla Purist Emeritus

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    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdg1JANCfHU

    This video is pre draft, but I think it gives an excellent view on why this kid is being compared to Jordan Reed.

    The video gives me a lot of confidence that he was a steal in the seventh round.

    I don't know why he lasted so long in the draft. I never really studied any of the TE/WR's in too much depth.

    He did say he was currently at 240 lbs. in the video. Also, that he played QB before, which gives him a knack for finding the sweet spots in the secondary.

    I'm pretty stoked about his potential. Seems very polished and refined as a player and human being for his age.

    Smooth as silk. Can't wait till he shows up in camp.
     
    Ohio Fanatic likes this.
  2. Redwine4all

    Redwine4all Well-Known Member

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    I watched the USC game and he played great. He could definitely be as good as Jordan Cameron in a year or two.
     
    Pandarilla likes this.
  3. Pandarilla

    Pandarilla Purist Emeritus

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    Redwine, the superstitious side of me is happy you're the only one commenting on Duarte...Same thing happened with my Jakeem Grant thread in the draft forum.

    With the emergence of Jordan Reed and our own success with Charles Clay, I just don't understand why Duarte lasted as long as he did in the draft.

    Was it the defensively dominant Super Bowl? I mean, they're were a few clubs like Cleveland who just carpet bombed the draft with an excess of 10 picks. Nobody thought this kid was worth it? Just weird to me...

    I love the pick the more I get to know about him.
     
  4. Redwine4all

    Redwine4all Well-Known Member

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    I liked it too. He's going to be a good player...I think you're exactly right about with the Charles Clay comparison.
     
  5. Hellion

    Hellion Crash Club Member

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    Here and there
    Teams boards are different. And sometimes need trumps talent and talent drops.
     
  6. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

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    Looks like a nice pick up. I like he has already put on some muscle.
     
  7. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I think part of the issue with Thomas Duarte is that he really isn't a tight end so much as he is a receiver you are converting. He's 6'2", played at 225 pounds, and lined up 96% of Senior snaps in the slot or out wide.

    The line has been blurred over the years, but if there's any line he's gotta be on the WR side of it. He'd be considered one by the rules the NFL's arbitrator set forth when there was controversy over Jimmy Graham's franchise tag, and those defined everything within 4 yards of the Tackle as lining up as a Tight End.

    Duarte rightfully earns comparisons to Jordan Reed in terms of his physical characteristics, but at Florida he was very frequently in a 3-point stance next to a Tackle. I can't even find a video of Duarte doing it.
     
    Pandarilla likes this.
  8. ckparrothead

    ckparrothead Draft Forum Moderator Luxury Box

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    I'm not sure how much of a problem that really is. It strikes me as more of a contract problem than an on the field football problem. The prevalence of spread concepts, trips, bunch formations, motion, nickel defense, it's just not the issue it was 20 years ago. What you have is a big slot receiver that can be a speed mismatch versus linebackers and a size mismatch with defensive backs. That's the idea.
     
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  9. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I'm not sure Duarte really represents that kind of mismatch. He's like 1" taller than the average WR, and I'm skeptical his weight, strength, and blocking skills are really going to pose a significant mismatch against a cornerback.

    I think if Duarte is successfully, it's probably going to be despite his physical characteristics and because he's simply a natural receiver.
     
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