Denver Broncos Interview: TE Joe Don Duncan
By Aric Manthey
With training camp only a week away, players are getting their last bit of R & R before reporting back to team headquarters for the 2015 season. The brunt of the news heading into camp will focus on the big time players and controversies of every team, but in a league where rosters are made of mostly “average Joes” with a few superstars, the unheralded players are the ones that ultimately help make or break a team’s season. There are players on every roster that won’t make highlight reels or garner headlines for their gargantuan contracts, but their presence on the roster will be just as relevant as their superstar counterparts.
To make the final roster, having a versatile skill set may be your best friend. Being able to play more than one position is always an endearing quality to a coaching staff in a crunch to make a 53 man roster. The player I will be covering in this article is a prime example of an unheralded, but intriguing prospect with the versatility to play multiple positions.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Joe Don Duncan yesterday and the transcript of our interview is posted below. I hope you all enjoy reading this interview and hopefully by the end of the interview, you’ll find yourself rooting for Duncan when training camp starts.
AM: What got you into football and ultimately, into playing the Tight End position?
JDD: Growing up, my parents didn’t want me to play football because they had a friend in high school that suffered a serious injury that paralyzed them while playing the game. My parents were also firm believers in having the body mature and waiting until we got into high school before my brothers and I could play the game. By the time I was a freshman in high school, I was chomping at the bit to get on the field! As for playing the TE position, it was my size and athletic ability that led me to playing the position. Another thing that played a factor into choice of position was of where I went to high school. I went to a small private school and there were not many kids on the team that had the necessary traits to play the position like I could, so it seemed to be an obvious choice to play tight end.
AM: What is one football trait that you take a lot of pride in?
JDD: People often ask me who I’d compare myself to when it comes to NFL players. I know I’m definitely not a Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski type guy. I’m only 6’3, not 6’6 and I don’t have the basketball background that they have. If I had to compare myself to one recent NFL TE, it would probably be Chris Cooley. Like Cooley, I’m more athletic than I look and I can move around on offense, being able to be an effective pass catcher and blocker, when needed. At the end of the day, I’m very versatile. Aside from having good speed and hands, I’m more than willing to be physical and block. Versatility is key for me.
AM: Despite having a foot injury and having surgery at the end of your last college season, you still garnered attention from NFL coaches and scouts. Which teams showed interest in you and what role did each team envision for you?
JDD: There were five or six teams that showed interest in me. From what I remember, the Ravens and the Redskins were the two teams that seemed the most interested in me, at the time.
AM: After going undrafted in 2014, you took a year off of playing and went back to your alma mater to join the coaching staff. What about that experience helped you become a better player and football mind?
JDD: It helped me tremendously. It’s good to have certain knowledge of the game as a player, but becoming a coach gives you such a different perspective on the game. Since I was forced to sit out last year, I wanted to stay involved with the game I loved and felt coaching was a great way to do so. I learned so much more from standing on the sideline and coaching than I would have from just playing. In my case, I’m getting the best of both worlds. I went from playing to coaching back to playing with a better understanding of how a coach breaks down and understands the game. I’m also open to the idea of going back to coaching when my playing days are over.
AM: Despite having the coaching job, were you always intent on giving the NFL another shot?
JDD: I was always intent on trying the NFL. I told myself that I’d give myself another year or so to train and get a shot in the NFL and if that time passed with no opportunity, then I’d move on. Fortunately for me, I was able to get a shot with Denver this year.
AM: How did you go about contacting NFL teams after being out of football for a year? Did you have your agent make the moves or did you do that yourself?
JDD: I actually parted ways with first my agent not long before I signed with Denver. What I ended up doing was going through social media and other outlets to contact people I had met through the pre-draft process to find new representation. When I found new representation, they had found out that a handful of teams were interested in me. I found it odd that I went months without getting any attention from the NFL then before I knew it, I suddenly had interest from teams. Eventually, Denver gave me a call to see how I was doing and to invite me out for a workout. I came out for a workout and signed a contract that same day.
AM: Did you have a favorite team growing up?
JDD: It’s funny because I was a big Broncos fan when I was a kid. After Elway retired, I started to become more of a college football fan, but eventually came back to the NFL as a casual fan. It was crazy because during my first workout, a few coaches were out to watch me, but about half way through, they told me to take a quick break. As I was resting, I introduced myself to some of the coaching staff that were out there and out of nowhere, there was John Elway, watching my workout. It was a great experience.
AM: Aside from your FB/TE duties, you also played long snapper in college. Do you envision yourself being able to do that in the NFL (if they need that) or will you just play coverage in special teams?
JDD: I’m actually the #2 long snapper on the depth chart going into camp. I’ve long snapped since my sophomore in high school. As for my role on special teams, I want to be a core special teams player and play on every special teams unit. I will do whatever it takes to help the team, regardless of the role.
AM: What players/athletes have you modeled your game after?
JDD: Aside from Chris Cooley, Jason Witten was my favorite TE. He’s got a overall great skill set who always seems to be open and has a great football IQ. I definitely tried to mold my game after him.
AM: Last question. What is the one thing you’re looking forward to the most about training camp?
JDD: I’m just excited to start! I haven’t played a game since November 2013, so I’m excited to get back on the field. I’m ready to get going and compete for a roster spot.
We’d like to thank Joe Don Duncan for taking the time to do this interview and we wish him the best going into camp!