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Durham Smythe – January 6, 2022 Download PDF version

Thursday, January 6, 2022

TE Durham Smythe

(We’ve been asking all of the pending UFAs about where things stand. I know you’ve tried to avoid that, understandably, this year. But have the Dolphins given you any idea at all if they plan to offer you a contract this offseason?) – “Just to echo what ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) has said throughout the week, I think that is probably something that will be largely discussed next week. Obviously there are two sides to it. I think there will be more actual discussions in terms of things of that nature in the coming weeks. Then I’ll have more clarity and I think everyone will.”

(Do you have any clarity now to know if they even want to give you a new deal or do you simply not know?) – “I’m not sure at this point. Obviously I enjoy being here and things of that nature. But like I’ve said, there are two sides to it and I think there will be a lot more discussions moving forward.”

(Where do you feel like you’ve made the most growth in your game throughout these past four seasons?) – “I think probably just being consistent. Obviously in the NFL, at this level, you’re going to win and lose reps because everyone is getting paid to do this. I think over the last four years I’ve become a little more consistent in what I expect from myself, what I think I could do on a rep to rep basis and things of that nature. When I first came in, you make a play here or there, but then you’re kind of just swimming. I think over the last four years, that’s something I’ve tried to focus on. Obviously at this level, you’re never complacent. There is always room for more growth. But I think I’ve improved a little bit in the consistency.”

(What do you mean by swimming? I have heard that it’s very hard for rookie tight ends just because of so many facets to the game and you guys contribute in every area. When you’re there, what’s it like?) – “There is a lot of truth to that. I think the one thing people don’t always understand at this position is obviously you’re asked to do a lot of things. People know that. You’re asked to block, you’re asked to run routes. But a lot of times physically you’re at a bit of a disadvantage. Defensive ends are a lot of times bigger than us. The guys covering us are a lot of times faster than us. So you have to kind of develop some comfort level with how to win reps. When I first got here, in college you can win reps by just physically dominating people on the edge or you’re just bigger than a safety and you can go up and make a play. When you get to the NFL, you have to learn how to win reps at this position, really in all facets of the game. I think that takes some time to learn, but then once you do, I think like I said, you can build on that consistency.”

(For TE Mike Gesicki, how much growth have you seen from his game? I didn’t realize that he spent most of his snaps the last two seasons as a receiver, either in the slot or on the boundary, than he has in-line?) – “Mike has really come around a ton in just his understanding of the game. Like I said, how to win reps. But you mentioned that he’s lined up a lot as a receiver. I think our offense has really done a good job over the last couple of years of highlighting his strengths. Obviously he wins a lot of one-on-one matchups on the outside so I think we’ve kind of given him the opportunity to win more of those and he’s done a good job with it. I think it’s been a joint effort of the staff putting him in good positions and then just him understanding the game, and understanding how to win one-on-one matchups.”

(The Dolphins announced a few minutes ago that WR Jaylen Waddle is the Team MVP for this season. I’m wondering at what point in training camp or the regular season did you begin to see signs that this guy is of MVP quality?) – “You can see the MVP worthy talent immediately. Just his attributes, how fast he is, he makes plays, he does this, he does that. I think as the season progressed, he became more confident. He’s a guy who is never comfortable with a five-catch, 100-yard game. He wants more always. I think that has kind of shown throughout the year. He’s still asking ‘how can I improve’ on a week-to-week basis and that’s kind of what he’s done. Obviously the stats show that and him receiving that award shows how important he’s been to this team.”   

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