Mike Gesicki And His Connection With Tua
“I’ll get together with him and just go get a couple extra reps. Like ‘hey, this is how I see this route right here.’ This is how I think they’re going to cover you here.’ And we just kind of go through the timing and get that chemistry down and I think that is just a bonus and to sit there rather than, ‘all right, they put the install up and this is this play and this is this stencil, this is how…’ He says, ‘all right, I understand this is the route, but hey, if you’ve got to cut this short because I’m getting pressure or hey, we’ve got this leverage and you’ve got to bend it here, that’s okay.’,” said Gesicki.
“So I think just going through it and talking through it with him and you can kind of see his confidence this year compared to last year just because you get that year under your belt and he has that knowledge of the game and kind of just talking through things. It’s been very productive.” This interview took place before last season. In a season where Tua struggled at times, Gesicki proved to be what a quarterback wants in a tight end; a security blanket. The Miami tight ends stats from last year, except for touchdowns, were the best of his career. His stats probably drop off some this season with the additions of Cedrick Wilson, Tyreek Hill, and Eric Ezukanma.
Gesicki’s Blocking Struggles
If the Dolphins tight end’s connection with Tua is so good then why trade him? New Miami Head Coach Mike McDaniel brought Mike Shanahan’s wide zone offense with him from San Francisco. The wide zone requires tight ends to be strong blockers, something Gesicki has had issues with in his career. Durham Smythe and Hunter Long have proven to be better blocking tight ends for Miami.
Gesicki staying in to block takes away his biggest strength. McDaniel played him against the Las Vegas Raiders because of Gesicki’s need to understand his role and pick up the offense. How much his blocking improves may determine whether or not the Dolphins resign him next year. He plays on the franchise tag for $10.9 million this year.
Tight Ends Own Quote Show He Has A Ways To Go
“I need it,” Gesicki said after the game. “I need all the reps I can get. I mean, I played receiver last year, I’ve played receiver the past three or four years. I’m playing tight end now and any reps I can get live, out there blocking, putting my hands on another guy and going out there, working hard and blocking; honestly just working on my footwork and my hand placement, all that kind of stuff. Any reps I can get at that, I can use it.”
That quote was after the game against the Raiders. Gesicki admitting that he needs more work means he likely sees extended playing time against the Philadelphia Eagles. Better blocking by tight ends and the offensive line will determine the success our failure of the teams new offense.