Mike Gesicki – August 3, 2018
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Thursday, August 3, 2018
TE Mike Gesicki
(It was fun to watch you the last couple of days. How encouraging have the last couple of practices been? Obviously you and QB Ryan Tannehill seem to be achieving a lot of chemistry.) – “I think it’s been going really well, not only for myself but for everybody. I think the offense is doing a great job moving the ball. The defense is doing a great job. Everybody is doing a good job. It’s been an exciting first, I think it’s been 10 days now. It’s been fun.”
(What’s clicked for you this week? It’d be natural for a rookie there would have to be steps taken. What’s clicked for you?) – “I think just the more reps you get, the more comfortable that you’re going to get out there. You’re going to see one thing, make a mistake, and then you’re going to make sure that the next time you don’t make the same mistake. I’m getting that opportunity to get out there and just go out and play fast and learn from mistakes.”
(As far as what would make you a good red zone threat, height obviously is a big asset for tight ends in that area. What else is needed to be able to consistently catch the ball in the end zone as a tight end?) – “Obviously awareness, being able to attack the football, chemistry with the quarterback, knowing your assignment and your role and then at the end of the day, it’s just not making it a 50-50 ball – making it a 100 (percent) ball. If it’s up there, it’s yours. That’s the mentality that you have to have and I’m very appreciative that I’m getting the opportunity to go make plays.”
(Blocking – how pleased are you with it to this point?) – “I think I can continue to get better each and every day. I think that right now, it’s something that obviously I need to continue to work on, but I think I’m having some good ones out there. I’m having some good blocks here and there and I’m still learning from the other ones. It wasn’t going to happen overnight and it’s still not going to happen overnight, so I have to continue to come out and get better each and every day.”
(How have T Laremy Tunsil and T Ja’wuan James helped you with that. I see at times Ja’wuan talks to you. How helpful have they been?) – “They’re awesome. They’ve been tremendous in terms of communication, talking about who we’re working to and helping on some pass pro(tection) and that kind of stuff. They’ve done a phenomenal job and that’s why they’re considered leaders on this football team.”
(You had two more really good catches on contested balls in the end zone. How much do you relish those opportunities to win those one-on-one battles?) – “I think that that’s one of the reasons that I’m here. If I’m going to be out on the field, I have to be able to make those plays. Having the opportunity to go out and make those plays, it’s awesome. I just continue to stay after practice and do my normal routines. This way when I get out there and have those opportunities to make plays in practice and in games, I’m ready for it.”
(Do you fall back on your basketball background and look as those like rebounds or jump balls?) – “It’s just kind of natural, honestly. Here, they’re giving me an opportunity to go up and high point the football and that’s something that I’ve been able to do in years past. Now, obviously this is a whole different level; but at the end of the day, it’s still just football. When the ball is in the air, you have to go get it.”
(Going into tomorrow, your first time playing at Hard Rock Stadium, what’s your mindset heading into the scrimmage tomorrow?) – “The same exact mindset heading into all of these practices. It’s going to be fun, it’s going to be exciting to get out there on that field and kind of see that territory and all of that kind of stuff. At the end of the day, you just have to lock in and focus on your job, your assignment and go out and execute.”
(Is there any particular aspect of your game that you are looking to improve going into tomorrow’s scrimmage?) – “Yes. I’m looking to improve on my route running, I’m looking to improve on my blocking, I’m looking to improve on my pass pro, I’m looking to improve on my run blocking, I’m looking to improve on my conditioning, I’m looking to improve on everything. Each and every day, I’m trying to get better at everything.”
(Obviously you’re psyched to be out here and motivated, whatever team you’re on. But the fact that you’ve gotten a lot of first-team snaps this week, does that give you an extra oomph a little bit?) – “I don’t think that that’s the mindset that you should have going into it, whatever team you’re on. You have to know your role, know your assignment, know your job. Whoever is out there, whether you’re blocking the first-team d-end or whoever, you have to attack it 110 percent and that’s the mentality that you have to have.”
(I have a question about communication. A couple of times on drills, especially in the end zone, I’ve seen you and QB Ryan Tannehill talking. One time I saw Ryan hand-motioning and the next play he throws it to you. What goes on there, do you go to Ryan, does Ryan go to you? Is he telling you ‘hands up, this is where I’m going to throw it?’ What’s going on there?) – “I’m listening to everything and anything that he’s telling me to do. If he told me to go to his house and walk his damn dog, I’d be there. (laughter) So, whatever it is. If he’s coming up to me giving me any coaching points and tips and communicating with me on how he wants me to run a specific route, I’m going to do it. He’s done a phenomenal job being a mentor and kind of being patient with me and being somebody that I can lean on and talk to. You’ve probably seen it a bunch, just him coming over and talking to me, helping me out with some routes and that kind of stuff.”
(Is it usually QB Ryan Tannehill going to you or do you ever go to Ryan to say ‘this is usually how I run this route?’) – “Yes, I’ve gone to him a couple of times; but right now I’m kind of more learn and don’t speak as much. Right now I’m kind of listening, learning, and just letting everything else around me happen.”
(What is the best tip QB Ryan Tannehill has given you? In the red zone is he…?) – “He’s just very detail-oriented, so he’s telling me exactly how to place my foot and how to stack the defender and go and get the ball and all of that kind of stuff. He’s done a great job.”
(Has QB Ryan Tannehill ever had a thought late at night that he’s texted you or shared with you a thought at an unusual hour?) – “Nothing too crazy. He texted me one time at 5:15 in the morning, but I’m sure he’s up at that hour anyways and in the building. It was just on a specific release during OTAs way back. He’s an unbelievable competitor. He’s an unbelievable leader and I’m really happy to be able to play with him.”
(Is there an NFL tight end or two who’s red zone work you’ve studied or enjoy studying?) – “Honestly, I haven’t. Coming out of the draft, that’s kind of the question everybody asks and all that kind of stuff. I was kind of focused on my game and how I needed to improve. Obviously, there’s phenomenal tight ends in this league that make a living off of scoring touchdowns in the red zone, so it wouldn’t hurt to go check them out.”
