Mike Gesicki – July 28, 2021
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Wednesday, July 28, 2021
TE Mike Gesicki
(How was it today?) – “It was good. It was fun. It was a lot of fun, just getting back out there. Obviously some new guys, some new coaches, that kind of stuff. But for the most part, the same old stuff. It was just fun to get back out there, Day 1 in the books. I’m ready to learn from it and move forward.”
(In what ways does QB Tua Tagovailoa seem like a veteran quarterback?) – “I think in all of the ways, in all of the aspects. Leadership being one and then decision-making, just seeing things that happen. And then just kind of the communication aspect of it, being the quarterback out there, getting guys in the right spot. You can tell that he’s super prepared both mentally and physically. He did a great job today and just continue to build on it.”
(QB Tua Tagovailoa said he spoke to the offense after practice. Can you tell us what kind of message he said?) – “Just giving his evaluation of practice. Things that were done well, things that weren’t done so well, what to improve on, just the basic stuff like that. I think that that’s the stepping stone that you’re talking about – that bringing the whole offense together after practice, being a leader. Just continue to build on stuff like that. I’m happy he’s taking that role.”
(Is that something new or did QB Tua Tagovailoa do that a lot last year as well?) – “I think last year he was building on that and now he feels comfortable and now it’s his show. I’m happy that he’s in that position and comfortable enough to pull the whole offense together after practice and give his whole evaluation. It was just a good day.”
(While we’re talking about QB Tua Tagovailoa, we heard he took up golf. Can you describe his golf game?) – “He did take up golf. I’ve also taken up golf, in case anybody was curious. I stink at golf. I thought I was bad at golf. I was like ‘Tua, when did you start golfing?’ He was like ‘two months ago.’ I said ‘Oh, I just started golfing last year. He said ‘yeah, I hit a 91 the other day.’ I’m like I’ve been golfing for a year and still haven’t broke 100. (laughter) So I guess Tua is a better athlete than me. He did pick up golf, so maybe me, him, and Durham (Smythe) will go hit the links. It’ll be exciting.”
(What did you think of the Tight End University while you were there?) – “It was fun. It was a lot of fun. It was cool. Just kind of being around different guys around the league. Some guys who have already retired like Greg (Olsen) and you have some guys that are at the top of the league right now. So, just being able to pick some guys’ brains, learn some things, ends and outs and all of that kind of stuff – how they read defenses pre-snap and how they’re going to run this route and blocking techniques and all of that kind of stuff. It was a lot of fun. It was cool. It was very productive. It was worth it.”
(Did you graduate with honors or what?) – “With honors? Yeah, absolutely. With flying colors, absolutely. (laughter)”
(Are there any tight ends that you look up to or try to watch their game during the year?) – “There are a lot of talented guys in this league. When you do come across guys like Travis Kelce, guys like Darren Waller, George Kittle, talented guys across the league. The list goes on and on. It’s not just those three. Yeah, you can definitely take things from everybody’s game. I think when you’re around guys like that, and you’re surrounding yourself with talent like that, it’s only going to help yourself improve. Hopefully I can take some of that and implement that into my game.”
(What’s it like to share Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey with the rest of the offense? You’ve had him for yourself for awhile.) – “Yeah, I’m pretty jealous now. (laughter) But George is doing great. Obviously, him and ‘Coach E’ (Eric Studesville) as OCs, George is still in the tight ends room with us and helping us out, coaching us up every day. It’s good. I love George. He’s done a lot for me on the field and off the field and helped develop me day in and day out. I owe a lot to George.”
(Are you excited to see how that dynamic works between the two of them – Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey and Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville?) – “Oh yeah, absolutely. I think they are going to do a great job. They are both professionals. I think that all of the offensive guys have bought into it and we’re excited for the opportunity.”
(What’s the rehab been like for you for the shoulder, and where do you feel like you are strength-wise?) – “The shoulder is good. Got it all fixed up and been 100 percent probably since like April or late March. I feel good. I don’t even think about it anymore, honestly. No more brace, no more nothing.”
(What’s the best part of the new facility?) – “Well, there is no air conditioning outside, so not that. (laughter) I mean look around, this place it great. (Stephen) Ross and everybody did a phenomenal job putting this thing together. I love it here and excited to get this thing rolling down here in Miami Gardens.”
(We talked to you in the spring about your contract, and obviously CB Xavien Howard went public with his issues last night. As a teammate, as a friend, when you hear something like that, what’s your reaction?) – “Obviously you wish ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) the absolute best with whatever that situation is going on. I don’t know all that much about it; but as a teammate, as a friend, you do wish him the absolute best no matter what happens. For me, I just try to keep to myself and just go about my every day.”
(How do you hit the reset button when you had such a great year last year, and kind of come in with a new team, new players? What’s your mentality?) – “I think as a professional, every single year, it doesn’t matter what you did last year, good or bad. It’s time to move on. I’m just ready for a new year. I think collectively as a team, we did well last year. Collectively as a tight end unit, we did good last year and individually, we did good last year. But it’s all in the past now. So no matter the good stuff, the bad stuff, don’t get caught up in it. Now I’m ready for 2021.”
(Is there a way to balance the excitement of the success of last year with hitting the reset button?) – “Yeah, absolutely. I think you build off of the success. But you also build off of the stuff that didn’t go well. We’re just working to improve and just remembering the things that worked and improving the things that didn’t work. Like you said, that balance, because you don’t want to just forget that you were making plays and the team was doing well, and we won ‘X’ amount of games. That kind of stuff, you know that this team is talented, you know that you’re talented, you know that your group is talented, so you just build on it.”
(Was there a tight end that you spent more time with than others at the camp, be it Greg Olsen or anyone? Was there anyone to be friends with or to soak up some information from?) – “Yeah, I was on FaceTime with Durham (Smythe) the whole time. (laughter) I missed him, absolutely. No, all the guys were awesome. No specific tight end I was with the whole time. We were all kind of with a group the whole time. It was cool, it was fun and I’m happy that I went.”
(Do you hit it pretty big off the tee?) – “Last question and we’re talking about golf. I love it. (laughter) No, see when I hit it, it goes left. Obviously the slice. Then you’ve got to play it. It’s tough. I could definitely use some lessons. Any golfers out there that would like to help me out, I’d greatly appreciate it.”
(What’s the worst part of QB Tua Tagovailoa’s game?) – “Snuck in an extra question. (laughter) Everything is great about Tua’s game. I’m really excited about 2021 with Tua.”
