Why the Pats offense might be tough to learn
Another day, another chance for the local media to meet one of the new guys in Foxboro. This time it’s someone who has been on the other side against the New England Patriots twice a year for the last half decade in tight end Mike Gesicki.
It’s always interesting to hear what your opponents and rivals think of you. Especially when that rival has decided to switch sides and join your ranks, as is the case with Gesicki, who spent his first five seasons with the Miami Dolphins before coming to the Pats.
A big fella with athleticism to spare, he comes across as a genuinely likable fella, adding to new teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster (whose energy he said he loves) in making for a team of high character and solid NFL experience.
“I try to pride myself on being a good dude,” Gesicki said.
Words we can all live by.
But what led him to Foxboro after five seasons? Gesicki said nothing in particular, that it was, “Just the typical free agent process.” He had far and away his worst season in the pros in 2022, not really fitting in with new coach Mike McDaniel’s system, so it’s not a surprise he moved on.
Though he may not have sought out the Pats in particular, he did offer compliments aplenty thanks to his familiarity from the AFC East.
“I have a little bit of history playing against this organization the last five years and have a ton of respect for the way things are run around here,” he said.
On working with a coach he was 7-3 against in the 10 Dolphins games in which he played the Pats?
“Excited to gain some of that knowledge and see the game from his (Belichick’s) perspective and continue to improve,” Gesicki said.
He knows he’ll have to put in the work at Gillette Stadium and that the reputation of grinding on the Pats is true.
“There’s no grey area. You know what you’re getting every day, and you’re gonna work hard.”
Gesicki, a red zone threat whose most famous touchdown catch was likely the game-winner vs. the Patriots in December 2019 (Brady’s final regular season home game), will be looked upon to add more explosiveness to a passing attack that struggled mightily last season. Or at least be better than Jonnu Smith, who was a massive disappointment.
“Right now it’s still very, very basic,” he said of what he’s learned of the offense, but he expects it to ramp up soon.
And as to the learning curve coming in, perhaps he’ll get a head start since former Pats offensive assistant Chad O’Shea was his OC in Miami in 2019 under Brian Flores.
“There’s obviously gonna be some similarities.”
He’s excited to finally work with OC Bill O’Brien, who recruited him to Penn State but left for the Houston Texans before Gesicki’s freshman season, and loves being reunited with former Dolphins teammate DeVante Parker, who told him all good things about coming to New England (and that was after the 2022 offensive debacle!)
And as for the QB? They’ve had more than just a chance to meet and play catch.
Shortly after Gesicki signed, he and Mac Jones had a chance to play catch - “great arm and is very accurate.” He wanted to “check all the boxes” since he figured people would be asking him about that.
But Gesicki went further, saying Mac is a “really cool dude, really cool personality.” Plus, Gesicki even slept at Mac’s house after the visit.
“He’s got a nice set-up over there.”
For what it’s worth, he offered similar praise about Bailey Zappe, but didn’t sleep at his place.
On brand and fitting in just fine already, Gesicki does seem like a good dude and looks as athletic as promised. The Pats have played against him. We’ve rooted against him. Now it’s time to see if what he learned, and what he brings, can help this offense moving forward.
To watch the whole presser click HERE.
Related
