Dolphins TE Gesicki wants to build on first TD
In his 26th NFL game, the former Penn State standout found pay dirt
DAVIE Raising his arms toward the sky in celebration, there was a palpable sense of excitement and relief from Mike Gesicki last Sunday afternoon.
Playing in his 26th NFL game, the Miami Dolphins tight end entered the day still looking for his first career touchdown after being selected in the second round of the 2018 draft. The former Penn State standout was able to break the seal, hauling in an 11-yard score in the third quarter of Miami’s 41-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
“It was fun [and] it was cool for the time being,” Gesicki said, noting the Dolphins still lost the game. “Just having the opportunity to go out and make a play in the end zone. It’s been quite awhile, so to have that opportunity to go make a play was fun.”
The 6-foot-6 tight end notched three catches for 28 yards on the day, giving him at least three receptions in seven of the past eight games. For the season, Gesicki has 31 catches for 322 yards and one touchdown.
The second-year pro, who said he made sure to keep the ball, credited his teammates for helping set him up on the play.
“Playing with [Ryan Fitzpatrick] is pretty easy,” Gesicki said. “He gives you a chance to go make plays and when you get opportunity you have to make the play and I think I’ve been given a little more opportunity and I appreciate that. My coaches put me in a position to be successful.
“I don’t score that [touchdown] without [Allen] Hurns going in there and attracting the safety and running the corner route, but kind of taking his time to get the safety to cover him and open up the space for me to fill that void
“I do appreciate all the opportunity, but it’s not just me, there’s a lot of guys out there that are playing their roles and helping me make my job a little bit easier.”
After getting his first score out of the way, Gesicki is hoping to build on that success moving forward. Gesicki will have that opportunity against a familiar foe this Sunday when the Dolphins (2-9) host the Philadelphia Eagles (5-6) at Hard Rock Stadium. Growing up 90 minutes outside Philadelphia in New Jersey, but notes he a New York Giants fan as a kid and was “not very fond of the Eagles.”
“All my friends are Eagles fan[s],” Gesicki said. “Hopefully they’re Mike fans for a little bit on Sunday.” and score the touchdown.