Gesicki says catches will come

DAVIE — Mike Gesicki went up for the ball in the left corner of the end zone and came down with the pass from Ryan Tannehill.

Hoots and hollers erupted at Miami Dolphins practice Wednesday. Gesicki has caught his fair share of touchdowns in practice.

But through two preseason games, he’s yet to have a catch.

“I’m not concerned about that at all,” Gesicki said after practice. “We’re sitting here going into preseason (game) 3. I’m out there running my routes, trying to win. Blocking when I’m asked to. Pass protecting when I’m asked to. I know that the catches are going to come.”

There are 19 Dolphins with a catch this preseason. There is no doubt Gesicki is going to be a big part of the offense once the regular season begins.

Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills suggested it’s fair to compare Gesicki’s leaping ability to that of his former teammate, Jimmy Graham.

“There, you have your headline,” Stills quipped.

During practice Wednesday, Gesicki spent a lot of time working in the red zone on one-on-one drills with Tannehill.

Route after route. Pass after pass. Catch after catch.

“It was good,” Gesicki said. “It was really productive. Being able to get those extra reps. And being able to just get out there and get that chemistry. It will pay huge dividends in the future.”

Gesicki downplayed the touchdown catch.

“Yeah I mean that was just a normal play,” he said. “A takeoff. And Ryan gave me a chance. It’s my job to go make a play. It’s what I was able to do.”

But as coach Adam Gase said, it’s now about Gesicki earning Tannehill’s trust. Gesicki agreed.

“Single coverage, back of the end zone, he’s going to let me go up and get it,” Gesicki said. “I know I can make the play. It’s getting the confidence in Ryan. That’s starting to grow and develop. And that’s a great feeling.”

Howard wants to be a ‘lockdown corner’: Xavien Howard has received near-universal praise for his performance at the end of last season, this spring and through the summer.

But after Howard nabbed yet another interception in Friday’s preseason loss at Carolina, he took to Instagram and commented on a photo taken by the Dolphins.

“Make em Believe,” Howard wrote.

Asked about it Tuesday, Howard explained he still feels there are doubters. And that he’s still fueled by that doubt.

“I’m out to show everyone I’m a lockdown corner,” Howard said.

So far, so good.

Howard has five interceptions in his past seven games, including one of Cam Newton on Friday.

“It was just a great call from the defensive coordinator (Matt Burke),” Howard said. “I was in the flats. ... Really, it was just reading the quarterback and looking for somebody to come across. I didn’t know he was going to throw the ball exactly right to me, but I just took advantage of it.”

Howard has been in the right spot at the right time a lot. And most importantly, he’s played tight, tight coverage since finding his confidence halfway through last season.

Gase is sold.

“I love his confidence right now,” Gase said. “He really takes it personal if somebody throws it on his side. The more we can get him exuding that confidence on other guys, that’s really what we’re looking for.”