Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe are greatest pals from 5 years collectively on the Miami Dolphins.
The two tight ends got here into the group collectively as members of the identical 2018 draft class. They grew up as professionals collectively in the identical positional group and remained collectively via two teaching modifications and extra offensive coordinator alterations.
After one season beneath coach Mike McDaniel and his offense, although, Smythe was deemed to suit because the succesful blocker whereas Gesicki, a gifted pass-catcher missing blocking means, was not. Smythe was given a contract extension whereas Gesicki was allowed to stroll in free company.
But of all of the groups Gesicki might’ve gone to, he heads to the division rival New England Patriots. And Smythe threw some playful jabs at Gesicki for making that transfer in a Tuesday net convention with reporters.
“I thought it was a direct shot at me,” Smythe cracked. “Because, if he’s not staying right here, that he’d attempt to get at me ultimately, and that’s most likely one of many extra direct paths to try this.
“Obviously, he had 31 other choices, and he chose the one to spite me the most — and it was to me directly, I believe. Good for him. We’ll see him twice a year. It’s exciting, and those will be some fun games.”
Smythe now turns into the outright longest-tenured offensive participant on the Dolphins’ present roster. Last offseason, after broad receiver DeVante Parker was traded — to the Patriots — Smythe and Gesicki have been tied for that mark, coming into their fifth consecutive season on the crew.
They had totally different opinions on how they have been breaking that tie, with Gesicki a second-round decide in that 2018 draft, the Dolphins’ final beneath ex-coach Adam Gase, and Smythe chosen within the fourth spherical.
“Last season, me and Mike had a running joke that I was the longest-tenured offensive player because I signed my contract, my rookie contract, before he did, even though he was drafted before me,” Smythe stated. “So there were some conflicting opinions about who was the longest-tenured offensive player.”
While Gesicki had 231 receptions, 2,617 yards and 18 touchdowns in these 5 seasons — in comparison with Smythe’s 88 receptions, 809 yards and three touchdowns — Smythe had the sting in profession begins, 56 to 31.
“I tell people all the time that the Dolphins made a mistake in 2018 taking him in the second, me in the fourth,” Smythe quipped. “And I inform him that on a regular basis. That’s nothing that I wouldn’t say proper to him, and I’m positive he would most likely say related issues again to me.
“We still talk every day, and he makes his trips down here. I’m sure I’ll make a couple up there in the coming weeks. We’re just as close as ever.”
Regardless of Gesicki’s presence, Smythe is wanting ahead to remaining with the Dolphins, now beneath contract via 2025.
“It’s home,” Smythe stated. “I’ve been living here for five years. It’s really exciting just to know that I have some value here, and that I’ll be here for the next couple of years.”
Smythe survived the lower of Dolphins tight ends from Year 1 to Year 2 beneath McDaniel, with Gesicki departing, Hunter Long traded and Cethan Carter launched. He has additionally withstood modifications from Gase to Brian Flores to McDaniel as head coach. His offensive coordinator, Frank Smith, would be the identical for a second straight for the primary time in his profession. He began off with Dowell Loggains as OC beneath Gase, Chad O’Shea in 2019, Chan Gailey in 2020, a George Godsey-Eric Studesville mixture in 2021 earlier than McDaniel got here in with Smith.
“The NFL is really an adapt-or-die game,” Smythe stated. “Whether it’s the same head coach, same offensive coordinator, different one, things are going to change every year. You’re going to have to improve on things every year, and you’re going to have to improve on things every year.”
Smythe is only one of three tight ends on the Dolphins roster because the crew begins offseason exercises. It’s him, free-agent signing Eric Saubert and 2022 undrafted rookie Tanner Conner.
“With just bodies in general,” Smythe stated, “we’ll obviously have to add to our room in the next weeks to months. Obviously, everyone understands that part of it.”
It’s doubtless the Dolphins draft a decent finish by week’s finish. Smythe stated he doesn’t sustain with as many prospects now that he’s as far faraway from the faculty recreation and draft course of as he’s.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com