FOXBORO — More than a decade earlier than Mike Gesicki signed his free-agent contract with the Patriots, Bill O’Brien recruited him to play at Penn State.
Several years later, Gesicki initiated a friendship with Hunter Henry as a younger tight finish wanting as much as one other within the NFL.
Then across the time he put pen to paper to develop into a Patriot, Gesicki known as an ex-teammate, DeVante Parker, to study what it’s like taking part in in New England.
Parker, he mentioned, solely shared constructive issues. And so, the reunions had been on.
Gesicki took a break from the Pats’ voluntary offseason program Thursday to face for his first press convention as a Patriot. The 27-year-old mentioned his first few months in New England haven’t packed many surprises. Gesicki got here ready, beginning together with his familiarity with O’Brien, understanding of the group as a former division rival and expertise taking part in underneath ex-Patriot assistants in Miami from 2019-21.
Inside the workforce facility, Gesicki is like each different offensive participant studying the finer factors of O’Brien’s offense.
“(O’Brien) has a great system, and I think it’s exciting to get in the meeting rooms and hear how things are run,” Gesicki mentioned. “The terminology is very basic right now‚ it’s exciting to kind of watch some tape of how it’s been run and things like that. I think it’s going to be exciting. But right now, it’s very, very basic.”
Gesicki can also be working with a fellow newcomer in tight ends coach Will Lawing, who has adopted O’Brien at each cease of his teaching profession the final decade.
“Will’s awesome,” Gesicki mentioned. “It’s been really good. Obviously, (he’s) a younger position coach, so it’s cool. He gets it. He’s good at communicating with us, so it’s been awesome working with him.”
As for his teammates, Gesicki has already joined quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe for throwing periods exterior the ability. Shortly after he inked his 1-year deal, Gesicki stayed at Jones’ home for an in a single day.
“Just kind of getting to know (Jones), building that relationship, that chemistry. It was cool,” Gesicki mentioned. “It was a good opportunity. Bailey was out there that day (throwing), too. …(Jones)’s got a nice setup over there, he’s got a nice setup in the basement”
Like all incoming Patriots thus far, Gesicki was complimentary of his new quarterback. He known as Jones a “really cool dude,” and famous his enthusiasm, arm expertise and accuracy. Gesicki, who is anticipated to operate like an enormous broad receiver as a substitute of a standard tight finish, hasn’t misplaced any affection for O’Brien, both.
And contemplating O’Brien’s return is anticipated to be as impactful as any free-agent signing, together with Gesicki, that must be excellent news for a Patriots offense that severely lacked cohesion and chemistry in 2022.
“Kind of picking back up where we left off, it’s awesome. OB’s awesome,” Gesicki mentioned. “Really excited to get to gel with him and get in this offense and get to work.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com