Four weeks into the 2022 campaign, Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki isn’t exactly being used like a player who received the $10.9 million franchise tag this offseason.
Last season, he played a career-high 72% of Miami’s offensive snap, and that has dropped to 48% in Mike McDaniel’s system. On the other hand, Durham Smythe, who’s viewed as the better blocker of the two, has dropped just slightly from 62% to 61%.
On Thursday, tight ends coach Jon Embree, who also doubles as the team’s assistant head coach, spoke to the media about the division of opportunities for the tight ends.
“It’s just more of trying to get guys to fit their skill sets,” Embree said (transcribed by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel). “We’re not going to ask Mike to block power. When we’re doing some of the heavy running stuff, that’s obviously going to be Durham.
“It’s just more of a flow of what we’re trying to get accomplished or what’s going on, as far as scheme for that week. Durham gives us a little more in the run game, and we want to be a run-first team.”
The team’s not upset with Gesicki’s performance thus far. He’s recorded eight receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown while doing everything that he’s asked.
“I feel like we’re getting what we need out of him and what he’s capable of,” Embree said.
With Tua Tagovailoa out with no timeline for a return, Gesicki’s presence in this offense may be much more important going forward.
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