Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe are best buddies from 5 years collectively on the Miami Dolphins.
The 2 tight ends bought right here into the group collectively as members of the an identical 2018 draft class. They grew up as professionals collectively within the an identical positional group and remained collectively by way of two educating modifications and further offensive coordinator alterations.
After one season beneath coach Mike McDaniel and his offense, though, Smythe was deemed to swimsuit as a result of the succesful blocker whereas Gesicki, a gifted pass-catcher lacking blocking means, was not. Smythe was given a contract extension whereas Gesicki was allowed to walk in free firm.
However of all the teams Gesicki may’ve gone to, he heads to the division rival New England Patriots. And Smythe threw some playful jabs at Gesicki for making that switch in a Tuesday web conference with reporters.
“I believed it was a direct shot at me,” Smythe cracked. “As a result of, if he’s not staying proper right here, that he’d try to get at me in the end, and that’s more than likely one in all many further direct paths to do that.
“Clearly, he had 31 different selections, and he selected the one to spite me essentially the most — and it was to me immediately, I consider. Good for him. We’ll see him twice a 12 months. It’s thrilling, and people will probably be some enjoyable video games.”
Smythe now turns into the outright longest-tenured offensive participant on the Dolphins’ current roster. Final 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.
That they had completely totally different opinions on how they’ve been breaking that tie, with Gesicki a second-round determine in that 2018 draft, the Dolphins’ remaining beneath ex-coach Adam Gase, and Smythe chosen throughout the fourth spherical.
“Final season, me and Mike had a operating joke that I used to be the longest-tenured offensive participant as a result of I signed my contract, my rookie contract, earlier than he did, despite the fact that he was drafted earlier than me,” Smythe acknowledged. “So there have been some conflicting opinions about who was the longest-tenured offensive participant.”
Whereas Gesicki had 231 receptions, 2,617 yards and 18 touchdowns in these 5 seasons — as compared with Smythe’s 88 receptions, 809 yards and three touchdowns — Smythe had the sting in occupation begins, 56 to 31.
“I inform individuals on a regular basis that the Dolphins made a mistake in 2018 taking him within the second, me within the fourth,” Smythe quipped. “And I inform him that frequently. That’s nothing that I wouldn’t say correct to him, and I’m constructive he would more than likely say associated points once more to me.
“We nonetheless discuss day by day, and he makes his journeys down right here. I’m certain I’ll make a pair up there within the coming weeks. We’re simply as shut as ever.”
No matter Gesicki’s presence, Smythe is wanting forward to remaining with the Dolphins, now beneath contract by way of 2025.
“It’s residence,” Smythe acknowledged. “I’ve been dwelling right here for 5 years. It’s actually thrilling simply to know that I’ve some worth right here, and that I’ll be right here for the following couple of years.”
Smythe survived the decrease of Dolphins tight ends from Yr 1 to Yr 2 beneath McDaniel, with Gesicki departing, Hunter Lengthy traded and Cethan Carter launched. He has moreover withstood modifications from Gase to Brian Flores to McDaniel as head coach. His offensive coordinator, Frank Smith, can be the an identical for a second straight for the first time in his occupation. He started off with Dowell Loggains as OC beneath Gase, Chad O’Shea in 2019, Chan Gailey in 2020, a George Godsey-Eric Studesville combination in 2021 sooner than McDaniel bought right here in with Smith.
“The NFL is basically an adapt-or-die sport,” Smythe acknowledged. “Whether or not it’s the identical head coach, similar offensive coordinator, totally different one, issues are going to vary yearly. You’re going to have to enhance on issues yearly, and also you’re going to have to enhance on issues yearly.”
Smythe is just one of three tight ends on the Dolphins roster as a result of the crew begins offseason workouts. It’s him, free-agent signing Eric Saubert and 2022 undrafted rookie Tanner Conner.
“With simply our bodies basically,” Smythe acknowledged, “we’ll clearly have so as to add to our room within the subsequent weeks to months. Clearly, everybody understands that a part of it.”
It’s likely the Dolphins draft a good end by week’s end. Smythe acknowledged he doesn’t maintain with as many prospects now that he’s as far away from the college recreation and draft course of as he’s.
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