Former GM: Mike Gesicki Might Be The Answer
October 22nd, 2022
Miami TE Mike Gesicki.
The Bucs may have a tight end problem.
Joe has a bad feeling fans have seen the last of Cam Brate. He took an ugly hit in Pittsburgh suffering a sprained neck and had to be wheeled off the field to a Pittsburgh hospital last Sunday.
Brate had been getting more and more dinged up in recent years and now concussions are an issue. Regarding this neck injury. Joe noted yesterday Todd Bowles doesn’t have even a guesstimate of when Brate could return.
So now your tight ends are a pair of rookies (Cade Otton and Ko Kieft) and an apparently washed-up Kyle Rudolph, who has been used sparingly — when he’s been active.
Yesterday, Joe was listening to former NFL coffee fetcher and general manager, Michael Lombardi on his podcast “GM Shuffle.” There, Lombardi had another sermon detailing how Tom Brady terribly misses foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski. Joe doesn’t think this is news to anyone.
(Lombardi also repeated his nonsense that Brady needs Julian Edelman and this James White — hey Mike, they are out of football! And last Joe checked, Brady has thrown for a hair under 10,000 yards the last two years, led the league in passing in 2021, won 29 games including a friggin’ Super Bowl — but yeah, he needs two guys out of football to succeed — KNOCK IT OFF!)
But Lombardi did offer a pearl of interesting wisdom. He said Brady misses Gronk because he prefers a tight end outlet over the middle, which Gronk did so well.
Lombardi said there is an over-the-middle tight end who comes close to fitting Gronk’s receiving style, and that is Miami tight end Mike Gesicki.
The former Penn State product would be a rental. He’s playing on a franchise tag and the way the NFL works, the higher the draft pick offered in a trade, the more a player’s former team would eat some of his salary.
Yes, the Bucs have two promising rookies but let’s be fair, Otton has made a limited impact. Joe is a big believer in Otton but he’s not there yet. Kieft is more of a blocker and he sure looks to be a steal of a sixth-round pick. But neither is remotely on the level of Gronk or even Gesicki.
Lombardi believes if the Bucs are able to lure Gesicki, watch the Bucs offense take off.
Boy, the Bucs could sure use Gesicki, who reports say is being shopped by the Dolphins.
Right now the Bucs have two consistent, reliable receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Right now Russell Gage is really just a meh player. Julio Jones is a mirage. Brate is in limbo. Father Time has tackled Rudolph. Otton isn’t there yet. Kieft is much more of a gnarly blocker than a passing weapon (though he can catch).
Joe thinks Lombardi is onto something here.
Of course, this could easily be settled if Gronk returns.
The trade deadline is Nov. 1 at 4 p.m.
October 22nd, 2022 at 12:09 am
we’ve already had the truth, now its time for the answer
October 22nd, 2022 at 12:23 am
Licht isn’t going to do anything. Gesicki is much to young and productive for Lichts liking. Delanie Walker just retired so maybe him? Or maybe we can lure Antonio Gates out of retirement. Also heard Kellen Winslow II may be getting out on parole for good behavior here soon. 🤷♂️😅
October 22nd, 2022 at 12:31 am
Gesicki can play. Who put him on the map? Fitzy.
October 22nd, 2022 at 12:40 am
I love this trade. He’s great immediate and RZ threat. He’s not much of a blocker, though. I don’t think Licht will do anything. He’s invested in “his guys.” Goedeke and Otton are cemented starters. Lol whooio
October 22nd, 2022 at 12:42 am
Would it help Brady be more effective? Probably.
The real problem is at OC, and I’m just not sure Byron knows what to do without Arians to lean on. Add another weapon to the offense and he still won’t figure it out.
Still, I wouldn’t shy away unless the price is too steep.
October 22nd, 2022 at 12:45 am
He can’t block
October 22nd, 2022 at 12:46 am
It’s too early for Miami to throw in the towel.
October 22nd, 2022 at 1:02 am
I like where we at … gage is coming up slowly. If we can get julio and cage 100% week 16 into playoffs watch out. We only need seed #3. What worry me is run defense. And lenny playing a lot.
Meanwhile give the ball to evans, otton and throw kieft to block more, he can kick out & catch and fool defense. Play action.
October 22nd, 2022 at 1:29 am
Why would Gesicki want to play for the Bucs considering how poorly they’re doing?
Cole Beasley was gone in 2 weeks. That says a lot.
October 22nd, 2022 at 1:46 am
Perhaps something LICHT should have ;
a) realized & been aware of
b) made a trade much sooner ..
BUT , we have Rudolf , Jones , Hicks , Bernard & Darden–whats to worry !!!!
this is starting to look like Brady’s 2019 yr with Pats .
October 22nd, 2022 at 1:48 am
Why do you do this to us Joe? Jason Licht doesn’t have the cash to play in that poker game. JL has painted himself into a corner & has only $3.7 mil of CAP space to play with. Gesicki is currently on a 1-year contract with Miami for $10.9 mil and Christmas still doesn’t come until Dec 25th this year. Miami’s not giving him away.
Besides, I’m not so sure that Gesicki would be such a good rental (we couldn’t afford his $13.5 mil Market Value next year anyways). He’s got a career catch percentage of only 63.5% which doesn’t scream ‘I’m a receiving Tight End’ (our rookie Cade Otton is at 75% which is about where a receiving TE should be with Tom Brady throwing to him). And at 6’5″ & 247 lbs he’s probably more like Cam Brate than Gronk as a blocker.
Bucs have a TE on their PS named David Wells. Third year guy who’s bounced around a bit, but at 6’6″ & 260 lbs MAYBE he can block? If Rudolph is really washed up as you say, why is he still on our roster? And why aren’t you questioning Licht about how he’s screwed the Bucs this year by over-paying all of these over-the-hill, always-injured players? Akiem Hicks ($8.0 mil), Julio Jones ($6.0 mil), Kyle Rudolph ($2.0 mil). Even Russell Gage ($10.0 mil) came at a high price for as much as he’s been hurt since arriving here.
October 22nd, 2022 at 1:57 am
Licht and Leftwich were exposed when they lost Marpet,Jensen and even Cappa. Oline now can’t pass block or run block and Leftwich is a below average oc without those horses.
October 22nd, 2022 at 2:14 am
lets develop cade otton and call it done perhaps more practice and one on ones with TB12
October 22nd, 2022 at 2:17 am
Many problems with this typical outside mediot take from Mike Lombardi.
They don’t have the cap to play with. Even if they did, they are in-house or bust. “Our in-house guys are the greatest.” Otton and Kieft, no matter how raw, no matter how unready, are it. Too bad for TB12.
And Gesicki is the old idea that was floating around months ago. They didn’t go for it then, and won’t now. They could have tried for Gesicki, or other free agents, but went for Kyle Rudolph instead, the most uncreative move they could have made, and are paying dearly for it now, paying him for doing nothing. Finally, Dolphins won’t let Gesicki go. Why should they?
Mike Lombardi might as well think of genius moves for George Kittle or Travis Kelce.
October 22nd, 2022 at 2:20 am
On a related note, gentlemen: 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey. The Shanahan-McCaffrey family ties again. That’s what an all-in move looks like.
At least he won’t be in a Panthers uniform on Sunday.
October 22nd, 2022 at 3:17 am
Gronk it’s time….we miss you bud! You have made your boy suffer long enough. Go Bucs!
October 22nd, 2022 at 4:30 am
He might not be the best blocker-but neither is 3/4 of our offensive line anyway..so he’ll be in good company there..I would be more interested in seeing his redzone abilities..I’ve watched the bucs drive the ball across the field and stall out right at the goal line..Miller/Darden aren’t physical enough to catch contested balls on short field..we got Evans & Godwin but they’re the ones normally getting us down there..u need a physical possession receiver/someone that Tom can throw a 50/50 to or back shoulder fade to..if they wanted someone to block out on the edge-they should’ve signed Terrell Ownens – tho older he’s still in really good shape.as fast as most DBs and alot stronger too.
October 22nd, 2022 at 6:14 am
Yeah, but then Brady would still need a tight end next year when he plays in Miami…
C’mon Joe, we all know what the end game is.
October 22nd, 2022 at 6:15 am
Actually… come to think of it, this would be perfect for Brady. You mentioned Gisecki was a free agent at the end of the year. Nothing to stop him from signing back with Miami for next season.
October 22nd, 2022 at 6:33 am
Until you address the massive deficiencies in the Oline and Dline caused by Lichts’ mismanagement and failure to act , it will matter little what else you do personnel wise. Football games are won and lost in the trenches.
October 22nd, 2022 at 7:13 am
Love all the takes that think that adding this guy or that guy will fix this team’s problems. Jensen is the only guy I can think of that would immediately improve this team.
Stop with Gronk. He’s in drinking team shape not football shape anyway.
October 22nd, 2022 at 7:30 am
Yes!!! and the tooth fairy is coming tonight to give me cash for all the teeth I lost in that bar fight last night. …Dont think the Gisecki thing is gonna happen.
October 22nd, 2022 at 7:57 am
We don’t need to be giving up high draft picks for anyone..
We need to make 2 point conversions…..stop dropping and fumbling balls…..stupid penalties and cover kicks…….
If we did that, we would be 5 & 1…..
October 22nd, 2022 at 9:03 am
^^^^^^THIS, all day!
Some are acting like this is the team of yesteryear, The Freeman and Winston-led Bucs.
The Steelers game isn’t even close if we score TDs and not FGs. What was the difference? Penalties, drops, and play-calling.
The only game that we were legitimately whooped was KC.
I’m not giving up. I still think this is a playoff-caliber team and will turn it around.
October 22nd, 2022 at 9:16 am
I’m not tired anymore we just won the Super Bowl!!
————————–
Maybe time to change sig back to:
I’m really tired and the Bucs suck again.
October 22nd, 2022 at 9:31 am
I like the idea
October 22nd, 2022 at 9:37 am
I’d rather see better coaching, better play calling, catching the ball, better blocking. Oh yeah, maybe making making a tackle.
This team in infected with malaise. This team lacks leadership.
Time to jettison the dead wood players and some coaches.
October 22nd, 2022 at 9:37 am
Gesicki’s the real deal! Although I hate giving up top draft choices, in this case it might be worth it. We’ve identified a need and there’s a proven player who can fill that need. Isn’t that what the draft is all about? This way you get the player you want and can skip all of the development needed to get a rookie up to NFL standards.
October 22nd, 2022 at 9:42 am
I dont think you’d have to give up more than a 4th or 5th for Gesicki. The dolphins clearly don’t need him in their current scheme, and he’s on a franchise tag, so they’d rather get some value for him then none at all when they lose him to free agency.
October 22nd, 2022 at 10:13 am
A New Tight End is not going to help the real problem, and that problem is, we are getting beat on both sides of the line in the Trenches!
Brady is as nervous back there as a Man having sex with a Hooker, w/o a condom!
The Loss of Marpet and then Ryan Jensen can not be overstated.
October 22nd, 2022 at 1:52 pm
Tight end isn’t the problem its coaching and execution that is the problem. With a less predictable game plan and accountability from the players and sloppy play and this team is alright they move the ball fine they just lose discipline too often in the red zone as well as predictable/bad play calling. Work on the sequencing and they are fine .
October 22nd, 2022 at 4:02 pm
Do it.
October 22nd, 2022 at 9:10 pm
Otton got killed trying to pass block Steeler LB’s. They guy isn’t a pass blocker. Needs to be used in the slot more like a big over the middle WR. He can catch, but is a lousy blocker. We need someone to step up at TE, or trade for a real TE.
October 22nd, 2022 at 9:40 pm
Not yet. An offseason in an NFL weightroom will do wonders. Think he’s learning NFL a bit more physical than playing Cal.