For Mike Gesicki, Sunday night’s matchup is just another game.

Gesicki spent five years in Miami before signing with the Patriots in the offseason. He still has friendships and relationships down in Florida, but no matter who New England was playing this weekend, he was going to be excited for the opportunity to go out and compete.

“I hate to sound cliché, I’m not saying this for any other reason, but I was excited last week, I’m excited this week,” he said during his Thursday morning press conference. “You get 17 opportunities throughout the course of the year to go play football that you’re guaranteed, so it’s another opportunity. I’m excited for it.”

Gesicki was asked if he’s be communicating with former teammates this week for some friendly banter or if that gets shut down until after the game ends late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

“I obviously still have people that I’m close with down there,” he said. “I’ve talked to them for the last five years and things like that, but obviously not talking details and things, stuff going on. Nothing too much, but also not just going to change friendships and things like that. Honestly, there hasn’t been any trash talk going on. It’s been all friendly so far, so it’s been good.”

In terms of any “secrets” Gesicki might be able to hand out his offensive coaches or teammates, it’s a bit tough since new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is now running the show on that side of the ball down in Miami.

“Not all that much to share, honestly,” said Gesicki. “It’s a whole new coordinator on the defensive side of the ball. Obviously, there’s some personnel things that are the same, but for the most part, a lot of it’s new.”

Athletes will usually say that any big game is “just another game,” but how does one make it that way and not let the emotions take over? Again, Gesicki is just happy to be running out of the tunnel in a Pats uniform, no matter where it is or who the opponent is.

“Like I said, I was excited to play in the game last week, I’m going to be excited to play next week. This is the National Football League and I’m excited to play football when it comes to every single Sunday,” he added. “Obviously, people are going to try to make it something that it’s ultimately not. It’s a football game and an opportunity to go out there and play.

“I’m excited to get out there and play Sunday night in Gillette Stadium. I think the atmosphere is going to be incredible. Our fans were awesome last week and it was my first experience in that on the right side of the stadium. So, it was super cool and I’m excited to see that atmosphere again on Sunday night.”