In memory of those “Pet cats” of the past

OmerV

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There was a pile of people on the old boards who were majorly POed when we released Moore over ragarm Brad Johnson. Brad couldn't even throw 20 yards any more!!!!!
On paper Johnson seemed like a great backup, but you are right that in reality his arm was completely dead. I was shocked at how dead it was watching him play.

I actually heard Jerry say a few years ago that the reason they kept Rush on the active roster rather than trying to slide him to the practice squad is they didn't want to make the same mistake they did with Moore.
 

Idgit

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Pat Watkins

I did cartwheels of excitement when we drafted him.

That was the one I was going to mention.

Tashard Choice was another one that was a favorite for a lot of people around here who I haven’t seen mentioned yet. All that “Tulius” stuff, and the GAT video with him and the hammer...
 

kskboys

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On paper Johnson seemed like a great backup, but you are right that in reality his arm was completely dead. I was shocked at how dead it was watching him play.

I actually heard Jerry say a few years ago that the reason they kept Rush on the active roster rather than trying to slide him to the practice squad is they didn't want to make the same mistake they did with Moore.
And this is the problem w/ Jerry. He tends to see all problems the same. If one works out one way, then they all will. However, we're dealing w/ human beings here, so it doesn't work that way. Not even close.
 

CowboysFaninHouston

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This time of year, its always fun to see how many of our diehard fans break out their pet cat stories. You know, those favorite players that are often at the end of the bench or deep in the depth chart but have captured the heart and imagination of some fans. Sometimes they pan out...often they don’t.

So I thought it would be fun to make a list of some of the most popular “pet cats” around here the last few years and how they turned out- either playing here, elsewhere or not at all.

I will start- Here’s a list of some guys I’ve seen mentioned often by some fans on these fan boards as pet cats, that I never quite understood what the big deal was. In no particular order:
  • Rico Gathers TE- I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a sixth round draft pick with no college football experience on their resume garner so much hype and drool. He was definitely a great athlete. Football player, not so much. He looked great in shorts and preseason games against 3rd string guys who had no shot at making it in the NFL, but if you listened to some, he was headed to the ROH and maybe Canton. Cut in 2018. Somehow his HOF run has ended.
  • Matt Johnson- S- a 4th rounder out of Eastern Washington, he was hailed by some as “the steal of the draft” in 2012. Unfortunately, he pulled every muscle known to science and never could get on the field. But man was he hyped. He somehow lasted on the roster 3 seasons before announcing his retirement in 2015. Good athlete but just couldn’t stay healthy.

  • Charles Tapper- DE- Another 4th rounder in 2016 that had several fans frothing that he was going to bookend our DL with DLaw. Heard him hailed a lot between 2016-17. Again, injuries did him in. Was released here in 2018, landed with the jets but they released him again recently.
This list could go on and on...I’m interested in some fun memories you have of other pet cats that didn’t quite have nine lives.

Who’s on your list?
LOL. OMG Rico Gathers, we had never had more posts about anyone than Gathers....so many arguing for him to start over witten or whomever else...how many pre-season 4th quarter stats they pointed to...wow....
 

Bobhaze

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I coached youth football for 17 years.
Once, a kid's dad walked up to me and told me I should put
his son at RB. The boy was 8 and scared to death. He would
fumble all the time in practice.

Anyway, I shared my evaluation with the dad. His response was "I breed running backs"....lol/smh
I can relate to that story. I’m a retired educator- former teacher, principal and superintendent.

When I was a principal, I can’t tell you how many times a parent of a student complained to me that their son was being “held back” by the coach. Parents are usually the least qualified or objective in making judgments about their kid’s ability.

One of my sons is a coach at the HS level now in Frisco. He has some hilarious stories about parents complaining about their kid being a star that just wasn’t appreciated. Every coach I ever knew or worked with would play any kid if they thought they would help the team win and/or if they saw potential. Too many parents today have lost their mind about their kid’s athletic abilities. Or lack of ability, lol.
 

conner01

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Can I put my pet cat Jourdan Lewis cause this draft all but says he’s being phased out again
But he can play and will play somewhere else
Most pet cats end up at McDonald’s
I’ve had one or two myself that I thought could play and I was wrong badly
 

Aven8

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This time of year, its always fun to see how many of our diehard fans break out their pet cat stories. You know, those favorite players that are often at the end of the bench or deep in the depth chart but have captured the heart and imagination of some fans. Sometimes they pan out...often they don’t.

So I thought it would be fun to make a list of some of the most popular “pet cats” around here the last few years and how they turned out- either playing here, elsewhere or not at all.

I will start- Here’s a list of some guys I’ve seen mentioned often by some fans on these fan boards as pet cats, that I never quite understood what the big deal was. In no particular order:
  • Rico Gathers TE- I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a sixth round draft pick with no college football experience on their resume garner so much hype and drool. He was definitely a great athlete. Football player, not so much. He looked great in shorts and preseason games against 3rd string guys who had no shot at making it in the NFL, but if you listened to some, he was headed to the ROH and maybe Canton. Cut in 2018. Somehow his HOF run has ended.
  • Matt Johnson- S- a 4th rounder out of Eastern Washington, he was hailed by some as “the steal of the draft” in 2012. Unfortunately, he pulled every muscle known to science and never could get on the field. But man was he hyped. He somehow lasted on the roster 3 seasons before announcing his retirement in 2015. Good athlete but just couldn’t stay healthy.

  • Charles Tapper- DE- Another 4th rounder in 2016 that had several fans frothing that he was going to bookend our DL with DLaw. Heard him hailed a lot between 2016-17. Again, injuries did him in. Was released here in 2018, landed with the jets but they released him again recently.
This list could go on and on...I’m interested in some fun memories you have of other pet cats that didn’t quite have nine lives.

Who’s on your list?

Tapper was very similar to Gallimore in that he had unreal athleticism. I remember seeing a play at OU where he caught the RB way down field right after we drafted him. I also remember the same thing that we are reading about Gallimore, in that they both played out of position in a defense not suited to strengths. Should be interesting to see how he performs.
 

Bobhaze

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LOL. OMG Rico Gathers, we had never had more posts about anyone than Gathers....so many arguing for him to start over witten or whomever else...how many pre-season 4th quarter stats they pointed to...wow....
LOL!!!! Gathers is in the “Shorts and T-shirt Hall of Fame”. I remember so many fans playing videos of Gathers “making plays” in mini-camps, lol. Or as you remembered in the 4th qtr of a preseason game against a 4th string safety from Eastern Alaska Teachers College.
:laugh:
 

xwalker

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This time of year, its always fun to see how many of our diehard fans break out their pet cat stories. You know, those favorite players that are often at the end of the bench or deep in the depth chart but have captured the heart and imagination of some fans. Sometimes they pan out...often they don’t.

So I thought it would be fun to make a list of some of the most popular “pet cats” around here the last few years and how they turned out- either playing here, elsewhere or not at all.

I will start- Here’s a list of some guys I’ve seen mentioned often by some fans on these fan boards as pet cats, that I never quite understood what the big deal was. In no particular order:
  • Rico Gathers TE- I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a sixth round draft pick with no college football experience on their resume garner so much hype and drool. He was definitely a great athlete. Football player, not so much. He looked great in shorts and preseason games against 3rd string guys who had no shot at making it in the NFL, but if you listened to some, he was headed to the ROH and maybe Canton. Cut in 2018. Somehow his HOF run has ended.
  • Matt Johnson- S- a 4th rounder out of Eastern Washington, he was hailed by some as “the steal of the draft” in 2012. Unfortunately, he pulled every muscle known to science and never could get on the field. But man was he hyped. He somehow lasted on the roster 3 seasons before announcing his retirement in 2015. Good athlete but just couldn’t stay healthy.

  • Charles Tapper- DE- Another 4th rounder in 2016 that had several fans frothing that he was going to bookend our DL with DLaw. Heard him hailed a lot between 2016-17. Again, injuries did him in. Was released here in 2018, landed with the jets but they released him again recently.
This list could go on and on...I’m interested in some fun memories you have of other pet cats that didn’t quite have nine lives.

Who’s on your list?

Players half the fan base wanted until they actually played...

Chad Hutchinson.

Gary Hogeboom.
 

tyke1doe

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Woody Dantzler, I’m surprised he never made it. Could do so many things electrically and yet even under Parcells it never amounted to much or enough unfortunately. Surprised...
He was too slow. Also, he played quarterback in college, running back in the league. I remember him having a nice return, though.
 

Bobhaze

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There was a pile of people on the old boards who were majorly POed when we released Moore over ragarm Brad Johnson. Brad couldn't even throw 20 yards any more!!!!!
I remember some fans arguing, “But Brad Johnson won a Super Bowl”, lol.
 

tyke1doe

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That was the one I was going to mention.

Tashard Choice was another one that was a favorite for a lot of people around here who I haven’t seen mentioned yet. All that “Tulius” stuff, and the GAT video with him and the hammer...

Good call. He was a fan favorite … until he asked for McNabb's (or was it Vick's) jersey after a game, and then it was all down-hill after that.
 

Howboutdemcowboys31

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But he can play and will play somewhere else
Most pet cats end up at McDonald’s
I’ve had one or two myself that I thought could play and I was wrong badly

thats what I find frustrating is I think he’s a good corner whose feisty and a dawg but our staffs alwyas value size first


Don’t get me wrong love the Diggs and Robinson picks, but I hope they let 27 compete
 

TwistedL0g1k

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Matt Moore - I thought he looked great in preseason, and although I didn't think of him as the level of a quality starter, I thought he could have made a strong backup for years. I think history proved I was right, but the Cowboys tried to sneak him onto the practice squad and lost him.

It always bugged me they let Moore get away.
 

Cowboy4ever

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Skyler Green - I thought we drafted what Devin Hester would become, a real threat on ST and a decent 5-6th WR and gadget guy. I liked this kid a lot at LSU and was stoked we selected him. I take comfort in knowing that the Tuna was wrong too.
 
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