Here's who's earning praise instead of Rico

[RustyBourneHorse]

My thing is if he doesn't pan out in live action then we could have the worse TE talent this season. So far nobody else is making any noise.

I wouldn't worry too much about that. In fact, the nice bit about our offense is that we have a lot of pieces to it. If we find out that we don't have sufficient TE play, then we have some choices to make. We could sign Mercedes Lewis, who I think is still available, for a one year deal. We could trade for a TE, but I don't like that idea terribly. Or, there is a third option. We could play with an extra offensive lineman. Keep in mind, we DO have Cameron Fleming, along with other olinemen. So, we could always play with 6 olinemen if needed.

 

[SoupcanSam]

Wondered if we try to pay him and hide him on season ending IR.

At some point hiding Rico has to get tiresome! Wheres Waldo

 

[SoupcanSam]

I wouldn't worry too much about that. In fact, the nice bit about our offense is that we have a lot of pieces to it. If we find out that we don't have sufficient TE play, then we have some choices to make. We could sign Mercedes Lewis, who I think is still available, for a one year deal. We could trade for a TE, but I don't like that idea terribly. Or, there is a third option. We could play with an extra offensive lineman. Keep in mind, we DO have Cameron Fleming, along with other olinemen. So, we could always play with 6 olinemen if needed.

Those are some tough options. Lewis Is old, I'd rather not trade anything because the cowboys of all teams need every benefit they can get their hands on every offseason, and playing an extra olinemen takes an offensive weapon off the field. I'd rather put Zeke back there and run a spread offense at the rest of available positions than to do that.

I could see Dallas using less TE this season if so, and compensating it with the FB olwala, and austin.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Those are some tough options. Lewis Is old, I'd rather not trade anything because the cowboys of all teams need every benefit they can get their hands on every offseason, and playing an extra olinemen takes an offensive weapon off the field. I'd rather put Zeke back there and run a spread offense at the rest of available positions than to do that.

I could see Dallas using less TE this season if so, and compensting it with the FB olwala, and austin.

Yes, that would be another delightful little contraption that our offense has at its disposal as well. Using Olawala and Austin would give us a bit more flexibility.

 

[3rd_n_inches]

It might take some criticism for Rico to take the next step forward.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

It might take some criticism for Rico to take the next step forward.

I think the coaches have tried that. To paraphrase Garrett's words, I don't think he's got much more patience with Rico. I know Garrett's not exactly Parcells, but I think that Gathers will need to lower his ego a bit.

 

[Bobhaze]

I think the coaches have tried that. To paraphrase Garrett's words, I don't think he's got much more patience with Rico. I know Garrett's not exactly Parcells, but I think that Gathers will need to lower his ego a bit.

When you’re a sixth round pick from two years ago and you have never suited up for a game yet, you better have some major proof of game to justify any more “patience”. If Rico doesn’t have a stellar camp, he’s gone IMO.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

When you’re a sixth round pick from two years ago and you have never suited up for a game yet, you better have some major proof of game to justify any more “patience”. If Rico doesn’t have a stellar camp, he’s gone IMO.

I agree with you, dear boy. I'm afraid that our dear friend Rico Gathers has run out of rope.

 

[Rayman70]

I hope that he does succeed here as well. I don't know anyone who doesn't. But if anyone is following the statements coming out from OTAs, Garrett doesn't seem too keen on him at TE. That's why I'd suggest giving him a go on the DL. I think he'd be fine there, and he'd fill a hole that we do need filling there.

see that's my take also.

 

[Toro9]

I look for Swaim to be our starter . He has the most experience and prob best blocker. Then as season progresses others will have an opportunity.

Dak looked like he was developing some rapport Swaim in the 2016 preseason.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

see that's my take also.

Yes, unfortunately though, our coaches don't seem to have much creativity. I could definitely see Rico turning into quite the DE or DT, if we wanted to put him there. But, I dunno if our dear coaches have the same vision as I do.

 

[CATCH17]

I don't care what anyone says or how Rico looks in practice

I care what I see.

Rico has been nothing short of awesome in the limited amount of opportunities he has had.

He can't do this and he can't do that is a rumor we haven't seen come to light.

From what I see he can be a big play threat. A real Redzone target.

Until I see the guy play bad i'll go off of what I have seen and Rico has been good.

 

[CATCH17]

Dak looked like he was developing some rapport Swaim in the 2016 preseason.

Swaim is as explosive as a rock.

He needs to be down the depth chart where he belongs.

This is a big play league. Rico is capable of big plays. Swaim is a guy collecting a check because he can block well.

 

[3rd_n_inches]

I think the coaches have tried that. To paraphrase Garrett's words, I don't think he's got much more patience with Rico. I know Garrett's not exactly Parcells, but I think that Gathers will need to lower his ego a bit.

I think his offseason wasn’t entirely focused on football so you have a point there.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I don't care what anyone says or how Rico looks in practice

I care what I see.

Rico has been nothing short of awesome in the limited amount of opportunities he has had.

He can't do this and he can't do that is a rumor we haven't seen come to light.

From what I see he can be a big play threat. A real Redzone target.

Until I see the guy play bad i'll go off of what I have seen and Rico has been good.

Yes, I agree that he's a brilliant red zone target for us. He's an absolute mismatch there. I suppose the sticky wicket there is if it's worth keeping him just for that reason alone at TE? If you move him to DE, then you can have him play at DE, which we're never short on, and put him in at TE in the red zone. That way, it makes sense to keep him here, and he'd be playing at a position where I reckon he'd be rather useful.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I think his offseason wasn’t entirely focused on football so you have a point there.

I dunno what it was focused on. I'm glad that he's confident, but being confident isn't what makes the team for you. In fact, he should ask Garrett where he's needed most, and be willing to change positions if the answer should come. Being willing to ask questions and showing that you're willing to learn IS a good way to make a team. It doesn't make you any less confident. It makes you better when you ask questions.

 

[Big_D]

I don't care what anyone says or how Rico looks in practice

I care what I see.

Rico has been nothing short of awesome in the limited amount of opportunities he has had.

He can't do this and he can't do that is a rumor we haven't seen come to light.

From what I see he can be a big play threat. A real Redzone target.

Until I see the guy play bad i'll go off of what I have seen and Rico has been good.

true.. everyone seems to take criticism in practice as 'he sucks'. He's a raw talent with the measurables to be a weapon, specially in the red zone. I would like to see him on the field before I talk about how much he sucks simply on what Garrett is saying. Doesn't really mean much. Who stays healthy and who plays well when the games come. Then we'll see where he's at in comparison to the others.

 

[Rayman70]

DE for Rico..might be an option...his length rivals Irving...

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

DE for Rico..might be an option...his length rivals Irving...

Not only that, but he's got brilliant quickness. That and his size are what makes him so lethal in the red zone. Counter intuitively, that also would make him absolutely lethal at DE, if he's willing to be coached there. He'd need to be that quick to slip past opposing blockers, and his size and jumping height would cause QBs to have a really difficult time throwing it over him. Could you imagine him staring down Aaron Rodgers? I think that could be an answer to one of our defensive problems. Oh, and his hands would make him effective at intercepting passes. Then, as we march toward the red zone, he also becomes an option at TE. That way, he doesn't have to block, he can be used in a red zone gadget that defenses would struggle to cover, but he'd be finding a lot of use at DE.

 

[glimmerman]

This is the put up or shut up year for Rico. He better show up and show out. He looked good last season in preseason. But we still had Witten. Now that he retired the staff is gonna need to force some things at TE.