Andrew Gachkar

[Arkyvarminter]

I haven't heard anything about this guy. Is he injured? Just wondering if he's in the mix or just a special teamer. I know he was like a Seventh round pick a few years ago. He has the size and speed to be a player. Is he expected to do much? Just wondering because I don't think I've heard his name since we picked him up........

 

[Enlightened32]

I think hes just not a big name that the media is going to talk about right now.

If we still havent heard anything after TC starts then there may be a problem.

 

[AsthmaField]

He should be a good special teamer and a solid reserve LB. I don't expect much more than that from him though. Try hard guy who loves football.

 

[guag]

From what I've heard, yes, he is recovering from an injury. I'm guessing sustained last season?

Anyway, he started 5 games last year I believe. I don't know what San Diego's situation was last year on defense, but from what I hear some people were disappointed to see him go. I think that once he's fully healed, you'll hear start hearing his name. Not expecting him to become a starter for us (and if he does start at some point this year, that would mean we've suffered a few LB casualties), but I think he's the type of try-hard, decent player this team likes.

 

[AsthmaField]

From what I've heard, yes, he is recovering from an injury. I'm guessing sustained last season?

Anyway, he started 5 games last year I believe. I don't know what San Diego's situation was last year on defense, but from what I hear some people were disappointed to see him go. I think that once he's fully healed, you'll hear start hearing his name. Not expecting him to become a starter for us (and if he does start at some point this year, that would mean we've suffered a few LB casualties), but I think he's the type of try-hard, decent player this team likes.

Teams need these kind of blue-collar, run-through-a-wall types that excel on special teams. Kind of like a Danny McCray of the LB's.

 

[Enlightened32]

Teams need these kind of blue-collar, run-through-a-wall types that excel on special teams. Kind of like a Danny McCray of the LB's.

The unsung heroes.

 

[guag]

Teams need these kind of blue-collar, run-through-a-wall types that excel on special teams. Kind of like a Danny McCray of the LB's.

Yes sir. I might catch heat for saying this, but I think Jeff Heath fits this category as well. He's a notorious whipping boy around here, but he's one of our best special teams players. It was unfortunate that he was forced into the starting lineup in 2013, because as an undrafted small-school rookie he had no business being out there. He likely will never develop into a full time starter, but that's OK because he has a role on this team and he does it well. I have no doubt that Gachkar is of the same mold.

 

[visionary]

The unsung heroes.

There is a reason they're unsung

 

[guag]

This stood out at me (from an article about Gachkar this May):

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers realized San Diego had a valuable player in Gachkar during a 37-0 loss to Miami in November of 2014. “He made me excited in the fourth quarter,” Rivers said of Gachkar. “There wasn’t much that was gonna get me excited at that point, but watching him got me excited. He’s flying around making plays. … In the most difficult environment, in the toughest circumstance you can be in, he was absolutely playing his heart out. It didn’t matter we were getting killed. He was like, ‘I get to play NFL linebacker.’ It fired me up.” – From a story in The San Diego Union-Tribune by Kevin Acee on Nov. 13, 2014

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...ng-a-bout-with-thoracic-outlet-syndrome.html/

There is a reason they're unsung

This is true. But since it's implausible to carry a roster of 53 starters, having backups like this is the next best thing.

 

[AsthmaField]

Yes sir. I might catch heat for saying this, but I think Jeff Heath fits this category as well. He's a notorious whipping boy around here, but he's one of our best special teams players. It was unfortunate that he was forced into the starting lineup in 2013, because as an undrafted small-school rookie he had no business being out there. He likely will never develop into a full time starter, but that's OK because he has a role on this team and he does it well. I have no doubt that Gachkar is of the same mold.

I like Heath as a backup safety and special teams guy... and I think the coaches do too. He isn't nearly as bad as the Minn. game made people think he was. If the Minn guy doesn't run up behind AD then Heath puts Peterson flat on his back.

Anyway, he is a good bottom of the roster type to have, I agree.

 

[Enlightened32]

There is a reason they're unsung

A player that can make a play to help earn a "W" is a hero in my mind. Regardless of depth chart placement.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He was another of the precautionary hamstrings.

I'm wondering if it doesn't have to do with the training. If they are focusing on legs is it possible that they keep players away from the field while they train there?

 

[AsthmaField]

He was another of the precautionary hamstrings.

I'm wondering if it doesn't have to do with the training. If they are focusing on legs is it possible that they keep players away from the field while they train there?

Hmmm, interesting thought.

 

[lane]

I like Heath as a backup safety and special teams guy... and I think the coaches do too. He isn't nearly as bad as the Minn. game made people think he was. If the Minn guy doesn't run up behind AD then Heath puts Peterson flat on his back.

Anyway, he is a good bottom of the roster type to have, I agree.

Actually Durant knocked Heath off Adrian...Jeff was about to plant Adrian...he had both his legs up in the air.

 

[guag]

Another thing I like about Gachkar is that he hasn't missed a single game in his 4 years in the league. I'm sure that was a factor in picking him up.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Hmmm, interesting thought.

It just seemed odd to me that we had like 4 guys out and all of them with 'precautionary' hamstrings. Gachkar, Dmac, Gibson, and others all were held out for precaution. I think there were more at least but I don't recall tbh.

It just makes sense to me. Fatigued and weak muscles are more susceptible to injury. Doing multiple heavy sets on legs and going out to the practice field could correlate to increased risk for a pull. Just a thought since no one was diagnosed with an actual pull or the like. Can't skip leg day though.

 

[gmoney112]

I like Heath as a backup safety and special teams guy... and I think the coaches do too. He isn't nearly as bad as the Minn. game made people think he was. If the Minn guy doesn't run up behind AD then Heath puts Peterson flat on his back.

Anyway, he is a good bottom of the roster type to have, I agree.

He also popped Brandon Jacobs if i remember correctly. He immediately got my respect after that. Not many DB's are going to lay the wood on that guy, but Jeff did.

 

[guag]

He also popped Brandon Jacobs if i remember correctly. He immediately got my respect after that. Not many DB's are going to lay the wood on that guy, but Jeff did.

When he's actually close enough to the ball carrier to make a play, he usually delivers. However, it's getting into correct position and/or taking the correct angles that he seems to struggle with. Maybe he's improved since, I don't remember seeing him too much last season.

 

[cowboyschmps3]

From what I've heard, yes, he is recovering from an injury. I'm guessing sustained last season?

Anyway, he started 5 games last year I believe. I don't know what San Diego's situation was last year on defense, but from what I hear some people were disappointed to see him go. I think that once he's fully healed, you'll hear start hearing his name. Not expecting him to become a starter for us (and if he does start at some point this year, that would mean we've suffered a few LB casualties), but I think he's the type of try-hard, decent player this team likes.

When I would watch SD games he would always pop up making a good special teams tackle and making plays when filling in for Manti.

 

[waving monkey]

I like Heath as a backup safety and special teams guy... and I think the coaches do too. He isn't nearly as bad as the Minn. game made people think he was. If the Minn guy doesn't run up behind AD then Heath puts Peterson flat on his back.

Anyway, he is a good bottom of the roster type to have, I agree.

Yea I think thats where internet/TV fans fail. We dont see much other then the
angle of the TV camera on plays and then there is the reports from camp.

If coached are keeping a guy around it's because his the best alternative to whats available.
It's certainly not the players fault he was better then the guy they released.
High effort guys beat players of better talent many times because they keep coming
at the less motivated. It's all relative I realize ,but coaches need players that make the coach look good.
Not for any other reason I would think