Broaddus on Rico Gathers

[xwalker]

I agree. I'm very hopeful for this kid. He has the tools you can't teach the things he needs to know they can teach. It may take some time but if he is willing to put in the work I think he could develop into a quality player.

He improve significantly just from the 1st to the last preseason game.

I think he can remain at TE, but Jermey Parnell (a college basketball player) was about 275 when he came to the Cowboys and is now about 320 and playing OT.

 

[tyke1doe]

Thanks Plankton and xwalker.

 

[Doomsday101]

He improve significantly just from the 1st to the last preseason game.

I think he can remain at TE, but Jermey Parnell (a college basketball player) was about 275 when he came to the Cowboys and is now about 320 and playing OT.

And OT could end up being where he ends up. I can't help but look at this abilities and eye hand coordination that he could be a very good TE. I think once he learns to block his ability as a basketball player to work in small space with quick movement and leaping ability could play well at TE

 

[xwalker]

Is there more value for us and earnings potential for the player having Rico as a #2-3 TE doing nothing but block his whole career here ala Hanna, Swaim, Escobar (poorly). Or could we groom him into a RT ala Jeremy Parnell? And if we can't develop 3 2nd round TE's what makes us think we can develop a 6th round TE that probably would have gone undrafted that hasn't played football since middle school?

They did develop Swaim and Hanna. They developed them as blocking TEs. The reason Escobar didn't develop is because he is a receiving TE and they've tried to make him a blocking TE. Escobar has done well as a receiver in the very limited chances that he has received but Witten plays 100% of the snaps in most games which limits the receiving opportunities for other TEs.

They should use Gathers at the position where he is most likely to succeed. At this point TE seems more likely, but at over 6-6 and 290 pounds, he is closer to the average OT measurements than the average TE.

 

[dallasdave]

Lot of 53's there partner!!

 

[The Realist]

They did develop Swaim and Hanna. They developed them as blocking TEs. The reason Escobar didn't develop is because he is a receiving TE and they've tried to make him a blocking TE. Escobar has done well as a receiver in the very limited chances that he has received but Witten plays 100% of the snaps in most games which limits the receiving opportunities for other TEs.

They should use Gathers at the position where he is most likely to succeed. At this point TE seems more likely, but at over 6-6 and 290 pounds, he is closer to the average OT measurements than the average TE.

Swaim was nothing but blocker at Texas and that's why we drafted him. They certainly didn't draft him based on his ability as a receiver at Texas. I would say the envisioned Hanna as a blocking, move TE and that's what he's been doing since day one. Given Hanna's production and 4.5 speed if NE got a hold of him he'd be averaging 50 catches per year in the Aaron Hernandez role opposite Gronk.

 

[Verdict]

Is there more value for us and earnings potential for the player having Rico as a #2-3 TE doing nothing but block his whole career here ala Hanna, Swaim, Escobar (poorly). Or could we groom him into a RT ala Jeremy Parnell? And if we can't develop 3 2nd round TE's what makes us think we can develop a 6th round TE that probably would have gone undrafted that hasn't played football since middle school?

Maybe because we have developed a 4th round QB into a 12 win QB already?

 

[mattjames2010]

I think he'll end up moving to OT. He's listed at 290 now.

Holy crap haha

We will be lucky if he ever even learns how to block let alone get a full time OT stop. Wow.

 

[The Realist]

Maybe because we have developed a 4th round QB into a 12 win QB already?

Yes, but we have a history of getting next to nothing and not developing 2nd round TE's. Even Scott Chandler, a guy we got off of the street for free, left here and went on to have 205 catches and 21 TD's.

We fired Garrett's brother for not knowing how to groom our young TE's an we still don't know how. Look at Escobar.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Well he has realized that some of his 'sources' feed him crap so there is progress there. Now if he can learn how to write.

 

[Verdict]

Yes, but we have a history of getting next to nothing and not developing 2nd round TE's. Even Scott Chandler, a guy we got off of the street for free, left here and went on to have 205 catches and 21 TD's.

We fired Garrett's brother for not knowing how to groom our young TE's an we still don't know how. Look at Escobar.

Escobar is a total failure at what they are asking him to do. Escobar can't block worth a ****. He is no better now than when he first came to the Cowboys. That's why he can't get on the field.

He can catch a jump ball but that's about it. It was a wasted pick based on where he was drafted.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Escobar is a total failure at what they are asking him to do. Escobar can't block worth a ****. He is no better now than when he first came to the Cowboys. That's why he can't get on the field.

He can catch a jump ball but that's about it. It was a wasted pick based on where he was drafted.

He has had several good blocks. He has missed some too. He is inconsistent not terrible.

And if you cannot see that he has gotten stronger then I don't know what to tell you. His upper body strength has led him to be able to hold on; his issues now are catching them off the line on quick moves and getting leverage. He used to not be able to hold on at all.

 

[KingintheNorth]

From the second we showed some interest in Gathers, I thought he would eventually play offensive tackle. Although, the idea of a TE that big and athletic is incredibly tempting. The last 2 "project" players I liked as future offensive tackles was an overweight tight end at Arkansas and a 6-foot-9 wide receiver at Army (Pro-Bowler Jason Peters and Steelers starting LT Alejandro Villanueva).

Gathers played at Baylor at a very lean 265 lbs. That's college basketball shape. Their conditioning and weight training is very different from that of a college football player, let alone an NFL player. Now, he's reportedly at 290 lbs., and showing real potential as a blocker. He's got basketball feet and incredibly long arms. If he can master the technical aspect, he would be incredibly tough for pass rushers to get around.

I have a feeling that the 2018 starting O-Line will look like this:
LT Tyron Smith
LG La'el Collins
C Travis Frederick
RG Zack Martin
RT Rico Gathers

I also think he is on the 53 next year and ends up the swing tackle if Chaz Green continues to struggle with injuries.