Cowboys' draft has good news for Rico Gathers, bad for Brice Butler 22hTodd Archer Pearson says Goo

[waving monkey]

FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys’ draft did not just affect the nine players they selected over seven rounds. It also affected a number of players already on the roster -- with good news for some, bad news for others.

Taco Charlton, Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, Ryan Switzer and Xavier Woods, the Cowboys’ top five picks, figure to play prominent roles as a rookies. Marquez White, Joey Ivie, Noah Brown and Jordan Carrell will fight for roster spots.

Here's the impact on the existing roster:

GOOD NEWS

Rico Gathers -- Many a mock drafter had the Cowboys selecting a tight end, but those pundits seemingly forgot that the Cowboys had drafted Gathers, the converted basketball player, a year ago in the sixth round. Gathers is a Jerry Jones favorite, and that always buys a prospect time. He will be given ample time this summer to claim a job on the 53-man roster. It should be noted, though, that the Cowboys gave tight end Blake Jarwin the largest signing bonus of any of their undrafted free agent signees ($15,000).

link/http://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cow...od-news-for-rico-gathers-bad-for-brice-butler

 

[DogFace]

The news of him killing people in practice says a lot. Didn't Romo say something like he's always open.
It's easier shaking a guy when you don't have to bounce a ball at the same time.

 

[stilltheguru88]

If rico doesn't pan out we'll just draft a guy early next year. It would've been a waste in this draft.

 

[Setackin]

Rico is coming into a great situation for him to develop properly. If he takes a another step forward, I could see him becoming the #2 TE around preseason. Need to see how his blocking is coming through.

 

[Teague31]

Rico's nickname should be Yeti.

 

[Bleu Star]

FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys’ draft did not just affect the nine players they selected over seven rounds. It also affected a number of players already on the roster -- with good news for some, bad news for others.

Taco Charlton, Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, Ryan Switzer and Xavier Woods, the Cowboys’ top five picks, figure to play prominent roles as a rookies. Marquez White, Joey Ivie, Noah Brown and Jordan Carrell will fight for roster spots.

Here's the impact on the existing roster:

GOOD NEWS

Rico Gathers -- Many a mock drafter had the Cowboys selecting a tight end, but those pundits seemingly forgot that the Cowboys had drafted Gathers, the converted basketball player, a year ago in the sixth round. Gathers is a Jerry Jones favorite, and that always buys a prospect time. He will be given ample time this summer to claim a job on the 53-man roster. It should be noted, though, that the Cowboys gave tight end Blake Jarwin the largest signing bonus of any of their undrafted free agent signees ($15,000).

link/http://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cow...od-news-for-rico-gathers-bad-for-brice-butler

Rico is my dude. I think we are going to see some of the fruits of our patience during training camp and leading into the season this year. Right now I'm 70% in favor of believing he makes the 53.

 

[waving monkey]

I have never read a negative thing about Rico only good stuff.
If he can locate his blocking assignments in camp his on the 53

 

[haleyrules]

Interesting to see what happens with Gathers. Can he really play football? He should get his chance to show if he can this year?

 

[irishline]

Rico is my dude. I think we are going to see some of the fruits of our patience during training camp and leading into the season this year. Right now I'm 70% in favor of believing he makes the 53.

At this point with all the hype and good articles about him you almost have to put him on the 53. Unless he bombs in the preseason games it might be hard to hide him on the practice squad (whether he is truly ready or not - FWIW I believe he will be ready).

 

[CATCH17]

I think Noah Brown or Andy Jones are going to have to look incredibly good for them to knock Butler off the roster.

 

[waving monkey]

Interesting to see what happens with Gathers. Can he really play football? He should get his chance to show if he can this year?

I have high hopes for Rico as they say, you know they don't have to dribble the basketball any longer

 

[dogunwo]

If rico doesn't pan out we'll just draft a guy early next year. It would've been a waste in this draft.

People forget about Swaim, who was actually coming on before he got hurt.

 

[Stash]

I think Noah Brown or Andy Jones are going to have to look incredibly good for them to knock Butler off the roster.

Andy Jones maybe. After a hit start, he couldn't even make the 53-man roster last year. But I think Noah Brown has a pretty good chance to knock off Butler, especially if the team only keeps 5 receivers. Butler hasn't progressed as well as the team had hoped, and he had an awful finish to 2016. And he's also only under a one-year deal compared to the four years they would have Brown under contract.

I think Brown has some excellent traits to develop and unless he struggles badly, I see him making this team.

 

[Stash]

People forget about Swaim, who was actually coming on before he got hurt.

FWIW, some people I know have told me that the team thinks very highly of Swaim, and right now he's in the lead to be Witten's eventual successor.

 

[CATCH17]

Andy Jones maybe. After a hit start, he couldn't even make the 53-man roster last year. But I think Noah Brown has a pretty good chance to knock off Butler, especially if the team only keeps 5 receivers. Butler hasn't progressed as well as the team had hoped, and he had an awful finish to 2016. And he's also only under a one-year deal compared to the four years they would have Brown under contract.

I think Brown has some excellent traits to develop and unless he struggles badly, I see him making this team.

You have to believe in player development. Especially with these small school guys like Andy Jones.

Just because Jones did nothing in the pre-season last year doesn't mean he can't develop his skill and come out this year ready to contribute.


The thing with Butler is that he made plays when Dez was out. Dak proved last year that he can win critical games without Dez Bryant on the field and you gotta give Butler some of the credit for that.

 

[Stash]

You have to believe in player development. Especially with these small school guys like Andy Jones.

Just because Jones did nothing in the pre-season last year doesn't mean he can't develop his skill and come out this year ready to contribute.

Jones had a great start, it was when the lights came on that he struggled, even the lights of preseason games. I'm not writing him off, and I know the team likes his potential, but things are getting pretty crowded and I don't know if he has the requisite special abilities to distinguish himself or carve out a role.

The thing with Butler is that he made plays when Dez was out. Dak proved last year that he can win critical games without Dez Bryant on the field and you gotta give Butler some of the credit for that.

We sure do, and I do like the speed element he brings that others don't. But I'm not sure that's enough to keep him around. Giving a quick look to the roster, I hope they keep 6 receivers, but I'm not sure If hey'll ultimately have the room.

 

[Bullflop]

I have high hopes for Rico as they say, you know they don't have to dribble the basketball any longer

True and with the kind of length he has at his command, he likely won't have to get open by much, if at all.

 

[viman96]

The news of him killing people in practice says a lot. Didn't Romo say something like he's always open.
It's easier shaking a guy when you don't have to bounce a ball at the same time.

What did Iverson say about practice? Oh right, we are talking about practice. Dude needs to make the 53 and get actual game time before he deserves any hype.

 

[tyke1doe]

With all due respect to Jaylon's progress and the confidence the Cowboys have in his recovery, I don't think it was wise to not draft a linebacker. Just saying.

 

[Fletch]

I think Noah Brown or Andy Jones are going to have to look incredibly good for them to knock Butler off the roster.

Butler just needs to find the huddle and he'll be alright.