Dallas Cowboys Free Agency 2015: Cowboys To Sign Chargers LB Andrew Gachkar

[waving monkey]

The 26-year old Gachkar was a seventh-round pick for the Chargers in 2011, and was a standout special teamer for the Chargers in his first three years in the league. In his first two seasons at San Diego he played under then-Chargers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, who has been the Cowboys’ special teams coordinator since 2013. He also played under then defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus at Missouri from 2007-2008; Eberflus is now the linebackers coach for the Cowboys.

Last season, Gachkar saw a significant increase in playing time due to injuries at the position group and notched 382 plays on defense in addition to 217 plays on special teams. He finished 2014 with 49 tackles and one sack. Gachkar made eight starts in four seasons with San Diego.

PFF gave him a -0.3 grade for the season, which ranks him 28th among the 60 inside linebackers who played at least 25% of their team's defensive snaps.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports identified Gachkar as one of the value players available in free agency.

link/http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2015...gency-2015-cowboys-to-sign-chargers-lb-andrew

 

[davey999]

Would have liked a couple other players on that list like Sheard and Alualu.

 

[casmith07]

I think he's going to surprise folks!

 

[ConstantReboot]

I think he's going to surprise folks!

I'm surprised that were signing scrubs to multi-million dollar contracts. Marinelli is gonna have his hands full coaching a talentless D this coming year.

 

[dallasdave]

I'm surprised that were signing scrubs to multi-million dollar contracts. Marinelli is gonna have his hands full coaching a talentless D this coming year.

Yes, a picture says a thousand words. The great train robbery was just as bad in Greenbay as it was when Jesse James robbed the trains.

 

[rags747]

Seems like a good add, $2.2m yr 1...from San Diego paper

Andrew Gachkar was a bright spot on Nov. 2.

One of few.

It was the fourth quarter of a laugher, the Chargers about to fall 37-0 in Miami, their worst loss since 1996. And there was No. 59, a reserve inside linebacker playing like a mad man, dropping a running back for a 7-yard loss here, blowing up the A-gap for a 1-yard loss there.

He found something to play for.

Now, he has someone.

Gachkar became Sunday the latest Chargers free agent to catch on elsewhere, signing a two-year deal with the Cowboys. It's worth up to $5.5 million and guarantees him $2.2 million in the first year. He reunites with Rich Bisaccia, ex-Chargers special teams coordinator.

Other teams had interest.

The Patriots, in particular, courted him.

They hosted him on a visit at the time Dallas made a serious push to acquire him. When successful, New England handled the situation in a manner Gachkar and his family appreciated, complimenting the franchise for its class while sending him off to Texas.

For San Diego, the core special teamer is another piece to replace.

 

[John813]

Seems like our free agency mindset has changed from big names and big deals to trying to find unknown guys, that could fit the system, to provide depth and possibly start depending on how the draft goes.

Can't say I'm thrilled by the moves so far, but this will leave less of an negative impact if they fail compared to previous signings like Carr, Hamlin, and Davis to name a few

 

[WV Cowboy]

I heard he played 16, 16, and 15 games the past 3 seasons.

That's a good start.

 

[WV Cowboy]

I heard he played 16, 16, and 15 games the past 3 seasons.

That's a good start.

I think it actually was 16, 16, 16, 15 over past four years.

Looking at you Sean Lee.

 

[Risen Star]

I'm surprised that were signing scrubs to multi-million dollar contracts. Marinelli is gonna have his hands full coaching a talentless D this coming year.

He should be used to it by now.

 

[jazzcat22]

We now signed 3 LB's, and nothing from McClain yet.
Can this be they are moving on and just getting as many mid level guys they can to compete. And hope to replace McClain, as well as drafting a LB in top 3 rounds. And find lightning in a bottle 2 years in a row. Both FA and Draft.
Play Hitchins at MLB, or just have Lee stay at MLB.

 

[DBOY3141]

We now signed 3 LB's, and nothing from McClain yet.
Can this be they are moving on and just getting as many mid level guys they can to compete. And hope to replace McClain, as well as drafting a LB in top 3 rounds. And find lightning in a bottle 2 years in a row. Both FA and Draft.
Play Hitchins at MLB, or just have Lee stay at MLB.

I would love it if they could somehow draft Denzel Perryman. He would be a beast at MLB under Rod.

 

[Leadbelly]

No clue on this guy but I have faith in our pro personnel dept. Outside of Dan Connor and that Safety that Witten ran out of town, we have a ton more hits than misses on these very low key signings.

 

[Mookie]

Charger fans quotes:

**** that. He was one of the guys I really wanted back. Why the **** didn't we try to re-sign him?

Very promising linebacker. Strong work ethic. Was playing better than our "franchise ILB" Butler.

 

[DBOY3141]

Charger fans quotes:

Sounds like the CZ board when Durant signed with the Falcons.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I feel pretty good about this signing. On the surface, it doesn't seem like much but Eburflus knows this guy and he was a solid ST player. At the worst, we would be getting a guy who can produce on ST and at best, a guy who can come in and play some solid football at LB. Patriots apparently wanted to sign this guy as well. Brought him in for a visit. This may turn out to be a nice signing.

 

[btcutter]

Sounds like the CZ board when Durant signed with the Falcons.

Replace Durant with a younger up and coming version of Durant. Sounds good to me. Fairly cheap and if nothing else great special team player. I am sure he's already ahead of Lawrence on depth chart. Wilbert needs to watch himself as well.

I like signing these no name up and comers instead of big ticket FA who often never play up to the contract.