Rico keeps improving every year. No need to get rid of him just now. He's a 6'6", 280 pound and athletical TE who is improving with his blocking, route running and pass catching and is still under contract this year very cheap. Might as well see if he keeps improving in training camp and preseason. If he shows progress, might as well keep him on the roster and use him. If he doesn't improve, cut him.
Rico came in as a development project. We've only spent two years of rights on him so far. He has developed. Right now, Rico is probably our best blocking TE. Maybe our only real blocking TE. He is still a RFA next year.
He is a sixth round pick entering his third year on the roster. Normally, I'd say that If they're not willing to see what he has this year, they shouldn't have picked a project with no college football experience in the first place.
But Rico was hard hit by the retirement of Tony. Much like Dez, Rico's game is premised on a QB who can place the ball for him to go up and get it. Romo was that guy. Dak isn't.
The promise of Rico, whether real or illusory, simply won't be realized with Dak regardless. Like Dez, he's a poor fit for our offense now.
But he can be a blocking TE for us, and we need one. He should be able to be a useful dual blocking/receiving threat in short yardage.
But I wonder if we can't get more value by just teaching one of our olinemen to line up as a blocking TE and run a few basic short routes. I just don't believe that running a 3 yard route and catching the ball is that complicated. These guys are all athletes, and you're really just hoping for a blown coverage where that blocking TE gets lost in the wash.
Our problem this year, much like last year, is that we've got too many developmental projects at TE. Three guys who are border roster players. That's just too many spots devoted to developmental TE.
