Meet Rico Gathers, the Best Bet to Be the NFL's Next Antonio Gates

[TheDuke]

& That would be a golden advancement in his development.

I agree 100%.

 

[Bleu Star]

I think Rico will be successful, but I doubt his stats mirror Gates in terms of total yards and ypc. Rico could be just as good in the red zone and infinitely better as a blocker, but he isn't as explosive

Isn't as explosive? How do we already know this? For the same reasons some are asking me to put the anointing oil away, I also wonder how we already know his ceiling in terms of potential. Hmmmm

 

[Bluefin]

Do PS players count as rookies. If it really was what would have been their rookie season.
So will Rico be at rookie mini camp? I know Jaylon Smith will be, as he was on NFI / IR all year. But do 1st year PS players count too?

I hope so, I want to see how he progressed. Hope he gets a lot of playing time with the 1st and 2nd team units in PS games, as opposed to last year getting very limited 4th quarter playing time.

Rico Gathers was never on the active roster last season. He was released, cleared waivers and signed to a Practice Squad contract.

He should be eligible to participate in the rookie mini-camp.

Charles Tapper was on the active roster last year before going to Injured Reserve and is not eligible.

 

[PJTHEDOORS]

Let's tap the brakes on this guy and wait till we see it on the field.

Tap on what, being excited? It's called having FUN. No need to tap that.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Isn't as explosive? How do we already know this? For the same reasons some are asking me to put the anointing oil away, I also wonder how we already know his ceiling in terms of potential. Hmmmm

It's really a simple fact, based off his size and speed compared. He could be a better player, I don't know. Rob Gronkowski isn't as explosive as Gates, but he's better

 

[Bleu Star]

It's really a simple fact, based off his size and speed compared. He could be a better player, I don't know. Rob Gronkowski isn't as explosive as Gates, but he's better

Right. My point exactly. He could end up being the TE in *The Longest Yard" or a perennial pro bowler for years to come. We don't know. But we have measurables, off-season dedication, and reap potential to be excited about.

 

[BrassCowboy]

Geez, let him take a regular season snap before breaking out the annointing oil.

wow already got him headed to the pro bowl

lol i notice anytime anyone says anything positive about Rico, this is said. Can't people just express positive thinking without someone reading into it at the extreme.
I remember posting a few comments right after last years draft about how I thought Dak could very well become our QB of the future and believe I heard the same then, Now would I have been surprised if I was wrong, no as I just expressed my thoughts on what I saw in him.
I understand the hesitancy, but they are opinions even if they are risky ones.

 

[CWR]

Let's tap the brakes on this guy and wait till we see it on the field.

I thought you knew by now, Rico threads are not about logic or playing it safe. We will not tap the breaks. We will go head on into that brick wall and either break through or meet our demise lol.

 

[jrumann59]

well I am not sure speed matters considering we do pretty good with #82

Witten is a technician, much like Jerry Rice. When you are not gifted with natural tools like speed you have to look at little things that give you the advantage, Witten decided that he need to be a great route runner and good blocker and a smart player otherwise he would have been replaced long ago.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

well I am not sure speed matters considering we do pretty good with #82

At one point Witten could run a 4.65... No idea what he runs now, but even though he isnt breaking off big plays he is still productive.. I don't think Rico will be a down the field threat in the same way as Gates, but is a big body that can win a lot of jump footballs... Should be a good red zone threat and good over the middle. ?

 

[gimmesix]

40 times:

Antonio Gates - 4.60
Rico Gathers - 4.84

Rico's not slow. He's just bigger than everyone else so it looks like he's running slow with those long legs. Those long strides will put you in the rear view though.

I think that's why his ambition needs to be like Witten. You say he's not slow, but that's not a fast 40 for a tight end. He's not simply going to outrun linebackers. He needs to learn the nuances of escaping coverage that Witten knows so well. I don't think he could have a better model in front of him on how to be a slower tight end and succeed.

 

[Wood]

For this year he'll be a red zone target and backup. I'm not expecting much more than that.

if he is red zone target in his first year they he is half way there.

 

[haleyrules]

At one point Witten could run a 4.65... No idea what he runs now, but even though he isnt breaking off big plays he is still productive.. I don't think Rico will be a down the field threat in the same way as Gates, but is a big body that can win a lot of jump footballs... Should be a good red zone threat and good over the middle. ?

Jason presently runs a 14.65...on a good day....

 

[haleyrules]

Rico Gathers = Antonio Gates...interesting! Lets hope..

 

[links18]

lol i notice anytime anyone says anything positive about Rico, this is said. Can't people just express positive thinking without someone reading into it at the extreme.
I remember posting a few comments right after last years draft about how I thought Dak could very well become our QB of the future and believe I heard the same then, Now would I have been surprised if I was wrong, no as I just expressed my thoughts on what I saw in him.
I understand the hesitancy, but they are opinions even if they are risky ones.

Who is reading the extreme into anything? People are actually suggesting an UDFA who hasn't cracked the active roster and hasn't taken a snap in a regular season game is going to be the next Antonio Gates. There is no need to read extreme into anything. Its already there.....

 

[BrassCowboy]

At one point Witten could run a 4.65... No idea what he runs now, but even though he isnt breaking off big plays he is still productive.. I don't think Rico will be a down the field threat in the same way as Gates, but is a big body that can win a lot of jump footballs... Should be a good red zone threat and good over the middle. ?

while I didn't really mean to compare him to Witten, I will say that he has the potential to be Witten's replacement due to his size and athleticism, but we will see. I won't hold my breath, but its ok to hope.

 

[BrassCowboy]

Who is reading the extreme into anything? People are actually suggesting an UDFA who hasn't cracked the active roster and hasn't taken a snap in a regular season game is going to be the next Antonio Gates. There is no need to read extreme into anything. Its already there.....

one or two people saying he is Antonio Gates compared to much more of us saying he could be the next Antonio Gates is a large gap to crossover. People did the same with Tony Romo and got shot down.
"Usually" people who say "put away the anointing oil" are just stating the known truth and trying to pull it off as there own, trying to look good because they know that odds are they will come out right in the end and look better for it. but to me it is being a coward. Some are willing to say ahead of time how they perceive a player based on a number of factors, and if they end up being wrong then there wrong but atleast they took stood against the house and played their cards the way they saw them.
Not a knock on your post, it was an easy response, but IMO an unnecessary one

 

[viman96]

Sorry but too much hype without seeing it on the field. Trust me, I want to believe and excited to see if he can play. The offense is going to roll this year and it would be awesome to have a legit 2nd TE to add to the mix.

 

[TheDuke]

if he is red zone target in his first year they he is half way there.

No doubt. If he becomes a force in the red zone like I believe he can that would be a huge boost to the offense.

 

[robbieruff]

This thread got me feelin' like...