Jumbo075
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From the moment it was reported that the Cowboys had interest in drafting Rico Gathers, and ESPN broadcast the sports science episode featuring him, many fans have been salivating at the prospect of him being the next Antonio Gates, a basketball player turned tight end, who took the NFL by surprise, and has hammered out a Hall of Fame type career in San Diego. I will admit to being one of those who are very intrigued.
Although many feared that cutting Gathers as a rookie would result in other teams sweeping in to pluck him from the Cowboys' grasp, Jerry Jones made sure that didn't happen by offering Gathers a contract to stay on the Practice Squad equal to what other rookies make their first year - minus $10 to stay within NFL rules. And then I'm sure he treated Gathers to a $10 meal.
The Cowboys were rewarded last year in the preseason, where Gathers tantalized many fans and coaches with his athletic prowess and pass catching ability in preseason. And then things went awry. Jeff Heath not only delivered a blow that resulted in a concussion. But apparently, there was damage to the jaw, and ,andibular joints within the Gathers face that caused a prolonged recovery time that landed Gathers on IR his 2nd season. He didn't fully recover from that August hit until 3 months later in November.
Now, reports are that he has fully recovered. But the legend of Rico Gathers is in danger of entering the "Matt Johnson zone" if he doesn't have a break out year in 2017.
Jason Witten just signed his final contract - a 4 year, Salary CAP friendly deal that pays him $6.5M per season in salary and roster bonuses. But he's also discussed leaving the football field, and following Tony Romo to the analyst booth with a couple of broadcast networks. It is anyone's guess when he'll decide to retire, although he's committed to playing in 2017.
With that in mind, both Todd McShay and Mel Kiper have mocked the Cowboys selecting Penn State TE Matt Gesicki, who blew up the combine with his show of athleticism, in the 2nd round of the impending draft. Others have the Cowboys opting for Oklahoma TE Mark Andrews in the 3rd round. But will the Cowboys spend yet another high draft pick on a Tight End to back up Witten? Or do they really believe that Rico Gathers has what it takes to become a legitimate NFL player? So far, the Cowboys have invested $948,346 in Gathers, in the hope that he's the one to replace Witten.
Back in 2012, the Cowboys invested a 4th round pick, and $993,875 in salary over the next two seasons, in Safety Matt Johnson from Eastern Washington. Johnson was a young man who lit up the College Ranks with an amazing 17 interceptions and 6 forced fumbles while playing for the Eagles on EWU's trademark red field. Many of us salivated over having such a play maker in the Cowboys secondary. But multiple and repeated injuries sidelined Johnson for two full seasons, and he was cut after his 3rd training camp.
Much like Johnson, Rico Gathers is only a whispered promise right now, and to date, he has done nothing to justify our anticipation. With about the same amount of money and time invested in Gathers that the Cowboys invested in Johnson, Gathers is living on borrowed NFL time. Either he shows up big, and finally begins fulfilling that promise, or he will join Johnson as another broken promise, someone who tantalized and teased us, but came short of justifying our fantasies of spectacular on-field production.
Good luck, Rico. Many of us are still hoping you're for real. Maybe, just maybe, this time we won't be disappointed.
Although many feared that cutting Gathers as a rookie would result in other teams sweeping in to pluck him from the Cowboys' grasp, Jerry Jones made sure that didn't happen by offering Gathers a contract to stay on the Practice Squad equal to what other rookies make their first year - minus $10 to stay within NFL rules. And then I'm sure he treated Gathers to a $10 meal.
The Cowboys were rewarded last year in the preseason, where Gathers tantalized many fans and coaches with his athletic prowess and pass catching ability in preseason. And then things went awry. Jeff Heath not only delivered a blow that resulted in a concussion. But apparently, there was damage to the jaw, and ,andibular joints within the Gathers face that caused a prolonged recovery time that landed Gathers on IR his 2nd season. He didn't fully recover from that August hit until 3 months later in November.
Now, reports are that he has fully recovered. But the legend of Rico Gathers is in danger of entering the "Matt Johnson zone" if he doesn't have a break out year in 2017.
Jason Witten just signed his final contract - a 4 year, Salary CAP friendly deal that pays him $6.5M per season in salary and roster bonuses. But he's also discussed leaving the football field, and following Tony Romo to the analyst booth with a couple of broadcast networks. It is anyone's guess when he'll decide to retire, although he's committed to playing in 2017.
With that in mind, both Todd McShay and Mel Kiper have mocked the Cowboys selecting Penn State TE Matt Gesicki, who blew up the combine with his show of athleticism, in the 2nd round of the impending draft. Others have the Cowboys opting for Oklahoma TE Mark Andrews in the 3rd round. But will the Cowboys spend yet another high draft pick on a Tight End to back up Witten? Or do they really believe that Rico Gathers has what it takes to become a legitimate NFL player? So far, the Cowboys have invested $948,346 in Gathers, in the hope that he's the one to replace Witten.
Back in 2012, the Cowboys invested a 4th round pick, and $993,875 in salary over the next two seasons, in Safety Matt Johnson from Eastern Washington. Johnson was a young man who lit up the College Ranks with an amazing 17 interceptions and 6 forced fumbles while playing for the Eagles on EWU's trademark red field. Many of us salivated over having such a play maker in the Cowboys secondary. But multiple and repeated injuries sidelined Johnson for two full seasons, and he was cut after his 3rd training camp.
Much like Johnson, Rico Gathers is only a whispered promise right now, and to date, he has done nothing to justify our anticipation. With about the same amount of money and time invested in Gathers that the Cowboys invested in Johnson, Gathers is living on borrowed NFL time. Either he shows up big, and finally begins fulfilling that promise, or he will join Johnson as another broken promise, someone who tantalized and teased us, but came short of justifying our fantasies of spectacular on-field production.
Good luck, Rico. Many of us are still hoping you're for real. Maybe, just maybe, this time we won't be disappointed.
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