Rico Gathers wants to eventually replace Jason Witten

A guy that tall who is used to going up for rebounds and such is definitely an interesting prospect for a TE. Today's NFL loves TEs that are bad matchups for safeties and linebackers. Now all the physical attributes in the world mean nothing if you aren't a good football player.

I am excited to see him compete in TC/preseason at the very least.
 
tyke1doe said:
Many aren't down on his physical gifts. They're down on him because he hasn't played football since high school.

It's not easy making that transition. And there is some reason for skepticism.
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He didn't even play in HS, Junior High is his last organized football :eek:
 
tyke1doe said:
Many aren't down on his physical gifts. They're down on him because he hasn't played football since high school.

It's not easy making that transition. And there is some reason for skepticism.
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Obviously there is a lot of reason for skepticism. I am hopful because the team obviously sees something in him and they have been patient.

They gave him the same salary as someone on the roster last season to be on the practice squad so he doesn't leave, it's evident they are high on him.
 
Risen Star said:
The play that showed Gathers is capable of playing in the NFL occurred in the Cowboys’ final preseason game.

Prescott rolled out and threw a pass to Gathers in the flat. Gathers turned his body to catch the ball and did a half cartwheel, using his left hand as a base. He regained his balance and immediately cut right, avoiding two defenders.

He ran through another tackle before being tackled after an 8-yard gain.

“That play right there gave me confidence going forward,” Gathers said. “Making my first catch, taking some blows and knocking some people over. That’s when I knew I was ready to be a football player.”

Now it’s about moving up the depth chart.
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He will have trouble beating out the mighty Swaim, your favorite TE on the team, foot injury or not...lol.
 
Risen Star said:
The play that showed Gathers is capable of playing in the NFL occurred in the Cowboys’ final preseason game.

Prescott rolled out and threw a pass to Gathers in the flat. Gathers turned his body to catch the ball and did a half cartwheel, using his left hand as a base. He regained his balance and immediately cut right, avoiding two defenders.

He ran through another tackle before being tackled after an 8-yard gain.

“That play right there gave me confidence going forward,” Gathers said. “Making my first catch, taking some blows and knocking some people over. That’s when I knew I was ready to be a football player.”

Now it’s about moving up the depth chart.
Click to expand...

That was it for me to. I wouldn't count this young man out.
 
Risen Star said:
The play that showed Gathers is capable of playing in the NFL occurred in the Cowboys’ final preseason game.

Prescott rolled out and threw a pass to Gathers in the flat. Gathers turned his body to catch the ball and did a half cartwheel, using his left hand as a base. He regained his balance and immediately cut right, avoiding two defenders.

He ran through another tackle before being tackled after an 8-yard gain.

“That play right there gave me confidence going forward,” Gathers said. “Making my first catch, taking some blows and knocking some people over. That’s when I knew I was ready to be a football player.”

Now it’s about moving up the depth chart.
Click to expand...

The play showed his incredible athleticism.

But, playing in the NFL is a different story.

My big worry is effectively playing TE takes a high football IQ to know and feel where you are supposed to sit down on routes, properly stemming routes, etc.

Most people fail to realize that Antonio Gates was an All-State football player in Michigan. It wasn't like he had zero experience like Rico had.

And there are little things that he'll have to overcome like adjusting to when defenses have a good scouting report on you, being able to work on your weaknesses while sustaining your strengths and being able to play when you're hurt.

Those are things that Jason Witten has done to a tee and why he's a future HoF'er while TE's with far more physical fits couldn't carry his jock.

As Demarco Murray once said 'follow Witten around and do exactly what he does.' Hopefully Rico takes that to heart.




YR
 
Man, that's a lot of confidence from an UDFA who has never taken a regular season snap.
 
We might be best off giving him a chance this year. There are 3 very good TEs - Howard, Njoku, Engram - in this draft that we'd need to take with our 1st round pick (if any of them are still on the board) if we want them. But there are also a lot of DEs and DBs who we might be better off spending our first two picks on instead. Perhaps we take a chance on a guy like Butt in the 3rd round and let him red shirt this year. Or maybe we'd be better off drafting defense this year and going TE next year if Gathers doesn't prove himself this year.
 
I'm excited about this young man. This is football not rocket science if he is willing to put in the time and the work he can learn. He has the size and the athletic ability to play this game that is something you can't teach. I look forward to seeing him out on the field this pre season to see what he can do.
 
If Rico makes the 53 and takes the league by storm. I'll take that as sign from the football gods and buy Super Bowl tickets in advance.
 
Listening to Rico's comments, it sounds like his confidence is on the upswing. Here's hoping his performance is worthy of his optimism.
 
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