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.
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