The Legend of Rico Gathers Grows

[Longboysfan]

Rico made a couple of great catches and its easy to see that he is a very athletic pass catching TE.

But he is a weak blocker and has shown himself to be hot-headed (tossing his helmet twice in camp and getting into a "bad" fight) as well as cocky and entitled for a player who hasn't done anything yet.

I am intrigued by his potential-- but unimpressed with his persona. Will need to see more growth-- hopefully he absorbs as much as he can from Witten on how to go about his business-- but at this point, Rico looks like he has more in common with Martellus Bennett than Witten.

Same here. He was almost too tall to get into blocking smaller players.

Seemed to me that he took a long time to get to speed off the line.

At this point there is some potential there. How he progresses is yet to be seen.
There are 4 more pre season games left and the Cowboys will play him a lot in them.

 

[waving monkey]

Eifert was a 1st round pick with elite athleticism and intangibles. And you're asking a dude who hadn't played football since the 8th grade to be better than him? That's CZone expectations right there if I've ever seen it

I'm willing to step out on the edge of criticism. Rico will pass Eifert in stats by end of each career

 

[UDcowboysfan]

I enjoy keeping up with his progress but his blocking and route running last night we're not there yet. He should destroy people in the blocking game and he wasn't. As has been mentioned before his route running is very stiff and there is no wiggle to gain separation.

That game secured that he makes the 53, and I have to believe that he continues to improve on the blocking and route running.

He can catch, and is dynamic with the ball in his hands....those are intangibles worth building around.

 

[Texas_Pete]

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Rico made a couple of great catches and its easy to see that he is a very athletic pass catching TE.

But he is a weak blocker and has shown himself to be hot-headed (tossing his helmet twice in camp and getting into a "bad" fight) as well as cocky and entitled for a player who hasn't done anything yet.

I am intrigued by his potential-- but unimpressed with his persona. Will need to see more growth-- hopefully he absorbs as much as he can from Witten on how to go about his business-- but at this point, Rico looks like he has more in common with Martellus Bennett than Witten.

Bennett never sniffed a Probowl in Dallas:


2008 DAL 20 catches 283 yards 4 TDs
2009 DAL 15 catches 159 yards 0 TDs
2010 DAL 33 catches 260 yards 0 TDs
2011 DAL 17 catches 144 yards 0 TDs

4 Year Total: 85 Catches, 846 Yards, 4TDs

2012 NYG 55 catches 626 yards 5 TDs
2013 CHI 65 catches 759 yards 5 TDs
2014 CHI 90 catches 916 yards 6 TDs
2015 CHI 53 catches 439 yards 3TDs
2016 NE 55 catches 701 yards 7 TDs

5 Year Total: 318 Catches, 3,438 Yards, 26TDs

 

[superonyx]

I won't bump any of my old Rico threads. The mods already have plenty to keep them busy.

I will just say it's nice to see the fan footprint growing.

Shades of my early love for Beastley & how that panned out.

For every Tashard Choice there's a Cole Beastley.

I have to give you a like for owning up to being the founder and president of the Tashard Choice fan club.
But hey look at the flip side....wasn't Felix Jones the other back in the controversy? How did that turn out.

 

[Hawkeye19]

Same here. He was almost too tall to get into blocking smaller players.

Seemed to me that he took a long time to get to speed off the line.

At this point there is some potential there. How he progresses is yet to be seen.
There are 4 more pre season games left and the Cowboys will play him a lot in them.

Yah... At this point we can't cut him as he will never make it past waivers. Do we keep 6 WRs or 4TEs? Brice Butler looks great so we may lose Noah Brown and/or Andy Jones if we cut them.

Hanna and Swaim are the best blockers we have at TE and so it'd be tough to cut them imo... I'd lean towards keeping 4 TEs and go lean at QB and OL. Putting Rico in on red zone packages will open things up for the offense down there.

Lots of tough roster decisions looming lol... Good problem to have I guess

 

[Hawkeye19]

Bennett never sniffed a Probowl in Dallas:


2008 DAL 20 catches 283 yards 4 TDs
2009 DAL 15 catches 159 yards 0 TDs
2010 DAL 33 catches 260 yards 0 TDs
2011 DAL 17 catches 144 yards 0 TDs

4 Year Total: 85 Catches, 846 Yards, 4TDs

2012 NYG 55 catches 626 yards 5 TDs
2013 CHI 65 catches 759 yards 5 TDs
2014 CHI 90 catches 916 yards 6 TDs
2015 CHI 53 catches 439 yards 3TDs
2016 NE 55 catches 701 yards 7 TDs

5 Year Total: 318 Catches, 3,438 Yards, 26TDs

I was comparing them from a personality standpoint. Both players are flamboyant, emotional, and think they're better than they are. Marty has had a better career since he left Dallas no doubt-- but the fact that he publicly runs down a future HOF TE whenever he opens his mouth speaks VOLUMES as to why he doesn't seem to stick around a lot of locker rooms.

 

[mperfection]

Rico made a couple of great catches and its easy to see that he is a very athletic pass catching TE.

But he is a weak blocker and has shown himself to be hot-headed (tossing his helmet twice in camp and getting into a "bad" fight) as well as cocky and entitled for a player who hasn't done anything yet.

I am intrigued by his potential-- but unimpressed with his persona. Will need to see more growth-- hopefully he absorbs as much as he can from Witten on how to go about his business-- but at this point, Rico looks like he has more in common with Martellus Bennett than Witten.

At least Bennett is still in the league, has a SB ring (more than any other current Cowboys player - COMBINED), and is now on another SB-contending team. Just sayin'

 

[ShiningStar]

what am i missing here, what does Rico have that we cant lose in our TE corp? why are some fans insisting he wont make it to the PS?

 

[21Savage]

Rico made a couple of great catches and its easy to see that he is a very athletic pass catching TE.

But he is a weak blocker and has shown himself to be hot-headed (tossing his helmet twice in camp and getting into a "bad" fight) as well as cocky and entitled for a player who hasn't done anything yet.

I am intrigued by his potential-- but unimpressed with his persona. Will need to see more growth-- hopefully he absorbs as much as he can from Witten on how to go about his business-- but at this point, Rico looks like he has more in common with Martellus Bennett than Witten.

The top TEs in the league (guys like Martellus, agronomy, Eifert and the guy from KC) all have similar cocky attitudes.

If Witten is your only paragon for success at the TE position then you need to open your eyes.

Martellus has gotten multiple big contracts in the league as well as a Super Bowl ring, all the while being himself. What's wrong with being like him?

If Witten never gets a ring I'm sure there'll be days he wakes up in the morning wishing he had a career like Bennett's.

 

[Doomsday101]

I thought Rico did pretty well out there. Still much work needed, especially blocking. Coaches and players will take a look at the film and get back to work

 

[Hawkeye19]

The top TEs in the league (guys like Martellus, agronomy, Eifert and the guy from KC) all have similar cocky attitudes.

If Witten is your only paragon for success at the TE position then you need to open your eyes.

Martellus has gotten multiple big contracts in the league as well as a Super Bowl ring, all the while being himself. What's wrong with being like him?

If Witten never gets a ring I'm sure there'll be days he wakes up in the morning wishing he had a career like Bennett's.

My issue with Marty has nothing to do with his position-- it has to do with his mouth and his unwillingness to control it. TO had the same problem. So did Greg Hardy. Some players just say dumb things and don't seem to grasp the concept that you don't do yourself any favors when you publicly trash team mates (or former ones).

His on field play speaks for itself-- but I doubt Witten is jealous of him.

 

[Hawkeye19]

At least Bennett is still in the league, has a SB ring (more than any other current Cowboys player - COMBINED), and is now on another SB-contending team. Just sayin'

I'm old fashioned and believe the game should be played a certain way. Always have had problems with players that put themselves ahead of the team. Marty was that way in Dallas and has constantly whined about players, coaches, etc... He plays well on the field-- off it-- I don't respect him. Could care less if he has a ring or not. Just sayin'

 

[Doomsday101]

The top TEs in the league (guys like Martellus, agronomy, Eifert and the guy from KC) all have similar cocky attitudes.

If Witten is your only paragon for success at the TE position then you need to open your eyes.

Martellus has gotten multiple big contracts in the league as well as a Super Bowl ring, all the while being himself. What's wrong with being like him?

If Witten never gets a ring I'm sure there'll be days he wakes up in the morning wishing he had a career like Bennett's.

Bennett is on his 4th team, he has talent he can also be a pain in the backside and teams do not seem willing to keep him around.

 

[ShiningStar]

Bennett is on his 4th team, he has talent he can also be a pain in the backside and teams do not seem willing to keep him around.

he does keep getting work, he hasnt left the league yet, and after leaving Dallas things got better. Cant fault him for that.

 

[TheCount]

Damn, better than Eifert and Gronk! Get his yellow jacket ready!

 

[bigbob]

Rico looked good.
It was just a practice game
Need to see the rest of PS to start judging these players.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Damn, better than Eifert and Gronk! Get his yellow jacket ready!

No kidding.
I think he has potential, but the road might be too long for a team challenging for an SB. I think if he makes his mark it will end up with the Jets or Jacksonville not Dallas.

 

[CWR]

Eifert was a 1st round pick with elite athleticism and intangibles. And you're asking a dude who hadn't played football since the 8th grade to be better than him? That's CZone expectations right there if I've ever seen it

Exactly, lets go Rico!