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TE Rico Gathers, Free Agent (1 Viewer)

NFC East training camp preview: Key issues, players to watch

Excerpt:

Newcomer to watch: Rico Gathers. That's right -- a college basketball player who's never played a regular-season down in the NFL is worthy of your interest. The discourse surrounding Gathers' potential is nearing Bigfoot levels of legend, overstated thanks to his unavailability to disprove his worth. The power forward-turned-tight end is entering his third year in the pros having played in only two preseason games, but has the potential -- supposedly -- to be Dallas' starter by Week 1, thanks to Witten's retirement and a hodgepodge position group. With Witten out to pasture, the tight ends on Dallas' roster account for just nine career receptions, all of which are the property of Geoff Swaim, while second-year UDFA Blake Jarwin and 2018 fourth-round pick Dalton Schultz are also present. Gathers, with his Gatesian basketball pedigree, has the most exciting highlight reel on the roster, but if he can't demonstrate recovery from last year's head injuries, the tight end is a potential cut candidate. Boom or bust for the Baylor big man.

:lmao:
 
but when he runs does he look like hes shot out of a cannon?

and does he know his left from his right?
Been said countless times in this thread but seems like a good time to mention that he can probably throw a football over them mountains.

 
I've been reading from Cowboys beat reporters that he isn't even expected to make the roster. No idea why he's such a hot topic

 
I've been reading from Cowboys beat reporters that he isn't even expected to make the roster. No idea why he's such a hot topic
I’d be shocked if he doesn’t make the team. If you’re talking about Brian Broadeous, who seems like a nice guy and makes smart, compelling arguments,but he’s rarely right.

The Cowboys have stashed him for two years now, imho, no way do they cut bait.

 
I realize this is all just speculation, but its that time of the year.

If he does get cut or maybe even traded for a late pick, there are a couple of places where he could flourish and remain rosterable.  Off the very top of my head, New Orleans and San Diego.  In New Orleans he just has to beat out Ben Watson for receiving TE duties, and he would obviously be playing in a great offense with a HOF QB who made Jimmy Graham into an unstoppable force.  San Diego was the original team to convert a basketball player into a dangerous weapon, and Phillip Rivers was the QB that did the majority of that damage.  Obviously, they have at least a short term need at the position.  Rico going to either of these spots would be very interesting, and make him worth a stash for sure.  Staying in Dallas seems like, at least right now, a very bad spot for him.  Although there is a need at TE, they don't seem to value his skillset at the position.  At least if you believe the news.  Others have mentioned it, but it may be best for him and for owners if he were to move on, depending of course where that move takes him. 

 
I realize this is all just speculation, but its that time of the year.

If he does get cut or maybe even traded for a late pick, there are a couple of places where he could flourish and remain rosterable.  Off the very top of my head, New Orleans and San Diego. 
I'd say it's better to come into the Rico thread and speculate on his future than to come into the Rico thread making posts on why this thread has so many posts so thanks.

In an earlier post I said my decision on if I roster Rico or not when the season starts will primarily depend on how he performs/looks in preseason, not what Dallas decides to do with him. And you just threw out the two teams that would excite me the most.

New Orleans is already working with a project TE, Deon Yelder. He was one year starter and UDFA but they guaranteed him $90,000 which is a strong amount of money for a UDFA. So far hearing they like what they see in him but when Rico is saying he wants to be the next Graham it would be hard not to be interested.

San Diego has a good blocking TE so a good spot and even if they should bring back old Gates what a great mentor he'd be. Now long term may not look great with Hunter due back next year but Hunter will be on last year of his contract and doing an extension coming off an ACL may be tricky. 

 
The end in Dallas is pretty much a certainty

Making the waters murkier are the latest comments from Garrett, speaking from the team's first press conference of training camp. Asked about how they'll replace Witten, Garrett noted they'd take an expected "committee" approach, but what was truly telling was what he said next.

"We have three young tight ends that we're excited about," he said.

Three.

That's easy math, folks.

Considering Geoff Swaim has skins on the wall, their love of Jarwin and the fact Schultz brings everything to the table they're looking for right now, the logical assumption is that's the Cowboys' TE triumvirate. That would leave Gathers and undrafted free agent David Wells in the mix, who wants a shot at making his own dreams come true, out in the cold.
 
From Red's presser today -

When asked about Rico Gathers Coach Garrett noted that they need him to continue to progress. This is the same song we’ve heard sung for the former basketball player, it’s one of a bit of ambiguity. He did note Rico’s rare size/athleticism, and said that if he made mistakes in last year’s preseason games, when they corrected him he didn’t make them again

https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2018/7/26/17617574/jason-garrett-press-conference-tavon-austin-versatility-rico-gathers-update

We'll see I guess 

 
Bryan Broaddus: Nice day for Rico Gathers catching the ball. Gathers worked himself free two separate times for scores. His first one came on a scramble of Dak Prescott as he mirrored Prescott moving to his left and presented himself as a target. His second one came on an out and up working against Kavon Frazier where Cooper Rush found him again in the back of the end zone. Both times, his athletic ability really stood out.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/star-of-the-day-austin-rico-shines-in-scrimmage?sf194955517=1

 
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Wish Sean Payton would just trade for this guy already.
Why? It is far more likely that he never develops. I mean like far, far, far world's apart far. It's about so much more than catching the football. It's a lot to ask someone who simply hasn't the experience. Teams can only spend so many resources on a project.

Good luck to him but I hope he has a viable back up plan to the NFL.

 
No idea. He's a complete fantasy zero.
Because Football Jones owns him and is too stubborn to admit he might be wrong about him.  If he's released, he'll still be right and it will be Garretts fault.  He makes up about half of the posts in here.

 
Finally some oo Bryan Broaddus: Nice day for Rico Gathers catching the ball. Gathers worked himself free two separate times for scores. His first one came on a scramble of Dak Prescott as he mirrored Prescott moving to his left and presented himself as a target. His second one came on an out and up working against Kavon Frazier where Cooper Rush found him again in the back of the end zone. Both times, his athletic ability really stood out.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/star-of-the-day-austin-rico-shines-in-scrimmage?sf194955517=1
I mentioned in the Cowboys thread that I want to slap Garrett every time he mentions blocking. We probably have the best OL in the league & the Clapper is worrying about Rico's blocking. LOL. Sure, blocking is important for an in-line TE, but you have to take advantage of a player's strengths & work around their weaknesses.

Anyway, finally some good news out of camp, but I wish they wouldn't of had him bulk up. He's already gigantic so they should've just left him alone & let him be as athletic as possible. Regardless, Rico could be a matchup nightmare if he can develop.

There's too many unknowns for me to pound the table for Rico, but I still like his price-to-upside ratio. He doesn't cost much (free in many cases) & you might strike gold. I absolutely love taking a chance on players like Rico in dynasty leagues, especially in the offseason when many leagues expand rosters.

 
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I can’t find any media reports but Rico caught 2 TD in the Cowboys recent scrimmage. The local guys have reluctantly been taking about him.

Jason garrett reluctantly talked about him in his press conference. 

The MFer is RALLY good at catching the ball and he’s hard to bring down.. WTF is this so difficult???? Use him in the red zone and he’ll catch 6-10 TDs.

To the people wondering why he gets so much attention it’s because all he does is produce when the lights are on and Garrett doesn’t even view him as a viable option.

If he continues to catch TDS in the preseason he makes the team. That’s all there is to it. 

 
I can’t find any media reports but Rico caught 2 TD in the Cowboys recent scrimmage. The local guys have reluctantly been taking about him.

Jason garrett reluctantly talked about him in his press conference. 

The MFer is RALLY good at catching the ball and he’s hard to bring down.. WTF is this so difficult???? Use him in the red zone and he’ll catch 6-10 TDs.

To the people wondering why he gets so much attention it’s because all he does is produce when the lights are on and Garrett doesn’t even view him as a viable option.

If he continues to catch TDS in the preseason he makes the team. That’s all there is to it. 
It'll be funny if/when he's cut and signs with a team like NE, Seattle or Rams that actually play him to his strengths and he becomes a solid move TE.

 
Why? It is far more likely that he never develops. I mean like far, far, far world's apart far. It's about so much more than catching the football. It's a lot to ask someone who simply hasn't the experience. Teams can only spend so many resources on a project.

Good luck to him but I hope he has a viable back up plan to the NFL.
I believe he wants to be a hip hop star. Best way for that to happen is probably to make a name in the nfl. 

 
Football is about a little bit more than catching passes or running fast.


It is, no doubt. 

I'm talking about him to my other Cowboys fans. 

This thread is for his fantasy production in a TE depleted league. Rico is a legit redone threat and thats why were all here. Nobody, even Cowboys "Hyperbole" Jones isn't saying he's a sure thing, but IIRC, he has scored TDs in every televised game he's played in, even if this game was a scrimmage. The lights come on and he produces. There are guys who produce all day long in practice and disappear at game time. 

 
It is, no doubt. 

I'm talking about him to my other Cowboys fans. 

This thread is for his fantasy production in a TE depleted league. Rico is a legit redone threat and thats why were all here. Nobody, even Cowboys "Hyperbole" Jones isn't saying he's a sure thing, but IIRC, he has scored TDs in every televised game he's played in, even if this game was a scrimmage. The lights come on and he produces. There are guys who produce all day long in practice and disappear at game time. 
Scoring TDs in preseason (week 1 & 2) is nice and all but if he doesn't understand the intricacies of getting to the line, reading defenses and knowing what route to run or what adjustment to make while being on the same page as his QB then he won't ever be open and those TDs will quickly become INTs against real NFL defenses.

Just being big and athletic doesn't make "Run over there and jump for the ball" a viable play call in any part of the field.

You know this.

 
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Forgive my ignorance on the matter but has that ever happened?
No, but making a name for himself then trying to get people to show up to your performance may be better than relying on your musical talent. It’s hard for even talented people to make it in that industry. 

No, it’s never happened, but I would think it would be easier for say Ron artest to become a hip hop act than some guy trying to make a roster for the cowboys, simply by name recognition. 

Who am I to judge, but when professional football player and hip hop performer are your first two job choices I’ll simply say “good luck.”

wdit: “the artist formerly known as Ron artest”

 
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Scoring TDs in preseason (week 1 & 2) is nice and all but if he doesn't understand the intricacies of getting to the line, reading defenses and knowing what route to run or what adjustment to make while being on the same page as his QB then he won't ever be open and those TDs will quickly become INTs against real NFL defenses.

Just being big and athletic doesn't make "Run over there and jump for the ball" a viable play call in any part of the field.

You know this.
You sound just like Jason Garrett!!!!! :rant:

Seriously though, I agree and have stated as much, however Jason Witten isn't walking through that door and the guys they have ahead of him aren't lighting the world on fire either. 

Also, Rico has moved up the depth chart from 4th to 3rd. 

 
You sound just like Jason Garrett!!!!! :rant:

Seriously though, I agree and have stated as much, however Jason Witten isn't walking through that door and the guys they have ahead of him aren't lighting the world on fire either. 

Also, Rico has moved up the depth chart from 4th to 3rd. 
To be clear I'm not saying Uncle Rico won't make it, I just understand where Garrett is coming from. Seems like you do too.

 


Also, Rico has moved up the depth chart from 4th to 3rd. 
Not sure if anyone caught this but Garrett was interviewed yesterday by NFL Network and when he was asked about the TE position he said something along of the lines of we got 3 young TE's.  Now you say he's third on the depth chart but I heard that and thought Rico does not have a chance with this team.

 

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