Dallas Cowboys: 5 Questions remaining heading into training camp
5. Can Rico Gathers earn a 53-man roster spot?
One of the more intriguing players on the Cowboys depth chart, second-year tight end Rico Gathers didn’t make it off the practice squad last season, but stuck around with the franchise as he began to learn how to play the tight end spot after playing college basketball at Baylor for four years.
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Gathers is a natural athlete, and he’s built to play tight end. However, the question is, has he improved enough after one season of training with the Cowboys to earn a roster spot behind veteran and future Hall of Famer Jason Witten?
The tight end had a case of pinkeye last week in mini camp, and even when he returned, he wasn’t at his best. Drew Davidson of Star-Telegram.com quoted Gathers following that return from pinkeye, as he didn’t run the correct routes and didn’t have the type of practice he wanted.
Gathers was quoted, saying:
"“That type of stuff makes the coaches be like, ‘Oh, he still ain’t got it.’ I want them to know I know my information and I’m the total package. I want to be reliable.”"
Even with his miscues, it is good to see Gathers is working at his best to improve for the franchise and that he wants to help make an impact for the Cowboys. Gathers has a good chance if he keeps improving, to earn a full-time roster spot. With the Cowboys seemingly showing patience with him, Gathers could become that difference maker many hope he works his way to becoming.