The Landry Hat
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Dallas Cowboys: The curious case of tight end Rico Gathers

By Gillia Baattai

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Rico Gathers #80 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a touchdown making the score 10-10 during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Rico Gathers #80 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a touchdown making the score 10-10 during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 26: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints catches a pass for a touchdown as Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers tries to defend during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 26, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 26: Jimmy Graham #80 of the New Orleans Saints catches a pass for a touchdown as Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers tries to defend during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 26, 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Gathers has the potential to play a similar role as Graham did in his tenure in New Orleans. As another power forward turned tight end, Graham was very raw entering the league and his best qualities were his size and athleticism. The same two qualities that make fans salivate over Gathers’ potential. Grahams drawbacks on the field were also the same as Gathers now, run and pass blocking.

While I am not saying Gathers is the same quality tight end as Graham, the way the latter was used is indicative of how the Cowboys must use Gathers.

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The Saints under head coach Sean Payton have always been an offensive juggernaut. It would be safe to assume they felt Graham’s best adds to the team were in the receiving game. It would take time to develop such a raw talent as a blocker, but because of his sheer athletic prowess, it seemed necessary to put him on the field as a matchup advantage.

So instead of stashing Graham away until he perfected the art of blocking, the team used him as a middle of the field threat and red zone target. His ability to attack the deep middle because of his athleticism as well as his size in the red zone made him an immediate contributor. All while not being asked to or being able to block.

Now the Saints did not have the Cowboys offensive line or star running back Ezekiel Elliott. They also had future Hall of Famer Drew Brees in a pass-first offense. This allowed Graham to be utilized to his full potential and at a higher usage rate than any receiving tight end would ever be on the Cowboys.

The Saints also have a smart and creative offensive coaching staff that Dallas should learn from. If head coach Jason Garrett and offensive coordinator Scott Linehan are serious about mixing in different looks and concepts to make the offense less predictable, then they will follow the Saints lead and carve out a unique role for Gathers.

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