Rico Gathers and the Dallas Cowboys coaching issues

The Dallas Cowboys have used tight end Rico Gathers sparingly and with no direction. This is the latest example of the offensive coaching staffs ineptitude.

The Dallas Cowboys made a surprising decision by putting tight end Rico Gathers on the 53-man roster. Especially after a marijuana possession arrest the night before roster cuts were finalized. But with his spot on the team, it seemed like the Cowboys would make an effort to utilize his skill-set and unique physical abilities.

Through the first quarter of the season, it has become clear that the offensive coaching staff was not prepared to use Gathers in a way that would take advantage of his mismatch ability. With a questionable workload for running back Ezekiel Elliott in the first three weeks, predictable personnel packages, and head-scratching playcalling especially in the red zone; the Rico Gathers experiment is just another in a long line of offensive coaching gaffes.

Inactive Week One, Gathers was targeted twice in Week Two versus the New York Giants. His second target was in the red zone and one that if quarterback Dak Prescott made a better throw on, would have resulted in Gathers first career touchdown. While the team showed some encouraging signs for Rico in that game, his usage thereafter has been just as inconsistent and illogical as the rest of the playcalling.

Gathers rarely gets reps in the red zone and has been used sparingly each game at random times; preventing any type of rhythm or focus from developing in his game. While he has had some mistakes, (false start against the Seattle Seahawks), he has not been given the right opportunities for success. If he’s active every week and the team is getting little receiving production, why not give him more opportunities?

Gathers’ Week Four red zone play against the Detroit Lions was a perfect example of the lack of logic in the team’s use of Gathers. Having only played him in three snaps beforehand, the team decided to split him out wide on a critical game-hinging third and goal chance. While he did not get the proper depth on his route, the throw was a bit too high and inside and Gathers could not make the play. But why wait until that pivotal moment to get him involved, especially in such an obvious way?

If the coaching staff can figure out a way to consistently involve him in the red zone and passing offense, Rico Gathers could end up with five or six touchdowns on the season. This would be a major contribution from someone many thought wouldn’t be on the team right now. With the proper reps in the proper packages, the Cowboys may be able to unlock the potential in Gathers. If they continue as they have so far though, he will be just another guy.