Rico Gathers to the NFL?

[demoncore1031]

Can't link at the moment, but it looks like Gathers could get drafter as a TE. Pretty cool.

EDIT: Can a mod please move this to the pro sports forum. Sorry!

 

[jbindm]

I don't know if this is the link you were looking for, but 24 teams showed up for a workout he did yesterday.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...rest-as-basketball-convert-gathers-works-out/

I doubt he'll get drafted but it wouldn't be a surprise if he landed on some team's offseason 90 man roster. At 273 pounds I'm guessing whoever takes a chance on him would want him to drop 10-15 pounds and get a little bit faster, but he's an intriguing low risk/high reward prospect.

 

[VeloClone]

I'll be curious to see how he handles getting his head taken off when he tries to make a catch across the middle a few times. I have a feeling he will get alligator arms and will fail to make a squad.

 

[Doc]

From my untrained eye, a guy like VCU Mo Alie-Cox on VCU would make a better NFL TE than Gathers. Gathers just doesn't look particularly explosive to me so he doesn't seem like the typical basketball player turned TE.

 

[CyTwins]

Was measured at 6'6 but we need 6'10 guys or bigger so they can rebound

 

[cyhiphopp]

I'll be curious to see how he handles getting his head taken off when he tries to make a catch across the middle a few times. I have a feeling he will get alligator arms and will fail to make a squad.

That and trying to block an NFL D-Lineman or LBer. You aren't playing much at TE in the NFL if you can't block AT ALL.

 

[SouthJerseyCy]

That and trying to block an NFL D-Lineman or LBer. You aren't playing much at TE in the NFL if you can't block AT ALL.

Yeah, it's crazy to think that a college PF with no football experience could play TE in the NFL. That has never happened before!

 

[djcubby]

Yeah, it's crazy to think that a college PF with no football experience could play TE in the NFL. That has never happened before!

What's crazy is to think that every college PF with no football experience WILL play TE in the NFL.

Just because he has the body to play in the NFL doesn't mean he can.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

That and trying to block an NFL D-Lineman or LBer. You aren't playing much at TE in the NFL if you can't block AT ALL.

He'll be the first tight end to line up facing his own backfield and box out the defensive end.

 

[jbindm]

I'll be curious to see how he handles getting his head taken off when he tries to make a catch across the middle a few times. I have a feeling he will get alligator arms and will fail to make a squad.

From my untrained eye, a guy like VCU Mo Alie-Cox on VCU would make a better NFL TE than Gathers. Gathers just doesn't look particularly explosive to me so he doesn't seem like the typical basketball player turned TE.

That could absolutely be how it turns out, but there's no harm in putting him on an expanded offseason roster or practice squad just to find out. Teams routinely bring in 10-20 rookie free agents after the draft. That's a long way from being on a final 53 man roster once the season starts, but it gives him a chance to prove himself as a developmental project.

 

[cyhiphopp]

Yeah, it's crazy to think that a college PF with no football experience could play TE in the NFL. That has never happened before!

It's pretty rare that they are successful.

 

[AdamJGray]

Mel Kiper has him going in the 4th round I believe.