Cowboys hot routes: 5 things to know about new LB Andrew Gachkar
Linebacker Andrew Gachkar is known for his special teams play, and that’s likely where he’ll make the biggest impact for the Dallas Cowboys this season.
But Gachkar is also a valuable backup on defense. He started for the Cowboys at strongside linebacker in the preseason opener Thursday and has made a name for himself as a cover guy in the sub packages.
Here are five things you might not know about the 26-year-old Gachkar.
1 He’s from Kansas City, but has adapted to Texas barbecue all right. “KC barbecue is still better, but Texas makes those great hot sausage links with the jalapenos in them. I always go for them.”
2 He grew up a Royals baseball fan and never thought they’d make a World Series run, as they did last year. “They were so bad. They might’ve had like one .500 season when they had Mike Sweeney when I grew up there. So I loved seeing the Royals get to the World Series.”
3 Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is the reason he’s even in the NFL. “He drafted me [in San Diego in the seventh round in 2011], and I owe the world to him. He has a lot of belief in me as a player, sometimes more than I have in my own self. He really taught me how to play and I don’t know how far I’d make it without him.”
4 Another key influence was current Missouri State coach Dave Steckel. “He was a heck of a coach for me, and really became like a second dad to me. He turned me into a man, so that was pretty cool to have him as a coach in college.”
5 He married his high school sweetheart and a fellow Missouri athlete, Lauren, who is related to former Rangers shortstop Michael Young. Lauren, in fact, spent most of her youth growing up in Texas. “We love it here. It’s a little hotter, but there’s so much more space and the house prices are great.”
Welcome the Rams
The St. Louis Rams are coming to town for a two-day scrimmage session against the Cowboys on Monday and Tuesday, and coach Jason Garrett is excited about it.
Competition, after all, brings out the best. And it can also bring out a few scuffles, evidenced by what happened against the Oakland Raiders a year ago.
“The biggest thing we want to do is make sure it’s about football,” Garrett said. “Sometimes you get into these situations and a lot of other stuff starts to happen, and it’s a great challenge for your team to stay focused.
“Sometimes these things get escalated in these kinds of practices, and I think it’s important for us as coaches, players and as a football team to handle it the right way, stay focused on what’s most important — and that’s getting better as a team.”
One-word audibles
Quarterback Tony Romo’s audibles come in loud and clear during training camp, and it’s always interesting to hear the different names used to change the plays. Lately, Romo could easily be heard shouting former coaches’ last names, such as “Parcells” and “Shanahan.”
Garrett said that’s something that is always changing and ultimately comes down to the preference of offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.
“Scott has done a great job, making some of that stuff very systematic where it makes sense to everybody,” Garrett said. “Those things are always changing, too. The importance of understanding what that language is and communicating well is critical.”
Quote of the day
“No. They were just going to storm the gates, and we said, ‘No.’ Of course we invited them. They’re here. They got a football team here. What do you think? Let’s practice with them.” — Coach Jason Garrett on if the Rams were invited to practice with the Cowboys in Oxnard on Monday and Tuesday.
Injury report
RB Darren McFadden
(left hamstring): Activated off PUP Saturday
LB Rolando McClain
(right knee): PUP
OT Chaz Green (hip): PUP
LB Mark Nzeocha
(knee): non-football injury
RB Lance Dunbar
(right ankle): Returned Saturday
DT Terrell McClain (knee/hamstring): Day-to-day
DE Kenneth Boatright (neck): Rejoined team; out indefinitely
WR Dez Bryant
(hamstring): Day-to-day
WR Antwan Goodley (hamstring): Day-to-day
CB Orlando Scandrick (knee): Day-to-day
TE James Hanna (left knee): Day-to-day
RB Gus Johnson (separated shoulder): Day-to-day
CB Brandon Carr (right hand): Day-to-day
This story was originally published August 15, 2015 at 6:23 PM with the headline "Cowboys hot routes: 5 things to know about new LB Andrew Gachkar."