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Bissacia, Eberflus, no state tax made Cowboys right fit for Andrew Gachkar
Jon Machota Email jmachota@dallasnews.com
Published: June 25, 2015 3:36 pm
Andrew Gachkar hasn’t had much of an opportunity to make an impression on the Cowboys coaching staff since signing a two-year, $5.2 million contract in March.
The former Chargers inside linebacker was sidelined during offseason workouts with a strained hamstring.
“I just kind of got to the point where I was like, ‘Alright, I just need to take some time off and get it better,’” he said. “Training camp is the most important part.”
Gachkar, a seventh round pick in 2011, played in 15 games last season, starting five for San Diego. He recorded a career-high 49 tackles and returned a fumble 13 yards for his first career TD in Week 12.
Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia was part of the staff in San Diego that drafted Gachkar. Cowboys linebackers coach Matt Eberflus was defensive coordinator at Missouri for two of the four years Gachkar played there.
Those two coaches played a significant role in Gachkar choosing the Cowboys in free agency.
“No. 1 was Bissacia. Having Eberflus here was a good thing,” he said. “My wife’s from Dallas, so that was a big thing. No state tax here, obviously, so that helps. Those were all big factors.”
Gachkar says strongside linebacker is his most likely spot in the Cowboys defense, but he’s preparing to play any of the three LB positions.
Special teams is where he’ll likely make an immediate impact.
“Rich was a big part of drafting me to San Diego,” Gachkar said. “He kind of groomed me there. My first two years in the NFL really was just special teams. After that, I obviously groomed myself along with the coaching staff there to help me become an even better linebacker.
“Now, coming here, it’s a really good fit with Rich. I already know the scheme. He’s really comfortable with me. I’ll be able to give the team help in special teams areas as well as at linebacker.”
Jon Machota Email jmachota@dallasnews.com
Published: June 25, 2015 3:36 pm
Andrew Gachkar hasn’t had much of an opportunity to make an impression on the Cowboys coaching staff since signing a two-year, $5.2 million contract in March.
The former Chargers inside linebacker was sidelined during offseason workouts with a strained hamstring.
“I just kind of got to the point where I was like, ‘Alright, I just need to take some time off and get it better,’” he said. “Training camp is the most important part.”
Gachkar, a seventh round pick in 2011, played in 15 games last season, starting five for San Diego. He recorded a career-high 49 tackles and returned a fumble 13 yards for his first career TD in Week 12.
Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia was part of the staff in San Diego that drafted Gachkar. Cowboys linebackers coach Matt Eberflus was defensive coordinator at Missouri for two of the four years Gachkar played there.
Those two coaches played a significant role in Gachkar choosing the Cowboys in free agency.
“No. 1 was Bissacia. Having Eberflus here was a good thing,” he said. “My wife’s from Dallas, so that was a big thing. No state tax here, obviously, so that helps. Those were all big factors.”
Gachkar says strongside linebacker is his most likely spot in the Cowboys defense, but he’s preparing to play any of the three LB positions.
Special teams is where he’ll likely make an immediate impact.
“Rich was a big part of drafting me to San Diego,” Gachkar said. “He kind of groomed me there. My first two years in the NFL really was just special teams. After that, I obviously groomed myself along with the coaching staff there to help me become an even better linebacker.
“Now, coming here, it’s a really good fit with Rich. I already know the scheme. He’s really comfortable with me. I’ll be able to give the team help in special teams areas as well as at linebacker.”
