OXNARD, Calif.- Talk is surrounding Cowboys’ defensive end, Randy Gregory, after he completed his first full day of practice yesterday with his teammates. Since Gregory’s reinstatement by the NFL, the Cowboys are taking things slow with Gregory as they ease him back into their defensive scheme and get him up to speed. He has missed the last 18 months of football with his teammates, after violating the league’s substance abuse policy in January of 2017.
It is no secret that Gregory has had his fair share of struggles in the past, but the Cowboys have confirmed their belief and faith in his abilities on the field, and growth of maturity off the field.
Head coach, Jason Garrett, described the team’s support system surrounding Gregory, “None of us are finished products when we come into the National Football League in our 20s and we recognize that. We saw a lot of good in Randy as a person and as a player to be willing to take the risk of drafting him when we did. We continue to embrace that decision and try to help him. Our eyes are wide open and we try to put a good structure in place and a support system in place. We feel like we have a great environment around him in terms of his teammates. “
The coaching staff and players are in full support of Gregory and are there to keep him accountable for his actions and hold him to the standard of excellence that is expected when wearing the infamous star. The Cowboys have held on to him for as long as they have and helped rehabilitate him, because of his talent. The players and coaches can see the possibility of his potential, if he can stay out of trouble long enough to have a chance to showcase it.
Having missed all of OTA’s and off-season workouts, he is already at a disadvantage behind the other defensive ends that are also fighting for a position on the opposite side of the line from power edge rusher, DeMarcus Lawrence, but Tyrone Crawford pretty much has the starting role on the right side of the d-line locked away. Charlton, Ealy, and Armstrong are fighting for backup roles on either side, and have done extremely well at camp in one-on-one pass protection drills.
Gregory played a huge role in the week 17 game against the Eagles in 2016, amassing seven combined tackles, six total, and one sack. Gregory has his work cut out for him arriving late into the mix, but he shows promise. He has been given another chance by the Dallas Cowboys, now it is time to see what he does with the opportunity!
