FRISCO, Texas — The second week of Cowboys’ organized team activities (OTAs) has concluded. A small sample size with only six voluntary practices over the span but defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is impressed with defensive end Randy Gregory. His infatuation with the edge rusher began prior to his arrival in Dallas. It started at a Lincoln workout during the pre-draft process in 2015. The Nebraska Cornhusker caught the attention of Quinn.
“I was so impressed by him,” Quinn described to media. “I’ve had my eye on Randy [Gregory] for a long time. In fact, I went out to Lincoln during the draft process and had a chance to work him out at school and we bonded that time and to go, I thought ‘Man I so badly wanted to coach him,’ because I saw all the traits, all the speed. He’s got this unique ability to go full speed and he can bend on the edge, and he’s got such flexibility to bend. When I had a chance to get here, he was one of the first people I wanted to get into contact with and we hit it off immediately because we had a relationship when I went to Nebraska to see him. During that time from what I’ve seen from him is the physicality, he just looks so much different. He’s bigger, he’s faster and stronger than he’s ever been. That really translated onto the field.”
The two are now reunited and Quinn has the opportunity to coach a player he has admired for years. Gregory has had a rocky road in the NFL with addiction that hindered his growth on the field. When active, he has been a cornerstone player for the Cowboys with relentless burst off the edge and lethal pass rush moves that mesmerize. His explosiveness and fluid hip movement allows him to effortlessly shuffle around blockers. The problem- his inability to stay clean.
Gregory was conditionally reinstated by the NFL in 2020 and underwent a mandated acclimation period through COVID protocols. He was not able to suit up until after the Cowboys’ Week 6 game.
He had not played since 2018 after an indefinite suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, making it Gregory’s fourth suspension. He applied for conditional reinstatement in March of 2020, and it was granted by the league. After the NFL changed their policy on marijuana under the new collective bargaining agreement, Gregory was fulfilling a suspension that no longer existed.
With the new policy, the goal became to try and help players seek treatment rather than face punishment by suspension. The CBA reduced the testing period from four months to the two weeks at the start of training camp. If a player tests positive during the two-week span, his test is reviewed by a board of medical professionals that have been appointed by the league and they decide whether the player needs treatment. With the ongoing prevalence of mental health discussions throughout sports in the current climate, the NFL changed the policy to try and create long-term solutions instead of short-term disciplinary actions.
The Cowboys stood by Gregory over the years and now he is going through a full offseason program with limitless potential in 2021. Along with DeMarcus Lawrence in the trenches, the Cowboys’ will have a lethal duo in the NFC East. One that Quinn is ready to watch hit the turf.
“I’m very much looking forward to seeing he and D-Law [DeMarcus Lawrence] and how that works together along with the emergence of a [Neville] Gallimore and we brought Osa [Odighizuwa] in and [Chauncey] Golston and others that can rotate and rush inside,” Quinn remarked. “[Tarrell] Basham has been another addition to that. But I’ve been super impressed with Randy’s mindset his attitude, his willingness to go for it. He wants it straight up, ‘hey this is how we got to do it.’ Just super impressive to see.”
