Randy Gregory has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons so far as a Cowboy. The talented defensive end has been given chance after chance by Dallas, and it appears the Cowboys are ready to give him one last shot. Once the NFL does.
Gregory has plans to officially submit his petition for reinstatement to the league soon; a move that has been in the works for some weeks now. This will be Gregory’s second reinstatement request since July, however, the Cowboys seem more optimistic about this attempt than ever before. With the club so far looking thin in pass rushers opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, Gregory’s addition wouldn’t be a cure-all, but would certainly help the defensive end rotation in Dallas.
The Morning News’ David Moore claims, “the expectation at The Star is that the defensive end will again have an opportunity to live into the promise that prompted the Cowboys to select him in the second round of the 2015 draft.” After recapping the myriad run-ins with the league’s substance abuse policy and contrasting it with the organizations unwillingness to consider also-suspended David Irving, Moore finalizes things with “Still, the club is ready to welcome him back.”
The Cowboys positivity echoes Gregory’s own. Gregory spoke to CBS Sports’ Patrik Walker about his latest fight to get back in the league, where the much-maligned defensive end gave his thoughts on the situation; “I will be back this year,” he would tell Walker, “Difference is, I’ll be back for good this time.”
Gregory’s newest reinstatement effort comes on the heels of a major rule change in the NFL.
When the latest CBA was agreed upon by the majority of players on March 15, many changes were enacted, but one in particular would greatly benefit the Florida native. The league has significantly changed it’s stance on marijuana, making a positive test result in mental health checks instead of fines and suspensions.
One could say Gregory’s short professional football career has been an uphill battle.
After falling in the draft because of failed drug tests for marijuana at Nebraska, the trend would quickly follow him to the NFL. The former Cornhuskers’ six missed or failed tests resulted in him being suspended for 46 games in his five years in Dallas, while only playing in 28.
Gregory’s best year in Dallas was 2018, where he recorded six sacks. Unfortunately, after his six sack campaign, he would fail another test, landing him another indefinite suspension and putting him in the position he is in today.
Considering the league office no longer punishes people for what the Cowboy edge-rusher is currently suspended for, it seems unlikely Roger Goodell and co. would deny his most recent request. Despite those facts, and the Cowboys optimism, the team looks at Gregory like a luxury.
Gregory would be a pleasant addition to the roster, but the Cowboys don’t want to be forced to count on the, so far, unreliable 27-year-old.
If reinstated in a timely fashion, Gregory would rejoin a Dallas defensive line that can use all the talent it can get. The loss of Robert Quinn to the Bears early in free agency has pushed pass rushers to the top of the Cowboys needs. Dorance Armstrong, Joe Jackson and Jalen Jelks are all behind DeMarcus Lawrence on the depth chart, but none of those players have shown the pass rushing prowess that Dallas knows Gregory possesses.
This may be starting to feel like déjà vu for Cowboys fans, but with the reinstatement coming after the new CBA changes, there is serious hope Gregory can turn a second reinstatement into a worthwhile NFL career.
Randy Gregory has been suspended indefinitely for violating the league's substance abuse policy. According to @toddarcher, Gregory has now applied for reinstatement. Cowboys sure could use his ability to rush the passer. In 28 career games, Gregory has 7 sacks and 23 QB hits pic.twitter.com/8YS1wsWo9W
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 23, 2020
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