‘That’s the drill right there:’ Gregory’s INT came from Cowboys DC Dan Quinn’s helmet practice 2 months ago

Randy Gregory’s athletic takeaway in the first quarter of Sunday’s game came as a direct result of a drill the defense did 2 months ago. | From @ToddBrock24f7

In a game that was largely about the Dallas defense being in full force for the first time all season, the Cowboys wasted no time in showing fans- and the rest of the league- what they’d been missing.

Defensive end Randy Gregory, in his first contest back after a four-game absence due to a calf strain, sparked a dominant afternoon for the unit with an interception early. He had waited his entire career for his first pick; turns out, it made good on a technique he’d been working on just two months ago.

“They thought they could get it out quick,” Parsons said of the first-quarter play, “and Randy’s length, being back on that edge, was able to tip it to himself and make a huge play for us.”

“Just a phenomenal athletic play, ” head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters.

It was a moment the defense had been prepping for.

“It’s funny, we worked on cut blocks a couple of weeks ago, when [defensive coordinator] Dan Quinn was out there with a helmet on at practice,” Gregory explained in postgame comments. “That’s the drill right there: get the cut block down, get your hands up.”

As Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke took the shotgun snap on the Football Team’s ninth offensive play from scrimmage, Gregory saw left tackle Charles Leno Jr. go low, just like Quinn had done in practice in Oct. 13.

He jumped, tipped the ball straight up, did a full 360-degree spin and cradled the ball as it fell back to earth.

“At that point, I was just trying to figure out which way was the right way to go,” Gregory said, “because I was looking up and wasn’t really sure which way was the right end zone. I was just trying to not get caught from behind or fumble the ball.”

While he was caught by Heinicke and Washington receiver DeAndre Carter after a 12-yard return, the takeaway set up the Dallas offense in plus-territory and led to the Cowboys’ first touchdown of a 24-point half.

“He set the tone for the whole game,” Parsons commented. “I expect Randy to make those types of plays.”

But in a season that has seen a linebacker start at defensive end, offensive linemen take snaps at fullback, and a 305-pound defensive tackle get jokingly mentioned as a possibility at tight end, Gregory has no illusions about adding offensive duties to his job description.

“No, you saw how fast I was on the interception,” Gregory laughed. “They’re still giving me a little [expletive] about that. Main thing is to make the play.”

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