News broke a few days ago that defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, Randy Gregory, had failed yet another drug test. Now, the league has yet to announce anything officially, but if this is true Gregory is facing a year-long suspension.
This is truly unfortunate for a player that possesses the kind of talent Gregory has, but sometimes people just can’t get out of their own way when it comes to living up to expectations.
The Cowboys knew of Gregory’s drug-related problems before drafting him in the 2nd round of the 2015 NFL Draft, but believed they could provide enough of a structured atmosphere to help him succeed. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Gregory already entered the league in the drug program after failing a test at the NFL Scouting Combine, and despite his promise to the Dallas Cowboys that he would reward their faith after being drafted, has failed time and time again.
Randy Gregory has become like a wound that just won’t heal, and if this latest suspension is true, it’s like rubbing salt in it just to make it more painful.
Have you ever gotten sweat in an open sore or even in your eyes?
There’s nothing you can do except let the pain play itself out. Sure, you can rub on it and say as many four letter words as you want, but there’s really not a way to make the pain go away.
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys however can decide to make the pain go away by releasing Randy Gregory as soon as possible, but that doesn’t seem to be the direction they want to go, at least not yet.
“I know the details of his situation, and I can’t and I won’t comment on the details about it,” Jones said, via the Dallas Morning News. “But I am not giving up on Randy Gregory for the Cowboys and certainly not giving up on him as a person in life. At all. Not that it makes any difference that I do, but I do not dismiss him from our future.”
Jerry Jones has shown in the past that he’s willing to stick with players, despite their off the field problems if he believes they have the talent to help the team. It looks as if Randy Gregory fits into that category.
Gregory can certainly help the pass rush if he can ever get back on the field, but his failure to realize his chances are running out suggests otherwise.
It’s starting to look as if Randy Gregory will be another 2nd round draft pick to fail for the Dallas Cowboys and what makes this even worse, is some of the players the Cowboys could have drafted instead in 2015.
Here are a few players that were selected after the Cowboys drafted Randy Gregory and before they chose Chaz Green in the 3rd round.
How about another pass rusher? Frank Clark (Seahawks), Eli Harold (49ers), and Danielle Hunter (Vikings) are a few players that were still available.
What about a running back? They could drafted Duke Johnson Jr. (Browns), Tevin Coleman (Falcons), or David Johnson (Cardinals).
Maybe LB Jordan Hicks (Eagles), WR Tyler Locket (Seahawks), WR Chris Conley (Chiefs), WR Sammie Coates (Steelers), or CB Quinten Rollins (Packers) are players that you would’ve preferred over Gregory?
Any one of these players mentioned could have already had a bigger impact for the Dallas Cowboys then Randy Gregory.
Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but the Cowboys organization has to do a better job of drafting players in the 2nd second round if they want to continue building a competitive roster.
Players like Randy Gregory that have known off the field concerns need to be avoided in the future.
What do you think Randy Gregory’s future should be with the Dallas Cowboys?
Please feel free to use the comment section below to share with us your thoughts and opinions on this topic.
Let his ads go!!!!! He do not want to be in the league he would rather do drugs so let him do them with his own time! Release him please he is a cancer
Nathan, Thanks for taking the time to read and leave a comment. I tend to agree with you, but I’m waiting to hear exactly what happened and under what circumstances. But Randy Gregory has proven that he can’t be trusted and it might be better overall to just move on for the Cowboys.
It’s not always the case about everyone with off field issues. They chose not to draft Randy Moss because of off field issues, look how that worked out. Sometimes teams have to take chances, it’s a roll of the dice, you never know!
Stuart, I agree with you. But if you take a look at the Cowboys 2nd round draft picks over the last decade you will notice that they have failed miserably in judging the players they choose. Gregory’s drug problems go all the way back to college and then to fail a drug test at the Scouting combine tells you all you need to know about his decision-making. I’m hoping he can turn things around, but you never know.
I was excited when Gregory was drafted but he has proven that he does not possess the mental fortitude to overcome his addition. Maybe it’s his bi-polar disorder or his immaturity. The Cowboys aren’t and shouldn’t be a rehab facility. Time to let him go and move on.
Dave, I wasn’t against the pick because Gregory is a talented player, but I didn’t think he really fit in the 4-3 defensive scheme. I really wanted Frank Clark, but he had off the field issues as well. But I do agree with you about his lack of mental fortitude. Obviously getting high is more important to him then his career in the NFL.