As the defense continues to improve over last year, the Cowboys will be counting on Randy Gregory. Video by Todd Archer (1.10)
FRISCO (Texas) -- This was the final practice at the Dallas Cowboys training camp in Oxnard. Defensive end Randy Gregory could feel something was amiss.
He described the workout as "sluggish" and "slow," particularly from the defense's perspective. In retrospect, he felt that he should have said more.
Gregory said that he should have done more, but he was not in the best of moods and didn't do enough reps. He had been suffering from a sore foot.
He said, "It was probably selfish for me, but it felt like the energy --they were feeding off of my energy." He said, "And while I realize that this is not true, I believe that it just speaks to the role I play as a member of the leadership council." "I should raise my voice and let our defense know that we need to be better."
With input from his staff, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy named Gregory this offseason for the Cowboys Players' Council. This is a 14-member leadership committee that the coaches use to get a sense of the team's needs.
It is not surprising that Gregory is being asked for this role, given his history since being drafted No. The Cowboys drafted Gregory No. 60 overall in 2015.
For violating the NFL's substance abuse policies, he was suspended from 14 games in 2016.
For multiple violations, he was suspended for the whole 2017 season, two games in 2018, and the entire 2019 season.
He was expelled from the first six games in 2020.
Gregory is required to assume this leadership role in order to grow professionally and personally. Gregory is a Cowboys player, and they count on him on the field and off.
McCarthy stated, "We all have our history." McCarthy said, "So you have a beginning point. Based on where we started to get him today, he has made a tremendous leap." It's only the beginning, I think. Randy is one of these types of players.
McCarthy had never met Gregory a year before. McCarthy was as surprised at the defensive end as anyone to be elected to the committee.
"I didn't expect that." Gregory stated that it speaks volumes about my growth and journey. This conversation would have never been possible five years ago. I did not have any leadership skills. These skills are still something I am working on, even now.
McCarthy spoke out many times during the offseason about the team's loss of leadership, including the retirements linebacker Sean Lee and defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford, as well as the team's decision to move on from L.P. Ladouceur, a long-snapper. These three players have combined 36 years of NFL experience.
Gregory, 28 years old, is stuck between two stations in the course of his playing career.
He is the Cowboys' second longest-tenured defensive player, which gives him some leverage. He has missed 54 games and feels like he must earn his place in the team. In 38 games, he has 10.5 sacks and has only started one.
Gregory stated, "I have never been a great follower but I've never considered me a leader." "And so, now I'm stepping into that position, I'm trying to find the best way to lead."
Gregory said that he is working to be more vocal with his teammates. Gregory has been more outgoing and vocal on the field, although he still needs to work on his silence during Oxnard's last practice.
He stated, "Next is obviously putting the good product on field, making sure that I know what to do so I actually appear like a leader.
Although Randy Gregory was considered one of the top pass-rushers in the 2015 draft and was a favorite, he wasn't selected in the first round due to a failed drug screening at the NFL Scouting Combine and other issues off the field. AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
First training camp since 2015.
Gregory was drafted by the Cowboys from Nebraska in 2015. They gave him the No. In the hopes that he would become the pass-rushing threat like Charles Haley, a future Hall of Famer, and DeMarcus Warse, the Cowboys gave him the No. 94 jersey. Although the cache of the number is not as revered as the No. It is worn by Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin and CeeDee lamb, wide receivers, but it is close.
McCarthy stated, "It's just an expression of how we feel regarding Randy Gregory."
Gregory has been working with Jaylon Smith, a teammate, on hand-fighting moves that will help him pass rush. Gregory has been making his way into the offense's huddle and joking with the linemen, before getting pushed aside.
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Michael Gallup, Cowboys wide receiver, said that he is more enthusiastic and more comfortable. Randy is a great guy. I've talked to him a lot. This year, he's definitely been more vocal. He's definitely been more vocal from the sideline, and even talking to offensive players. He's very excited to be playing this year, I can see it. That's really a huge uptake for us.
Gregory's talent alone is the reason why the Cowboys didn't release him despite many missed games. Jerry Jones, Dallas' general manager and owner, has a history of taking risks with troubled players. In the past, the Cowboys have tried different things with great success (Haley), some success (Adam Pacman Jones) and little success (Greg Hardy).
It is a great accomplishment to be on the practice field during training camp. He is attending his first camp since 2015.
Gregory stated, "Being with the guys and sitting down and playing games and stuff." "... It's being able to get down to the playbook with coaches, and then just focusing on football.
Gregory is now in a much different position in his return to football in summer than he was earlier in his career. He was a young player with great potential.
Gregory stated, "You need to feel comfortable with yourself and confident in yourself." "There were times when I was very anxious in the past. I was a man with low self-esteem. I struggled in situations like these. I also had to use my leadership skills and be confident in myself. It's important to be confident both on and off the field. If I do well on one side, I believe I will do well on the other."
Randy Gregory, who recorded 3.5 sacks for the Cowboys last season, is regaining confidence in his abilities. Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports
The key to Cowboys' defense success
After this season, Gregory will become an unrestricted, free agent. The Cowboys signed Gregory to a one year extension last year. This included a $200,000 signing bonus. If he is able to put together the season that many expected, his talent will lead him to another contract with the Cowboys, or another team.
DeMarcus Lawrence, Cowboys defensive lineman, said that it was a blessing to watch him develop mentally and physically. He was drafted in the second round of 2014 and is the longest-tenured defensive players. It's been a great experience to watch him go through these phases. But, I also love seeing him take care of his off-the field issues and be more in tune with what he wants out there.
Gregory recorded 3.5 sacks last season in 10 games. Gregory wondered why he didn't play more under Mike Nolan, the former Cowboys coordinator. His teammates wondered, too.
"Guys are able to cleave with special players. He is a special player on and off the field. Amari Cooper, Cowboys wide receiver, said that he makes plays. "What he did last year is incredible to me. Although I didn't say it to him, it was almost like he hadn’t played for what, a year, and a half. Do you guys remember how long it took? Then he came back dominant... with very few snaps. It was quite amazing.
"And he is not the most talkative guy like me, but when you play well and go about you business, guys just kinda look at you and they're sure to venerate you for that."
Gregory has been a problem for the Cowboys' offense during training camp practices. Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator, praises Gregory's ability to bend in order to gain the advantage on the offensive tackle. McCarthy joked with Kellen Moore, the offensive coordinator, that Gregory would never have called two reverses after he had stopped both for large losses.
Gregory is so important to the success of defense in 2021, he was not allowed to attend the Hall of Fame Game against Steelers on August 5. Gregory was sent home from the Arizona Cardinals preseason game on Aug. 2 because of a foot injury. It is not serious enough to prevent him from being available for the Cowboys' Sept. 9 match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Gregory was asked if there were any doubts that he would reach this point in his career.
He said, "Everyone has their doubts here or there."
What about him?
Gregory stated, "I didn’t have doubts," while acknowledging the work ahead. "Look, there's still a lot to be done. There is much talk right now. Although I believe that I'm having a great offseason, there are still many things to prove on the field. I don't want you to say, "Did you ever think you would be here?" It still feels like I'm not there.
"I still want to give myself a slap on the back. It's something I feel I deserve. It has taken me a lot of hard work to reach this point. "I must now play well on the field and avoid trouble. This is what I'm trying to do."
McCarthy gave McCarthy the ultimate pat on his back
He said, "The sky is the limit for Randy Gregory."
