Cowboys defenders Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory will probably have to wait until after the draft to see if they’re cleared to play by the NFL, ESPN.com’s Ed Werder hears. Both players are under suspension for substance abuse policy violations and they won’t be able to take the field unless Roger Goodell gives them the green light.
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Smith hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since his 2015 season with the Raiders due to off-the-field trouble and personal issues. Before that downward trend, Smith was one of the league’s brightest stars. In his first two pro seasons, Smith notched 33.5 sacks. And, even when he was limited to just eleven games in 2013, he still managed to bring down the QB 8.5 times.
For the last few years, Smith has mostly been off of the NFL radar. Then, this offseason, the Cowboys gave him a chance at redemption. Smith is set to earn just $2MM in base salary, plus another $2MM in sack incentives, but the deal is completely non-guaranteed. If Smith isn’t cleared to play, he won’t get paid.
Gregory has also been plagued by personal issues – he’s played a grand total of 28 games across five years with the Cowboys. Jerry Jones has stood by the former second round pick and, this year, he’s especially hopeful that Gregory will be able to stay on the right track. Without Robert Quinn, the Cowboys badly need the help.
By giving Josh Gordon 5 chances at redemption, Goodell has put himself in a position where he really can’t deny anyone reinstatement.
Gregory has had to have had as many if not more. Every time I see something about him it’s about him screwing up. Makes one wonder how he was such a standup guy at Nebraska.
Let the inmates play!
facts
Failing a test from home/driving drunk at 8am on your way to practice. A bit of a diff. Not a fan of either player just some facts.
Aldon was a passenger if that’s what you’re referring to…
Not one of us is perfect. I think the hate is because we see our own failures and want extra chances as well or want to bring these famous people down to our level. We all deserve more than one chance.
Well put.
Both are on a lot more than second chances. Nobody seems to be a fan of math anymore.
Mathematics: more than one chance means all the numbers greater than one. Become a fan…
none of us are perfect…but a lot of the flaws we do have arent as big as some of these guys’ flaws
Gregory from the beginning with his failed tests from the combine made it clear to me he wasn’t going to be in the league long term. I just hope now that the NFL has lifted the ban on weed that this will be the only thing in his system.
The Cowgirls were, are, and will always be South America’s team.
ok guy
i think the league os becoming a bit too lenient on its substance policies, but i acn at least accept Aldon coming back. he seems like he might actually be reformed. reminds me of how Matt Bush comes off. (though Bush’s issues were probably a lot greater)