Randy Gregory - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Marshall, Bortles, Payton

January 2nd, 2017 at 9:43pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted notes from around the NFL as we wrap up the night…

Despite a down season, Jets wideout Brandon Marshall said that he’s still planning on playing for another five years, writes ESPN.com’s Colin Stephenson. In fact, the 33-year-old suggested that he’d be willing to take a pay cut to stay in New York. “Like I said, it’s not about the money anymore; it’s all about winning,’’ he said. “But I know what I’m worth. I think this team knows what I’m worth, as far as the organization. But it’s not about the money. I’m good. I’m good with the money. I just want to win. That’s all I want to do is win. So I don’t care about anything but winning. That’s it.’’ Marshall is due $7.5MM next season, although the money isn’t guaranteed.
Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter said he will bring in competition for kicker Roberto Aguayo, as Jenna Laine of ESPN.com writes. “We’ve got to have competition at every position,” Koetter said Monday. “Nothing’s given and if they’re not the best player, then I can be pretty certain in saying that they won’t be out there.” The Bucs traded back into the second round in 2016 to select the Florida State product, making him the highest-drafted kicker since Mike Nugent. Many criticized the pick but GM Jason Licht later said he assigned Aguayo a first-round grade. The rookie ultimately connected on 71-percent of his field goals this season, the lowest mark in the league.
Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles says he played this season with two shoulder separations and wrist tendonitis (Twitter link via Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com). The injuries likely contributed to the 24-year-old’s subpar stats this season. After a breakout campaign in 2015, Bortles threw for 3,905 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions this season.
Impending Colts free agent defensive back Darius Butler told Stephen Holder of the Indy Star (on Twitter) he’s ready to transition full time to safety. Butler finished the season with 27 tackles, three interceptions, and one forced fumble.
Despite rumors that may say the contrary, Saints head coach Sean Payton said that he plans on coaching the team in 2017, tweets Larry Holder of NOLA.com. Previous reports indicated that the organization would be willing to trade their long-time coach, and the Rams have been noted as a potential destination.
Could Cowboys DE Randy Gregory really be back for the playoffs? According to Jon Machota of the Dallas News (via Twitter), the embattled defender will have an appeal hearing in the next week or so to determine whether he’ll be eligible for the postseason. Gregory recently appealed his year-long ban.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Cowboys Activate Randy Gregory

December 26th, 2016 at 2:36pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have officially activated Randy Gregory. To make room, defensive end Zach Moore has been waived.

Gregory is now set to make his 2016 season debut against the Lions on Monday night. The move was expected after owner Jerry Jones hinted that Gregory would see lots of playing time as a part of the team’s effort to rest Demarcus Lawrence.

Gregory’s return was not expected after his latest substance abuse policy violation drew a one-year ban. However, Gregory opted to appeal the suspension and he is now free to play while things get worked out. It sounds like the Nebraska product could be able to play as long as the Cowboys stay in it. Given the way Dallas has looked this season, Gregory could be in for a long postseason run with his team.

The Cowboys, of course, have clinched the NFC East, a first-round bye, and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Extra Points: Jags, Raiders, Lawrence, FAs

December 23rd, 2016 at 9:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Three-plus years after multiple coaches declined interviews with the Jaguars before Gus Bradley was hired, the north-Florida head-coaching job is generating more buzz. An “overwhelming” degree of interest has emerged for the Jags’ HC vacancy, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports.

Florio does not expect coaches to turn down Jags interviews this time and lists Tom Coughlin, Josh McDaniels, Todd Haley, and Anthony Lynn as those to be among the most coveted candidates for head-coaching positions. Doug Marrone could also be a candidate, per Florio, but that’s obviously dependent on what happens for the 2-12 team in the season’s final two weeks. The team’s talent base has increased since the 2013 vacancy, likely leading to the enhanced interest.

Coughlin has been connected to Jacksonville as a front-office cog as well. In a coach, the Jaguars are likely going to want to hear Blake Bortles-related pitches — even if the next coach won’t be forced to play him — due to the franchise spending the No. 3 overall pick on the signal-caller and having closed the book on their previous first-round QB, Blaine Gabbert, so quickly. Having that happen twice in the same half-decade would be deflating for the franchise.

Here’s more from the Jags and the rest of the league.

Paul Posluszny is leading the Jaguars in tackles, but the veteran linebacker knows that he might not be back in Jacksonville next year, as ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco writes. “I want to play these last two games as hard as I can knowing that I may not have a future here,” Posluszny said. “You take it one game at a time and say, ‘I’m going to devote everything that I can to these last two games because this might be the last opportunity I get.’” Posluszny is the franchise’s second-leading tackler (904) after six seasons with the club, but those aren’t the numbers that necessarily matter. The 32-year-old is due a $3.95MM base salary plus a $500K roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year (in March). He’s also set to receive a $31K bonus for each game he’s on the active roster, up to $500K. Instead of bringing him back, the Jaguars could give additional playing time to second-round pick Myles Jack.
The Raiders are planning to turn to Menelik Watson at right tackle instead of Austin Howard, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com reports. The former second-round pick has been unable to stay healthy, being lost for the season due to injury in 2015 and joining Howard as ailing right-flank protectors this season. Oakland saw three of its starting line make the Pro Bowl, and right guard Gabe Jackson has been solid as well. The right tackle spot has been the only deficiency thus far.
The Cowboys will rest Demarcus Lawrence in the next two games, as Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News tweets. “It wouldn’t surprise me if [Randy Gregory] gets a lot of snaps,” owner Jerry Jones said.
Brandon Williams, Mario Addison and Ronald Leary are among the looming UFAs who can expected to be paid handsomely, at least when compared to their public perception, Field Yates of ESPN.com writes. Kelechi Osemele helping catalyze the Raiders’ offensive line points to the Cowboys’ left guard being a sought-after player. Leary reclaimed this job after La’el Collins‘ foot injury and has been a top-20 guard in the opinion of Pro Football Focus, and the fourth-year player has seen far more work than well-paid Jaguar right tackle Jermey Parnell was during his time in Dallas. Williams became a space-eating 3-4 nose man despite a Division II background, and Addison now has three straight seasons of at least six sacks. The Panthers’ 40 sacks match the Broncos for the league lead, and Addison’s 7.5 bests their group.

Zach Links contributed to this report.

Latest On Cowboys’ Randy Gregory

December 22nd, 2016 at 11:18am CST by Zachary Links

The slow wheels of the NFL disciplinary system may favor the Cowboys. Randy Gregory’s appeal of his year-long suspension won’t be until January, at the earliest, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. That means he’ll almost certainly be on the field for at least the start of the playoffs.

Initially suspended for the bulk of the 2016 season, his latest slip-up threatened to keep him out of the game for the rest of this campaign and the majority of the 2017 season. However, he’ll be permitted to play while the appeals process plays out.

Of course, not every player benefits from the current system that is in place. Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith is still in limbo although he has been eligible for reinstatement for some time now. Smith, understandably, is frustrated with how things have played out, though it is possible that he has not satisfied all of the parameters of the league’s substance abuse program requirements.

Next up for the Cowboys is a Monday night showdown against the Lions. If they win, they’ll clinch the division and a first-round bye.

Cowboys’ Randy Gregory To Play This Week?

December 19th, 2016 at 10:22am CST by Zachary Links

It seemed nearly impossible one month ago, but Randy Gregory is now slated to suit up for the Cowboys as the regular season winds down, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. As previously reported, Gregory will practice this week. Barring league interference, Rapoport hears that he will play this week against Detroit.

Still appealing a one-year ban, Gregory has been given the green light to participate in team activities while things get sorted out. While some fans have grown impatient with Gregory’s off-the-field troubles, owner Jerry Jones has been steadfast in his support of the defensive end.

“I, of course, know the details of his situation, and I can’t and I won’t comment on details about it,” Jones said. “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.”

The Cowboys are now 12-2 after topping the Buccaneers on Sunday night. Dallas has clinched a playoff berth and they now have their sights set on locking down the NFC East. With one win in the final two games, they’ll shut the door on the Giants. According to Five Thirty Eight, the Cowboys have a 97% chance of winning the NFC East at this point.

East Notes: Cowboys, Dak, Romo, Eagles, Pats

December 15th, 2016 at 9:58pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cowboys expect defensive end Randy Gregory to return to practice on Monday, tweets Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. Reports last week also indicated the Gregory was close to to returning to the field, but the NFL subsequently informed the Cowboys that Gregory would not be allowed to practice. Still appealing a one-year ban, Gregory’s status for Dallas’ Week 16 game Lions is still unclear, but his being allowed to practice is clearly a good first step.

Here’s more from the NFC’s two East divisions:

Despite Dak Prescott‘s struggles against the Giants in a close loss in Week 14, the Cowboys are insistent that they won’t be turning things over to veteran Tony Romo any time soon, as Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes. “You can make it as simple or complex as you want to make it,” head coach Jason Garrett said this week. “It’s pretty simple for us: Dak’s going to play quarterback as we go forward.” Meanwhile, a debate is reportedly raging with the Cowboys organization, as some decision-makers believe Romo should be given live game snaps in order to prepare him if Prescott is injured, per Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).
Pass rusher Connor Barwin was a better fit in the Eagles‘ 3-4 scheme of years past than the club’s current 4-3 look, opines Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. For his part, Barwin realizes that he hasn’t played up to his contract, and understands that he could be released at season’s end (a move that would save the Eagles $7.75MM in cap space). “He’s too smart for that defense,” an NFL personnel director told McLAne. “That’s a defense for . . . linemen that can just pin their ears back and not think. He’s neither athletic nor strong enough to consistently win battles against the best left tackles.”
The Patriots are dealing with injuries at wide receiver in the short-term, and while those issues likely played a role in New England claiming Michael Floyd off waivers today, the club is likely looking taking a long-term view in assessing Floyd’s fit with the team, as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com writes. While the Pats will pay a relatively high price tag for a three-game regular season audition, that time will allow the team to see how Floyd meshes with the organization, and determine if he could be part of the franchise going forward.

Cowboys’ Randy Gregory Won’t Practice This Week

December 6th, 2016 at 5:40pm CST by Zachary Links

Despite previous reports to the contrary, the league has informed the Cowboys that Gregory won’t be allowed to practice with the Cowboys this week, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com. It’s not immediately clear whether or not Gregory will be able to play in Week 16, Albert Breer of The MMQB tweets.

Gregory was recently handed a one-year ban, but that suspension is under appeal. While he’s in that gray area, the Nebraska product is hoping to take the field against the Lions in Week 16.

Originally, Gregory was slated to return right around this point in the season, but that was before his latest positive drug test. The ban has put his NFL future in flux, but owner Jerry Jones says that the Cowboys are not giving up on the youngster:

“I, of course, know the details of his situation, and I can’t and I won’t comment on details about it,” Jones said. “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.”

If Gregory’s appeal is unsuccessful, he’ll be suspended for most or all of the 2017 calendar year.

Extra Points: Cowboys, Bengals, Rams, Lions

November 16th, 2016 at 9:17pm CST by Zachary Links

After defensive end Randy Gregory‘s latest slip-up, Babe Laufenberg of The Dallas Morning News hopes that the Cowboys and Jason Garrett realize the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. In the wake of Gregory’s latest failed drug test, owner Jerry Jones has said that he will not give up on the former second-round pick. Still, Dallas probably would have been better off paying attention to Gregory’s red flags and passing on him in the draft, Laufenberg opines. Many fans have expressed similar sentiments after the Cowboys have dealt with Gregory, Greg Hardy, Rolando McClain, and other failed reclamation projects, but it is hard to argue with the club’s results on the field this season. Teams can often get ahead by taking risks and the 8-1 Cowboys seem to be doing fine despite some miscalculations.

Cowboys Won’t Give Up On Randy Gregory

November 14th, 2016 at 6:33am CST by Zachary Links

Late last week, we learned that Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory faces a one-year suspension after failing another drug test. Immediately, frustrated fans called for Dallas to cut ties with the troubled youngster. However, owner Jerry Jones says he will stand by Gregory with the hope that he can get his life back on track.

“I, of course, know the details of his situation, and I can’t and I won’t comment on details about it,” Jones told Charean Williams of the Star-Telegram. “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.”

Jones went on to say that Gregory still is getting help with his substance abuse problems. Given that Gregory doesn’t turn 24 until next week, the Cowboys owner is holding out hope that he can put his youthful indiscretions behind him and get on the straight and narrow.

Before his latest positive test, Gregory would have been eligible to return to Dallas for Week 16. Now, there is no clear return date for Gregory and football is not presently No. 1 on his to-do list. Barring a successful appeal to the league office, Gregory will not be able to take the field again until late in the 2017 season.

Cowboys’ Randy Gregory Facing One-Year Ban

November 11th, 2016 at 11:10am CST by Zachary Links

Randy Gregory has failed yet another drug test, according to Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). According to the league’s rules for substance abuse, Gregory’s test could trigger a one-year ban.

Gregory was originally scheduled to return to action later on this season. Now, barring a successful appeal, he is done for 2016 and part of 2017.

As a rookie, Gregory was in uniform 12 contests and missed a good chunk of games due to an ankle injury. In total, he had eleven tackles and no sacks. The Cowboys have been holding out hope that Gregory could fulfill his vast potential, but it now seems like he is facing even greater demons than previously thought.

Gregory completed a stint at a Massachusetts rehab facility in September and those close to him insisted that he had been clean for a while. Initially suspended through Week 16, the hope was that Gregory could clean up his life away from the field while working his way back to football shape. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened for the former Nebraska standout.