News: Cowboys coach Leon Lett using his past to mentor Randy Gregory

[speedkilz88]

Jean-Jacques Taylor
ESPN Staff Writer

Full Article

IRVING, Texas - The NFL once banned Leon Lett for a year from the game he loved.

It’s one of the best things that ever happened to the Dallas Cowboys defensive tackles coach.

The suspension, which caused him to miss 16 games, including the first 13 of the 1997 season, proved to Lett that he had the mental toughness to survive the worst of mistakes while showing him that he didn't have to keep being his own worst enemy.

It forced him confront his insecurities and learn to embrace success. There was no need, he discovered, to fear success and sabotage himself, because he was worthy of the attention and adulation his prowess on the football field fueled.

That's why Lett, who earned a spot in the Pro Bowl in 1998, views second-year defensive end Randy Gregory differently than others in the organization.

Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory will miss the first four games of the 2016 season after violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

"I trust him," Lett said. "I've been where he's been. I know what it takes to overcome it."

Lett talks to Gregory often about the mindset it takes to win on the field, and the preparation it takes off the field to position himself to succeed.

He has every skill -- speed, strength, power and the ability to bend -- needed to be a dominant pass-rusher, but he doesn’t play with the confidence of a man with that skill set.

"Sometimes, guys are so talented they don't know how they make certain plays they just do it," Lett said. "So they don't always have the most confidence. I've been where Randy is. He can't take all that stuff on the field with him, he just needs to play. He might need to reach inside himself and pull out his inner Charles Haley and just get angry and take it on the other team."

 

[AKATheRake]

There we go. There's obviously more of a plan to help this kid than people believe.

 

[Direwolf63]

There we go. There's obviously more of a plan to help this kid than people believe.

Plans are great. But they only work if HE decides he must change. Real change can only come from within. Nobody can tell you to change if you don't want to.

It's all up to Randy Gregory himself if he wants real change in his life.

 

[slick325]

The resources are there...it's all about Gregory's willingness to use said resources. Leon Lett is a good source to discuss substance dependency with and Haley is a good source to use should he want to discuss any mental health issues. He seems like a smart kid making dumb decisions. Hope he gets it together and is willing to use the resources available to him.

 

[jaybird]

Plans are great. But they only work if HE decides he must change. Real change can only come from within. Nobody can tell you to change if you don't want to.

It's all up to Randy Gregory himself if he wants real change in his life.

That's correct. But maybe-just maybe Leon can encourage him, inspire him, motivate him to change. Maybe -just Maybe Leons past experiences could provide the recipe for Randy to stay on track. Maybe -just Maybe, Leon can reach inside of Randy, to hopefully turn on a light bulb. it would be a great story.

 

[zrinkill]

Is Lett gonna teach him the proper way to roll a blunt?

 

[iceberg]

Is Lett gonna teach him the proper way to roll a blunt?

there's a wrong way?

 

[fredp22]

if this was last year I would have been encouraged but this guy is 1 toke (for his career) from a 10 game ban. I just dont see him changing. If the combine embarrassment and 4 failed test didnt change him why will Lett.
I want this to work but reality says we are a few months from writing him off

 

[Wood]

the sooner fans & media move on from Gregory the less painful this will seem.

 

[CCBoy]

You guys really don't think the presence of both Leon Lett and Charles Haley won't be making serious adjustments in the kid's outlook?

 

[BigStar]

there's a wrong way?

Don't split the cigar down the middle Unravel the leaf, etc. Good point either way

 

[iceberg]

Don't split the cigar down the middle Unravel the leaf, etc. Good point either way

a better topic perhaps for us? i've seen some butt-ugly ones but they worked. i suppose that goes for the opposite sex also.

 

[AbeBeta]

The resources are there...it's all about Gregory's willingness to use said resources. Leon Lett is a good source to discuss substance dependency with and Haley is a good source to use should he want to discuss any mental health issues. He seems like a smart kid making dumb decisions. Hope he gets it together and is willing to use the resources available to him.

Are the resources actually there though? I suspect the team treated Gregory as a guy who likes to get high. When you take that stance, it is about not hanging out with the wrong people, etc. When someone deals with a mental illness they often use drugs and alcohol to feel better. The approach you use is totally different.

I hear so much about the "resources" but I'd really like someone to actually detail what is available.

 

[CCBoy]

Are the resources actually there though? I suspect the team treated Gregory as a guy who likes to get high. When you take that stance, it is about not hanging out with the wrong people, etc. When someone deals with a mental illness they often use drugs and alcohol to feel better. The approach you use is totally different.

I hear so much about the "resources" but I'd really like someone to actually detail what is available.

Dallas has cutting edge physicians and facility with top shelf equipment. Think Jerry will short change the mental health side?

Then there is the motivations of Lett and Haley...

 

[Satchel89]

The Cowboys have always had a plan for him. They have been doing everything they can to help this guy. This is on him. Either he wants to play or he don't. How many guys have to hold his hand and make sure he's doing what he's supposed to be doing? I want to see him make it but It definitely won't surprise me if he screws up again

 

[slick325]

Are the resources actually there though? I suspect the team treated Gregory as a guy who likes to get high. When you take that stance, it is about not hanging out with the wrong people, etc. When someone deals with a mental illness they often use drugs and alcohol to feel better. The approach you use is totally different.

I hear so much about the "resources" but I'd really like someone to actually detail what is available.

I'm referring to being able to reach out and touch two former Cowboys that were Pro Bowlers and Champions (one a Hall of Famer) that can absolutely relate to things you may be going through. Lett is on the staff so meets with Gregory daily since he is part of the position group he coaches. Haley exchanged numbers with him last summer and sat down with him several times as well. Those are invaluable people to be able to speak with anytime you want to via text, talking on the phone or face to face.
Gregory has to want to do so though...

In reference to specific programs the Cowboys organization has in place, I can't give details on that. However, Stephen Jones has intimated that there may be a mental health issue at play. Not sure if he intimated that last offseason but I believe he definitely did so this offseason. With that said, I would hope that the club didn't treat Gregory as a guy who likes to get high if they had knowledge that something more could be in play. You are absolutely right AbeBeta in saying that people dealing with a mental illness often use drugs and alcohol to feel better or as a coping mechanism. If there is a mental health issue involved, I hope that the club will get him the help he needs (counsel, medication if necessary, etc.).

 

[AbeBeta]

Dallas has cutting edge physicians and facility with top shelf equipment. Think Jerry will short change the mental health side?

Then there is the motivations of Lett and Haley...

It is very possible that they don't recognize the sort of resources you might need to support someone with a mental illness. I can certainly see them shorting on the mental health side.

And all NFL teams have top physicians working with them. Wherever you are, top doctors have a keen interest in saying they work for a team.

 

[AbeBeta]

The Cowboys have always had a plan for him. They have been doing everything they can to help this guy. This is on him. Either he wants to play or he don't. How many guys have to hold his hand and make sure he's doing what he's supposed to be doing? I want to see him make it but It definitely won't surprise me if he screws up again

Really? So you know this for sure. They've had a mental health plan in place from day 1? Seems like if they did, we wouldn't be where we are now.

 

[Doomsay]

LOL, looks like there is a spliff dangling from the corner of his mouth.

 

[jnday]

You guys really don't think the presence of both Leon Lett and Charles Haley won't be making serious adjustments in the kid's outlook?

They should have an impact, but they have had the opportunity to address his behavior and have a positive influence on him for the last year, but the results have clearly been lacking.