Cowboys' Garrett: Randy Gregory has matured, but 'has a long way to go'

[GimmeTheBall!]

The reason Randy Gregory fell down draft boards a year ago -- off-the-field issues -- is why Gregory will be forced to sit out the first four games of the upcoming season. Gregory, suspended for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, will have plenty to prove in his second season.

First on that list is avoiding failed drug tests and actually staying on the field. If he fails another test, he'll be banned for 10 games.

When Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett recently spoke about Gregory's maturity level, he indicated that the second-year pass rusher has improved in that regard since he joined the team. He also made it clear that Gregory "has a long way to go."

"Just in everything he does -- how he handles himself in meetings, in the walk-through, in the offseason program, on the practice field," Garrett said, per the Star-Telegram. "Again, it's a work in progress. He has gotten better. But he has a long way to go. A lot of guys have a long way to go."

　
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/c...gregory-has-matured-but-has-a-long-way-to-go/

Wow, blokes. Garrett has not shown such emotions since . . . Blimey, can't think of when. I guess the troubled lad is as good as gone, yes?

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

QUINCEY II.

 

[Bullflop]

I think Garrett's got things pretty much in perspective about Gregory having "a long way to go." My expectations of RG have diminished greatly.

 

[Bullflop]

No excuse, but the guy has mental problems. He may never snap out of it.

Agreed -- that much is pretty apparent. Here's hoping he gets his act together before it's too late. He could change but I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[punchnjudy]

The Panthers recently went through this with Frank Alexander. He was suspended for 4 games and then 10 games for weed. Announced he hadn't smoked pot in a year, problem solved, and then shortly after that he was suspended for 16 games.

Would be a great story if Gregory came back from this, but you can never be certain a person has recovered from an issue like that.

 

[Leadbelly]

More likely to happen first:

__Gregory finds a more productive, legal coping mechanism (or medication) for whatever neurological or psychological issue he has
__The league changes its drug policy to allow for medical mj

If it was just a single slip up, I might have some faith. At this point, I'd settle for him learning how to hide it better. Bring Mark Stepnoski in as a consultant and teach Gregory how to avoid getting caught.

 

[gmoney112]

If I recall correctly, Jason wasn't too thrilled with the pick judging by the war room.

I don't think he ever wanted him.

 

[fredp22]

This is the kind of double talk I dont like about Garrett. Was the teams plan on policing him implemented or did it just completely fail. How has he matured even in the least.
You dont want to talk to discuss it say so but this bs fools nobody.
Gregory's on extremely thin ice and it's cracking. the next failure is 10 games. After that he's gone. how can he possibly change? He couldnt stop for the combine (just not showing up would have been better) or even tried last year.
he's as good as gone. waste of a roster spot

 

[DenCWBY]

I'm feeling about 70% that he's done since he doesn't seem phased with the consequences of his issues. I mean testing positive before the draft is just pure stupidity. Obviously he has some questionable mental lapses with judgment and probably was enabled with his demons all through his athletic career up until now. Hell Jerry threw him a life line and he still threw it back in Jerry's face. Until he feels the real pain for what he's cost himself and teammates he'll probably fade away into Joe Randleism. By then could be too late. Calvin Hill has his work cut out for him with this guy.

 

[cowboyblue22]

one more failed test and I'm sure he will be like greg hardy done and long gone.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Can't believe how many are done with him after one year

I was never started with him so I can't really be "done" with him.

Earlier I compared him to frosting left in the frosting bag meant for a wedding cake. He is nice to have (as a great possibility) but should not necessarily be considered integral to the success of the team.

 

[KJJ]

Can't believe how many are done with him after one year

I'm not one of those who's done with him but I do have serious doubts he's going to pan out. Can't blame those who are done with him he was given a great opportunity by the Cowboys after free falling in the draft and immediately after his rookie season in which he did nothing he's been suspended for a failed drug test. A player that has a drug dependency is usually a lost cause. Gregory has shown why teams passed on him. You would have thought after what he went through he would have done everything possible to clean up and just like that he has a positive drug test.

He missed 7 games last season and now he'll miss the first 4 games of the 2014 season. His development is being stunted and one more positive drug test will have him released and looking for work. Garrett saying that Gregory has a long way to go points to some long odds of him having a long stay in Dallas. He's not going to be worth the headache for very long if he doesn't start showing something on the field when he returns from his suspension.

 

[StarBoyz83]

I'm not one of those who's done with him but I do have serious doubts he's going to pan out. Can't blame those who are done with him he was given a great opportunity by the Cowboys after free falling in the draft and immediately after his rookie season in which he did nothing he's been suspended for a failed drug test. A player that has a drug dependency is usually a lost cause. Gregory has shown why teams passed on him. You would have thought after what he went through he would have done everything possible to clean up and just like that he has a positive drug test.

He missed 7 games last season and now he'll miss the first 4 games of the 2014 season. His development is being stunted and one more positive drug test will have him released and looking for work. Garrett saying that Gregory has a long way to go points to some long odds of him having a long stay in Dallas. He's not going to be worth the headache for very long if he doesn't start showing something on the field when he returns from his suspension.

I more worried about t. crawford. Signed him prematurely and overpaid.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

We've hedged our bets. Too bad Bosa and Ogbah were gone but we didn't reach and Tapper, Mayowa, DLaw, JCrawford, Irvin, Russell, etc are still better than what we had in 2014. The interior line is dramatically improved with Collins and Thornton.

We are in a position where Gregory can be a pleasant surprise. I still find if interesting how people deal with uncertainty.

 

[CATCH17]

Can't believe how many are done with him after one year

Just go back and listen to him after he was drafted and then think about how many tests he had to fail after saying all of that to get suspended.


I'm not done with him but my expectations couldn't be lower. He's an added bonus if anything.

 

[CyberB0b]

Another failed reclamation project from the process manager.

 

[SultanOfSix]

Eh. Garrett has a long way to go in proving he's a better than average head coach too. I'll take what he says with a grain of salt.

 

[Shinaoi]

I don't mind a project in the second here and there. And I root for every one of them, don't get me wrong. But it's starting to look like a trend. Like the 2nd round is where we either take a tight end we won't use or roll the dice type of player. But we hit on lee(somewhat) and lawrence(somewhat)

 

[JonJon]

How to stop smoking weed:
1. Do not buy weed.
2. Do not hang around people that have and/or smoke weed.

It really is that simple. Apparantly, he has put himself in harms way by the choices he has made. He needs to start making better decisions and it starts with him, then the people he hangs around.

 

[Hardline]

Marijuana is not addictive. He can't blame it on that.
His problem is he is just a plain ole stupid moron.
I have never met a pot smoker that could be confused for a genius.