D. Armstrong vs. Randy "Mile High" Gregory

[CalPolyTechnique]

Armstrong: 2-years/$12M ($4.5M signing bonus)
Gregory: 5-years/$70M ($10M signing bonus)

Discuss...

 

[Doomsday101]

Armstrong: 2-years/$12M ($4.5M signing bonus)
Gregory: 5-years/$70M ($10M signing bonus)

Discuss...

Armstrong has played very good and showed improvement last season as well, I think he has taken it up a notch this season. As for Gregory Cowboys made him an offer and he choose to move on and so have I

 

[VaqueroTD]

Armstrong: 2-years/$12M ($4.5M signing bonus)
Gregory: 5-years/$70M ($10M signing bonus)

Discuss...

And Armstrong is a constant playmaker on ST. I rest my case your honor, at least for this season.

 

[CWR]

Gregory is a waste of talent. It shows you can take all the measurables, SPARQ, etc. and flush em, because heart and work ethic are paramount.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

I clearly remember a lot of you guys being up in arms at losing Gregory.

He was never good. He was never an impact player. He was never reliable.

The best thing he ever did for the Cowboys was save Jerry from himself and renege on that contract.

 

[USArmyVet]

Many wanted Gregory back but he moved on. I do not think many saw Armstrong stepping up but he did and so Armstrong is helping Dallas and Gregory got his money so all worked out in the end.

 

[Ken]

Armstrong: 2-years/$12M ($4.5M signing bonus)
Gregory: 5-years/$70M ($10M signing bonus)

Discuss...

I remember the ruing....lol

 

[thunderpimp91]

Gregory is old news and the Cowboys were right to move on. The interesting conversation may actually be this offseason of Armstrong vs Williams.

With as well as Armstrong is playing and you have an in house replacement that wildly may be an upgrade would you explore the option of trading Armstrong for a massive haul? Im not advocating for that, you really cant have too many quality rushers, but it's something that should probably get discussed. I have to imagine a 10+ sack guy that costs a team just $7MM could get a decent return.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Armstrong: 2-years/$12M ($4.5M signing bonus)
Gregory: 5-years/$70M ($10M signing bonus)

Discuss...

Dorance may lose a sack to Parsons. Or it may be a half sack.

Dorance's play has been pretty shocking. He had a pretty string 2021 getting 5 sacks on 500 snaps, which would put him at about league average for starting DE's. But nothing he did last year made you think he was capable of a Pro Bowl caliber season

 

[BourbonBalz]

I was VERY happy when Gregory signed with Denver. He’s nothing but an overrated head case. We dodged a huge bullet with him and were stupid for offering him the contract he turned down.

 

[VaqueroTD]

Let’s not act like Gregory wouldn’t be putting up numbers too this year. #11 makes everyone look good. But at a much higher contract than Armstrong and Fowler combined, and he is starting to look injury prone too after getting hurt again. It’s still the Special Teams and knack for plays though that I love most about Armstrong. Had another one last week saving our rookie’s fumble. You can’t teach that, either have it or you don’t.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Gregory is old news and the Cowboys were right to move on. The interesting conversation may actually be this offseason of Armstrong vs Williams.

With as well as Armstrong is playing and you have an in house replacement that wildly may be an upgrade would you explore the option of trading Armstrong for a massive haul? Im not advocating for that, you really cant have too many quality rushers, but it's something that should probably get discussed. I have to imagine a 10+ sack guy that costs a team just $7MM could get a decent return.

I wouldn't. Armstrong is under contract, his salary isn't cost prohibitive, and you never want to needlessly purge talented depth. Williams and Armstrong can exist in the same ecosystem, at least for another year.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Let’s not act like Gregory wouldn’t be putting up numbers too this year. #11 makes everyone look good. But at a much higher contract than Armstrong and Fowler combined, and he is starting to look injury prone too after getting hurt again. It’s still the Special Teams and knack for plays though that I love most about Armstrong. Had another one last week saving our rookie’s fumble. You can’t teach that, either have it or you don’t.

I could be wrong but I believe Armstrong now has two blocked punts and a blocked FG in his career.

 

[thunderpimp91]

I wouldn't. Armstrong is under contract, his salary isn't cost prohibitive, and you never want to needlessly purge talented depth. Williams and Armstrong can exist in the same ecosystem, at least for another year.

No issue with that take. You can always find ways to get these guys on the field. I think it's something to seriously consider if you dont want to resign him after 2023 though. That is my big worry. You could keep him and let him walk for the comp pick, but if he keeps this pace is it unrealistic to think someone would give up a 1st for him?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Armstrong: 2-years/$12M ($4.5M signing bonus)
Gregory: 5-years/$70M ($10M signing bonus)

Discuss...

And that doesn't even show the blocked FG *and* punt this year.

 

[jazzcat22]

Would Gregory have better success here with the emergence of how the defense is playing now?
Just playing devil's advocate here. Better surrounding team and all.

However, I agree with the posts it was a blessing in disguise things turned out they way they did. We are much better off without Gregory.
Availability for one thing, one could never count on him being 100% healthy, and if not for the new CBA rules, when was his next suspension coming?

We have Armstrong who is emerging, as he showed flashed last year to be productive. We got Fowler as a FA, playing well. Both may not be here if Gregory would have stayed, as DA was a FA.
We also drafted Sam Williams because of this. Would they have drafted him otherwise?

And much less offsides penalties, such as Gregory had, especially against Sf in the playoff game costing us.
I was pulling for him for a while but last year after his penalties, missed some games, ankle sprain I believe. I was ready for him to go.

 

[Sydla]

I remember the ruing....lol

And others twisting themselves into calling Gregory walking and Armstrong playing better as a smart move by the FO.

The reality is we are only in this spot because Gregory chose to walk. This is not a front office win by any stretch. It's an example of when getting lucky is better than being good.

 

[zrinkill]

Almost Randy Gregory.

All the talent in the world with a brittle body and ten cent brain.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

No issue with that take. You can always find ways to get these guys on the field. I think it's something to seriously consider if you dont want to resign him after 2023 though. That is my big worry. You could keep him and let him walk for the comp pick, but if he keeps this pace is it unrealistic to think someone would give up a 1st for him?

I think it's set up nicely from a team perspective. Armstrong being under contract next year allows us to maintain quality depth and rotation is a big part of what makes this defense what it is in terms of pass rush. Armstrong's presence also provides insurance and more time for Sam Williams development. I don't think any team would trade a 1st rounder for him next year because they would be getting dinged twice by:

1. losing a 1st rounder; and
2. having to then pay retail to resign Armstrong in order to keep him long-term to justify the trade (ala Amari Cooper)

My best guess is that we'll likely draft another DE in the mid-rounds next year in hopes of developing another Armstrong type player. Also, the fact we get draft compensation if he walks in free agency is an added benefit as you stated.

 

[Doomsday101]

And others twisting themselves into calling Gregory walking and Armstrong playing better as a smart move by the FO.

The reality is we are only in this spot because Gregory chose to walk. This is not a front office win by any stretch. It's an example of when getting lucky is better than being good.

To an extent true but management made an offer and stood by it, they did not cave into Gregory demands. I think Cowboys made him a fair offer and stood by it