Gregory-Lite or Heavyweight?

[T-RO]

We all know Gregory’s history, the uncertainty of his re-instatement...and the questions regarding a possible relapse. He is a wild card. There has been endless chatter about the league’s weed policy, Gregory’s commitment and mental state...

For sake of this discussion here I suggest we *temporarily* set aside all those questions, as valid as they are...and ask: If re-instated, if he stays clean and clear headed...what might Gregory THE PLAYER bring to the Cowboys in 2018?

There are 3 concerns I have pushing against my optimism:

-He was a light player coming out of college and I wonder how well that plays out when players in the trenches are mammoth and strong. I don’t know if he’s added bulk since his rookie year when he was the lightest end in the NFL.

-He has been away from football for a *very* long time, physically, mentally.

-From a technique standpoint he’s played so sparingly...isn’t his development almost that of a rookie? Pass rushers need ninja skills to defeat elite tackles. Can he possibly dust those off? Did he ever develop the bag of tricks or was he always just speed and quicks?

Any hype balloon that once surrounded the guy has been largely punctured at this point. Could we ever see the heavyweight potential he once carried...or is he merely Gregory Lite, a small player...with frittered away skills?

 

[cern]

We all know Gregory’s history, the uncertainty of his re-instatement...and the questions regarding a possible relapse. He is a wild card.

For sake of discussion I suggest we *temporarily* set aside those questions, as valid as they are...and ask: what might Gregory THE PLAYER bring to the Cowboys in 2018?

There are 3 concerns I have pushing against my optimism:

-He was a light player coming out of college and I wonder how well that plays in the trenches when players are mammoth and strong.

-He has been away from football for a *very* long time.

-From a technique standpoint he’s played so sparingly...isn’t his development almost that of a rookie? Pass rushers need ninja skills to defeat elite tackles. Can he possibly dust those off? Did he ever develop the bag of tricks or was it just speed and quicks.

Any hype balloon that once surrounded the guy has been largely punctured at this point. Do we get the heavyweight potential he once carried...or just Gregory Lite, a small player...with frittered away skills?

He's as big as Charles haley.

 

[T-RO]

He's as big as Charles haley.

And when I have my happy glasses on...that’s the comp I see.

 

[buybuydandavis]

He's as big as Charles haley.

25 years ago. The NFL has gotten a lot bigger since then. Not counting the puny rookie, the oline averages in the high 300 teens.

I think Gregory came in at 235, and was listed at 245 in 2016. I would hope that he spent the last year filling out further.

He had six tackles and a sack in his last game. That was simply crazy for our Dline that year. I think the top DE had ~ 15 tackles.

 

[sureletsrace]

Not expecting anything from him. If he contributes, great. If not, oh well.

 

[T-RO]

25 years ago. The NFL has gotten a lot bigger since then. Not counting the puny rookie, the oline averages in the high 300 teens.

I think Gregory came in at 235, and was listed at 245 in 2016. I would hope that he spent the last year filling out further.

He had six tackles and a sack in his last game. That was simply crazy for our Dline that year. I think the top DE had ~ 15 tackles.

Haley was small for his day...

I didn’t realize Gregory ever had 6 tackles in a (regular season) game. That’s encouraging.

 

[T-RO]

Not expecting anything from him. If he contributes, great. If not, oh well.

I can understand that line of thinking. We don’t need him.

 

[gmoney112]

If hes really been clean for as long as he said, and he gets reinstated, he'll contribute.

Hes probably been working out and, at least, paying attention to his weight. If he did happen to come in at like 225 then yeah, it makes things tougher but I doubt he does.

If hes clean, that means his priorities have changed. Has the world seen a clean, focused Gregory? Ever? That sounds pretty good to me.

I think he comes in ready to go. Gets pushed around for a bit, but comes on. I could see him finishing this season incredibly strong, right in time for the playoffs in our rotation.

It's a comeback story in the making.

 

[T-RO]

If hes really been clean for as long as he said, and he gets reinstated, he'll contribute.

Hes probably been working out and, at least, paying attention to his weight. If he did happen to come in at like 225 then yeah, it makes things tougher but I doubt he does.

If hes clean, that means his priorities have changed. Has the world seen a clean, focused Gregory? Ever? That sounds pretty good to me.

I think he comes in ready to go. Gets pushed around for a bit, but comes on. I could see him finishing this season incredibly strong, right in time for the playoffs in our rotation.

It's a comeback story in the making.

Chris Carter told Roger Goodall needs more positive stories and that Gregory — potentially — could be such a story.

Again focusing on *the player*...it’s an intriguing potential ‘bonus’ for the 2018 Cowboys.

 

[Cowpolk]

Lite Heavy weight he will contribute

 

[Cattle_Rancher]

If Gregory is clean and good to go I think he can come in and be a beast. It may take a while to get up and going. I also think Taco could have a coming out party. I would be happy if Gregory had 6 sacks and Taco had like 8. 14 sacks from RE is pretty good.

 

[Bullflop]

I doubt we'll know anything concrete as to whether he can contribute or not after such a long layoff. It'll be up to the Dallas FO and their staff to determine his worthiness of being actively retained on the roster or not, imho. I think they'll afford him a chance to prove himself in TC and either keep him or waive him according to his performance or lack thereof.

I can't see where he should realistically hold an active roster spot otherwise if he's not physically fit any longer after 2 years of inactivity. If he is, it will be seen and dealt with accordingly by the Dallas FO and staff; surely not by members of the Cowboys Zone. Perhaps we'll just have to wait and see if he'd be eligible for the practice squad or not, although he'd be prone to being pilfered by another team, if so.

 

[Pompey-Cowboy]

Expect nothing, avoid disappointment.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Haley was small for his day...

I didn’t realize Gregory ever had 6 tackles in a (regular season) game. That’s encouraging.

Quasi regular season. Final game of the season, neither team had anything to play for.

So a grain of salt, but six tackles and a sack is one good game.

 

[Tabascocat]

Lite or not, his presence only adds upside. It is not like he is stealing a roster spot from a contributor. Hope for the best yet prepare for the worst.

 

[T-RO]

Lite or not, his presence only adds upside. It is not like he is stealing a roster spot from a contributor. Hope for the best yet prepare for the worst.

If Gregory grabs a roster spot...I strongly expect the guy he displaces will be playing in another NFL uniform with a helmet that doesn’t have a star.

Someone good will either get cut—or hopefully—traded.

So there is risk, IMO.

 

[T-RO]

14 games
15 tackles
1 sack

That’s his entire Cowboys career.

Sounds like Gregory-Lite. Why are we expecting so much more?

 

[Bullflop]

14 games
15 tackles
1 sack

That’s his entire Cowboys career.

Sounds like Gregory-Lite. Why are we expecting so much more?

One thing we all need to remember is that the pads won't come on until the last weekend in July.

For the sake of looking at it realistically, that's when we'll even begin to start seeing what's what.

 

[T-RO]

One thing we all need to remember is that the pads won't come on until the last weekend in July.

For the sake of looking at it realistically, that's when we'll even begin to start seeing what's what.

No doubt. I know that for some of those games Gregory was still recovering from a high ankle sprain and learning his position. When thinking about him I bounce between
‘Meh’ and true enthusiasm.

 

[Bullflop]

No doubt. I know that for some of those games Gregory was still recovering from a high ankle sprain and learning his position. When thinking about him I bounce between ‘Meh’ and true enthusiasm.

Yeah -- it takes time to get the needed development and experience to achieve success. Unfortunately, Gregory cheated himself out of having that chance. Hopefully, it'll come if he keeps clean and stays away from the weed. Let's wish him all the good luck he can possibly have.