I am not sure why this is such a surprise. Even Jones' words last week were telling. He said even though he was out of rehab, he will be "rehabbing" for a long time. Like any addiction, it is something you end up having to fight every day.
My father was a smoker, smoked from the time he was a teen. At 55 years old he had to have a quadruple bypass. The doctor told him then if he wanted to live he had smoked his last cigarette. He quit cold turkey right then. For the 24 years following, he said he wanted one so bad at times he almost couldn't handle it, but he knew if he had one he would be back in the habit. That is how strong an addiction can be.
There could be several things at work. Some say he might have been popped again. If that is the case he is a lost cause. He will never play football again.
They may also have been told that there was no chance that the suspension would be dropped or reduced. If that is the case there is no point.
They might have decided that while he is out of rehab, he isn't anywhere near mentally or physically ready to play football. So he might as well take the penalty now and try to get him to the point where he is ready to resume football.
The thing is, I don't think he has any more to offer to this team in the short term than say Ryan Davis does. Davis has 10 sacks over the past two seasons. I would have been shocked to see Gregory get anywhere near that kind of production.
Our hopes rest with Lawrence coming off suspension, Davis adding something as a free agent and Tapper getting healthy enough to play. I don't see any chance that we make a trade for anyone that is going to make a difference. I don't see us ever going back to Hardy. Maybe Zach Moore or Chris McCain get called up to the 53 if they show any ability as spot pass rushers.
