I'm glad he has this opportunity too, don't get me wrong. I'm just saying let's not portray him as someone that was wronged by the system. Also, let's not treat him as though he overcame some challenging life obstacle.
I could let it go if Gregory had been suspended once. I mean, the consequences were made clear, were they not? How many more times? We still have no proof that this wouldn't have continued if they still tested for marijuana. Therefore, it's a legitimate question to ask if he changed or was it the league that changed?
What really runs through my mind is what the Cowboys could have been if Gregory had never been suspended.
In 2016, Dak and Zeke's rookie seasons, Gregory was in his 2nd season, you know, the one where a player makes his greatest leap? Except, Gregory was suspended the first 14 games. he was suspended 4 games for failing a test, then suspended an additional 10 games for failing another test.
Gregory played in the last game of 2016 and actually recorded a sack. However, after failing his 3rd test he was suspended from the playoffs as well as the following season.
The 2016 playoffs....against the Green Bay Packers.
The game was tied with 35 seconds left when Rodgers made that spectacular throw.
I mean, you have to wonder how different that play...that game....that postseason might have gone if Gregory had been in there that whole season with the other DE's Lawrence and Irving. Could Rodgers have made that escape and thrown that pass if Gregory had been in his face?
A game that close...just one additional big play and the Cowboy would have played in their first NFC championship in over 20 years.
What about the 2017 season? That was Lawrence's best season, 14.5 sacks. Now imagine what it would have looked like with a bookend pair of that quality. The Cowboys went 9-7 that season, a lot of close games. The chance for a wildcard went all the way down to the last game, but they couldn't do it.
Perhaps Gregory would have made a difference. Perhaps he would have made a profound difference. Would he have made a difference in the contract negotiations with T-Law as potential leverage? This season Lawrence is supposed to count $25 million against the cap.
I'm not hating on him, I'm just saying it like it is. Randy Gregory has some making up to do, he needs to live up to all the hype, I really hope he does.