Randy Gregory Proves Dallas Cowboys Risk-Taking Out of Control

It’s hard to admit but pretty much everybody can proclaim, at least to a degree that they saw this debacle between Randy Gregory and the Dallas Cowboys coming.

A year ago there was no denying the Nebraska prospect had the most incredible mix of size, speed and athleticism pass rushers can have coming out of college. The possibilities seemed endless. Unfortunately warning signs surrounding him even before the NFL draft began. He had a history of off-the-field issues due to drugs, showed up late or not at all to interviews and gave off an aura of indifference at times. He seemed like a player who was getting by on raw skills and was more interested in having a good time than working hard.

That is often a recipe for disaster for a young player when he’s about to leave the rigid system of school and get millions of dollars. Sure enough, despite a fall in the draft and leap of faith by the Cowboys, the drug problems have persisted for Gregory to such a degree that he has been slapped with a four-game suspension and may be set to endure even worse.

#Cowboys DE Randy Gregory is headed to a treatment center in the wake of another drug suspension coming, source say (as ESPN reported).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2016

There is real worry on #Cowboys DE Randy Gregory, who has shut out some people close to him. The hope is treatment helps this time around.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2016

My understanding of Randy Gregory's coming suspension is its for 10 games, at least. There is concern on #Cowboys that he may not play again
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2016

While Gregory deserves most of the blame for his own poor choices and letting his teammates down, the fact of the matter is the Dallas franchise should not be totally absent of blame. They knew exactly what they were getting into when they drafted him last year. It may have been viewed as them giving a troubled kid a chance to mature under their careful watch. Others would say it was a needless gamble on a big talent despite being pockmarked by red flags.

This is a problem that has bedeviled the Dallas Cowboys for years but especially in recent seasons. Gregory isn’t the only one who’s burned them. Demarcus Lawrence is also suspended. He had problems in college as well. Greg Hardy provided plenty of distractions during his lone year with a star on the helmet, and not just his colorful domestic violence reputation. This is to say nothing of the near-miss they just had with 1^st round pick Ezekiel Elliott.

More from NFL Mocks

Jerry Jones said in his very first press conference that there is no substitute for winning. That may have been fine in theory when he had a masterful disciplinarian like Jimmy Johnson running the ship, but this is a new age with new players and it seems his casual willingness to gamble on talent over personality isn’t going to get him jackpots anymore. At least not enough to win a Super Bowl.

Home/NFL Hot Takes