Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory has been suspended by the NFL for substance abuse, according to the NFL website. Though he’s still eligible for practice and off-season activities, Gregory will not be allowed to play in the first four games of the regular season. The second-year player will also not be paid for those games. The suspension puts the Cowboys in a very bad position and might affect their plans.
Talent has never been the question when it comes to Randy Gregory. When it comes to what he can do on a football field, Gregory should have been selected within the first ten picks of the NFL Draft. He’s that good. When they chose him in the second round, the Dallas Cowboys were hoping that he could team up with Greg Hardy and Demarcus Lawrence to provide the terrifying pass rush like the one that DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller provide for the Super Bowl-winning Denver Broncos.
Usually, a four-game suspension on a substance abuse violation means that the player has failed the test four times. NFL teams might be more willing to look the other way if a person fails the test once. However, when it becomes a habitual thing, then that’s when you start questioning if the person is really passionate about playing football. If not, then it may be time to move on from that person, regardless of how talented and how much potential they have.
A bigger fear for Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is a fifth failed drug test. That will automatically cause Randy Gregory to be suspended by the NFL for half a season. Not having a projected starting defense end for eight games is a very long time. Jones and Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett were already considering adding more pass rushers through the draft this spring, but that now moves up higher on the priority list.
Many had hoped that Randy Gregory left his drug issues back at the University of Nebraska. Unfortunately, he decided to bring them with him on the professional level. There’s only so many available roster spots in the NFL. If he doesn’t figure a way to grow up, then Gregory is going to sacrifice his spot.
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