Will Randy Gregory Even Start?
June 24th, 2024
Mystery.
So in reading a State of the Bucs from NFL.com, it seems the thought for some is that MIA edge rusher Randy Gregory will start for the Bucs.
If production and investment mean anything, Joe is thinking Gregory will not start.
Joe understands most Bucs fans want Joe Tryon-Shoyinka off the roster. The Bucs, on the other hand, have a lot invested in him. If the Bucs weren’t interested in the hope he may (finally) turn things around, the Bucs would not have brought him back for 2024.
Joe also believes the Bucs will give JTS 4-6 games to show his game is clicking. If it’s not, hello Chris Braswell.
Sometimes humorist Adam Rank seems to think Gregory will start Week 1 but will eventually give way to Braswell.
Joe has no idea why the Bucs brought in this Gregory. And after he blew off mandatory minicamp, the mystery only deepens. Why introduce this guy to an otherwise solid locker room? Did Jason Licht forget how a bad apple (Swaggy Baker) can fester?
Still, JTS has better production than Gregory, who averaged 3.6 sacks a year this decade.
As for bringing in Gregory, what, Derrick Harvey wasn’t available?
June 24th, 2024 at 3:48 am
Cut…im done…fu randy
June 24th, 2024 at 3:51 am
Youre either fully in or fully out….we dont play around here bro bye
June 24th, 2024 at 3:57 am
I think Diaby, Braswell, Watts, Nelson, JTS, and Ramirez are ahead him. I highly (get it? š„“) doubt he makes the team.
June 24th, 2024 at 4:03 am
Trust me, Braswell will surprise everyone…thats why i wanted him and cant believe he fell to us.
June 24th, 2024 at 4:37 am
I think a better question or even questions, rather, are will he show up to practice, or will he even be on the team.
June 24th, 2024 at 5:59 am
MadMax … ‘Braswell will surprise everyone’.
Agree Max. It’ll take about half a season I think, but he & Diaby are gonna be the solutions to our DE/OLB woes for years to come. That said, would still love for JTS & Nelson to have solid years because we need at least 3 and preferably 4 solid edge guys to keep the pressure on in today’s NFL. Watts & Ramirez MAY one day kick arse, but 1 sack & 1 QB knockdown between them hasn’t shown me anything thus far.
June 24th, 2024 at 6:30 am
How is RG still on this roster? How? Can one of you Joe’s inquire as to why this guy has not been cut after missing OTA’s AND mandatory mini camp?
June 24th, 2024 at 6:48 am
I never read anything about Gregory being a problem in the locker room. Iām not saying it isnāt true I just never heard anybody say heās a bad guy or cancer in the locker room. Please point me in the direction where you heard this information.
June 24th, 2024 at 6:49 am
It shouldnāt take three years and 4-6 games to determine if it clicked for JTS. The decision should be made after preseason. We waited about 9 games last year before putting ya ya in as a starter. Letās not repeat history. Itās time to make a decision on JTS pronto. Heās a former first rounder who has to this day not proven himself. JTS is a pushover who quite often gets bullied, he has speed only.
June 24th, 2024 at 6:55 am
Maybe Licht brought him in to show the young guys how NOT to be a pro. He also could’ve been brought in to use a boxing term, as a tomato can. You know let the young guys win the job over a quote vet. At any rate Randy has a better chance being cut then he does of starting.
June 24th, 2024 at 6:59 am
JTS isn’t exactly terrible. He just isn’t exactly good either. There simply isn’t room for Gregory. Gregory’s salary is roughly $3 mil with > $1.4 mil guaranteed. JTS gets about $3.5 mil all guaranteed for the most part. Big age dif.
June 24th, 2024 at 7:01 am
Big injury dif too.
June 24th, 2024 at 7:17 am
One thing to remember is these teams are still professional organizations. As such, I am sure there is a finite list of what is an excused vs. unexcused absence just like where we all work. We wouldn’t like it if that was just made up on a whim by our boss. So RG may not have been at mini-camp for a reasonable reason but just not on the “excused” list.
All that being said, it better have been like that because this is last chance saloon for this guy and nobody will miss him if/when he gets cut. I am sure TB feels a bit cheated having DW’s back for so long and probably learned a lesson there.
June 24th, 2024 at 7:35 am
I really believe this will work out on it’s own between the NFL lawsuit and the Bucs. Everything right now are at the “current state” until it is figured out.
This entire thing goes back to Colorado when Gregory attempted to get an accommodation from the league for his prescribed and alternative meds, plus therapeutic use. He was denied.
Doctors can prescribe highly addictive opioids, but the alternatives are not covered. NFL players are no longer subject to suspension for THC positive tests. However, they are fined. They are paying for their health insurances, their alternate drugs that are not covered, and fines now. This is a much bigger picture because how many other players are fighting depression, PTSD, anxiety, OCD, social fears, disconnect, borderline personality, and so many other mental disorders? I bet many. How many are on Opioids? I bet many. But that is okay…
We don’t know what has happened in his life and wouldn’t judge any of them for needing these alternative meds. They should be able to take the drug of choice that helps them. How many other players have faltered because of these rules in the NFL? How many are still playing? Never forget Josh Freeman. So much more with this when you peel the onion back. You never know who are struggling. At least Gregory knows what works for him and is trying to fix it.
I agree with Stanglassman that we have never heard anything about Gregory being a difficult player, a locker room problem. If he was, we would have heard that from players already.
June 24th, 2024 at 7:47 am
Start? What about play? Heās a nobody on this team and thatās saying a lot
June 24th, 2024 at 7:48 am
JTS was graded way higher than Gregory. In fact Gregory was literally ranked at the end of the list. Like 150 others better than him.
June 24th, 2024 at 7:57 am
At this point If I were Jason I would bite the bullet and pay Gregory to stay home (ala Meshaun), and start looking around for some other dude who actually wants to get off the couch. Maybe a LG or another more acomplished edge. Please Jason do not give this dude access to One Buc.
Go Bucs!
June 24th, 2024 at 8:10 am
Maybe the Bucs keep him on the roster and just keep fining him every day he doesnāt show up. Then axe him at the cut down. Why the Bucs signed this guy is beyond my comprehension. He didnāt even seem to be happy to be signedā¦.. loser the locker room doesnāt need.
June 24th, 2024 at 8:14 am
Not a lot a Defensive Lineman can do in Underwear Football.
As far as his Position goes when the ball moves go and hit the guy with the ball. It’s not like he has to learn a Magnificent Coen offense and he probably doesn’t feel much like coming in and sucking up with dinners and trips to ball games.
Cost Gregory 100K to miss out on standing around in the heat and doing to who lot of nothing for three days.
Licht saw something and until a time when Gregory can show what it was or wasn’t I have no problem with anything that he has done or not done thus far.
If the man can get himself cut and pick up an extra million somewhere else that’s like a 500K incentive for both playing 75% of the snaps and 500K for double digit sacks. Whether he gets them or not.
Double Digit sacks that JPP got twice early in his career and nothing to write home about after that.
Licht saw something in him too.
June 24th, 2024 at 10:18 am
Everything aside about RG’s character and past transgressions, the Bucs should at least strongly consider using that roster spot on someone who actually wants to be here. There’s a fine line for players who almost make a team. Those guys deserve their first chance before RG gets yet another chance.
It’s not whether he is a cancer in the locker room, but everyone and their momma know it’s against this so-called “We want guys like Lavonte” standard Jason Licht has mentioned. Don’t pay lip service to that and hold different people accountable on a different standard.
June 24th, 2024 at 10:21 am
lambchop:
Thank you!
June 24th, 2024 at 10:22 am
If JL can’t cut his losses, then I want RG to start week 1 so we all know what he’s willing to give this team with respect to his effort and dedication. This guy, so far, sounds like he’s just cashing in his last NFL check before he rides off into obscurity and eventual bankruptcy.
June 24th, 2024 at 10:39 am
There is a LOT of judgement here without much knowledge on what is actually happening. If Gregory does produce this year, several of you are going to look ridiculous. They will fine him and he will pay it. Itās not like he is holding out for a massive pay day or anything. Maybe he was required in court. Maybe he WAS high and riding a horse through the mountains of Colorado, but WE DONT KNOW.
Until we see him play we wonāt know if it was a good signing or not. Itās pretty easy to look at a guys history and cast judgement, but the Bucs Brass run a BUSINESS and I applaud them for not being rash. Would we rather have a stand up character guy who gets 10 sacks for cheap? Yes. But not every player will have the character of David when you are adding to the roster for holes.
June 24th, 2024 at 10:48 am
Randy Gregory – 60 games played – 22 sacks – 10 forced fumbles – 1 INT.
JTS – 51 games played – 13 sacks – 1 forced fumble – 0 INT.
When healthy and not under suspension Randy Gregory has been more productive than JTS…
June 24th, 2024 at 10:59 am
When AB danced off the field I thought we were done with players who had big mental issues regardless of what their choice of meds was…it seems not.
June 24th, 2024 at 11:25 am
Waiting for JTS = Waiting for Godot.
June 24th, 2024 at 11:29 am
@Crickett Baker
To be honest, we don’t know how many other players are struggling mentally. If they take Opioids or other alternatives. 49ers George Kittle has spoken openly of his own struggles. The Titan Owner and others, the same. I give them all a lot of credit for speaking out. Never taking or needing any of these drugs, I can still empathize for ones that need them everyday.
Good point about AB. I always wondered if AB got help medically. But, you have to admit you have a problem before you can find a solution. We do know that Brady tried to help and guide him. Remember when AB coasted in the balloon onto the Raiders camp and everyone laughed. Now looking back it wasn’t that funny. Then he had the helmet issue. Coaches and others had to see what we were seeing. Were there any interventions? At least Gregory is trying alternatives to somehow conquer his mental disorders and is a voice for others.
Like Fan of the Sound commented, “Jason saw something in him.” Marine Buc’s, stats don’t lie either. BillyBucco’s “We just don’t know.” I agree with all three.
June 24th, 2024 at 12:18 pm
Injury settlement coming. Not sure what injury – just feel one coming. Easy out.
June 24th, 2024 at 12:55 pm
They should just let Gregory go as soon as they can (hopefully it wonāt count towards our salary cap but Iām guessing it will)ā¦ Then, maybe, go out and try to sign Yannick Ngakoue on a heavy incentive based veteran type of deal, if they can!? And, I swear I remember when everyone (especially on the radio – WDAE) was praising JTS as the next āgreatest thingā and a potential future HOFāer during his first camp and all preseason during his rookie year!!!! I mean, EVERY guest they had on there too, including Ronde Barber and ALL of āem were just continuing to go on and on with the praise. They were like, you just wait ātil you see THIS Guyā¦ He is just creating chaos on every play and is always in the offensive backfield/QBās FACE. He. Is. Dominating. NOBODY can stop him. He is un-blockable. Fast. Unstoppable. Doing it ALL. LoL. I was like, WOWā¦ I Canāt WAIT. This sounds amazing! EVERYONE was saying this when asked the one thing theyād seen so far, and had been most impressed with, Etc. My question isā¦ So, What THE HELL HAPPENED!? Craziest thing EVER. I was telling all of my friends too, from here and from back home, that they need to watch out for THIS GUY, heās going to be a HOFāerā¦ NOBODY Can Stop HIM. LoL. I was shewwww, HIM and DWhite together, with THIS Defenseā¦ Just DUDE. LMAO
June 24th, 2024 at 12:57 pm
I think this is the new wrinkle to the defense, JTS and RG will line up all over the defense, kind of a wildcard player, so they do not have to take on blocks directly and can make plays 9hopefullY make plays). I think you will see them over the center, way on the outside and definitely playing some zone coverage
June 24th, 2024 at 3:25 pm
@BillyBucco,
What judgement? He missed mandatory minicamp with no sanctioned leave. That’s on him, not the rest of us. But, if we’re going to expect other players to be at mandatory minicamp, then why does Randy get a pass and benefit of the doubt with his track record? You are what your actions speak about you. Whether he has a productive season or not, that’s not what most of us are talking about. I would rather cut him if it weren’t for the guaranteed money. This team’s culture went through an overhaul in the past 3 years, not so we can revert back to signing questionable players that aren’t Randy Moss level of talent.
The Bucs are stuck and value his potential more than the culture they worked so hard to overhaul.
June 24th, 2024 at 3:50 pm
I don’t remember anyone talking about JTS as a HOF not early not ever. I think you are mistaken Booger.
June 24th, 2024 at 4:55 pm
They were definitely talking him up like that everyday, all during training camp his rookie season on WDAE. Iām talking Ronde Barber and ALL of them. Even āon-airā before their first preseason game on tv that Ronde was callingā¦ He was telling everyone to watch out for him, that he had been dominating practices, that nobody on the Bucs OLine could figure out a way to stop him, that he had been living in the Bucs backfield literally, on EVERY play, Etc. Everyone was talking about it. It was unreal. I was in my car for most of the day back then, & it was all I listened to all day long, was WDAE. Iām tellinā ya, they went on and on about him all throughout the entire training camp. Every single day. It was unbelievable. I shouldāve known better to believe all of THAT, but from all the people (very credible sources) it was coming fromā¦ It was pretty dang exciting! Until, the actual ārealā season began, and then they all became VERY quiet and slowed their roll on it.
June 24th, 2024 at 4:59 pm
Man this guy has some kind of nerve. I don’t think we need him either. I mean what part of mandatory do you not understand?? Needs to be a superb reason other than uh uh umm I was to high to make it. Cut all ties sooner than later. Don’t need another AB stripping his way off the field in a tantrum…
June 24th, 2024 at 8:46 pm
JPP is still available, one thing about him, he is totally committed to ball. He is reliable, he all heart and passion for his teammates and the game. But sure Bowles prefers Gregory!?
June 24th, 2024 at 8:58 pm
Why are we still talking about this guy. Good lord, Jason. Cut him already.
June 24th, 2024 at 9:14 pm
fat back jelly triple chin swaggy is a fairy
June 24th, 2024 at 11:46 pm
JTS sucks, is the reason Licht took a low risk swing at this guy. Todd and Jason know character (bye Diva and Davis). If he is not a fit, he will be cut.
Meanwhile it doesnāt change the fact that JTS sucks.