Who Didn’t See This Coming?
June 12th, 2024
Surprised?
Joe doesn’t see this ending well at all.
What is “this?” It’s the Randy Gregory Era of Bucs football.
Earlier this offseason, Joe was on his knees begging the Bucs to swing a deal for one of the game’s better pass rushers the past four seasons, Haason Reddick. No team needed a consistent pass rusher more than the Bucs.
But Reddick wasn’t good enough for the Bucs. Rather, the Bucs turned their noses up at Reddick and instead turned to a guy who makes Joe Tryon-Shoyinka look like Charles Haley. That would be oft-suspended Randy Gregory. You know, a guy who has averaged three sacks a season this decade? (When the NFL allowed Gregory on an NFL field.)
What, Derrick Harvey wasn’t available?
When the Bucs signed Gregory, Joe thought, “What? This guy? Why? Why introduce this guy into an excellent locker room with so many talented young players?”
Joe has seen this movie before.
In 2016, the Bucs appeared to have it all put together. It seemed perhaps the Bucs finally drafted their long-sought-after franchise quarterback, Jameis Winston. A year later, with Mike Evans and rookie Chris Godwin to throw to and a solid young offensive line, it appeared the Bucs were about to turn the corner after missing out on the playoffs in a tiebreaker.
Instead, 2017 turned into a disaster.
The Bucs went out in the 2017 offseason and signed offsides-jumping, Lightning-trolling, belly-shirt-wearing, practice-hating, kicker-heckling, tree-grinding, non-contact-football-loving, chicken-wings-grilling, playing-time-squawking, TV-cooking-star, half-sack Swaggy Baker and DeSean Cancer. (Full disclosure: Joe was giddy about the Cancer signing. Yikes.)
What happened? Whether it was fully on the shoulders of Baker and/or Cancer, the Bucs locker room was wrecked by selfish guys only interested in pocketing Team Glazer loot. Cancer, in particular. was focused on backstabbing teammates.
The Bucs went from a team on the rise to a team in the gutter. That didn’t change until 2020 when Tom Brady showed up and saved the franchise.
Now yesterday, just days after filing suit against the Broncos and the NFL for his rights to party with left-handed cigarettes use TCH for healing, Gregory blows off mandatory minicamp.
My, what a veteran leader the Bucs chained themselves to.
Tight-lipped Bucs coach Todd Bowles would only say Gregory was unexcused and that the team will “Deal with it.”
(Sure, to be fair to Gregory, Joe guesses it’s possible Gregory’s agent called the Bucs with a heck of an excuse not to be at mandatory minicamp and the Bucs are trying to confirm the excuse is real. But c’mon, with this guy’s history, Joe’s beyond dubious.)
Joe hopes the Bucs do the right thing and demonstrate to their quality young players that there are consequences for your actions.
Cut the cord.
Tristan Wirfs is embroiled in a contract battle. What has he done? He could stay home and not one person would say a word because Wirfs has street cred. Instead, Wirfs is regularly at One Buc Palace working out. He just won’t go on the practice fields.
And yes, Wirfs was at mandatory minicamp yesterday.
Unlike Gregory, Wirfs is a leader. And a winner.
Hey, if Gregory was putting up Reddick-like numbers, Joe wouldn’t whine. Gregory doesn’t and hasn’t. Instead, Gregory gets suspended right and left and constantly violates the cardinal sin of Bill Parcells, “Your best ability is your availability.”
Joe really has no earthly idea why the Bucs would waste their time with Gregory. Joe would rather see the snaps in practice go to their favorite weekday warrior, pride of the practice squad José Ramirez.
This Ramirez may still have a future with the Bucs. What kind of future will Gregory have with the Bucs?
Hopefully, after this week, none.
Let’s not repeat the same mistake of Swaggy Baker and DeSean Cancer and destroy the locker room and poison talented young players. The Bucs simply do not need to play with fire.
June 12th, 2024 at 5:51 am
Cut that fool. He already got his payday. He doesn’t care about football anymore.
June 12th, 2024 at 5:55 am
Protect the chemistry. He has to go!
June 12th, 2024 at 6:12 am
Cut him now. Ultimate disrespect not to show up for his first mandatory practice. He obviously doesn’t care about his new team mates or coaches. Why they signed a guy that is worse than JTS is beyond me. Plus his “medicine” issues. Do the Bucs really want another AB without the skills?
June 12th, 2024 at 6:15 am
Why would anybody, including Joe, think Gregory has changed or that he will be productive for the Bucs? Sure, Licht signed him hoping that the 1 in a million chance would come through…
June 12th, 2024 at 6:26 am
I thought we’d be reading that he was cut last night.
June 12th, 2024 at 6:31 am
Funny, you know who was an unexcused absence from Jets camp yesterday?
I can’t wait for the season where every Hassan Reddick pressure results in a “See what we could have had” article. This thinking that he was an abandoned kitten on our doorstep and we said “Nah” is ridiculous. Also:
Who says the Eagles wanted to deal with us?
He wants a contract, or he ain’t showing up. Sorry, I will take Tristan. And sure we could do both, but not without someone who makes money leaving. It’s easy to say go get him. A lot harder to say him or Chris Godwin.
June 12th, 2024 at 6:32 am
He couldn’t even show up for picture day without looking high af. I’ve got nothing against weed. I’ve got a problem with someone who doesn’t have enough respect to show up for work sober.
June 12th, 2024 at 6:45 am
Joe….sigh…. the past few days you have brought up horrible, terrifying memories of The ghost Johnson, Anthony call ins, and now Swaggy fat pack. This is too much anger and frustration for one Bucs fan here too handle. 😆 Swaggy what a national embarrassment he was.
June 12th, 2024 at 6:46 am
For all the good Licht does, he still pulls one bad head scratching move every year. I’m not hot on the Sterling Shepherd signing either.
June 12th, 2024 at 6:53 am
I’m with everyone here who is in the “he has to go” club. He’s giving the Bucs a bad name as well as legitimate weed smokers! BTW unlike some here I believe in science. Science shows that our brains our not fully formed until 25 and so it’s unwise to smoke before then. But I would include alcohol in that prohition or idea as well given the many poor guys who become alcoholics in their teens, again before their brains are fully formed.
Aside from any social considerations there is the NFL. While all of us would like Gregory to be given his walking papers NOW, Buc attorneys might have a different view on how to handle this.
Gregory is already suing the Broncos/NFL for what he believed was unfair punishment for his weed use. The Bucs DO NOT wish to become embroiled in what could become an extended legal hassle.
I suspect Licht and Bowles have made their minds up about Gregory and feel like the rest of us here at JBF. I’m not sure they’re free to do whatever they wish in this case. LEGALLY they have to handle this delicately because of the powerful NFLPA and all the Attorneys looking to cash in on more litigation.
IMHO the Bucs have already mentally cut ties with Gregory. How this plays out realistically is probably in the hands of attorneys right now as much as the “football” guys.
June 12th, 2024 at 6:56 am
Head cases are not needed here. Cut him loose NOW. Let’s get Baked!
June 12th, 2024 at 6:59 am
He might get the entire Bucs organization strung out on the hippie lettuce!
(This is a joke, by the way)
June 12th, 2024 at 7:21 am
Joe, c’mon.
Reddick is (a) waaaay too expensive, and (b) selfish as hell. You do know he’s holding out for an even more salary cap strapping deal?
Jason knows.
June 12th, 2024 at 7:24 am
Oh yeah, drop the bad seed as fast as possible Jason. You have built a good team with high character players. This guy is a waste of money and a likely detriment.
June 12th, 2024 at 7:29 am
I think it’s interesting that they (the Bucs FO) thought this was a good idea in first place. Licht’s dumpster diving seems have back fired here.
June 12th, 2024 at 7:33 am
Hodad Says:
June 12th, 2024 at 6:46 am
“For all the good Licht does, he still pulls one bad head scratching move every year. I’m not hot on the Sterling Shepherd signing either.”
This.
I realize giving people second chances is important, and Baker ‘seems’ to be working out, but I don’t care for either one of them being on the team either.
I doubt they will make the final roster…and in this guy’s case, I hope he is gone before he does damage to the locker room.
June 12th, 2024 at 7:35 am
@stpetebucfan
You are correct sir.
I am a proud union member and sometimes my union has “protected” members who were given their walking papers. When, instead they should have helped them clear out their belongings never to be seen again.
The NFLPA needs to start looking at some of the things they are doing. The NFL and societty in general also needs to rein in these ambulance chaser lawyers.
Gregory, in most peoples world would not have a leg to stand on. Sue my employer because they won’t let me light up at work? Fail to show for work wiithout a legit excuse or even a phone call?
I don’t think that works too well in the real world. He have been led to believe he is fighting social injustice somehow.
Go Bucs!
June 12th, 2024 at 7:36 am
Oddball Says:
June 12th, 2024 at 7:29 am
“I think it’s interesting that they (the Bucs FO) thought this was a good idea in first place. Licht’s dumpster diving seems have back fired here.”
I believe all teams take chances on apparent lost causes each year. When there is a 90 man roster, there is no real harm in it….unless the player brings trouble.
June 12th, 2024 at 7:40 am
It is all well and good to be forgiving and offering the man a second chance. That shows heart from the front office. However the man (we don’t know the facts) blew his chance for career redemption. Swaggy Baker was lazy. This man admits to social anxiety issues. The locker room is a “team” of professional football players not a big warm fuzzy comfort blanket. Let him get his hugs elsewhere. Compassion Yes…Contract NO.
June 12th, 2024 at 7:47 am
Concur. Dude’s focus is clearly elsewhere. Excuses are the noise that comes out of our mouths when the priority objective was not achieved. The goal yesterday was merely to show up. Track record of suspensions and lawsuit distraction about THC (c’mon man) are clear indicators of not taking responsibility…and then missing Day 1 mandatory minicamp with last chance NFL team? Want to root for ya, bruh, but you have to make the effort.
June 12th, 2024 at 7:50 am
At the behest of #12 a player with “issues” and the initials AB was signed. Don’t forget the scene that he put on display.
June 12th, 2024 at 8:02 am
Must of been a Bowles decision I can’t believe Licht did this on his own.
June 12th, 2024 at 8:08 am
When is Jason going to stop signing ancient worthless veterans
who do nothing except clog up the training room while waiting to
pickup a check.
June 12th, 2024 at 8:11 am
Letsbucinggo Says:
June 12th, 2024 at 8:02 am
Must of been a Bowles decision I can’t believe Licht did this on his own.
You may be on to something.
June 12th, 2024 at 8:24 am
I like that the Bucs are building their team via the draft (for the most part) Makes me remember the hated Cowboys of the Tom Landry era in the 70’s. For YEARS, every single player on the team was drafted by them, so no cancers. The finallyv signed ONE guy who wasn’t home-grown (bet they checked him out 9 ways to Sunday) Preston Pearson, dude was a perfect fit
June 12th, 2024 at 8:26 am
Great take Jo.
Agree 💯 and sadly remember that shameful era of Bucs’ football.
June 12th, 2024 at 8:28 am
Would it be safe to say Randy Gregorys’ stint with the Bucs is going up….in smoke?
Can’t believe Gregory burned us on showing up to camp.
Sometimes Gregory just rolls with the punches…and papers.
Probably at Taco Bell waiting to re-up on Baja Blast(it’s worth it)
June 12th, 2024 at 9:17 am
Freudian slip, Joe?
June 12th, 2024 at 9:28 am
He kinda reminds me of about half of the people in my hometown in Kentucky. They all got this big “settlement” they’re waiting on LoL… Should be getting it soon!!!!
June 12th, 2024 at 9:47 am
I’m an advocate for adult marijuana use, that being said. The guy is stupid. The NFL tests for pot ONCE a year and the dude can’t figure out how to pass it? I have passed every drug test I have ever be required to take and I smoke pot daily. Every Head Shop in the United States have products to pass drug tests I don’t think I ever used the same brand twice.
June 12th, 2024 at 9:54 am
Tristan Wirfs is there, because he’s TRISTAN WIRFS. This so-called potential Reddick signing is playing out just exactly like 80% of the people on here, KNEW it would. And, is showing WHY it made zero sense. He’s NOT playing until he got least gets some GUARANTEED $$$$, and I don’t blame him. I do believe he would play this season tho, if the Jets would just at least guarantee this season… But, yet again, maybe he (along with his agent) has decided that he won’t until he gets his $25-$30MIL per first. The Bucs don’t have that & thank God they don’t. Now, they could’ve extended Wirfs and then worked-in Reddick’s zero guaranteed) $14MIL+ for this season, BUT he’s not playing for that. So, the Bucs would’ve traded away assets for NOTHING, just as everyone on here has been saying. At best case scenario it would’ve just been a ‘one-year’ RENTAL… A ‘one-year’ of THIS, where he’s a total no show.
June 12th, 2024 at 10:00 am
Gregory’s net worth was 110 million in 2023. His investment portfolio is pretty impressive too and has a nice income coming from investments. Even money says his Net worth is more than all 4 Bucs offensive weapons combined and you could probably throw in all the tight ends too.
Looks like he is not the jet setter type. Stays home. Shines his million dollar cars and smokes some weed on the patio of his New York mansion. Maybe he had Rodgers over for a BBQ yesterday. He is sitting on F.U kind of money and sometimes when a boss says you have to come to work a fella just has to say F.U.
June 12th, 2024 at 10:03 am
If the Jets want him there, then I don’t know why they wouldn’t just offer him $10MIL Guaranteed for this season… He’d prob at least ‘show up’ to practice for that. Supposedly, they had an agreement that he’d play-out this season, but I don’t blame him for not showing up to PRACTICE with no guaranteed money… If he gets hurt then he gets NOTHING. Heck wit all dat. Don’t blame HIM. Honestly, I’d want an extension too tho, if I were him. It’s a violent position.
June 12th, 2024 at 10:25 am
JL does seem to make these confounding moves on occasion. RG has a long history of this type of thing. I would try to settle asap and show him the door!
June 12th, 2024 at 10:28 am
I agree with every word in this article. BA’s Pen is also right on about passing drug tests. Gregory should never have been hired in the first place and I, too, had trepidations when he was.
June 12th, 2024 at 10:39 am
Cut him now
June 12th, 2024 at 11:05 am
I’m going to say maybe, just maybe, Bucs coaches and management know more than Joe does. You don’t cut a vet in June. He lasted in the league because of something… and needs one good year to be a cheap steal at a premium position. Every team has these guys. Do we forgot that Antonio Brown made some huge plays for a Super Bowl champ? They can’t all be leaders. It’s up to the leaders to get contributions out of talented slackers. That’s sports.
June 12th, 2024 at 11:08 am
Jason Licht, strikes AGAIN!!!!
June 12th, 2024 at 11:18 am
Ask teacherman1983 why this wouldn’t work out. He knows. Look for his post in the YaYa article. It’s ancestorial. SMH.
June 12th, 2024 at 11:37 am
Please send Gregory packing. We really don’t need the headache, or valuable snaps taken from guys that want to be here.
June 12th, 2024 at 12:09 pm
I think the buccaneers are between a rock and hard place on this. With Greg suing the NFL cutting him could set the Buccaneers up to be it the suit also or make Greg’s case better. I would think the NFL doesn’t want us to cut him either cause of the case, if we keep him and get a high compensatory pick in the next couple years it’s cause the NFL and Buccaneers did a under the table deal.
June 12th, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Making a comparison between Randy Gregory and Antonio Brown is an insult to Brown.
If not for his antics, Brown is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. A no-brainer. No one every questioned Brown’s skill. It’s his head that’s effed up.
This decade, Gregory has averaged three sacks a season — three! — and people (justifiably) want to run off JTS for averaging four sacks a year. And JTS has never done anything close to being suspended.
Let’s not get crazy here.
June 12th, 2024 at 1:04 pm
Nah. The Bucs could cut him for violating a collective bargaining rule that is plain as day. That’s why this suit won’t go anywhere. Rules that govern players are collectively bargained. The players association, which represents Gregory, agreed to these rules.
June 12th, 2024 at 1:45 pm
@Booger:
What part?? I’m from Lou, born and raised…
June 12th, 2024 at 2:05 pm
I heard from a podcast that Gregory is suing the NFL at the moment, which would be a reason for his absence. The guess is that he is suing to re-gain financial compensation for his lost games to marijuana suspension.
June 12th, 2024 at 2:13 pm
Unsure how the teams handle this but there are fines. Apparently Aaron Rodgers, Amari Cooper, and Reddick are still unexcused too. I guess they don’t mind the fines. Don’t get it. If it’s about your contract and money, why give up money? To us $16k+ for the first missed day, $33k+ for the second day, and $50k+ for the third day is a lot of money. And with Gregory, I don’t get it either. If you don’t have an legitimate excused reason for not being there, it seems like selfish behavior right off the bat.
June 12th, 2024 at 3:48 pm
Cut before this Cancer metastasis.
June 12th, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Still don’t understand why they don’t go out & sign Calais Campbell for a year or two. He can still play & he’d be much better to have then Gregory.
June 12th, 2024 at 5:35 pm
A player misses a mandatory practice, Hmmm?, I wonder what Vince Lombardi or Tom Landry would do ?, I’m not one hundred percent sure ,( just 99%), but I do not believe old school guys like that would tolerate it , it just doesn’t work, discipline would start to break down , other players would start trying to see what they could get away with , before you know it there would be guys trying to take a week off in the middle of preseason practices and soon you’re a .500 team , struggling to get a playoff spot in the weakest Division in the NFL.
June 12th, 2024 at 5:50 pm
Agreed JD. In the real working world, mandatory means be there unless you have an valid and approved excuse for not being there. This is more like a no phone no show situation. Not fair for the players that show up to see others allowed to go ahead and miss it without consequences. A fine is a slap on the wrist.
June 12th, 2024 at 8:45 pm
Don’t even have to go back that far. Jimmy Johnson would have launched him already.
June 13th, 2024 at 8:45 am
Excellent take.
No idea why he hasn’t been cut already. This team doesn’t need the distraction or the nonsense.
June 13th, 2024 at 8:49 am
Reddick is not coming to camp and wants a new contract even though he agree they would not sign him this offseason to an extension during the trade. So, not much better. Even though Gregory is a waste.
June 13th, 2024 at 7:16 pm
It wasn’t the worst gamble. At least it came out now instead of halfway through the season.