3 explanation why the Cowboys ought to contemplate shifting on from Randy Gregory
The Dallas Cowboys’ off-season is starting a little earlier than hoped after the team suffered a 23-17 loss in Sunday’s wild card game to the San Francisco 49ers. Attention now turns to the upcoming 2022 season and how the team can take steps to improve their ball club. One of the first things this organization will do is figure out which of their own free agents they want to keep. There are many tough decisions ahead, but one of the biggest is how to deal with edge rusher Randy Gregory. While he’s a guy most fans would love to bring back next season, that might not be the smartest thing to do. Here are three reasons the Cowboys should not sign Gregory.
You can’t afford it
First of all we would like to put a small disclaimer here. The Cowboys can afford any player they want if they really want that player. Contracts can always be adjusted for new business if the front office feels this is a good use of their money. So what we’re really saying here is that the organization will feel like it’s not worth the investment.
Gregory has had a good year and has done a lot of great things on tape in the first half of the season. He started 11 games in total this season, which is 10 more than in the last six years. Granted, two of those years he never took the field due to season-long suspensions, but even in the three seasons in which he played at least 10 games, he only managed one start. This year he was a fixture on the right defensive end position. He missed a game earlier in the year while on COVID reserve and then four more mid-year after suffering a calf injury.
He finished the year with six sacks, a career-high of 2018. It’s unclear what his market value will be this offseason. He’s still under 30 and has very little mileage on his body due to all the time he’s missed. Gregory’s production slowed as the season progressed. He hasn’t recorded a sack in the last five games of the regular season (six counting playoffs) and he didn’t do himself any favors with a couple of early penalties on Sunday. He’s still an experienced edge rusher that multiple teams will covet.
Many have suggested the Cowboys should be able to keep Gregory on a team-friendly deal, but that seems a little optimistic. He’s already signed two different one-year renewals at a bargain price, so it could be argued he’s discounted enough for the team already. With his only real shot at making some money, you have to reckon that Gregory and his agent will maximize this opportunity, and there’s a good chance it won’t fall below the amount Stephen Jones is willing to pay for his services to pay . But don’t worry, the Cowboys can still get away with a Premiere Pass Rusher, which brings us to reason number two…
Make Micah Parsons an edge rusher
There is no need to type the Cowboys star rookie to a specific position. In fact, it would be a mistake to do so. His abilities are so rare that it would be foolish to limit his contributions to just one facet of the game. Therefore, this “Lionbacker” should be used for everything if necessary. Oddly enough, that’s exactly what happened for them to discover just how remarkable an edge rusher he is.
Parsons led the Cowboys with 13 sacks this year, but what’s incredible about that feat is that he did it with limited pass rushing reps. As the team uses him in a variety of ways, they’ve only scratched the surface of what he could be as a true pass rusher. His 19.4% pressure rate was the highest in the NFL, and who says he couldn’t develop into one of the best edge rushers in the game? There’s certainly enough quality film out there to justify experimenting with this idea. An elite edge rusher is more valuable than an elite off-ball linebacker any day of the week. Not only that, but it’s also much easier to find a viable offball linebacker in the draft where the team could fill out the Parsons linebacker reps with a brand new rookie in the upcoming draft. Or even sign a moderately priced veteran.
The Cowboys have a few other options
With DeMarcus Lawrence and Parsons under contract, the Cowboys will go into the new season with some quality players even if they lose Gregory. They also have a few depth types. The team drafted Chauncey Golston in the third round last year and also has veteran Tarell Basham under contract. Unlike the one-year deals the Cowboys offered most of their free agents last offseason, Basham has been given a two-year deal so the team has him in their back pocket if needed.
You should also consider bringing Dorance Armstrong back if the price is right. A fourth-round pick in 2018, Armstrong’s rookie deal is up and he’s coming off his best season as a pro. He has taken advantage of lost time from both Lawrence and Gregory and has 507 defensive snaps (56%), which is a career-high all-time season. Armstrong has made the best of it with five sacks, 37 tackles and one forced fumble. He even blocked a punt and grabbed a Parsons sack/strip/fumble and returned it for a touchdown.
Ultimately, we’d love for Gregory to return. Having him in this squad makes this defense better. However, upon careful consideration, the Cowboys might be better off taking a different tack if his asking price is too high.
What about you? Would you find a way to re-sign Gregory or let him go free?
