The Dallas Cowboys took a risk during the NFL Draft when they selected Randy Gregory amid a failed drug test. Gregory was considered a top prospect, but saw his stock plummet after a failed drug test at the NFL combine. Now with the Cowboys, Gregory is working to improve his name after gaining weight in the offseason to be more dominant on the line. With a potential four-game suspension headed to Greg Hardy, will Gregory be called on sooner rather than later?
According to ESPN's Todd Archer, Hardy has yet to sign off on a four-game suspension handed to him. The defensive end is trying to determine whether he will appeal to get it reduced to two games or simply sit out the four and then rejoin the team. This decision will impact a number of things including the salary cap. If Hardy misses two games he can earn an extra $1.2 million. He will also bumped Gregory to being a rotational player.
Even if Hardy is suspended the four games, Gregory is not expected to be an immediate starter. The team will work in Jeremy Mincey and DeMarcus Lawrence at the position which will help ease the transition for Gregory. Eventually, the Cowboys need a lot from the rookie. With Hardy out he could see more playing time, but do not expect him to be an every-down lineman regardless of the NFL ruling.
The Cowboys are counting on a lot of players to prove critics wrong this season. The run game is an area of focus as Darren McFadden has one last chance to prove he can be a quality running back in the league. Team owner Jerry Jones has stated that any back can be successful with the offensive line of the Dallas Cowboys and he is about to find out if that is really true with McFadden. According to Archer, there will be a competition for the starting spot in training camp as Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar fight for roster spots with Ryan Williams. There is still a shot that Ray Rice could find himself in Dallas if the need is there. According to Ed Werder of ESPN, Rice is meeting with teams about a potential deal. If any of the Cowboys' backs struggle he could be in.
Byron Jones will be another rookie expected to contend for a starting spot. With players like Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick have battled the Cowboys with contract issues, the team might be inclined to see what the rookie has to offer on the field. There are high hopes that Jones can play right away.
