The Bucs lastly addressed their lackluster edge room on Wednesday, including go rusher Randy Gregory.
Had this been 2022, which may have been a extra notable signing.
Gregory secured a five-year, $70 million contract from the Broncos that yr on the again of a 47-pressure, six-sack marketing campaign over simply 12 video games. However over the previous two seasons mixed Gregory has not been capable of eclipse that 2021 sack or stress complete.
What has modified? Is there nonetheless juice there? What does the tape say about Randy Gregory?
I reviewed three video games from his 2023 season – Week 2 versus the Commanders, Week 6 in opposition to the Browns and the Tremendous Bowl in opposition to the Chiefs.
What Randy Gregory Nonetheless Does Nicely
Probably the most constant trait I noticed Randy Gregory benefit from was his size. Standing 6-foot-5 with 34-inch arms he slots into the 78th and 66th percentiles, respectively, for every measurement. And he is aware of the way to use it to his benefit.
Regardless of his lengthy body he doesn’t play at a really excessive weight (round 250 kilos). Due to this it may be troublesome for Gregory to play with a number of energy on account of an absence of mass. He makes up for this by harnessing his lengthy body by means of a leveraged angle to drive by means of opposing offensive linemen.
Former Bucs left sort out Donovan Smith realized this the arduous manner within the Tremendous Bowl.
Donovan Smith getting the enterprise finish. pic.twitter.com/JzEqbXuD7F
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) April 5, 2024
Gregory additionally makes use of his size to disrupt passing lanes.
Some guys have good size, however don’t use it properly. Don’t rely Randy Gregory in that class. pic.twitter.com/Pk2zCEqdFL
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) April 5, 2024
He Can Nonetheless Win Exterior And Off Of Video games
Gregory nonetheless flashes the method and ability that made him an early draft decide manner again in 2015. The flexibility remains to be there to win one-on-one in opposition to NFL tackles.
Good hand-fighting to keep away from the stab. Turns the nook and finishes robust. pic.twitter.com/C9MOHRS5XE
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) April 5, 2024
On the similar time, he has the change of course and hip flexion to bend inside off of tackle-end stunts. On condition that Bucs head coach Todd Bowles is a fan of working video games just like the above, Gregory ought to match properly into that position.
Ought to pair properly with Kancey on twists like this. pic.twitter.com/N8ErXsN54S
— Joshua Queipo (@josh_queipo) April 5, 2024
Randy Gregory’s Limitations
Bucs OLB Randy Gregory and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes – Picture by: USA At present
Whereas Randy Gregory nonetheless flashes profitable traits, they aren’t constant sufficient for Bucs followers to rely on him to be the high-end starter the group really wants (for my part). His greatest position inside this outdoors linebacker room is as a delegated go rusher.
YaYa Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka provide the very best mix of go rush/run protection mixture with Anthony Nelson offering a high-end run-defending backup. Gregory ought to slot in with Markees Watts and Jose Ramirez as go dashing specialists. Gregory provides a greater bodily profile and extra expertise than the opposite two, however maybe a decrease ceiling given his age (31).
Virtually because the antithesis of Nelson, Gregory is a below-average run defender. His skinny body prevents him from holding the sting in opposition to highly effective tackles and he can get displaced. That’s to not say that Gregory doesn’t attempt. He has a excessive motor and offers his all on practically each rep.
And he is ready to use his lengthy arms to disengage from blocks to make performs. It’s simply not on a snap-by-snap foundation.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: USA At present
The fascinating thought experiment with Gregory is whether or not Bowles will look to maximise the effectiveness of every of the gamers in his outdoors linebacker room by deploying every in conditions that lend themselves to every participant’s skillset. For instance, utilizing Gregory and Watts on extra pass-obvious downs whereas rotating Anthony Nelson in throughout early, run-heavier downs.
That hasn’t been Bowles’ motus operandi up to now. He prefers to deploy his outdoors linebackers like hockey shifts, with full line adjustments for total drives.
But when he chooses to shake issues up this yr he might faucet into Gregory’s still-present go rush arsenal to get him to contribute 4-6 sacks as a part-time participant, and for a one-year deal value $3 million and $2 million in incentives, that might be fairly a cut price.
