Stranger In A Strange Land
April 5th, 2024
Bucs OLB Randy Gregory.
When OTAs begin for the Bucs later this month, new outside linebacker Randy Gregory may experience what Joe did when arriving in Munich to cover the Seahawks-Bucs game in 2022.
It was the very first trip to foreign soil for “this Joe.” When Joe landed and looked around Munich as his driver headed to Joe’s hotel, Iron Maiden’s song “Stranger in a Strange Land” kept buzzing through Joe’s brain. (To this day, whenever Joe hears that song, he thinks of Munich.)
Gregory said yesterday he’s joining a team full of strangers. Of course, he knows who Lavonte David and Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield are, but he doesn’t know them. Or anyone on the team.
“No close relationships,” Gregory said. “I’ve been telling guys around here: Mike Evans – me and him had the same agent for a few years, coming into the league, so I’ve spoken with him. I know about him and his family. [He is] a great guy and a great player.
“Lavonte David – obviously, me going to Nebraska and him being a Nebraska legend out there, I have a lot of respect for him, coming out from the same school.
“There’s a few guys – there are guys that are obviously not on the team anymore that I was a fan of. There were guys I played against last year with San Francisco. Obviously, Baker [Mayfield], I have a lot of respect for him as a quarterback. Rachaad White, [Tristan] Wirfs, there’s a lot of guys on the team that they may not know [me], but I’ve always considered myself a fan before a player.
“I think a lot of guys have always been fans of the league. Whether guys are coming out of college or guys are obviously on other teams, I’ve always kept up with them. I’m excited to be able to call them teammates now.”
Of course, there is someone at One Buc Palace who Gregory knows quite well. That would be his new/old position coach, George Edwards. They spent two seasons together in Dallas.
So while Gregory doesn’t know his teammates, Joe has a hunch that Edwards likely played a big role in the Bucs signing Gregory.
April 5th, 2024 at 9:03 am
Potential for sure
April 5th, 2024 at 9:09 am
Joe, your welcome gets a bit warmer with each passing article. The first one was pretty brutal.
April 5th, 2024 at 9:13 am
“Potential” applies to young players, like Yaya. JTS once had potential. Gregory is a veteran. Gregory is what he is. Gregory and JTS will have a race to 4.5 sacks.
I love JL, but this did not in anyway address the need for improving the 4-man pass rush.
April 5th, 2024 at 9:26 am
It’s also a a book by Robert Heinlein
April 5th, 2024 at 9:26 am
Nice intel Joe, didn’t know about the connection between Gregory and Edwards. Undoubtedly Edwards had to be chirping about signing him. Just watched his college & pro highlights. IF Gregory has his priorities straight, stays clean, and motivated (nice contract move by Licht putting in plenty of incentives to produce), he’ll contribute on this line. Another good low risk high return move by Licht.
April 5th, 2024 at 9:35 am
Gregory will start. 7 sacks this year
April 5th, 2024 at 9:44 am
@ Senor Harry in Costa Rica
So was there no “potential” to succeed or be productive when TB12 signed as a old man in 2020? Or does that only apply to younger QBs?
April 5th, 2024 at 9:45 am
I for one am glad they shored up the edge rusher position. makes me warm all over.
April 5th, 2024 at 9:46 am
I’ve never seen this guy play. I know that in a 3-4 the outside LBs don’t always rush; they have to play in space. Can he do that? Hasn’t he always been a DE with his hand on the ground?
I’m sure JL and Edwards know what they’re doing, but Gregory seems like a ROLB, which would make him compete for snaps with JTS and Yaya, and not necessarily a replacement for Shaq.
April 5th, 2024 at 9:47 am
Senor Harry in Costa Rica Says:
“Potential” applies to young players, like Yaya. JTS once had potential. Gregory is a veteran. Gregory is what he is. Gregory and JTS will have a race to 4.5 sacks.
I love JL, but this did not in anyway address the need for improving the 4-man pass rush.
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@Senor Harry,
JL wouldn’t have signed him without consulting with George Edwards, his position coach who’s already coached him for two years in the past. And Edwards wouldn’t have signed off on this deal if he didn’t believe Gregory could help the team.
As you said, Gregory is a veteran, but that doesn’t mean he’s unable to produce better than he did previously in his career. If you place a veteran into the right situation with the right coordinator, coaches and teammates they’ll have a career year, just like Baker did last season and Geno Smith the year before.
I’m sure that JL is not done addressing the 4-man pass rush. But this move contributes to much needed depth.
April 5th, 2024 at 9:50 am
Smashsquatch nailed it: Low cost risk for the Bucs / high pressure on Gregory. Produce or be an easy waiver decision in camp.
Now lets see if has the heart to pull a Baker-like comeback to respectability.
All for it.
April 5th, 2024 at 9:51 am
Joe has dropped hints of his music interests over the years and I’m happy to say Joe, you have great taste!
April 5th, 2024 at 9:53 am
he comes off very humble and hungry here.. im excited LFG
April 5th, 2024 at 10:16 am
Typical message board response…
“Sign someone please”
When someone signs
“Don’t sign him”
April 5th, 2024 at 10:28 am
Nice depth signing. Anything north of 5 sacks is gravy!
April 5th, 2024 at 10:47 am
Hit a QB not a Doobie.
April 5th, 2024 at 10:50 am
He knows he’s on his final laps and perhaps simply wants to go out in style.
If he’s healthy and motivated he could yet be a great addition.
April 5th, 2024 at 10:53 am
Grok
April 5th, 2024 at 11:02 am
He must be good because he keeps getting chances after 10 years of two sacks per.
April 5th, 2024 at 11:20 am
RG played for OLB Coach Edwards. For the most part, he knows the language and the system. He’s insurance and a rotational guy. Not expecting a lot but good signing.
April 5th, 2024 at 11:21 am
Thank you! 🙂👍
April 5th, 2024 at 11:45 am
I’m all about giving anyone chances, I always have been. Put Gregory in a position where he can succeed and let him work. He’s got talent, just have him on a structured routine.
April 5th, 2024 at 11:53 am
He is welcome and ok by me. I see him as a roll player. Unless we draft an instant starter it will be a competition for the spot.
Go Bucs!!!
April 5th, 2024 at 11:58 am
They announced this morning his jersey #420
April 5th, 2024 at 12:44 pm
Gregory is not the answer. He is a 3 to 6 sack a yr guy at best. And this might be stretching it.
April 5th, 2024 at 1:07 pm
Dewey Selmon Says:
They announced this morning his jersey #420
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LOL
April 5th, 2024 at 1:25 pm
We got a year from Antonio Brown before it exploded maybe we can get a year from him?
April 5th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
I think Gregory will be solid, maybe he realizes the clock is ticking and he only has a few more years to get paid for playing a game.
April 5th, 2024 at 2:14 pm
I think they’ll swap our edges out every series or two–aside from Diaby, they’re all similar talent levels. Fresh legs make a huge difference in the 4th quarter
April 5th, 2024 at 2:19 pm
Germany Joe is Joe outside his comfort zone. Vegas Joe is Joe in his element.
I’m not sure how I feel about the Gregory signing but if anyone can get anything out of him it’d be Todd Bowles.
My guess for round one is that we’re going to draft BPA between DE, DB, or WR.
April 5th, 2024 at 6:05 pm
A lot of things are obvious to him.
April 6th, 2024 at 5:48 am
I am cheering him on! His old and new position coach George Edwards must know his capacity. That is enough for me. He deserves the chance to prove himself. Go Buc!
April 6th, 2024 at 7:14 am
I’ve seen him collapse the pocket consistently. I think this is a solid signing. He’ll be better than Shaq was last season.
April 6th, 2024 at 12:29 pm
He might not completely address the need for an edge rusher, but it would big time improve the depth. I also believe he’s largely being underrated. Sacks don’t always measure the magnitude of havoc that is wreaked on the QB.