Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs opted to report to training camp instead of sitting out, but some players were not present when the Buccaneers opened camp. Veteran outside linebacker Randy Gregory has not practiced with the team at all since signing a one-year contract worth $3 million on April 4.
Gregory was fined more than $100,000 for missing voluntary overtime activities and mandatory minicamp. The former Cowboys, Broncos and 49ers pass rusher did not report to training camp on Tuesday and has been absent ever since. And the fines continue to grow with each passing day.
In an interview with Tom Krasniqi, WDAE’s The Drive With TKras During the show, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht spoke about the situation with Gregory, who was placed on the team’s reserve/doesn’t report list on Tuesday.
“Nothing new,” Richt said. “He’s on the reserve/doesn’t report list, so his roster spot is reserved. He doesn’t count. We signed a tight end yesterday, so that spot is filled. We’ve been preparing all offseason and are just focusing on guys that are ready to play.”
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles answered a series of questions about Gregory’s absence. on wednesday After Tampa Bay’s first practice, he seemed annoyed at the attention being given to the absent 32-year-old.
Buccaneers OLB Randy Gregory – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“We’re going to talk about the guys that are here. He’s not here,” Bowles said. “We’ll deal with it internally. Obviously, he’s on the list that didn’t report, so we’ll deal with it from there.”
Bowles declined to say why he didn’t attend the camp or if he thought Gregory would eventually show up.
“I wouldn’t speculate on anything,” Bowles said.
Bowles was asked if there were any signs when he signed Gregory that his commitment to football and the team was wavering.
“There will be no further speculation regarding Gregory,” Bowles said. “That concludes any questions regarding Gregory.”
Buccaneers won’t miss Randy Gregory. Jason Licht and Todd Bowles love the OLB room.
Buccaneers OLBs Yaya Diaby and Marquise Watts – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
That certainly doesn’t sound like Randy Gregory. The NFL is being sued It’s in Tampa Bay’s plans this year.
The Buccaneers could waive him and place him on the reserve/non-reporting list as a procedure to avoid Gregory, who has a history of anxiety disorders, filing any grievance against the team for wrongful termination.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht had high praise for the team’s young outside linebacker corps. Licht discussed the position with WDAE’s “The Drive With TKras” host Tom Krasniecki.
“We’re very excited about this group of outside backups,” Richt said. “All the backups that we’ve had, Jose Ramirez, Marquise Watts, Anthony Nelson, they’ve really stepped up. They’ve done a great job. I think we’re going to surprise some people with this group of outside backups, the depth that we have and the talent that we have.”
“We all talked about Yaya [Diaby]”I’ve heard you all talking about Yaya. He’s been great so far. Rookie Chris Braswell is showing the development we expected him to show. Joe Tryon is showing some good work, too. I’m excited about the team we have here.”
In an exclusive interview with Todd Bowles last week, the Buccaneers head coach shared a similar sentiment to Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds on the outside linebacker corps.
“It’s a really good group and they’re playing really well,” Bowles said. “I don’t think it’s all about the sacks. If we can pressure them, disrupt them, get on the edge and make run plays, we’ll be OK. There aren’t many guys that can get double-digit sacks. We might get a sack, but we have guys that get run over 100 times. We don’t want to open holes in that sense. We like this group. They’re young. They’re all strong, and we’re excited to watch them grow together.”
