Burner's Burning Questions: Free Agency, The Mock Drafts, 2015 (Continual Updates)

Ruh-roh-a possible monkeywrench has been thrown into the engine of Randy Gregory's potential as a high level draft pick.

Turns out he failed a drug test for marijuana during the Combine.

From NFL.com comes this article.

ATLANTA -- If the evaluation process were solely about talent, Randy Gregory almost certainly would be a top-10 pick in next month's NFL draft. There's little doubt about that.

But with the draft five weeks away, the former Nebraska star suddenly has another issue to address: He tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

Gregory revealed the positive test to NFL Media on Wednesday afternoon in an interview at his agent's home office in suburban Atlanta.

"I blame myself," Gregory said. "And I know it sounds cliché, but there's really no one else I can blame."

Gregory officially learned of his failed test about two weeks ago, during a phone call with his father. Believing he had received a letter from the NFL inviting him to attend the draft, Gregory asked his father to open the envelope. It wasn't a draft invitation.

"It said I failed a drug test," he said.

After absorbing that punch-in-the-gut phone conversation, Gregory knew, perhaps immediately, that his draft stock could be affected.

"Am I worried? Yeah, I'm worried," he said. "At the same time, I'm confident. I know I'm going to be all right in the end."

Gregory, a 6-foot-5, 243-pound pass-rusher who had 17.5 sacks in his two years at Nebraska, is the kind of versatile athlete -- he can rush the quarterback and drop into coverage -- that teams covet.

But marijuana is neither a new nor uncomplicated storyline in Gregory's life.

At the combine, executives from two NFL teams indicated to NFL Media that there were concerns about Gregory's Nebraska off-the-field "issues." And this was before Gregory's positive test from the combine came to light.

Gregory said he now believes he is "in a great spot," but getting there has been a process.

"I don't wake up every day saying, I'd really love to go smoke," he said. "It's not a struggle for me every day (now), it really isn't. In the past, hell yeah, it's been a struggle. It really has been. Now, I'm focused on my dream."

Gregory said he first smoked marijuana after graduating from Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers, Ind., and before enrolling at Arizona Western Community College in 2011. He had failed to qualify academically at Purdue, which represented a considerable disappointment to him, and Gregory said he turned to marijuana to cope with the anxiety.

He sat out the 2012 season with a broken leg but was still pursued by major colleges. In 2013 he transferred to Nebraska, where he officially tested positive for marijuana twice, in January 2014 and April 2014. (Gregory said Nebraska officials told him he would be kicked off the team if he were to fail a third test.)

Gregory said he has not smoked marijuana since December, but because his THC levels were so elevated, the drug remained in his system at the combine. Thus, the positive test.

"I was worse at Nebraska than I've ever been at any other time of my life," Gregory said. "But I know how I am now. I think if teams really look at how I am now more so than the past, they'll see I'm making strides to get better, as a person and as a player."

Asked if anyone at Nebraska bears any responsibility for his situation, Gregory said no. "Their job isn't to focus on (whether) these kids are smoking. Their job is to coach us. We should be able to take it upon ourselves and to have enough character to not do it. At the time, I did not. I really didn't. ...

"At the end of the day, it was my fault. I was being selfish. I was being stubborn. I felt like I could do things my way and it would work. And it didn't work."

Last month at the combine, Gregory said he spent time with 29 teams in formal and informal interviews. In all 29 sessions, he said, his marijuana use at Nebraska was discussed; if the team didn't bring up the subject, Gregory said he did.

"Obviously this is new news -- that I failed the test at the combine -- but the fact that I've smoked in the past isn't a mystery," Gregory said. "I've had conversations with (NFL) coaches. I believe we all have an understanding of why I did it. But I feel like I'm improving. I know I am."

Gregory said he has taken regular drug tests, administered by the new support team around him -- including agent Deryk Gilmore of Priority Sports -- and that his levels continue to decline. (A second source, who was informed of the test results, confirmed that information.)

Gregory is adamant that marijuana is the only illegal drug he has ever used.

"I don't want my career to be defined by the fact that I had failed a drug test or anything of that sort," Gregory said. "I want people to remember me as that top-10, top-five (draft pick) that had a 10-year career, a number of championships. I want to be known as that guy. I don't want to be known as a bust or that guy who came in (to the league) with a drug habit."

Gregory said life without marijuana is "clearer" and added, "People also get to see how I really am instead of me walking around like a zombie or something."

He also understands that some people will be skeptical.

"I want people to really understand that I know I made a mistake, for one," Gregory said. "That I knew what I had coming up (the combine), and I still made that mistake. That was dumb.

"I want people to understand I'm not some dumb jock pothead. I'm not," he added. "I'm intelligent. I love the people who help me, I love my family, I love my support group. I love football. I love winning. And I don't want to be labeled as some bust that couldn't make it because he smoked. And I won't be labeled as that.

"So I just want people to understand that. This may be a setback. You may look at me a certain way, but at the end, I'm still going to be on top. I'm still going to do well."

How this affects Gregory's draft stock cannot be known yet. Gregory said he receives great support from his family (parents Ken and Mary Gregory and his brother, who is in seventh grade, live in Michigan) as well as Gilmore and the agent's surrounding cast.

Gregory has been training both his body and mind for the road ahead. A stomach ailment caused his weight to drop to 235 pounds before the combine; since then, he's added eight pounds. He said he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds during his training session Wednesday morning at Goldin Athletics Training Association in the Atlanta area. (That time, of course, is unofficial. At the combine, he ran it in 4.64.)

Gregory also understands the team that drafts him next month may do so while crossing its fingers. Because of his failed combine test, Gregory will come into the NFL already in Stage 1 of the league's substance abuse program.

"I'm sure there are some guys who can do it, who are successful and still can smoke," Gregory said. "But I don't think I'm one of those guys. In order for me to be successful, I put it down."

Gregory seems to appreciate that it will take action, not words, to prove he can stay away from the drug. He said he knows "everyone's going to judge me. But they're entitled to their opinion."

In the coming days and weeks, Gregory will make pre-draft visits to multiple teams. He wants to show that he has the athleticism to play defensive end in a 4-3 scheme or outside linebacker in a 3-4.

"I'm trying to set myself apart from all the other edge rushers in the class," he said. "I want a team to draft me and feel like this is a guy we can put anywhere on the field and he's going to help us."

First, there surely will be a new round of questions about his drug use. Gregory was pleased to learn Wednesday afternoon that former Jets and Chiefs coach Herm Edwards has agreed to mentor him. And in Gilmore, his agent, Gregory has a committed advocate. Gilmore plans to share with every NFL team a "detailed plan" that he believes will help to ensure Gregory continues on the right path.

"I've seen him make great strides," Gilmore said. "This is a good kid, a good family. ... This is a (societal) issue, not just an athlete issue. Am I trying to make allowances for anything? No. All I can tell you is, I've seen this man improve leaps and bounds."

Gregory calls playing professional football "a dream." But before he even enters the NFL, his career may be at a crossroads.

"(Marijuana) could end my career," he said. "This incident right now is a step toward ending my career. The last thing I want to do is fail another drug test and be out of the league.

"I want it on the record. I want people to understand I know I messed up. I'm owning up to it. I realize it. But at the same time, I'm taking the right steps to get better and to fix it."

Kimberly Jones will discuss her interview with Randy Gregory on NFL Network's "NFL AM" at 6 a.m. ET Thursday.
Click to expand...


Article link: Randy Gregory: 'I blame myself' for failed NFL combine drug test - NFL.com
 
What a big dummy. Funny how now one of the better teams in the league will draft him later in the 1st round.

Edit: So this is his third failed drug test now since he had 2 in college?! He was away from home when the letter came in from the NFL, thinking it was an invite for the draft day festivities he had his Dad read it to him over the phone.... whoops. Awk.Ward.
 
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I'd say young Mr. Gregory just cost himself a boatload of money.

Mike Golic isn't always one to offer keen, unique insight, but he sure had it right on this one:

Kid failed the Idiot Test.

No thanks.
 
Yep, I think McShay had us taking him at #5 in a recent mock if I remember right. Not anymore, I'd say.

Maybe if he's there in the second...
 
he'll be drafted in top 10.

in a society that is legalizing pot state after state?

in a bidniz that has tolerated a lot worse?

wasn't there a similar issue with the secondary guy the Cards eventually drafted? he hasn't had any recurrences since turning pro.

my guess is that Gregory wld not drop past the gints.
 
fansince62 said:
he'll be drafted in top 10.

in a society that is legalizing pot state after state?

in a bidniz that has tolerated a lot worse?

wasn't there a similar issue with the secondary guy the Cards eventually drafted? he hasn't had any recurrences since turning pro.

my guess is that Gregory wld not drop past the gints.
Click to expand...

I disagree. Its not the pot, its the decision making. He's now made a bad decision and got caught 3 times in as many years. He's already in stage 1 of the NFL substance abuse policy before he even signs with a team. I am very liberal on the whole pot stance, but even if you want to enjoy it on your own time, you have to conform within the constraints that your choice of making a living outlines. ie: I can't touch the stuff or I lose licensing that I worked the last 20 years to obtain and upgrade. I think OM's summary of what Mike Golic said hits the nail on the head... its an idiot test at this stage and this kid failed it. Ask the Jags about Justin Blackmon. LoL
 
To me it's not about the pot, it's about the kid's awareness, judgment and commitment to his craft.

Based on what I've heard, he was nicked for smoking dope twice at Nebraska already, plus knew he was going to be tested at the combine and still managed to show up dirty. Apparently, as a result he comes into the league already "in the program," meaning he's going to automatically start missing games the next time it happens.

If I'm thinking about investing a top 10 pick in a guy, that kind of repeated indicia of deep lack of judgment at best, or addiction at worst, is a pretty big red flag.

Hope he gets his shit together and can cash the life lottery ticket he's been offered via his talent, but I do think there's going to be some very serious vetting going on in war rooms ...


Edit: I type slower than Dead Money
 
Om said:
To me it's not about the pot, it's about the kid's awareness, judgment and commitment to his craft.

Based on what I've heard, he was nicked for smoking dope twice at Nebraska already, plus knew he was going to be tested at the combine and still managed to show up dirty. Apparently, as a result he comes into the league already "in the program," meaning he's going to automatically start missing games the next time it happens.

If I'm thinking about investing a top 10 pick in a guy, that kind of repeated indicia of deep lack of judgment at best, or addiction at worst, is a pretty big red flag.

Hope he gets his shit together and can cash the life lottery ticket he's been offered via his talent, but I do think there's going to be some very serious vetting going on in war rooms ...


Edit: I type slower than Dead Money
Click to expand...

you're right.

presumably...interested teams are gonna do in-depth research and communications. someone is gonna make out big - potentially. if the Dez Bryants of the world can deliver.....this kid shouldn't be written off before the gate even opens for the race to begin. just another aspect of the "crap shoot" that is the draft.
 
Dead Money said:
I disagree. Its not the pot, its the decision making. He's now made a bad decision and got caught 3 times in as many years. He's already in stage 1 of the NFL substance abuse policy before he even signs with a team. I am very liberal on the whole pot stance, but even if you want to enjoy it on your own time, you have to conform within the constraints that your choice of making a living outlines. ie: I can't touch the stuff or I lose licensing that I worked the last 20 years to obtain and upgrade. I think OM's summary of what Mike Golic said hits the nail on the head... its an idiot test at this stage and this kid failed it. Ask the Jags about Justin Blackmon. LoL
Click to expand...

good point!

there have been successes as well. see above - just saying I wouldn't automatically rule it out. I'd do my homework first.
 
fansince62 said:
good point!

there have been successes as well. see above - just saying I wouldn't automatically rule it out. I'd do my homework first.
Click to expand...

Yeah I agree and if he was say Leonard Williams I would have to think long and hard about it because he seems to be the consensus first defensive player off the board. The next defender off the board is a crapshoot among 3-4 players so why take one who is already in stage one of the substance abuse program?
 
fansince62 said:
BB: that seems like a short list of interviews for an entire staff. only one guard? is this just what can be drawn from on-line sources? or is it no kidding drawn from some official "you have to report who you speak to" list?
Click to expand...

Team information on prospects is hard to come by. In a way that is a good thing.

servumtuum said:
Another excellent mock, BB.

One thing I can't help but notice, however, is the number of times McLuvin seems to emphasize the interview process when he's asked about the draft which makes me wonder if our estimates of who is going to be on his "short list" should be narrowed or adjusted to put those players listed as having been either interviewed or at least contacted closer to the top of the list of players with a high probability of being on the Redskins draft board come the end of April?
Click to expand...

Just do some studies of his past drafts and you may get an idea of what he will do in this draft. It figures into these mocks to a certain degree.

servumtuum said:
Ruh-roh-a possible monkeywrench has been thrown into the engine of Randy Gregory's potential as a high level draft pick.

Turns out he failed a drug test for marijuana during the Combine.

From NFL.com comes this article.
Click to expand...

It has been known that he had some serious question marks with drug usage and I never could figure out why he had so many lofty rankings. Now you know. And he didn't test positive at the Combine for December usage - that had to be within thirty days. He's lying and in denial. He probably comes off the board entirely with many teams.

Fear The Spear said:
Burner, Jonathan Martin was cut by the 9ers.
You still a fan of him ?
Click to expand...

I would still like for us to put in a waiver claim. He has an entire offseason to work with any team. Would like to see him add about 12-15 lbs. of muscle and shift to guard. I believe that is his true NFL calling. The 49ers continue to shed connections to Harbaugh - dumb move(s).
 
Free Agency, The Mock Drafts, 2015 (Continual Updates)​

Here is our latest Redskins mock as we get closer to the draft. Team needs are plentiful and there are future players just waiting for that phone call.

Feel free to offer your own ideas about the draft, free agency, team cuts, and anything else related to these subjects. Too, we’d like to see your mocks if you are so inclined.

Without any further delays, let’s take a look at the latest mock for 2015.


Mock Draft, 2015​


Round One: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Beasley the Beast! The ACC product is the best OLB prospect this year and for good reason. He is quick and agile with a multiplicity of different moves. He basically dominates games with a laser-like focus on his subjects – primarily, the quarterback. The potential for fifteen sacks or more in his first season is not a stretch.
Other Possible Targets:
Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal
Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Round Two:
The Redskins trade down in round two and receive an extra third rounder.

Round Two: Arie Kouandjio, OG, Alabama
He is a strong run blocker who is ready to step into a starting role in the NFL. Kouandjio, seen as a likely prospect to replace Chris Chester, improved on his pass protection skills over the last two seasons. Very athletic at the point of attack and has a very successful history of man-handling the biggest and most talented of nose tackles.
Other Possible Targets:
Arik Armstead, DE/DT, Oregon
Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise St.
Benardrick McKinney, ILB/OLB, Mississippi St.

Round 3: Cody Prewitt, FS, Mississippi
It is not unusual for higher rated prospects to fall a round or two and that is the case with Prewitt. He has good size and superb instincts for a free safety. Prewitt’s aggressiveness comes from his time at SS earlier in his career, but slid over to the FS with considerable ease. A reliable tackler, the SEC standout has good coverage skills.
Other Possible Targets:
Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado St.
Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB, Louisville
Gerod Holliman, FS, Louisville
Rashad Greene, WR, Florida St.
Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado St.

Round Three: Donovan Smith, OT, Penn St.
The Redskins select a talented Big 10 player who is able to step in immediately at the right tackle position. Smith hasn’t garnered much media recognition, but has certainly attracted the attention of every NFL team. He is fundamentally sound and was able to graduate a year early – a true academic standout.
Other Possible Targets:
See Above

Round Four:
The Redskins trade down in round four and receive an extra fifth rounder.

Round 4: Durell Eskridge, FS, Syracuse
The Redskins quickly add another talented free safety/strong safety - this time from the ACC in a surprising move. Eskridge played FS, but he can play SS in the NFL as well. With the newfound depth at SS via free agency and FS from the draft, the Redskins will have size, speed, strength, and needed talents at a vital position.
Other Possible Targets:
Henry Anderson, DE, Stanford
Corey Robinson, OT, South Carolina
Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke
Vince Mayle, WR, Washington St.
David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa

Round Five: Jarvis Harrison, G, Texas A&M
Aggie linemen have been nothing short of spectacular in recent years and Harrison is another in a long line of great tackles and guards from the SEC power. He is massive and some scouts considered him to be the most talented in a group of standouts on A&M’s line. He should move Shawn Lauvao to the bench.
Other Possible Targets:
Xavier Williams, DT, Northern Iowa
Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon St.
Kaleb Eulls, DE, Mississippi St.
Corey Crawford, DE, Clemson
Xzavier Dickson, OLB, Alabama

Round Five: Taiwan Jones, ILB, Michigan St.
The Big Ten prospect has excellent size to go along with a solid game at the middle/inside linebacker position. He has a great burst to the ball, even after quickly shedding blocks. Jones is more of a running game specialist and has some weaknesses in the passing game – somewhat hidden when called upon to blitz – an area where he is very effective.
Other Possible Targets:
See Above

Round Six:
The Redskins are contacted by a team wanting to move up in the sixth round and are offered an extra seventh rounder. They take the trade.

Round Six: Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech
The Redskins really don’t have a need at the WR position, but there is no denying that Waller is very talented and considered an underrated sleeper in this draft. He has blazing speed (4.36 40) to go with a very large frame (6-6) – a rare commodity for WRs.
Other Possible Targets:
Matt Jones, RB, Florida
Jake Smith, C, Louisville
Joey Mbu, DT, Houston
Jacob Hagen, FS, Liberty
Zachary Zenner, FB, South Dakota St.

Round Seven: Nick Boyle, TE, Delaware
Boyle comes from the Colonial Athletic Conference and can snag his share of receptions, but blocking is his forte. In fact, his superior blocking skillset is better than that of Logan Paulsen’s. Boyle could easily end the stay of the UCLA product.
Other Possible Targets:
Dechane Durante, FS, Northern Illinois
A.J. Tarpley, ILB, Stanford
Cody Fajardo, QB, Nevada
Trey DePriest, ILB, Alabama
DaVaris Daniels, WR, Notre Dame

Round Seven: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Peters is a very talented cornerback who is truly rated as a late first or early second rounder. He could go higher in the draft, but his troubles (dismissed from the Huskies) could doom the PAC 12 standout to late round status. The Redskins have interviewed Peters and figure that spending another seventh round selection on him is worth the risk. He could have major upside if the issues are truly behind him.
Other Possible Targets:
See Above

Prospects Contacted, Interviewed, Visited:
East-West Shrine game - EW
Senior Bowl - SB
Combine – NFLC
Team Pro Day – TPD
Team Visit – TV
Private Workout - PW

Derrick Lott, DT, Tennessee-Chattanooga EW
Zachary Zenner, FB, South Dakota St. EW
Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech EW
Justin Coleman, CB, Tennessee EW
Jamon Brown, OT, Louisville EW
Damian Parms, S, Florida Atlantic EW
Bobby McCain, CB, Memphis EW
Jordan Taylor, WR, Rice EW
Jake Ryan, LB, Michigan EW
Ryan Russell, DE, Purdue EW
DaVaris Daniels, WR, Notre Dame NFLC
Marcus Peters, CB, Washington NFLC
Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland NFLC
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa NFLC
Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia TPD, NFLC
Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT, Southern Miss TPD
Arik Armstead, DE/DT, Oregon TPD
Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon TPD
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon TPD
Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin TPD
Shaquille Mason, OG, Georgia Tech TPD
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia TPD
A.J. Tarpley, ILB, Stanford TPD
Joey Mbu, DT, Houston, PW

There is your second mock for this week and an updated prospect list. That is all for now, but the updates will certainly increase in volume and frequency. In two weeks, we will go to three mocks a week. See you as we go along.

Hail To The Redskins!
 
If we learned anything from Fred Davis, we don't come within 100 miles of Gregory.
 
Awesome BB. I don't follow College ball at all, so I have little idea who most of these guys are. Appreciate the summaries.
 
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