Jason Licht Discusses Randy Gregory’s Future With The Bucs

While Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs decided to report instead of hold out of training camp, there has been a no-show at the start of Bucs camp. Since signing a one-year deal for $3 million on April 4, veteran outside linebacker Randy Gregory has not practiced with the team at all.

Gregory missed the voluntary OTAs and then skipped the mandatory mini-camp, drawing fines in excess of $100,000. The former Cowboys, Broncos and 49ers pass rusher didn’t report to training camp on Tuesday and has been AWOL ever since. And he’s accumulating even more fines with each day that passes.

In an interview with Tom Krasniqi, the host of WDAE’s The Drive With TKras show, Bucs general manager Jason Licht discussed the status of Gregory, who was placed on the team’s reserve/did not report list on Tuesday.

“Nothing new,” Licht said. “He’s on the reserve/did not report list, which means we have his roster spot. He does not count. We filled that yesterday when we signed a tight end. We’re just focused on the guys that are here that are preparing the whole entire offseason and are ready to play.”

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles fielded a series of questions about Gregory’s absence on Wednesday after Tampa Bay’s first practice, and seemed irked over the attention the absent 32-year old was drawing.

“We’re going to talk about the players that are here – he’s not here,” Bowles said. “We’ll deal with that internally. Obviously, he’s on the did not report list and we’ll go from there.”

When asked why he wasn’t in camp or if he thought that Gregory might eventually show, Bowles was non-committal.

“I don’t speculate on anything,” Bowles said.

Bowles was asked if he had any indication about Gregory’s wavering commitment to football and the team when he signed him.

“I don’t have any more speculation on Gregory,” Bowles said. “I’m done with the Gregory questions.”

Bucs Don’t Miss Randy Gregory, As Jason Licht, Todd Bowles Love The OLB Room

It certainly doesn’t sound like Randy Gregory, who is suing the NFL, is in Tampa Bay’s plans this year.

The Bucs may likely cut him and have him placed on the reserve/did not report list as a procedural move to avoid Gregory, who has a history with anxiety, from filing some kind of grievance against the team over wrongful termination.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht was very complementary of the team’s group of young outside linebackers. Licht discussed the position with WDAE’s Tom Krasniqi, the host of The Drive With TKras.

“We’re very excited about this group of outside ‘backers,” Licht said. “Jose Ramirez, Markees Watts, Anthony Nelson – all of these backups we’ve had, they’re really stepping up. They’ve done some great things. I think we’re going to surprise some people with this group of outside ‘backers – the depth we have and the talent that we have.

“We’ve all talked about Yaya [Diaby], and I’ve heard you guys talking about Yaya, and he’s been incredible so far. Our rookie, Chris Braswell, is really coming on the way we thought he would. Even Joe Tryon has done some good things. I’m excited about the group we have here.”

In an exclusive interview with Todd Bowles last week, the Bucs head coach echoed a similar sentiment about the outside linebacker room to Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds.

“It’s a very good group and they play very well,” Bowles  said. “We don’t look at sacks as everything. As long as they get pressure and they disrupt things and they can set the edge and play the run, we’re good. There are very few guys that are going to be double-digit sack guys. They might get their sacks, but some are going to get ran by 100 times and we don’t want to open any holes in that way, too. We like our group. They’re young. All of them are strong and I’m looking forward to them growing together.”