Nebraska defensive lineman Randy Gregory celebrates after being selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the 60th pick in the second round of the 2015 NFL Football Draft Friday May 1 2015 in Chicago.(Photo Charles Rex Arbogast AP)
CHICAGO Randy Gregory wore a light gray suit and a relieved smile beneath the blue Dallas Cowboys baseball cap emblazoned with the famous five point silver star after Jerry Jones' franchise stopped the former Nebraska defensive end's freefall on Friday.
The last prospect left inside the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University green room was contrite and honest about the humbling plummet from projected top 10 pick to 60th overall after testing positive for marijuana at February's NFL scouting combine.
To see the other guys come off the board I deserved it at the end of the day '' Gregory said Friday night. It's been a little humbling for me all the way from the combine to this point.
I made a real dumb decision the most embarrassing of my life up to this point. I'm just ready to fix it. The best way I know how to do that is to go out there on the football field make plays and carry myself the way I was brought up by my parents.''
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Gregory had a heart to heart talk with Jones during a visit to the club's Valley Ranch complex recently. Jones and coach Jason Garrett were very stern with him. Gregory vowed not to disappoint them or former NFL coach Herman Edwards who has counseled Gregory the last few months.
I gave my word to them when they called me and they were about to make the pick and I promised them I was going to work my ass off for them so they don't have to worry about me off the field '' Gregory said. One of the big things I told them is I feel like I can be the piece that can get us to that next level get us another championship. And I think they agree with that.''
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My situation is a little bit unique and I can't really go into details '' Gregory said. I met with coach (Jason) Garrett and (Rod) Marinelli and I think we have a good idea of what we need to do. They have a great support system there a lot of guys they worked with in the past.
That's one of the things we looked at. It's probably the best spot for me in this draft. It really is.''
Gregory admitted to being late for some meetings with teams acknowledging that hurt me with some teams.
That shows my immaturity. I'm working on that Gregory said. This is another stepping stone for me.''
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Intent on upgrading a feeble pass rush that managed just 28 sacks last sesason the Cowboys couldn't resist adding the first team All Big Ten selection who led Nebraska with seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss last season.
Before that admitted failed drug test the 6 5 235 pound Gregory was viewed by some as the best pass rusher in a stacked class.
Now he might be the edgiest edge rusher right there along with new Denver Broncos pass rusher Shane Ray whose fall for a citation for misdemeanor marijuana possession the week before the draft was stopped by general manager John Elway with a trade up to 23rd overall.
If Randy Gregory was 'clean ' I'd have him as the No. 1 edge player. With the concerns off the field he'd be my second edge rusher '' ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said. But it's buyer beware.''
There always comes a point where that risk is offset by glaring need.
He's a good value pick if you can put some weight on him because he's a skinny 233 at 6 5 '' former Dallas Cowboys personnel guru and NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt said. He's a little like the kid the Cleveland Browns took in Barkevious Mingo. But he has a rare quality. He can rush the passer.''
Gregory admitted he was holding onto some bitterness.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit '' Gregory said. Obviously I wanted to get picked high. But at the same time I understood why I wasn't picked high. I put myself in that position.
I'm going to carry myself with a chip on my shoulder us together we can do some big things.''
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