Randy Gregory, Edge, Tampa Bay Bucs

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by SLCNiner:
Where did you hear he was good in the run game? Hero says he likely won't see those downs….

I might end up wrong about that. I went back and re-watched some of Gregory's tape with the Cowboys. He was a lot better at defending the run than I remembered him being in college. Dude is surpisingly competitive and gritty at setting edges than the last time I saw him, and he generates sneaky pop for a wiry athlete. Also, it confirmed for me that he's going to be a menace as a pass rusher in our scheme.

They'll likely stick with splitting base and rush roles between Ferrell and Gregory for now, but he could end taking all the reps after a few games.

It looks like Bosa is teaching Gregory his signature double swipe/side scissors.

Nick Bosa runs a pass-rushing university on the corner of the 49ers' practice field. Fred Warner and newcomer Randy Gregory both took in lessons today.

What a landing spot for Gregory. Second practice with his new team and already doing specialized work with two All-Pros pic.twitter.com/fDZjQWWvtv

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 12, 2023

Good s**t Hero. Thanks for the added research. It helps set up better and more realistic expectations. I'm excited for him and us. Win-win, hopefully.

Who knows what he didn't work at Denver. Maybe he didn't like the coach or the scheme. We got him for nothing and he's not injured. That's all good.

Originally posted by YACBros85:
Gregory is listed as a LB but our edge rushers have strictly been DE's. So will he play some snaps standing up or will he be a down lineman exclusively for us?

That's likely because people in the 49ers comm department directly copy and pasted his cached profile from the Broncos website.

I would never put stock in what they put on the official website. It's loaded with inaccuracies every year. Never forget the 256 lbs Solomon Thomas debacle.

Originally posted by Heroism:

Originally posted by YACBros85:
Gregory is listed as a LB but our edge rushers have strictly been DE's. So will he play some snaps standing up or will he be a down lineman exclusively for us?

That's likely because people in the 49ers comm department directly copy and pasted his cached profile from the Broncos website.

I think their is an advantage to a speed rusher who starts in a stand up position rather than having his hand in the dirt and could bring an element to our pass rush that has not been seen under the Shanahan era is why I asked.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
Who knows what he didn't work at Denver. Maybe he didn't like the coach or the scheme. We got him for nothing and he's not injured. That's all good.

Yeach, nobody really knows how he will do in Kocurek's system in a game until he plays. Knowing these in-season trades have worked in the past. I'm hopeful he's going to be a big piece of our post-season success. From his highlight reel, he looks fast and dangerous. He'll sill help that DLine if he still has some left in the tank.

In the meantime I hope Drake continues to develop. He's been pretty durable (when compared to Dee Ford) so that's definitely a positive. Availability is also ability. Now he just needs to take his game to the next level.

Originally posted by YACBros85:
Gregory is listed as a LB but our edge rushers have strictly been DE's. So will he play some snaps standing up or will he be a down lineman exclusively for us?

He said Wednesday that he was looking forward to playing mostly with his hand in the dirt.

Originally posted by YACBros85:
I think their is an advantage to a speed rusher who starts in a stand up position rather than having his hand in the dirt and could bring an element to our pass rush that has not been seen under the Shanahan era is why I asked.

While Kocurek gives the guys the freedom to rush from a 2-point stance if they'd prefer, he'll likely be advising Gregory to get in a 3-point stance because this is a 100% attacking 1-gap front. It's a lot easier to fire off the ball and generate explosive get off with your hand in the dirt in a 3-point stance. Gregory played out of both in Dallas, so he'll be fine.

Originally posted by SonocoNinerFan:
He said Wednesday that he was looking forward to playing mostly with his hand in the dirt.

Yeah, I'd be too. Rushing out of a 2-point stance rolling into your first step rather than exploding into it. Some people do prefer it mainly for visibility.

At 6'5" and 245 lbs he's similar in size to what Charles Haley was. He ran 4.64at the combine with a 1.6 10 yard split. That height and speed could help him get in the face of the QB and at least knock down some passes. I can't see how his speed from one side combined with Bosa on the other and AA and Hargrave up the middle can't work.

Originally posted by Giedi:
Agree💯%, that constant pressure despite your starters taking a breather. Drake Jackson and Randy Gregory are pretty good duo right there as second string pass rushers when Bosa is taking a breather. 17 games is a long time, and the more breaks the defense has, the better to withstand the Marathon of a season.

Yes, sir! I hope we destroy the browns O early and run up a lead so our guys can rest like the cowboys game.

most of our starters had 25-35 snaps in the cowboys game, that's super low and amazing. Great for their health throughout the season. If we can stack games like that, it'll preserve our guys. We don't want games like the rams where our starters played 60-80 snaps, thats how they get injured and worn down throughout the season :/

at the very least, is Gregory an upgrade over Hyder on the field? Probably yes, and then some, so it's low-risk high-reward, and we're hoping this has a ripple effect across the whole D Line.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
At 6'5" and 245 lbs he's similar in size to what Charles Haley was. He ran 4.64at the combine with a 1.6 10 yard split. That height and speed could help him get in the face of the QB and at least knock down some passes. I can't see how his speed from one side combined with Bosa on the other and AA and Hargrave up the middle can't work.

He also plays super violent and explosive. He has great genetics - very strong but also very fast and explosive - he's a blue chip talent. Only reason he wasn't a top 10 selection was cause of his weed smokin, which is dumb IMO.

i think we are about to see our pass rush go to another level. This is going to be super fun to watch 😍😈

Originally posted by BP13:
at the very least, is Gregory an upgrade over Hyder on the field? Probably yes, and then some, so it's low-risk high-reward, and we're hoping this has a ripple effect across the whole D Line.

Gregory is an upgrade over jackson, TBH. As long as he can keep his emotions and focus in line. Gregory has been a top 10 pass rusher statistically (outside of sacks) for most of his career. His sacks are deceiving in relation to how good of a pass rusher he is. He got $70M for a good reason.

the only question is if he can stay focused and happy, which I believe he will here. This is a great place for a player like him. I've also heard he is really good at setting the edge.

he genuinely fits what we run here perfectly. Just need him to play his ass off and this could be the steal of the year.

Originally posted by tankle104:

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
At 6'5" and 245 lbs he's similar in size to what Charles Haley was. He ran 4.64at the combine with a 1.6 10 yard split. That height and speed could help him get in the face of the QB and at least knock down some passes. I can't see how his speed from one side combined with Bosa on the other and AA and Hargrave up the middle can't work.

He also plays super violent and explosive. He has great genetics - very strong but also very fast and explosive - he's a blue chip talent. Only reason he wasn't a top 10 selection was cause of his weed smokin, which is dumb IMO.

i think we are about to see our pass rush go to another level. This is going to be super fun to watch 😍😈

What if he plays like a $20 million/yr edge and we can keep him for $14 million/yr for three more years? Thats the kind of problem I would like to have.

Originally posted by Heroism:
Yeah, I'd be too. Rushing out of a 2-point stance rolling into your first step rather than exploding into it. Some people do prefer it mainly for visibility.

Derrick Thomas was the best I've ever seen rush standing up. Like he was shot out of a cannon the moment the ball was snapped. As good as Bosa is, he's a lot more deliberate. DT was so ridiculously fast, he was on the OL and had them on roller skates almost instantly, play after play. If he was playing nowadays he'd easily collect 18 sacks a year.

I do sometimes wonder how things might have been different had the 49ers made that rumored Young for DT trade.