Jerry Jones didn’t have a lot to be happy about after the Dallas Cowboys played poorly in the team’s second exhibition game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. However, the gregarious owner couldn’t contain his excitement about rookie pass-rusher Randy Gregory after his shining performance.
Speaking on the “Ben and Skin” show on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas on Tuesday, Jones used the word “excite” more than a couple times to describe his rookie defensive end.
“That Randy Gregory, as a rookie I know you shouldn’t do this, but I’m excited about him,” Jones said (h/t Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News. “He excites the huddle when he gets in it. He excites the team meeting room. He gets his coaches excited.”
One cannot help but envision Jones as he said these words, eyes glistening like he’s a kid in an empty candy store. He’s never been shy about expressing his optimism when it comes to his team and its players, but in this case he actually has something to be “excited” about.
Gregory has two sacks in two games so far in his first preseason. In just 23 snaps, he drew two holding calls against the 49ers over the weekend, per Machota, and generally wreaked havoc when he was in the game.
For his part, Gregory is taking his recent success in stride.
“This is what they brought me in for,” Gregory said. “Obviously I want to be the best overall player I can be, well-rounded, so working on other aspects of my game. But for the most part, I’ve done a good job of what they’ve asked me to do.”
The rookie might see his number called early and often in obvious passing situations while Dallas endures Greg Hardy’s four-game suspension. With DeMarcus Lawrence, Jeremy Mincey, Hardy (when he returns) and Gregory, the Cowboys should be able to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks all year long.