Based off his own words, new Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass rusher, Randy Gregory, is at his best when he's comfortable. Which provides quite the challenge now that he's on his third team in as many years. But, the Buccaneers have the infrastructure/familiarity in outside linebackers coach George Edwards, plus a versatile defensive scheme, to where Tampa Bay ultimately made sense. Combine all of that with a competitive, yet open, outside linebacker room and it's easy to see why Gregory can find his footing in 2024. "I think ultimately, Coach [George] Edwards – I worked with him, obviously, in Dallas, so I have a relationship there," Gregory told reporters on Thursday. "I think highly of him. I think the ability, as far as the schemes and what we do, I think I fit well there. I can play inside, outside, on third down and things like that – stand up, put my hand down in the dirt. "To be able to play kind of in a 3-4, 4-3 scheme, do a couple of different things there – drop in coverage. This is all stuff I’ve done in Dallas and Denver and in San Francisco. For me, it was a [really] good spot to land in.” Right now, the Bucs' presumed starters on the outside are former first-rounder, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and 2023 third-rounder, YaYa Diaby. Neither spot is guaranteed after the departure of Shaquil Barrett, however, and there are other serviceable players in Anthony Nelson, Markeese Watts, and Jose Ramirez competing for a spot in the rotation. With a strong Spring/Summer, Gregory's talented enough to where he can not only secure a roster spot - he could carve out a big role, as he played 427 defensive snaps last year. "I know what Coach [George] Edwards expects," said Gregory. "I think it’s a big to have a guy that, obviously Coach [George] Edwards has worked with before. So, to be able to in that room and do things the way I know how he wants it done will be [really] easy for me." Either way, Gregory's experience is very valuable and if used properly, can really help his younger teammates - none of them have even earned veteran status, yet. That's how young the Bucs' OLB room is. Gregory is not only a former first-rounder, himself, but he's played with some elite pass-rushers over the course of his career in Micah Parsons, Nick Bosa, DeMarcus Lawrence, and even interior guys like Javon Hargrave, Arik Armstead, and Dre'Mont Jones. Meaning, he has plenty of knowledge to impart on his new teammates, and the hope is they'll eat every bit of it up. "I think, at the end of the day, like I said, I wanted to go somewhere I’m comfortable with and know I can play and help," said Gregory. "... There are different ways to win. I pride myself on my athleticism and I’ve always done that coming up [through] the
Football ranks. A lot of ways, that’s how I’ve won. "There’s a lot of different things that some of these better players, better pass rushers have done that I’ve noticed. I kind of try to incorporate that into my own life and not just on the field, but off the field... I think, at the end of the day, you’ve got to keep learning as an athlete, as a person. I think the day you stop doing that is the day you stop evolving and reaching the potential that you can get to. For me, like I said, I’m trying to hone those skills I do have and then incorporate some new ones and different techniques. I’m going to do the same thing with the guys here and I hope they do the same thing with me.” Per Pro Football Focus, Gregory finished with a 10.4% pressure rate out of a true pass set in 2023 and all four of his sacks were in the same context. Those numbers aren't the greatest, but again, Gregory isn't looked at as a guy who's going to come in and dominate - he's an experienced veteran who knows how provide quality snaps in a rotation. If he can get to a 14-15% pressure rate and a handful of sacks (think around 5.0-6.5), then that would be a nice addition for the Bucs' pass rush, and defense, as a whole. "I think, obviously, you guys have had success here over the past few years," said Gregory. "We have a great team right there, set up to make another run. That’s what I intend on doing – trying to help in that way... "... I’m excited. I think there’s going to be a lot of opportunities for me and others to make plays in the passing game, the run game, and things like that and make a good run.” This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.