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La'el Collins, Randy Gregory happy to still be paired together
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter
IRVING, Texas -- Throughout the draft process, La'el Collins and Randy Gregory worked out together, never thinking they would end up teammates.
Gregory was viewed as the best pass-rusher available. Collins was viewed as one of the best offensive lineman available. The chances of ending up on the same team were remote.
"I don't think I've met someone with such a great spirit. Someone you want to be around," La'el Collins, above, said of Randy Gregory. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
But a confluence of events led both players to the Dallas Cowboys. Gregory ended up being picked in the second round, in part because of a failed drug test at the NFL scouting combine. Collins joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after he was passed over for seven rounds when his name was linked to a murder investigation.
However they ended up with the Cowboys, they are glad to be together.
"I think everybody jokes about it with the guys you train with," Gregory said. "Even up to the day he got signed I didn't really think it would be possible."
The hours they spent together at Goldin Athletics Training Association near Atlanta formed a bond that would carry on whether they were on the same team or not. They share the same agent, Deryk Gilmore, and now share the same team.
"What a phenomenal guy, smart guy," Collins said of Gregory. "Most people don't know this, but Randy scored a 31 on his Wonderlic test. He's a bright guy. Smart football player. That's why he was able to be as successful as he is. He went to Nebraska. That's a very good academic school. He's one of the best guys you can be around. Great personality. He loves people. He loves to laugh and have fun. I don't think I've met someone with such a great spirit. Someone you want to be around."
The Cowboys will surround Gregory with a support system to help him deal with some anxiety issues. They talked about it when Gregory visited the team before the draft. Jerry Jones re-visited it with him before the Cowboys selected him.
Gregory figures he and Collins will continue to spend a lot of time together as they adapt to life in the NFL.
"It will be big," Gregory said. "Definitely a guy I will stay close to. I don't think it's a mistake that my locker is next to Dez Bryant. It's good to surround me with good guys. That's what I wanted. That's what I needed. And I think I think that's what they wanted for me."
Collins was able to join Gregory for the first time this week after his late signing last week. The rookies get thrown into the offseason program that includes on-field teaching sessions with the coaches and working out in the weight room.
Soon the organized team activities will begin, followed by the June 16-18 mini-camp and training camp at the end of July.
For Gregory and Collins, they have a friend to lean on and vent to as they go through the same things.
"I'm just happy he's my teammate," Collins said. "I feel sorry for whoever has to block him."
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter
IRVING, Texas -- Throughout the draft process, La'el Collins and Randy Gregory worked out together, never thinking they would end up teammates.
Gregory was viewed as the best pass-rusher available. Collins was viewed as one of the best offensive lineman available. The chances of ending up on the same team were remote.
"I don't think I've met someone with such a great spirit. Someone you want to be around," La'el Collins, above, said of Randy Gregory. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
But a confluence of events led both players to the Dallas Cowboys. Gregory ended up being picked in the second round, in part because of a failed drug test at the NFL scouting combine. Collins joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after he was passed over for seven rounds when his name was linked to a murder investigation.
However they ended up with the Cowboys, they are glad to be together.
"I think everybody jokes about it with the guys you train with," Gregory said. "Even up to the day he got signed I didn't really think it would be possible."
The hours they spent together at Goldin Athletics Training Association near Atlanta formed a bond that would carry on whether they were on the same team or not. They share the same agent, Deryk Gilmore, and now share the same team.
"What a phenomenal guy, smart guy," Collins said of Gregory. "Most people don't know this, but Randy scored a 31 on his Wonderlic test. He's a bright guy. Smart football player. That's why he was able to be as successful as he is. He went to Nebraska. That's a very good academic school. He's one of the best guys you can be around. Great personality. He loves people. He loves to laugh and have fun. I don't think I've met someone with such a great spirit. Someone you want to be around."
The Cowboys will surround Gregory with a support system to help him deal with some anxiety issues. They talked about it when Gregory visited the team before the draft. Jerry Jones re-visited it with him before the Cowboys selected him.
Gregory figures he and Collins will continue to spend a lot of time together as they adapt to life in the NFL.
"It will be big," Gregory said. "Definitely a guy I will stay close to. I don't think it's a mistake that my locker is next to Dez Bryant. It's good to surround me with good guys. That's what I wanted. That's what I needed. And I think I think that's what they wanted for me."
Collins was able to join Gregory for the first time this week after his late signing last week. The rookies get thrown into the offseason program that includes on-field teaching sessions with the coaches and working out in the weight room.
Soon the organized team activities will begin, followed by the June 16-18 mini-camp and training camp at the end of July.
For Gregory and Collins, they have a friend to lean on and vent to as they go through the same things.
"I'm just happy he's my teammate," Collins said. "I feel sorry for whoever has to block him."
