Cowboys DE Randy Gregory’s penalty no cause for disappointment or tongue-lashing

One of the most maddening plays during the Dallas Cowboys 24-13 loss in Seattle was the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against defensive end Randy Gregory. Gregory shoved the face mask of Seahawks center and TCU ex Joey Hunt after an incomplete pass. Hunt was saying something to Gregory before the shove.

It helped put the Seahawks into field goal position at the end of the first half when the Dallas defense had forced a punt. The 47-yard field goal gave Seattle a 17-3 lead at the break.

Even more maddening for many Cowboys’ fans? The apparent lack of admonishment from his coaches when he returned to the sideline, specifically from head coach Jason Garrett. At the moment, Garrett looked in Gregory’s direction but didn’t appear to say anything to him.

“I think there are different ways that coaches handle situations with players throughout the game,” Garrett said. “You want to make sure you address the issue with him and talk about the importance of discipline and not reacting to something that somebody might have said or done to you.”

Garrett didn’t consider benching him for the second half to send a message.

“Once that play happens, it’s behind you. And you have to make sure you address it, you solve it and you move on to the next play. That’s the nature of our game,” he said. “Again, you just want to address the issue and solve it and move and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defended Gregory’s game, if not that specific play. Gregory played 27 snaps, the most he’s played in two years. Gregory was suspended for repeated violations of the NFL’s substance policy and reinstated in July.

“You know, I’m not disappointed in Randy Gregory. I’m disappointed [they] got that field goal at that particular time but not in him,” Jones said. “I believe he played about as many snaps today as he may have since he’s been here. So he had a lot of snaps today and I think that speaks well for him. Speaks well for what the staff thinks of him out there.”