Marinelli: Smith Beating Up On Gregory “Part of the Deal”

Through the first week of camp, Cowboys second round pick Randy Gregory has spent a good amount of his time battling and losing to All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith, much in the same way, just a few years ago, that Smith spent camp having his lunch eaten each day by future Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware.

According to defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, these daily practice losses, frustrating as they may be, serve as a sort of rite of passage for any young defensive end destined for greater things--and that could probably be expanded to include all players, really.

“That’s part of the deal. All great young pass rushers go through the same thing,” Marinelli told the team’s official website. “Now that’s where the character starts to shine, the work habits, the determination each and every day, even though it’s not a picnic.”

Gregory has won a few match-ups over this first week, according to the reports from Oxnard, but what’s potentially much more important is how he has responded to the challenge when things aren't going his way.

“The biggest thing is growing every day and maturing every day, and I’m trying to,” Gregory said. “I have my flaws, but like I said I’m trying to get better.”