Yeah season 6 and 7 have some really good Greg episodes but then there are some eps where he is hardly in them at all. Season 6 has some classics like Kiss, Kiss, Bye, Bye; Rashomama and Spellbound, all 3 great Greg episodes. Then in season 7 you have his arc starting with Fannysmackin', Post Mortem, and Big Shots. Plus there are a few others that are just good with him in that season.
It would be interesting to see him grow a beard, but if that really is him, he was probably joking around.
He does look hot in that photo. I wouldn't mind seeing him carry a gun if they just said why he is now, since we know he never has or wanted to before. I can understand with today's issues with a lot of real life cops being killed on duty (several here locally, recently), them having him arm himself just for his own protection on the job.