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Could Greg Hardy be a fit for the Cowboys?
February, 9, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- With just 25 sacks in 2014, there is no secret the Dallas Cowboys need to improve their pass rush in 2015.
That’s not the only need, but it’s the top need. An effective pass rush makes everything better on defense.
How do the Cowboys get there?
They drafted DeMarcus Lawrence in the second round last year, but had to give up their third rounder to the Washington Redskins to get him. They signed Jeremy Mincey to a modest free-agent deal and he led the Cowboys with six sacks. They saw Tyrone Crawford develop in his third year after missing his second season with a torn Achilles.
But they are only the beginning of a good pass rush. They need more.
There will be options in the draft this year, but it is difficult to expect much from rookie pass-rushers. There will be options in free agency, but the likelihood of the Cowboys of going after the super high-priced players is slim.
And then there is Greg Hardy.
The Carolina Panthers defensive end had domestic violence charges dismissed on Monday after his accuser did not make herself available to help with the case. He was found guilty of assaulting and threatening Nicole Holder, his ex-girlfriend, by a judge but sought a jury trial, which set aside the guilty verdict per North Carolina law.
Hardy played in one game in 2014 before spending the rest of the season on the commissioner’s exempt list after the third week of the season. He made $13.1 million after the Panthers used the franchise tag on him last year.
He could still face sanctions from the NFL under the new personal conduct policy, which could lead to a six-game suspension.
Hardy had a sack in the one game he played in 2014. He has 15 sacks in 2013 and 11 in 2012. He could give the Cowboys an elite pass-rusher.
But would he be worth the negative attention he would bring to the team? It’s a question every team has to answer, including the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have taken troubled players in before but this is a different climate in the NFL. The Cowboys have welcomed back Josh Brent to the team after his involvement in a 2012 car accident that killed teammate and friend Jerry Brown. They have not parted ways with Joseph Randle after his most recent brush with the law last week and fined the running back for his arrest last fall.
Jason Garrett always talks about the “right kind of guys,” on the roster.
There is no simple definition for “right kind of guys.” To Garrett, the players need to be team-first players who have a passion and enthusiasm for football.
To be sure, the Cowboys will check out Hardy should he be available.
As with anything, the level of what can or cannot be tolerated comes down to how good a player is and how much can he help.
Another question will be how much will it cost.
February, 9, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- With just 25 sacks in 2014, there is no secret the Dallas Cowboys need to improve their pass rush in 2015.
That’s not the only need, but it’s the top need. An effective pass rush makes everything better on defense.
How do the Cowboys get there?
They drafted DeMarcus Lawrence in the second round last year, but had to give up their third rounder to the Washington Redskins to get him. They signed Jeremy Mincey to a modest free-agent deal and he led the Cowboys with six sacks. They saw Tyrone Crawford develop in his third year after missing his second season with a torn Achilles.
But they are only the beginning of a good pass rush. They need more.
There will be options in the draft this year, but it is difficult to expect much from rookie pass-rushers. There will be options in free agency, but the likelihood of the Cowboys of going after the super high-priced players is slim.
And then there is Greg Hardy.
The Carolina Panthers defensive end had domestic violence charges dismissed on Monday after his accuser did not make herself available to help with the case. He was found guilty of assaulting and threatening Nicole Holder, his ex-girlfriend, by a judge but sought a jury trial, which set aside the guilty verdict per North Carolina law.
Hardy played in one game in 2014 before spending the rest of the season on the commissioner’s exempt list after the third week of the season. He made $13.1 million after the Panthers used the franchise tag on him last year.
He could still face sanctions from the NFL under the new personal conduct policy, which could lead to a six-game suspension.
Hardy had a sack in the one game he played in 2014. He has 15 sacks in 2013 and 11 in 2012. He could give the Cowboys an elite pass-rusher.
But would he be worth the negative attention he would bring to the team? It’s a question every team has to answer, including the Cowboys.
The Cowboys have taken troubled players in before but this is a different climate in the NFL. The Cowboys have welcomed back Josh Brent to the team after his involvement in a 2012 car accident that killed teammate and friend Jerry Brown. They have not parted ways with Joseph Randle after his most recent brush with the law last week and fined the running back for his arrest last fall.
Jason Garrett always talks about the “right kind of guys,” on the roster.
There is no simple definition for “right kind of guys.” To Garrett, the players need to be team-first players who have a passion and enthusiasm for football.
To be sure, the Cowboys will check out Hardy should he be available.
As with anything, the level of what can or cannot be tolerated comes down to how good a player is and how much can he help.
Another question will be how much will it cost.