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As many of you know, Deflategate has come and gone (except for the fact that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is planning to appeal the decision of Judge Richard Berman that New England Patriots signal-caller Tom Brady’s suspension should be nullified) but issues remain. Perhaps, in future months or even weeks, these issues will rise to the surface in an ignominious fashion for the NFL’s de facto commander-in-chief.
Greg Hardy Presents an Interesting Case
The issue here is that Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy, a sixth-round draft pick out of Mississippi by the Carolina Panthers in 2010, has considered appealing his suspension which currently stands at four games for a domestic violence incident with his girlfriend. The suspension has already been pared down as it was at 10 games before a previous Hardy appeal before arbitrator Harold Henderson of Washington D.C.
Now, with the NFLPA perceiving Goodell to be weaker than at any other time in his tenure, Hardy may try his luck again with the intent of being completely absolved from any wrongdoing in this matter.
Hardy played only one game for the Panthers last season before being released by owner Jerry Richardson while he was swiftly picked up by the Cowboys, owned by noteworthy headline-maker Jerry Jones.
As presently constituted, oddly enough, Hardy would return to the Dallas lineup for a Week 5 tilt against Brady’s New England Patriots October 11 at AT&T Stadium.
In an article by Jeffrey Kahn of 247 Sports, Ed Werder of ESPN reports Hardy plans to discuss his current status with the NFLPA which seems a good risk on Hardy’s part as “he has nothing to lose.”
Rumors have been circulating from the Hardy camp since early August that the 2013 Pro-Bowler would try to reduce his suspension, although Cowboys executive vice president/COO/director of player personnel Stephen Jones stated he believes Hardy will serve the full 4-game suspension.
However, in light of the Brady decision, perhaps Jones has changed his mind as of Thursday. Per Kahn’s article, it appears Hardy is attempting to get his suspension down to two games although there was no word if he plans to get the ban completely erased.
Should Hardy’s appeal be successful, he would be able to return for the Week 3 home game against the Atlanta Falcons September 27. The Cowboys’ regular season commences September 13 for an NBC Sunday Night Football home date against the New York Giants.
Hardy, who has played both left and right defensive end for Carolina in his career, has totaled 15 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles, one fumble return, 34 sacks, 142 tackles and two scored safeties.
The Millington, Tenn. native turned 27 on last July 28 and will likely benefit from what turned out be, in effect, a 15-game paid vacation from the Panthers as he still received his checks despite his suspension.
The potential rewards may ultimately pay huge dividends for the Cowboys as Hardy is likely to be motivated after his release by the Panthers and no additional wear and tear on his body that would have been accrued last season.
