News: DMN: Cowboys needed extra security for Greg Hardy; some teammates soured on him

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dallasdave

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NewsBot said:
Greg Hardy cleaned out his locker Monday at Valley Ranch like he wouldn't be back. The Cowboys defensive end made sure not to leave anything behind.

Wearing a Superman shirt and matching leggings, Hardy eventually had a knee-high pile of colorful cleats on the floor that he tossed into a white trash bag.

Unlike the way he arrived, Hardy left Cowboys team headquarters with little fanfare.

Hardy will be free to sign with any team March 9, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Whether he returns to the Cowboys is a complicated discussion.

Hardy's 2014 domestic violence arrest while with Carolina kept teams from pursuing him despite a 2013 Pro Bowl season in which he had a career-high 15 sacks. But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took a chance, signing Hardy to a one-year deal worth up to $13.1 million.

Hardy will end up making a little more than $8.8 million from the Cowboys. He didn't maximize his contract because of a four-game suspension to start the year, and he failed to reach his first incentive of eight sacks.

Hardy finished with six sacks in 12 games. From Thanksgiving on, Hardy had only 1 1/2 sacks over the final six games. And it would be a reach to argue his presence helped others excel along the defensive line, considering the Cowboys finished with only three more sacks than they had in 2014.

Along the way, Hardy became a constant headache for Jason Garrett. The Cowboys coach met with him at least four times to address his conduct.

Hardy became such a worry for the Cowboys that over the last month of the season they had an extra security presence around him at times to check up on him.

A few teammates who had supported Hardy early began to sour on him late in the season, in part because his perpetual tardiness for team meetings never resulted in a reduction of playing time. Tardiness was also an issue for Hardy with his previous teams.

Hardy was in for more plays than any other Cowboys defensive end in 11 of his 12 games. On Thanksgiving, DeMarcus Lawrence played one more snap than Hardy against Carolina. Even after the Cowboys had been eliminated from playoff contention, Hardy played more than any other defensive end in the final two games against Buffalo and Washington.

Allowing a player who doesn't adhere to the Cowboys' standard to get his way is not a great way to build team chemistry.

Hardy was always respectful when Cowboys officials addressed him about his conduct, but he didn't alter his behavior for the most part.

Hardy's market value this offseason isn't expected to be strong considering most teams shied away after his domestic violence arrest. Hardy didn't help himself by never showing remorse and continuing to be a distraction off the field. That leaves the door cracked for the Cowboys to re-sign him to a low-risk deal.

Jones said after the season finale Sunday that "as it turns out, [Hardy] is the football player we thought he was. He was a very positive player on the field for us."

Garrett wouldn't say Monday if he wanted Hardy back, but he said little in support of the defensive end. The underlying tone of his words made it seem as if Mr. Process had even run out of patience.

In back-to-back questions about 2015 free agent additions running back Darren McFadden and Hardy, Garrett couldn't stop talking about one. He used 267 words to laud McFadden, saying he did an "outstanding job" and was a "mentally tough, physically tough guy." Garrett said McFadden "responded well," is a "man's man" and "plays the game the right way" and "prepares the right way."

What about Hardy?

"Greg did some good things for us on the field," Garrett said. "Defended the run well at times. Impacted the quarterback at different times during the game."

The common theme in responses about Hardy from Jones and Garrett was how the defensive end performed "on the field" or "during the game."

And even that wasn't what the Cowboys had hoped for when they opened themselves up to national criticism for signing a player who was accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

In the end: Too much drama. Not enough impact.

Hardy said Sunday he'd like to return to the Cowboys, adding, "I look good in blue and white, let's be honest." He was asked if he took full advantage of his opportunity in Dallas.

"I believe so," Hardy said. "I believe it's the perfect timing for me just coming to a place that was accepting and coming to a place that let me play and do my thing and be personable and be reasonable for me and with me and help me change my life and change the world."

Hardy contract breakdown

The Cowboys signed defensive end Greg Hardy to a one-year, $13.1 million contract last March. But he didn't maximize his deal (Hardy's four-game suspension to start the season cost him $2,488,970 with the chance to earn more with sack incentives). Here's a breakdown of what the Cowboys owe Hardy for his 12 games in 2015:

Workout bonus: $1,311,600

Base salary: $573,530 (for 13 weeks and 12 games)

53-man roster bonus: $6,937,500 (for 12 games)

Total: $8,822,630

Incentives not reached: $1,804,000 ($500,000 for eight sacks; $1 million for 10 sacks; $1.4 million for 12 sacks and $1.804 million for 14 or more sacks)

Note: As part of Hardy's deal, the Cowboys cannot use their franchise tag on him in 2016. He will become an unrestricted free agent March 9.

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Staubacher

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"Along the way, Hardy became a constant headache for Jason Garrett. The Cowboys coach met with him at least four times to address his conduct."

4 times?

Red not really imposing his will is he?

Hardy gotta go.
 
RS12

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Wonder what team mates soured on him? Was it anybody influential like Witten or Romo? Or was it JAGs.
 
gimmesix

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This appears to be an opinion piece disguised as a news article. I'd take more seriously what the writer had to say about the issues with Hardy if it wasn't clear that the writer is drawing conclusions to fit the premise of his article.
 
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