DMN: Laufenberg: Think Greg Hardy's a problem now? Consider this scenario

[Alexander]

Teams are swayed by media all the time. They are also swayed by he agenda of the NFL.

Why didn't Jerry bash the NFL over the punishment the gave him for signing players during the Un-capped year? From what I read, even Danny boy was more livid than Jerry.

Still amazes me how crippling and unfair that was and nobody really did anything about it. Snyder may have spewed more rhetoric, but at the end of the day, the collusion effort led by Mara was allowed. That would enrage me if I were Jones. That cap space could have made things a little different.

 

[EPL0c0]

I don't see how anyone could believe Jerry and Stephen want Hardy back next season. Randy Gregory should be the projected starter at RE in 2016.

the funny thing is that if Hardy is not re-signed/extended, there will be other teams that will go after him. Question: Will the media crap on them the way they've crapped on Dallas?

 

[khiladi]

Still amazes me how crippling and unfair that was and nobody really did anything about it. Snyder may have spewed more rhetoric, but at the end of the day, the collusion effort led by Mara was allowed. That would enrage me if I were Jones. That cap space could have made things a little different.

Mara was the same guy the invited to the Brady hearing as a 'reconciliation' tool. Goodell is the mouth-piece of Mara and Kraft, particularly the latter IMO.

Jerry, I'm beginning to think, is a push-over among the league's upper echelon.

 

[Sydla]

Well, he also saw Michael Irvin up close and personal too who had character issues at the time too, but he was a play maker. I think this idea that Hardy has crossed some line that warranted Jerry to take a step back to long term signing in not even two months of play is pure speculation that is based only on how he has been presented in the media.

Except it's not.

Jones stated two days ago that Hardy has to meet some expectations the team has put in place in order for the Cowboys to even extend him. A month ago he was signing a more aggressive tune about bringing Hardy back.

Again, none of this means Hardy is gone for sure or definitely coming back. But I think people are burying their heads in the sand over this trying to convince themselves that Hardy's issues really aren't a big deal and just a media frenzy. Jones doesn't say what he said on Tuesday if in fact the Cowboys weren't growing a bit tired of the Hardy show at this point. If things were great and just media creations, I doubt he says what he said.

Note none of this is a defense of the media. They absolutely have a target on Hardy's back. But I suspect when Jones says what he said on Tuesday, it wasn't because believed what the media was throwing out there but rather what he and his front office have seen up close from Hardy.

 

[Idgit]

The antics and the tweets are all stuff this team will be more than happy to put up with. What got Hardy into hot water with the organization is not showing up on Thursday. That's a different order of problem, and it's one that's going to have them rethinking a long-term investment.

That said, there's no doubt the media has a target on the guy's back. But I don't think Jerry ever worries about stuff like that. As long as the guy is passionate and wants to win, he's good.

As far as getting on teammates, I don't think it was a problem in CAR, and I don't think it's a problem here. Every team has guys like that, and as long as the ones doing it are high producers, it's ok. So you get somebody yelling on the sidelines now and then. That doesn't matter as long as he produces and gets other players to continue to produce.

 

[Sydla]

Still amazes me how crippling and unfair that was and nobody really did anything about it. Snyder may have spewed more rhetoric, but at the end of the day, the collusion effort led by Mara was allowed. That would enrage me if I were Jones. That cap space could have made things a little different.

I have long suspected Jones got some winks and nods from the NFL office if he just went quietly into the night.

 

[Kaiser]

I didn't want this guy on the team from day one and can't wait until he's off the team, he's a cancer and a bad influence on the young players on the defensive line and Jerry doesn't help things by proclaiming to the media that Hardy's a leader in the locker room....so we have a degenerate in Hardy and an enabler in Jerry, that's a bad combination!

If you went back in time exactly 20 years, you can find a bunch of posts saying this word for word - but with the words Deion Sanders in place of Greg Hardy.

 

[mahoneybill]

The blaming the media angle is so strange at this point unless you believe that the Jones' family gets all their Hardy news from the media.

Don't you find it strange that 4 weeks ago, Jones told everyone he wanted to sign Hardy to a long term extension and then just two days ago, he tells the media that an extension is not a given and that Hardy has to live up to some expectations put in place by Dallas?

Reality is, it's not just a media creation here. The front office now has some concerns with Hardy that they will watch for the remainder of the season.

Agree its not all media, but they certainly like piling onto anything Cowboys related. On the serious side, I'm sure JJ is looking at whatever they put into the contract, and weighing how much do I allow to happen with him that's team / performance related so I don't have
a problem down the road with other contract negotiations. I'm sure the agents share this type of stuff openly with each other.

 

[Sydla]

Agree its not all media, but they certainly like piling onto anything Cowboys related. On the serious side, I'm sure JJ is looking at whatever they put into the contract, and weighing how much do I allow to happen with him that's team / performance related so I don't have
a problem down the road with other contract negotiations. I'm sure the agents share this type of stuff openly with each other.

Oh I agree the media piles on. No question.

 

[mahoneybill]

Hey, I wanted to step through the TV screen and slap that notepad out of the ST coaches hand too!

We tie the game with a minute or left and then give up a 103 yard kickoff return to basically close the game?
Hard to make that stuff up.

Aside from this OP topic, I think people forget just how many of those last 7 games came literally to one or two plays.

Over the Garrett years we have to be one of the league leaders in losses by 7 or fewer points...

 

[mahoneybill]

Mara was the same guy the invited to the Brady hearing as a 'reconciliation' tool. Goodell is the mouth-piece of Mara and Kraft, particularly the latter IMO.

Jerry, I'm beginning to think, is a push-over among the league's upper echelon.

I think JJ's primary goal is $$$$ and protecting the brand. He had the great fortune to Win SB's early on, but since those has been searching for the performance side of the football side while continuing to find ways to increase the revenue/worth size of the franchise.

 

[Kaiser]

Absolutely, Hardy had been the only reliable pass rushing threat. When the game is on the line, though, he has had very little positive impact; I see no reason to fall all over myself (as a GM) trying to re-sign him.

Hardy would have won the game for the Cowboys in the Eagles game, but Brent Celek literally tackled him when he was about to sack Bradford in overtime.

Hardy also dominated against the Patriots.

 

[Kaiser]

The idea that this is a media creation is bizarre. Jones and the front office see Hardy every single day, up close. They know who and what he is better than any media member, so why the hell would they make decisions based on what the media says?

Because the media is literally saying Hardy should never be allowed to play or speak in public again. The players who "see Hardy every single day" all support him and the worst thing Jones has said is that he isn't giving Hardy a blank check on a long term contract.

 

[Sydla]

Because the media is literally saying Hardy should never be allowed to play or speak in public again. The players who "see Hardy every single day" all support him and the worst thing Jones has said is that he isn't giving Hardy a blank check on a long term contract.

They said this before the Cowboys even signed him. That no one should touch him. And yet Jerry did. And when the pictures came out a few weeks ago, Jerry was right there defending him despite a massive media pushback. If Jerry wants him back, he's back, regardless of what the media says or doesn't say. So the constant blaming of the media, as if that's somehow shaping the Cowboys view of Hardy is bizarre.

Jones isn't willing to give him a blank check today because they have concerns and want to see Hardy over the remainder of the season............. not because of anything the media has said.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Do you think Jerry is swayed by the media?

Because a few weeks ago he was saying he definitely wanted Hardy back and then just this week, he's basically backed off that stance.

What that tells me is that this isn't a media creation........... Hardy has done things that have given the front office suddenly a reason to pause.

If Jerry was ever swayed by the media he would have hid in a closet years ago. Good or bad as long as the Cowboys are in the media Jerry is happy.
So no.

 

[pavalley]

the funny thing is that if Hardy is not re-signed/extended, there will be other teams that will go after him. Question: Will the media crap on them the way they've crapped on Dallas?

i think not !

 

[Kaiser]

If Hardy had signed with the Patriots or Giants he would have his own Reality Show by now.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Hardy would have won the game for the Cowboys in the Eagles game, but Brent Celek literally tackled him when he was about to sack Bradford in overtime.

Hardy also dominated against the Patriots.

Once again, I don't disagree. My point is, He has not been the difference maker he was counted on to be and, given his baggage, he should be a low priority FA for thew Cowboys this off-season. He is a good player and he has had moments but I don't think anyone in the Cowboys organization thinks he is worth the trouble next year.

 

[KJJ]

I doubt many in the locker room like Hardy. No one will say anything publicly but I can't image many like him. During camp some player called him a woman beater which led to a scuffle. Several players were shoving him during the incident on the sidelines with the special teams coach. I'm becoming convinced he won't be with the Cowboys next season and he might not be around the entire season this year.

 

[Kaiser]

Once again, I don't disagree. My point is, He has not been the difference maker he was counted on to be and, given his baggage, he should be a low priority FA for thew Cowboys this off-season. He is a good player and he has had moments but I don't think anyone in the Cowboys organization thinks he is worth the trouble next year.

I do think he will be back next year because IMO the media stuff is over the top and there are so few pass rushers in the league with Hardy's ability. Hardy hasn't had the impact Jerry hoped for most games but I think there are valid reasons/excuses for that. He is getting double and tripled teamed, which is a big impact by itself. With Gregory injured he is forced to play a lot more snaps than expected and with the offensive ineptitude this team has shown with Romo out the defense has been on the field way to much.

[/EndBlatantExcuseMaking]