PFF: Why Cowboys should re-sign free agents Greg Hardy, Jeremy Mincey

[Alexander]

Why Cowboys should re-sign free agents Greg Hardy, Jeremy Mincey

Ben Stockwell 52 mins ago

2015 was not the season that the Cowboys had hoped for. After a division championship in 2014 powered by an emergent offensive line and a defense that took many by surprise, Dallas was on an upward trajectory. Last season withered on the vine for the Cowboys, though; unable to cope with an injury to Tony Romo the defense showed its former frailties, and nobody at a skill position was able to stand up and lead in Romo’s absence. So, as the countdown to the new league year goes on, what do the Cowboys have to do in free agency to re-discover their upward momentum? Who needs to go, who needs to stay and where do they need a boost from outside?
Re-sign
DE Greg Hardy
The biggest name on the docket for the Cowboys in free agency is Greg Hardy, and at this point, do they really have a choice but to try and keep him? His off-field baggage is well documented, and I won’t make that the focus here, but the Cowboys’ actions relating to Hardy this year made it clear that this was not a road-block to keeping Hardy in Dallas. Though he didn’t quite hit an elite level of performance, Hardy proved this season (81.9 overall grade) that he is a player worth keeping, and the key for the Cowboys is to ensure that they don’t get into a bidding war with themselves for the former Panther’s services. His off-field baggage will limit his market, and the Cowboys should be in a strong position to retain Hardy on their terms.

DE Jeremy Mincey
Staying on the defensive line, the Cowboys would do well to keep hold of veteran defensive end Jeremy Mincey, who in large parts carried the Cowboys’ pass rush in 2014. Though Dallas would like to see DeMarcus Lawrence and Greg Hardy carry the bulk of the pass rush, the Broncos have reminded us—along with many other teams—that you can never have too many pass rushers, and the Cowboys would be well served to retain Mincey’s services for rotation and insurance purposes. Though he only racked up 17 pressures last season, Mincey led all Dallas defensive ends with 50 during the 2014 regular season.

LB Rolando McClain

Though he suffered a down season in 2015, Rolando McClain showed plenty in 2014 as an all-round linebacker, not just a thumper against the run, that should buy him another year with the Cowboys.

RB Robert Turbin

He came into the mix late and didn’t get many opportunities as the Cowboys loaded up on Darren McFadden to replace DeMarco Murray, but even if just for a strong showing against the Packers in Week 14, Dallas would be well served to give Robert Turbin another look with a star on his helmet.

TE James Hanna

The longevity of Jason Witten’s career has perhaps limited opportunities for his backups to develop, but James Hanna has found a niche in the Cowboys’ offense as a run-blocker while he waits for an expanded opportunity. Hanna finished the season just outside our top 10 graded tight ends as a run-blocker, and the Cowboys would be wise to retain him to support their offensive line.



https://www.profootballfocus.com/bl...-should-re-sign-fas-greg-hardy-jeremy-mincey/

 

[conner01]

I would try and sign Mincey. Solid depth guy. I would let Hardy walk. Too many issues and I'm not talking about his arrest

 

[gimmesix]

I don't think it's necessarily a case of Dallas needing to keep these players, but rather Dallas needing to replace these players if the team decides not to keep them.

For instance, we need a veteran pass rusher because we simply don't know what Lawrence's ceiling is and we don't know what we're going to get from Gregory at this point. If Hardy didn't show up for meetings and wasn't a good fit for the team, it certainly doesn't have to be him. It just has to be someone who can upgrade this pass rush.

 

[LittleD]

I would try and sign Mincey. Solid depth guy. I would let Hardy walk. Too many issues and I'm not talking about his arrest

I'm cheering from the bleachers "cheap seats"... Go, Go, Go!

 

[Longboysfan]

Sign Mincey, Turban and Hannah.
The others walk.

 

[Stash]

I would try and sign Mincey. Solid depth guy. I would let Hardy walk. Too many issues and I'm not talking about his arrest

Yeah, really going to miss those 0 sacks...

 

[Stash]

I don't think it's necessarily a case of Dallas needing to keep these players, but rather Dallas needing to replace these players if the team decides not to keep them.

For instance, we need a veteran pass rusher because we simply don't know what Lawrence's ceiling is and we don't know what we're going to get from Gregory at this point. If Hardy didn't show up for meetings and wasn't a good fit for the team, it certainly doesn't have to be him. It just has to be someone who can upgrade this pass rush.

If the only issue with Hardy is being late for meetings, that's little reason to let him go and open up a huge need for pass rusher. If that's some deal-breaker and something the team can't deal with, why did they sign him in the first place? He's had a history of it going back to college! If this organization was unaware of that, shame on them!

And how ridiculously hypocritical is it to sign a guy with his baggage - having no problems with that - and then turning around and saying we can't keep him because he's late to a meeting?

 

[CATCH17]

I would try and sign Mincey. Solid depth guy. I would let Hardy walk. Too many issues and I'm not talking about his arrest

Based on what we know i'd sign Hardy back.

I don't think I would sign him if we had to go to that whole grandstanding of domestic violence that everyone in the media was doing but since that's over im fine with bringing him back.

Oh he's late to a meeting? boo hoo. Fine him and make sure he shows up on Sundays.


If his market value is 5 - 6 mill a year i'd buy.

 

[LittleD]

Based on what we know i'd sign Hardy back.

I don't think I would sign him if we had to go to that whole grandstanding of domestic violence that everyone in the media was doing but since that's over im fine with bringing him back.

Oh he's late to a meeting? boo hoo. Fine him and make sure he shows up on Sundays.


If his market value is 5 - 6 mill a year i'd buy.

Garrett and Stephen disagree with your assessment. I wonder who will win out?

 

[Rockport]

If the only issue with Hardy is being late for meetings, that's little reason to let him go and open up a huge need for pass rusher. If that's some deal-breaker and something the team can't deal with, why did they sign him in the first place? He's had a history of it going back to college! If this organization was unaware of that, shame on them!

And how ridiculously hypocritical is it to sign a guy with his baggage - having no problems with that - and then turning around and saying we can't keep him because he's late to a meeting?

Educate yourself; he not only showed up late but missed meetings. You don't win with a fractured locker room.

 

[cowboy_ron]

If Hardy didn't put himself above the team ie: skipping team meetings maybe I would keep him...but allowing him to do that sends the wrong message to the rest of the team especially the younger players....allowing him to do that also screams weak coaching

 

[darthseinfeld]

I dont see any reason to keep Mincey. He contributed nothing last year and has no upside. I dont see any reason why Russell and/or Irving cant replace him

 

[Oh_Canada]

Hardy, Hanna would be my priorities.

 

[CATCH17]

If Hardy didn't put himself above the team ie: skipping team meetings maybe I would keep him...but allowing him to do that sends the wrong message to the rest of the team especially the younger players....allowing him to do that also screams weak coaching

I'd bet every team deals with it and that is why they have the fine system in place.

You're not asking this guy to be a team captain or a voice of the team. Just go get the QB.

Romo & Jerry will get all of the glory regardless.

 

[Stash]

Educate yourself; he not only showed up late but missed meetings. You don't win with a fractured locker room.

Don't ever talk to me about "education" clueless. Maybe you should go and make more baseless, unsupported claims in the draft zone and never back up a bit of what you claim?

That and trouble-making are the only things you're good for.

 

[Stash]

Garrett and Stephen disagree with your assessment. I wonder who will win out?

Based on record? My money is on Catch!

 

[Stash]

I dont see any reason to keep Mincey. He contributed nothing last year and has no upside. I dont see any reason why Russell and/or Irving cant replace him

0 sacks? You or I can do that!

 

[LittleD]

Based on record? My money is on Catch!

You're beginning to sound and act a bit like Don Quixote "Tilting at Windmills". Garrett will make
the decision of whose on his team this year... ( With Stephen's support of course)

 

[conner01]

Based on what we know i'd sign Hardy back.

I don't think I would sign him if we had to go to that whole grandstanding of domestic violence that everyone in the media was doing but since that's over im fine with bringing him back.

Oh he's late to a meeting? boo hoo. Fine him and make sure he shows up on Sundays.


If his market value is 5 - 6 mill a year i'd buy.

When players complain about another player that's a real issue

 

[Oh_Canada]

Educate yourself; he not only showed up late but missed meetings. You don't win with a fractured locker room.

Hmmmm, the 90's Cowboys made all there team meetings huh? How about the Ravens group or the Giants with Plax Burress known for his promptness. 2010 NY Jets were a train wreck and finished 11-5.

It's all garbage, Hardy is the hardest working practice player and many of his teammates and even coaches have said so. He wasn't the problem, Romo's collorbone and Dez's foot were the issues.