Report: DE Greg Hardy will not return to Panthers - Charges Dismissed 02/09/15

[RS12]

Greg Hardy won't be back in Carolina. (Getty Images)




According to a report from the Charlotte Observer, the Carolina Panthers will not bring defensive end Greg Hardy back to the team next season. Hardy had been seeking a long-term contract with the Panthers around this time last year, but the team elected to place the franchise tag on him instead.

Hardy then played only one game in 2014 before being placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List due to his domestic violence issues. Hardy was found guilty of assaulting and threatening to kill ex-girlfriend Nicole Holder last year. He appealed for a jury trial, which begins next week.

If Hardy is found guilty again, it would likely trigger a minimum six-game suspension under the new personal conduct policy. Whether found guilty or not, Hardy's upcoming free agency will be an interesting case. We've already seen that NFL teams will not shy away from signing players with baggage -- the Bills just signed former Dolphins offensive lineman Richie Incognito, who was at the center of a bullying scandal two years ago -- if they are able to contribute on the field.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...ort-de-greg-hardy-will-not-return-to-panthers

 

[RS12]

This team desperately needs a player like this production wise.

 

[Texas_Pete]

I bet Rod could get through to him like he did with Ro McClain. Do it Jerry.

 

[JBS]

Sign me up

He probably won't be super expensive, all things considering...which makes it a no brainer

 

[xwalker]

This team desperately needs a player like this production wise.

If he is acquitted, then he would be my top target in free agency.

 

[xwalker]

I bet Rod could get through to him like he did with Ro McClain. Do it Jerry.

He's not a problem in the locker room. All reports I've seen indicate that his teammates love him.

 

[Dwight]

I'm not a big fan of Hardy when it comes to his off the field issues but I like his talent and production.

If Dallas can get him with an incentive contract or a contract similar to Melton's contract then I'm all for it.

 

[CashMan]

He's not a problem in the locker room. All reports I've seen indicate that his teammates love him.

Totally agree, except those domestic abuse problems. Sign him and cut.randle!

 

[Nation]

"Greg Hardy attacked me in his apartment. Hardy picked me up and threw me into the tile tub area in his bathroom. I have bruises from head to toe, including my head, neck, back, shoulders, arms, legs, elbow and feet. Hardy pulled me from the tub by my hair, screaming at me that he was going to kill me, break my arms and other threats that I completely believe. He drug me across the bathroom and out into the bedroom. Hardy choked me with both hands around my throat while I was lying on the floor. Hardy picked me up over his head and threw me onto a couch covered in assault rifles and/or shotguns. I landed on those weapons.

Hardy bragged that all of those assault rifles were loaded. Landing on those weapons bruised my neck and back. Hardy screamed for his administrative assistant (Sammy Curtis) to come into the room and hold me down. Hardy and Curtis then took me into the living room area. I wasn't nearly strong or fast enough to escape. I begged them to let me go and I wouldn't tell anyone what he did. They took me out into the hall, pushed me down and went back inside his apartment. I crawled to the elevator and ran into CMPD."

No thank you

 

[Manwiththeplan]

If he is acquitted, then he would be my top target in free agency.

that has about a snowball's chance in **** of happening. any jury will be effected by the fact that a judge has already found him guilty and the pictures of her afterwards are ridiculous.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

No thank you

I wonder what his defense is actually. Is he claiming it was self defense or that she did this to herself?

 

[Ken]

I see a bigger Henry Melton type of contract that could really benefit both sides.

 

[skinsscalper]

that has about a snowball's chance in **** of happening. any jury will be effected by the fact that a judge has already found him guilty and the pictures of her afterwards are ridiculous.

Link? It's not that I don't believe you, I just haven't had any interest in him since his name has been bandied about around here as a possible FA signing. Thanks.

 

[Nation]

I wonder what his defense is actually. Is he claiming it was self defense or that she did this to herself?

His appeal case is that she wanted to have sex with him but she was on cocaine and was drunk. So he went to sleep on the couch, and she threw herself into the bathtub and said she'd show him what crazy is. In NC you are entitled to the appeals process which is why he couldn't have been officially suspended last year.

 

[calico]

This could be the Haley type signing the d needs to get over the top...minus the phallus exposure.

 

[Bigdog]

I would like further information before I pass judgement. There is no excuse for striking a woman or anybody for that matter. Everyone deserves a second chance and hopefully this is the only incident and he be a productive citizen whether he plays for the Cowboys or not.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

comparing the hazing that Incognito did to what Hardy did is a ridiculous stretch,,, mediots.

Still, the point is taken, NFL teams don't shy away from anything if it can help them win and Hardy might benefit from the Cowboys support structure.

 

[Proximo]

One thing I'll give the current Dallas coaching staff credit for is creating the type of culture that makes me feel okay about bringing in a talented player that might have baggage. Either they'll be forced to buy in (like everyone else on the squad clearly has), or they simply won't last, and would likely be shown the door.

 

[Questfor6]

I see a bigger Henry Melton type of contract that could really benefit both sides.

Probably have to give him a deal similar to what NE gave Browner last offseason. Can't throw much money at someone who's going to miss at minimum 6 games, Goodell might suspend the whole yr if he signs with Dallas..

 

[xwalker]

that has about a snowball's chance in **** of happening. any jury will be effected by the fact that a judge has already found him guilty and the pictures of her afterwards are ridiculous.

Most trials are won or lost in the Voir dire (jury selection) process. It comes down to what specific jurors believe.

The witness were:
A woman that said she heard them arguing but didn't see anything.
His buddy.
The building security guy that didn't want to call the police and was uncooperative when they arrived.

The girlfriend tested positive for cocaine and has a history of drug use.

IIRC, she is white. I can see some old school brother on the jury that would just see her as a gold digging druggie and would not vote to convict him regardless of the evidence.