The Greg Hardy Experiment

[Galian Beast]

I said earlier in the offseason that Greg Hardy would only be here one year if Lawrence and Gregory developed into what we think they can be.

I really don't believe that anymore. I think despite what you may think of Greg Hardy and what may have gone on off the field, the Kraken persona is going to quickly become the face of this defensive line and the face of this defense. I think he brings and attitude and energy to this defense that we didn't have with DeMarcus Ware.

I think when you combine him with Rolando McClain, they're going to establish a type of defense people don't necessarily expect from Dallas and would more readily expect it from the Ravens or the Steelers. I think combined with players like Sean Lee and Byron Jones, we're going to see an excellent defense. The combination of Hardy, Lawrence, and Gregory is going to be something very special and it's going to be special for a pretty long time.

I think you'll see Greg Hardy signed to a 3-5 year deal by the end of the season. I think that had McClain not gotten himself suspended, he would have been able to get a 5-6 year deal. It'll be interesting whether McClain's play and the overall performance of this defense moves the front office to even extend him at all at this point. I think he will be lucky to get a 1 year deal from the team depending on the development of Anthony Hitchens and his performance in the first four games of the year. It might not look like it, but they've built the future and the depth of the linebacker corps with Hitchens and Wilson, and maybe even Nzeocha (I expect him to be placed on IR) once he is healthy. I think this defense is well built, especially if Jones starts at free safety. I'd love to see us draft another corner high next year to replace Carr and or Claiborne.

 

[black label]

I said earlier in the offseason that Greg Hardy would only be here one year if Lawrence and Gregory developed into what we think they can be.

I really don't believe that anymore. I think despite what you may think of Greg Hardy and what may have gone on off the field, the Kraken persona is going to quickly become the fact of this defensive line and the face of this defense. I think he brings and attitude and energy to this defense that we didn't have with DeMarcus Ware.

I think when you combine him with Rolando McClain, they're going to establish a type of defense people don't necessarily expect from Dallas and would more readily expect it from the Ravens or the Steelers. I think combined with players like Sean Lee and Byron Jones, we're going to see an excellent defense. The combination of Hardy, Lawrence, and Gregory is going to be something very special and it's going to be special for a pretty long time.

I think you'll see Greg Hardy signed to a 3-5 year deal by the end of the season. I think that had McClain not gotten himself suspended, he would have been able to get a 5-6 year deal. It'll be interesting whether McClain's play and the overall performance of this defense moves the front office to even extend him at all at this point. I think he will be lucky to get a 1 year deal from the team depending on the development of Anthony Hitchens and his performance in the first four games of the year. It might not look like it, but they've built the future and the depth of the linebacker corps with Hitchens and Wilson, and maybe even Nzeocha (I expect him to be placed on IR) once he is healthy. I think this defense is well built, especially if Jones starts at free safety. I'd love to see us draft another corner high next year to replace Carr and or Claiborne.

 

[lkelly]

No way McClain was getting a long deal. They would never risk big guaranteed money on an unpredictable guy like that. This dates back to not just last year but prior seasons when he had retired and flaked out.

And as you saw in free agency, nobody was going to give him a long term deal. Dallas would have been bidding against themselves if they thought about a substantial contract.

As for Hardy, I think they are in wait and see mode. They would have to allocate a significant chunk of the cap to have him and he's still a wildcard when it comes to suspensions and arrests. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in another uniform next season and Dallas will take the compensatory selection if possible.

 

[Galian Beast]

No way McClain was getting a long deal. They would never risk big guaranteed money on an unpredictable guy like that. This dates back to not just last year but prior seasons when he had retired and flaked out.

And as you saw in free agency, nobody was going to give him a long term deal. Dallas would have been bidding against themselves if they thought about a substantial contract.

As for Hardy, I think they are in wait and see mode. They would have to allocate a significant chunk of the cap to have him and he's still a wildcard when it comes to suspensions and arrests. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in another uniform next season and Dallas will take the compensatory selection if possible.

Never said anything about big guaranteed money. I think that was always out the window. A long term deal, I don't think was, but his actions this offseason make it a lot more difficult to give him that.

I think the most he is probably going to be able to get is 4-5 million per year and that is if he plays lights out for 12 games and the post season.

 

[MagicMan]

I said from the beginning that Hardy would develope into the face of this new pressure defense because the pups would follow his lead. He would be the lead dog which every defense needs. As great as those newcomers may become, they are too young and need someone like Hardy to light their fire and learn how to be big time players.

Three positions on your team that you pay big for and that is QB, OT and DE. Franchise players in those positions do not come often enough and when you get one, especially in his prime, you would be foolish to let him go.

 

[windjc]

No way McClain was getting a long deal. They would never risk big guaranteed money on an unpredictable guy like that. This dates back to not just last year but prior seasons when he had retired and flaked out.

And as you saw in free agency, nobody was going to give him a long term deal. Dallas would have been bidding against themselves if they thought about a substantial contract.

As for Hardy, I think they are in wait and see mode. They would have to allocate a significant chunk of the cap to have him and he's still a wildcard when it comes to suspensions and arrests. I wouldn't be surprised to see him in another uniform next season and Dallas will take the compensatory selection if possible.

How is he a "wildcard"??

 

[AshyLarry06]

Agree wholeheartedly with The op,Greg Hardy will be an absolute beast for us this year in my opinion . Also, jmho but I have no doubt in my mind that, if he is able to play at the elite level that he's capable of, he will undoubtedly receive a lucrative long-term deal at the end of the season.

I am also of the opinion that this defense (n d-line more specifically) will not only improve their sack outputs from last yr but, n I may be stretching it, I believe this group will put up HISTORICALLY great sack totals n I'm talking up there with the highest sack totals of all time...

 

[PhillyCowboysFan]

We had a very good defense in the early 90's. Thanks a good part to Haley. They where very good in all aspects of their game. Yards and points allowed and turnovers. There time of position was good also but must of that was because of our offense. With that said I'm not sure you would call them nasty. That defense that just terrorizes the other team. We have not had that since the "Doomsday Defense" of the 70's.

With players like Hardy and McClain, those types of personalities, I wonder if we can build a defense that will send fear to the opposing offenses?

 

[Kaiser]

I agree on resigning Hardy, also I think Hardy wants to resign here. On Twitter he Retweets fan tweets that call for him to be resigned to a long term contract.

 

[JDSmith]

I think the odds of Hardy getting signed long term are vastly larger than McClain. I'm not even sure McClain will make it back on the field as a Cowboy. He still has to stay drug free for another 2 months to even have a shot.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I said earlier in the offseason that Greg Hardy would only be here one year if Lawrence and Gregory developed into what we think they can be.

I really don't believe that anymore. I think despite what you may think of Greg Hardy and what may have gone on off the field, the Kraken persona is going to quickly become the face of this defensive line and the face of this defense. I think he brings and attitude and energy to this defense that we didn't have with DeMarcus Ware.

I think when you combine him with Rolando McClain, they're going to establish a type of defense people don't necessarily expect from Dallas and would more readily expect it from the Ravens or the Steelers. I think combined with players like Sean Lee and Byron Jones, we're going to see an excellent defense. The combination of Hardy, Lawrence, and Gregory is going to be something very special and it's going to be special for a pretty long time.

I think you'll see Greg Hardy signed to a 3-5 year deal by the end of the season. I think that had McClain not gotten himself suspended, he would have been able to get a 5-6 year deal. It'll be interesting whether McClain's play and the overall performance of this defense moves the front office to even extend him at all at this point. I think he will be lucky to get a 1 year deal from the team depending on the development of Anthony Hitchens and his performance in the first four games of the year. It might not look like it, but they've built the future and the depth of the linebacker corps with Hitchens and Wilson, and maybe even Nzeocha (I expect him to be placed on IR) once he is healthy. I think this defense is well built, especially if Jones starts at free safety. I'd love to see us draft another corner high next year to replace Carr and or Claiborne.

You can never have too many pass rushers.

 

[Kaiser]

You can never have too many pass rushers.

That's the added beauty of getting Randy Gregory in the 2nd round. You can keep him as a designated pass rusher on passing downs for several years (his best fit by far at this point) because he doesn't have the salary level or draft status to have an agent clamoring for a starting role.

I think Hardy, DLaw and Gregory are all going to have great seasons and Marinelli is going to look like a chess master moving players to different positions and sets.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I think you'll see Greg Hardy signed to a 3-5 year deal by the end of the season. I'd love to see us draft another corner high next year to replace Carr and or Claiborne.

You are correct about Hardy and we will draft a CB early next year no mattter the status of Mo or Carr.

 

[speedkilz88]

I hope they re-sign Hardy. I see a DL coming together that can take the team to Super Bowls. Just like the gnats managed awhile back.

 

[Szczepanik]

Any way cap wise to sign both Hardy and Crawford to extensions?

 

[Bullflop]

You can never have too many pass rushers.

Amen. That's something that can't be overstated. The more, the merrier.

 

[Jenky]

Any way cap wise to sign both Hardy and Crawford to extensions?

Could probably sign Crawford right now.

 

[Zman5]

Until we get very good safety play consistently, our defense will not be elite like the Ravens. Even when we led the league in sacks in 2007, the defense got exposed in the middle of the field.

When Steelers and Ravens defenses were elite, they had great safety play. Just like the Seahawks do now.

We can have a very good defense, but until our safety position is addressed, we will not have an elite defense.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Any way cap wise to sign both Hardy and Crawford to extensions?

The cap gurus can answer to the specific numbers but it's my understanding that it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[lkelly]

How is he a "wildcard"??

You must have missed the last year when the Panthers got an oh-so-reliable 1 game out of him despite paying him for a full healthy season. But don't worry, you can get a short encore this year when he isn't available for the first few weeks as a Cowboy. I think past performance is typically a good indicator of behavior. Aldon Smith waves hello from that train of thought.

Giving a massive contract to a guy who can't necessarily be counted on for the season (injuries not even factored in) is a tough sell. It's why Hardy is playing on a 1 year deal this year just like McClain. I'm sure the Cowboy fanbase would love for Hardy to suddenly turn into Ware off the field, but that's a big gamble to take. Jerry and Stephen have wisely avoided crazy contracts the last few years and I expect that strategy to continue.