Dallas Cowboys: Greg Hardy’s impact will arrive in Week 5

By Stephen Forsha | Jul 17, 2015

The first part of the 2015 season for the Dallas Cowboys is starting to look more organized with the contract of Dez Bryant complete and the suspension of Greg Hardy lowered from 10 games to four.

We all knew the Cowboys and Bryant would get their contract talks settled before the season, but the biggest surprise of recent offseason news was the fact Hardy’s suspension was lowered by six full games, giving the Cowboys’ defense a fighting chance in ’15 to show the improvement they’ve made.

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Hardy played in just one game last season with the Carolina Panthers due to his offseason issues from a year ago, and he’ll most likely serve a four-game suspension this season, meaning in Week 5 he’ll make his in-season return against Tom Brady and the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

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That game is also scheduled (subject to change) of Brady following what is a current four-game suspension due to his role in “deflategate.”

There will also be a third player making his return in that ball game in Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain, who will be serving a four-game suspension for failing the league’s substance abuse policy.

Of the two returns for the Cowboys, Hardy’s presence so early in the season will make a great impact for the team for the fact he can work his way slowly back into game minutes, plus once he’s completely ready to go full-force, he’ll only help the progression (and take pressure off) of second-year defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.

But Hardy could return even sooner, according to a recent report.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com had this to say about the Hardy case:

"“With Hardy apparently willing to accept a two-game suspension, which is what his penalty would have been under the pre-Ray Rice Personal Conduct Policy, a ruling from a court would be needed before the Monday after Week Two of the regular season. Hardy also could seek a preliminary injunction, which would allow him to keep playing until the case is resolved.”"

Either way, Hardy’s presence will be felt earlier than expected for the Cowboys, and with a defense who couldn’t stop Aaron Rodgers, one leg and all, in the NFC Divisional Playoffs last season, a player with the talents of Hardy is needed.

This improved defense of the Cowboys might have some players with questionable decision making off the field, but for what it is worth, if they weren’t on the roster of the Cowboys, they would be on another NFL roster. We all know it is true.

In terms of his football playing ability, the Cowboys have a very solid player in Hardy, with a combined 204 tackles and 34 sacks since 2010. In his last full season of ’13, Hardy tallied 59 combined tackles and 15 sacks.

Jun 16, 2015; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy (76) in action during minicamp at Dallas Cowboys Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

In the span from 2012-13, Hardy collected 26 sacks and 120 combined tackles. Even last year in just a single game, he collected four tackles and one sack.

None of us really know how this volatile situation with Hardy will turn out, but the Cowboys have a history of dealing with troubled players and seeing a second chance at an NFL career work out.

For Hardy’s sake, it would be good to see him get his football life back in order, as it could help him away from the field if he feels he needs to do so.

Hardy will make an impact on this defense, and if he stays on the up-and-up away from football, he’ll become a very valuable asset for the Cowboys’ defense in ’15.

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