The Dallas Cowboys took a big chance when they signed Greg Hardy. The defensive end was fighting domestic violence charges while also standing in front of an incoming NFL suspension. Hardy is expected to be the anchor of the defensive front for the Dallas Cowboys, but the team will have to wait to see him. After mulling over an appeal of his four-game suspension, Hardy is accepting the punishment as Randy Gregory prepares to start.
According to ESPN's Todd Archer, Hardy is accepting the suspension and not fighting with an appeal. While he admits in a released statement that he is disappointed, he believes it is in the team's best interest if he eliminates distraction. The Cowboys certainly knew this was a possibility when they signed Hardy in the offseason which makes the drafting of Gregory that much more important.
"While I am terribly disappointed to miss the first four games of this season, I am absolutely determined that my issue is not going to be a distraction for the Cowboys," Hardy said in a statement through the NFL Players Association, via ESPN.com. "I have enormous affection and respect for everyone here, and having seen the impact a court case can have on an NFL organization, I believe it is in the team's best interest for me to announce that I will not pursue any further litigation."
With Hardy out of the mix, Gregory must immediately step up into the starting role while Jeremy Mincey helps out as well. Mincey stressed to the media that it was simply next man up while Gregory says he is prepared to play a big role early for the Cowboys. The rookie was considered to have first-round talent, but fell after a failed drug test drew some red flags next to his name. Gregory has impressed enough in the preseason to give the Cowboys some optimism.
"I'm just a rookie," Gregory said, via the Dallas News. I'm not going to go out there and expect too much out of myself, but I do expect a certain level of play out of myself. It's not all about sacks. There are other aspects of my game to work on. I'm not going to go and put my goals out there in public. I'll just let my play speak for itself.''
Gregory is not the only rookie expected to play a big role for the Cowboys in Week 1. La'el Collins could be getting the start on the offensive line while Byron Jones could be seeing playing time at both cornerback and safety following the injury to Orlando Scandrick. The first-round pick is battling both Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne for time on the field. Right now it is Gregory that will get the spotlight.
