According to Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report, the Dallas Cowboys do not plan on resigning defensive end Greg Hardy.
According to Cole, it wasn’t Hardy’s domestic violence troubles that prompted the decision, but his partying and lack of conditioning.
So now that we know The Kraken will most likely be back on the market, one can’t help but wonder if the Panthers should bring back the guy who was the force behind their 2013 2nd ranked defense.
The Panthers ended the 2015 regular season with the 6th ranked total defense, 4th ranked rushing defense and 11 ranked passing defense – not so shabby. But with one game left in the season, it’s not too early to look to next year as the Panthers hope to continue their NFC dominance.
No matter how you feel about Greg Hardy personally, he’s a darn good football player and when he’s on the top of his game, his presence on anyone’s defensive line would be felt. Assuming an aging Jared Allen with a $8.5 million cap hit and Frank Alexander with his habitual substance abuse suspensions will not be on the Panthers roster next year. So, who will fill the void?
Mario Addison and Kony Ealy are good players and formidable backups, but are they good enough to be the force needed on the line to consistently get enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks? Will young and talented Ryan Delaire develop into a starting end? I’m sure these are questions Dave Gettleman will evaluate many times in the offseason, but he may or may not consider a few others….
Is Hardy the answer? He still has friends on the team, knows the system and can definitely play, but is he worth the inevitable attention that will come with him? Will Jerry Richardson, who is a very conservative owner sign off on it? Has Hardy put the troubles of his past behind him? Will he ever return to the 2013 form that Carolina fans new and love? Is he worth the risk?