Suspension Means Saints Won’t Have to Face Cowboys DE Greg Hardy
The ongoing saga of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy took a turn in his favor yesterday when it was announced that his 10 game suspension was reduced to 4 games for the 2015 regular season.
The suspension was due in part to a domestic violence case Hardy was allegedly involved in with a former girlfriend and although the case was dismissed he was suspended due to league conduct violations.
The reduction is good news for both Hardy and the Cowboys since they could use the dominant pass rusher who has accumulated 204 tackles, 34 sacks, and 7 forced fumbles in five seasons.
May 27, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy (76) during OTAs at Dallas Cowboys Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
It’s also good news for the New Orleans Saints who won’t have to deal with “The Kraken” at least for the regular season.
The Saints are scheduled to play the Cowboys in New Orleans on October 4th for a Sunday night prime-time game at 7:30 p.m. CDT.
More from Big Easy Believer
- New Orleans Saints: Three biggest questions heading into the offseason
- New Orleans Saints: Three positives to take from playoff loss
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide vs. Sacramento Kings
- New Orleans Saints: Bold predictions for Wild Card Round vs. Vikings
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide in Los Angeles Lakers rematch
That just so happens to fall on the fourth and final game Hardy will serve in the suspension.
While he is not the sole threat on the Cowboys defense, Hardy is expected to bring a pass rush to a unit that ProFootballFocus.com had ranked at #18 overall and #19 overall on NFL.com.
He has caused some uncomfortable situations for quarterback Drew Brees since he was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of 2010.
Dec 22, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy (76) sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The 6-4, 281 lb Hardy has sacked Brees four times, hurried him into throws 11 times, and batted down one of his passes.
While that might not seem much, keep in mind he only played in one game last year and considering how porous the offensive line was, those totals would likely be higher.
It’s players like Hardy that have caused the Saints to rethink and retool their front offensive line with the addition of center Max Unger and select offensive tackle Andrus Peat in the first round of this years draft.
Brees was sacked a total of 20 times in 2014 along with being hit 44 times and hurried 159 times.
More from Drew Brees
- New Orleans Saints: Why Drew Brees’ injury will end up being a good thing
- 5 Reasons Why the National Media Doesn’t Consider Drew Brees Elite
- Saints Ticket Holders Could Be In For a Treat in 2016
- Are The Saints Out Of “Luck” With Brees Contract Talks?
- West Virginia and The Greenbrier Counting On Saints “Family”
Guard Jahri Evans was responsible for 6 sacks allowed with fellow offensive linemen Jonathan Goodwin, Terron Armstead, and Zach Strief following with 3 sacks allowed a piece.
Surprisingly guard Ben Grubbs who was seen to be underperforming only allowed one sack but did allow Brees to be hit 6 times and hurried on 27 plays.
The Cowboys defense as a whole should likely improve this upcoming season with the addition of Hardy as well as the return of linebacker Sean Lee who missed all of last year due to a torn ACL.
October 20, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee (50) during second half action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports
Other teams that won’t have to contend against Hardy will be the NY Giants(Week 1), Philadelphia Eagles(Week 2), and the Atlanta Falcons(Week 3).
If the suspension stands as it is then Hardy’s first action he’ll see will be against the New England Patriots on October 11th.
I mention if it stands because according to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Hardy is still considering if he will appeal the recent ruling to have the suspension reduced even further.
If that is true and it is reduced, then the Saints could be seeing Hardy after all on that Sunday night…..