Dallas Cowboys Morning Links: Hardy’s Appeal, Super Bowl Bound?
In this Monday edition of Morning Links, when will we finally hear the results of the appeal from Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy‘s 10-game suspension? Plus, are the 2015 version of America’s Team really Super Bowl contenders? All that and much, much more as we dive into the best Cowboys news from around the web this morning.
No Greg Hardy ruling yet, 17 days later by Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
"Certain types of NFL disciplinary appeals apply a firm deadline for reaching a decision. The Personal Conduct Policy does not. Conducted under Rule 46 of the labor deal, the hearing officer is required to issue a written decision “[a]s soon as practicable” after the completion of the hearing."
Editor’s Note: This decision seems to be taking longer than most suspected. Whether that’s a good sign or not is anyone’s guess. Still, I’m fully expecting this legal battle to march forward regardless of the outcome of this appeal. So fans will have to wait even longer before we know the length of Hardy’s actual game suspension.
Hard to imagine Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant would skip regular-season games over contract stalemate by Brandon George, The Dallas Morning News
"Anyone who has ever watched Dez Bryant on a football field knows how passionate the Cowboys receiver is about the game. He exudes raw emotion. Bryant hasn’t participated in the first three weeks of Cowboys offseason practices as he holds out with hopes of signing a long-term contract extension."
Editor’s Note: I have to agree here. Bryant loves playing football too much to keep him off the field. Plus Jerry Jones and this front office remembers what happened when Emmitt Smith held out. There’s no need for Dez to prove his importance to this team. I think they’ll get a deal done in time.
Mailbag: Real Super Bowl contenders? by Todd Archer, ESPNDallas.com
"It is early and we don’t know how the rest of the offseason and training camp will go as far as injuries and things like that, but I do think the Cowboys can be contenders, yes. Right now I’d put the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks above them in the NFC and that’s it."
Editor’s Note: At this point, isn’t every team a Super Bowl contender? I mean. isn’t that the point? Every fan of every NFL team feels like their team could go to the Super Bowl next year. As for Dallas, they were just two games away last season. So, of course, they are contenders. Ask me again Week 17.
Eagles’ Jason Peters on Cowboys offensive line: ‘Guy for guy, they can’t touch us’ by SPORTSDAYDFW.COM
"“For most of the past year the Cowboys’ offensive line has been hailed as the best in the NFL. There’s some evidence for that: DeMarco Murray won the rushing title last year running behind the line. But Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters isn’t buying it.”"
Editor’s Note: You can tell just how much Peter’s hates the Cowboys in his comments. So, it’s hard to take them seriously. Still, according to Pro Football Focus, statically the Eagles were a better run-blocking team in 2014 than the Cowboys. But with Philly’s wacky offensive scheme, all their numbers are skewed. Watching the games, you can tell the Eagles’ offense isn’t as good as their numbers suggest. And likewise, their defense isn’t as bad as their stats. Blame Chip Kelly. Wait, I believe Philadelphia will start doing that for you in the next couple seasons.
Q&A with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dustin Vaughan by Kale Steed, Amarillo Globe-News
"Former West Texas A&M record-setting quarterback Dustin Vaughan is entering his second season as a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys. Vaughan took time from his off-season workouts to answer a few questions about his progression in the NFL."
Editor’s Note: Here’s a little weekend hidden gem for Cowboys fans. It isn’t often when you get to hear from the third-string quarterback in the midst of OTA’s like this. So it’s great to get his prospective on all the things we’ve been speculating about the past few months. But now I really want to ask him what Tony Romo is like…
Next: The Dez Bryant Dilemma: Will The Cowboys Draw A Line In The Sand?