Could the Cowboys be interested in these troubled players?

1 of 3

Nov 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. The Panthers defeat the Cowboys 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

We will discuss whether or not the Dallas Cowboys might be interested in adding a couple of troubled yet talented players.

It’s no secret that when it comes to Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys that trying to add talented players to the roster is one of his top priorities and it doesn’t usually matter what the player’s off field transgressions may be.

of course, the Cowboys aren’t the only team in the NFL that are willing to take chances on talented players that might have off the field issues if they believe that that player can come in and become a contributor to the team. It does seem however that America’s Team might be a little more willing than others.

More from The Landry Hat

Jerry Jones fully believes that the Cowboys organization can provide a structured atmosphere that can help these types of players and that is why they feel they can take a chance where other teams might not.

Let’s take a look at a few of the “troubled” players the Cowboys have taken a chance on in just the Romo/Witten era:

Terry “Tank” Johnson was a former second round pick by the Chicago Bears in the 2004 NFL draft, but only lasted three years with the team before off the field problems and an eight-game suspension handed down by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell led the Bears to release him.

Jerry Jones decided to sign him to a two-year deal in 2007 even though he had to miss the first eight games due to his suspension. In 2008, he mainly played a reserve role on defense and was not re-signed once his contract expired.

Adam “Pac-Man” Jones had a long list of off the field problems, but that didn’t stop Jerry Jones from trading away a fourth-round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft to the Tennessee Titans to secure his services.

The Titans were willing to trade Pac-Man because he was facing a year-long suspension in 2007 because of his involvement in numerous run-ins with the law, and especially his questionable involvement in a shooting in Las Vegas at the Minxx strip club.

Pac-Man was reinstated for the 2008-2009 season, but his tenure with the Cowboys didn’t last long. He was released in 2009 after the Cowboys found out that he was a suspect in a shooting outside a strip club in Atlanta.

Terrell Owens might not fit in the same type of category as Tank Johnson or Adam Jones, but I believe he still fits in the category of a troubled player.

Owens’ diva personality led to him being a cancer in the locker room for every team he played for throughout his NFL career, but Jerry Jones still decided to sign this talented receiver. This move actually paid off because he was productive during his time at the Cowboys (2006-2008). His attitude however did end up probably prompting his release in 2009, an act that left Owens feeling blindsided and betrayed by Jerry Jones and the Cowboys organization.

The most recent troubled player that Jerry Jones and the Cowboys decided to take a chance on was Greg Hardy.

They signed Hardy to a one-year deal worth $11.3 million on March 18, 2015 even though they knew that the league would be handing down a suspension due to his domestic violence arrest. On April 22, 2015 he was suspended 10 games but it was later reduced down to four.

Again, this transaction didn’t really work out like the Cowboys would have liked. They signed Hardy believing that he would help add a much-needed spark to the pass rush, something that never really materialized. It is still unknown where they stand about whether or not he will be re-signed.

We can also add linebacker Rolando McClain to this list. McClain has had his fair share of off the field issues and has even retired/unretired twice in his NFL career.

As you can see, history suggests that trying to add talented yet troubled players hasn’t worked out the way Jerry Jones and the Cowboys would have liked, but there are a couple of players they could take a hard look at during the off-season and determine if it is actually worth the risk of signing such players.

Next: A Troubled Cleveland Brown...The Other One

Home/Cowboys News