Dallas Cowboys in the news for all the wrong reasons
By Ben Grimaldi
Distractions seem to constantly surround the Dallas Cowboys, even in the offseason.
With the Dallas Cowboys, it’s always something. That comes with the territory when you play for America’s Team, the microscope is always on you.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, this offseason has been chock full of distractions. The most recent incident came last Friday when rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott was accused of domestic violence by his former girlfriend. That’s the latest commotion for the team during an offseason from hell.
In case you’ve forgotten, the list of incidents is way too for the Cowboys since last season ended.
· February 19: Defensive end Randy Gregory was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy.
· April 20: It was announced that defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was facing a possible four game suspension for failing a drug test.
· June 14: The team announced that running back Darren McFadden will miss eight weeks with a broken elbow after falling on it while he was trying to catch his IPhone. The story was updated a few weeks later when McFadden revealed the real cause of the injury; he slipped with the phone in his hand and fell on his elbow.
· June 22: Wide receiver Dez Bryant was sued for allegedly trashing a rental home owned by his former adviser.
· June 30: Linebacker Rolando McClain was suspended 10 games by the league for violating the NFL’s policy against substance abuse.
· June 30: Lawrence’s four game suspension was upheld.
· July 22: Ezekiel Elliott is accused of domestic violence.
That is not the way to go about your offseason.
While it’s important to note that Elliott has been questioned by the police and no charges have been filed at this time. Yet, the public image damage has likely been done. A portion of the public will condemn Elliott regardless and the incident paints the player and the team in a negative light.
Even if the rookie is indeed innocent, which witnesses have stated that he is, it’s a major distraction. And the Cowboys will likely have to answer questions about the episode for the next few months.
The bad publicity in Dallas goes beyond just this season. Last year, there was the four game ban of McClain, the signing and suspension of controversial defensive end Greg Hardy and the rap sheet that former running back Joseph Randle accumulated during his time with the Cowboys.
A few years ago, it was defensive lineman Josh Brent and his case of vehicular manslaughter after his crash resulted in the death of teammate Jerry Brown. Going back even farther, it was Dez Bryant and his legal woes over jewelry, how he wore his clothes at a mall and his own domestic violence issue.
Next: Dallas Cowboys five biggest road games of 2016
It’s always something with the Dallas Cowboys. They just can’t seem to stay out of the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Now add the Elliott situation to the very long list of troubling issues the Cowboys have had to deal with this offseason.
It’s always something.
You can chat with or follow Ben on twitter @BenGrimaldi