Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy played in one game in 2014. He racked up four tackles and one sack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his last full season, Hardy had an outstanding 15-sack campaign. He's one of the best pass rushers in the league, but he also has serious character issues.
Hardy, who was convicted of domestic violence, recently had his charges dismissed after his accuser did not make herself available for the trial. Under the new domestic violence policy, Hardy can still face league punishment even though his charges have been dismissed.
But that did not stop the Dallas Cowboys from signing Hardy. The Cowboys and Hardy have agreed on a one-year, $11.3 million deal that can pay up to $13 million.
It's a really puzzling decision because the team refused to pay running back DeMarco Murray, who is a high-character player, but the Cowboys did pay Hardy. What's even more interesting is the fact that Jerry Jones came out and said that spousal abuse was intolerable six months ago.
"There's no question in my mind, the emphasis we have on spousal abuse in the NFL and the lack of tolerance for it," Jones said last September, while defending Roger Goodell's handling of the Ray Rice case. "It's intolerable and will be adjudicated accordingly."
Apparently his feelings on the subject changed in the matter of six months.
