Greg Hardy - Pro Football Rumors

Greg Hardy May Join Indoor Football League

March 29th, 2017 at 5:35pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Salt Lake Screaming Eagles of the Indoor Football League are allowing a fan vote to decide whether embattled defensive end Greg Hardy will join their roster in 2017, the club announced today. At last check, 61% of respondents are in favor of signing Hardy.

“[Hardy] has expressed a strong desire to join the Screaming Eagles as a way for him to showcase his football skills and prove worthy of another chance,” reads the team’s press release. “As a football player, Hardy is a physically gifted pass-rusher who could make an immediate impact on our defensive line. As an off-the-field member of the community, there are past allegations and arrests that he carries.”

The Indoor Football League is the second organization willing to give Hardy another chance at the gridiron, as Hardy is among the former NFL players who has committed to play in the Spring League. Hardy, who has also embarked on an MMA career, didn’t play in 2016 after a myriad of off-field issues dissuaded NFL clubs from signing him to a contract.

Still only 28 years old, Hardy is an exceptional talent on the field, as he posted 26 sacks from 2012-13. But given his history of violence and drug use, and a lack of effective play in the past three years, it’s unclear if Hardy will ever get another NFL opportunity.

Kellen Winslow, Ben Tate Join Spring League

March 22nd, 2017 at 11:57am CST by Zachary Links

The Spring League kicks off in April and it will feature some notable names looking to resurrect their football careers. Defensive end Greg Hardy, tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., cornerback Brandon Browner, and running back Ben Tate are among the players who have been confirmed as participants, according to a press release.

Winslow has not played in an NFL game since the 2013 season and we haven’t heard much from him since he worked out for the Packers last August. Tate, a former second-round pick, showed lots of promise in Houston but could not capitalize on a starting opportunity with the Browns in 2014. Hardy and Browner first committed to the league in early March.

The Spring League consists of four teams comprised of veteran free agents. The league will conduct practices and play six games from April 5 through April 26. Players who are currently on NFL rosters will not be eligible to participate.

The league has secured five quarterbacks thus far, including Chiefs 2011 fifth-round pick Ricky Stanzi and NFL practice squad journeyman McLeod Bethel-Thompson. At wide receiver, there’s former Ram Brandon Gibson, Jets 2014 fourth-round pick Jalen Saunders, and one-time Bills WR2 David Nelson. Former Jets defensive back Ellis Lankster and Texans 2013 third-round defensive tackle Sam Montgomery will also be suiting up for The Spring League next month.

The full list of players can be found below. In addition to those listed here, Pro Football Rumors has learned that another 30 players are expected to join prior to the start of training camp.

Quarterbacks

Hutson Mason
Ricky Stanzi
McLeod Bethel-Thompson
Zach Kline
Jeremy Cannon

Running backs

Zachery Bauman
Kelsey Young
Josh Robinson
Ben Tate
Noel Devine
Adam Cox (FB)

Wide receivers

Jalen Saunders
David Nelson
Kenzel Doe
Brandon Gibson
Daje’ Johnson
Gavin Lutman
Tyler McDonald
J.D. Woods
Sed Cunningham
Lawrence Smith
Terrance Lewis
Rashon Ceaser
Kendrick Wiggins

Hardy, Browner Commit To Spring League

March 2nd, 2017 at 4:47pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Former NFL stars Greg Hardy and Brandon Browner have committed to play in the Spring League, according to its CEO, Brian Woods (via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com). The league, whose six-game season will take place from April 15-26, isn’t affiliated with the NFL. However, NFL scouts will be on hand to watch, so it could be a way for Hardy, Browner and other ex-pros to showcase their skills and perhaps return to football’s highest level.

Once a top-caliber defensive end, Hardy’s stock began plummeting when he was found guilty in 2014 of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, though her decision not to testify against him led to the dropping of charges. Then a member of the Panthers, Hardy sat out all but one game that season after commissioner Roger Goodell placed him on the league’s exempt list.

Hardy joined the Cowboys as a free agent in 2015, but he served a four-game suspension to begin the year and was an off-field headache and public relations nightmare during his 12-game Dallas stint. Nobody signed Hardy last year as a result, and he was indicted on a felony count of cocaine possession in November. He then attempted to become a mixed martial artist last fall, but it didn’t take. Despite his myriad off-field issues, Hardy is certainly talented enough to play in the NFL, evidenced by his 40 sacks in 75 games.

Like Hardy, Browner has a past suspension on his resume (for substance abuse) and didn’t play at all in 2016. The defensive back did land a contract last offseason, but the Seahawks ultimately cut him in late August after his effort to move from cornerback to safety didn’t pan out.

Now 32, Browner, was a high-level defender in Seattle and New England from 2011-14, when he combined to start in all 45 appearances, intercept 11 passes and win two Super Bowls. However, he declined sharply as a Saint in 2015. While Browner started all 16 of the Saints’ games that season after inking a three-year, $15MM contract in free agency, he rated dead last in performance among Pro Football Focus’ 113 qualified corners and set the league’s penalty record. New Orleans subsequently cut Browner and he hasn’t played a meaningful snap since.

Greg Hardy Attempting Comeback

January 30th, 2017 at 6:32pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Disgraced former NFLer Greg Hardy was attempting to become a mixed martial artist last fall, but he’s now looking to get back on the gridiron. Hardy has submitted an application for a spot in the newly formed, four-team Spring League, reports the Associated Press. If approved, he’d join ex-NFL tight end Kellen Winslow II and perhaps former pros Johnny Manziel and Ray Rice, both of whom have received invitations to participate in the league – which isn’t affiliated with the NFL.

Like Rice, Hardy is a controversial figure because of a domestic violence incident. Once a star defensive end, Hardy’s stock began plummeting when he was found guilty in 2014 of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, though her decision not to testify against him led to the dropping of charges. Then a member of the Panthers, Hardy sat out all but one game that season after commissioner Roger Goodell placed him on the league’s exempt list.

Hardy joined the Cowboys as a free agent in 2015, but he served a four-game suspension to begin the year and, while productive in 12 games, was an off-field headache and public relations nightmare in Dallas. Nobody signed Hardy last year as a result, and he was indicted on a felony count of cocaine possession in November.

Despite his myriad off-field issues, Hardy is certainly talented enough to play in the NFL, evidenced by his 40 sacks in 75 games. Some scouts from around the pros will be on hand to observe Spring League games, which will take place in April and could include Hardy. The 28-year-old won’t earn a salary if the Spring League accepts him. Landing another NFL contract, although unlikely, would certainly offset that.

Greg Hardy Indicted On Felony Drug Charge

November 8th, 2016 at 6:28pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

A Dallas Grand Jury indicted free agent defensive end Greg Hardy on a felony count of cocaine possession Monday, A.J. Perez of USA Today was among those to report. Hardy could now face jail time or a fine.

Hardy’s indictment stems from a Sept. 25 arrest in Richardson, Texas, where police pulled over the 28-year-old on a traffic violation and, after he allowed them to search his car, found cocaine (0.7 grams) and marijuana remnants. Hardy told police at the time that he didn’t know what was in the bag, claiming that someone gave it to him at a party the previous night.

The immensely talented Hardy was unable to find work between the end of last season, which he spent with the Cowboys, and his arrest thanks to an alarming history of off-field problems. The NFL suspended Hardy for nearly all of the 2014 season and part of the 2015 campaign for a domestic violence incident. The Cowboys then gave the controversial pass rusher a second chance, and he performed well with six sacks in 12 games, but Hardy was a headache for the club’s coaching staff and his presence on the roster was a public relations nightmare. As a result, the Cowboys decided not to re-sign him.

Months after his stint with the Cowboys ended, Hardy drew offseason interest from the Jaguars, Redskins and a mystery team, but each opted against adding him. If Hardy’s career in the league wasn’t over when those organizations passed on him, it likely is now. In a combined 75 games with the Panthers and Cowboys, Hardy amassed 40 sacks – including a personal-high 15 in 2013, the year of his only Pro Bowl appearance. He’s now attempting to become a mixed martial artist.

Extra Points: Hardy, Siemian, LaFell, Patriots

October 14th, 2016 at 9:07pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Defensive end Greg Hardy‘s NFL career could be over because of his myriad off-field issues, the latest being a September drug possession charge. Hardy is now eyeing a career in mixed martial arts as a result, and UFC president Dana White hasn’t ruled out eventually signing the 28-year-old if he proves he’s worthy of a contract (a big “if,” of course).

In a Wednesday appearance on FOX Sports 1’s “Speak For Yourself,” White said of Hardy (via MMAFighting.com), “I’m one of those guys too who believes that we’re all human beings and we all make mistakes. And when you make a mistake, you pay your penance, whatever it might be, and you should be allowed to make a living and move on in your life. Is he good enough to come into the UFC and fight? I highly doubt it.”

More on the NFL, including news on another free agent:

A year before the Broncos drafted him in 2015, quarterback Trevor Siemian was disappointed that the Patriots selected Eastern Illinois signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo, writes Kalyn Kahler of TheMMQB. Siemian, who had just finished his penultimate season at Northwestern, hoped to end up behind Tom Brady in New England the next year, his former college roommate and teammate told Khyler. “He was like, ‘Ahh I think I could have done well in that offense,’” ex-Northwestern center Hayden Baker said. As a seventh-round pick, Siemian went much lower than Garoppolo did the previous year (Round 2), though it’s the former who’s now an NFL starter. Siemian took over the role after sitting behind Peyton Manning on a Super Bowl-winning team as a rookie and has performed well this year for the 4-2 club. Garoppolo was even better during his first three starts this season, but injuries and the return of Brady from a four-game suspension have combined to send him back to the bench.
With the Bengals and Patriots set to square off Sunday, Cincinnati receiver Brandon LaFell spoke Friday about the end of his two-year New England tenure (via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com). “I played great my first year. My second year, I was an average guy and that’s why they had to let me go,” said LaFell, who played in all of the Super Bowl-winning Pats’ games in 2014 and finished the regular season with 74 receptions, 953 yards and seven touchdowns. In 11 games last year, LaFell’s catch total fell by half (37), he failed to find the end zone, and he dropped six passes. Those struggles led New England to release LaFell in March, and the 29-year-old revealed Friday that a left foot injury contributed to his woes in 2015 and helped bring about the end of his stint with the Pats. “I could never get back into my rhythm and get back to playing like the way I know how to play,” he said. “I felt like I was hurting the team going out there playing half-injured, but we had so many other guys at the receiver position that were hurt, so I had to play.” Healthy again, LaFell has amassed 21 catches, 276 yards and two scores in his first five games as a Bengal.
After pleading guilty Oct. 6 to vehicular-assault and hit-and-run charges, free agent fullback Derrick Coleman avoided jail time Friday. A potential 12- to 14-month sentence was on the table for the former Seahawk, who was instead sentenced to 240 hours of community service and 12 months of community supervision, according to the Seattle Times. Earlier Friday, the NFL hit Coleman with a four-week suspension.

Greg Hardy Transitioning To MMA

October 11th, 2016 at 10:07am CST by Zachary Links

Could Greg Hardy go from the gridiron to the octagon? The controversial defensive end says that he’s changing sports and shifting his focus to mixed martial arts.

“I’m very focused and excited to start my MMA career,” Hardy said in a statement provided to Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com. “I’m going to do this the right way, I can assure you of that.”

Hardy, once a top defensive player in the NFL, was suspended for the bulk of the 2014 season and part of the 2015 season for a domestic violence incident. The Cowboys gave Hardy a second chance, but he was reportedly a thorn in the side of coaches. This offseason, teams were unwilling to take on all of the headaches that would come with signing Hardy and it now sounds like he is moving on from football altogether.

Hardy does not have a real MMA background to speak of, but his reps claim that several promotions have already expressed interest in signing him. Hardy’s team says that he currently weighs around 285 pounds and plans to fight as a heavyweight when he debuts, most likely in 2017. Under the unified rules of MMA, heavyweights weigh-in between 206 and 265 pounds.

It’s not immediately clear whether the UFC would consider signing Hardy, but the company has shown a willingness to sign non-traditional celebrity fighters in the past. In 2010, the UFC signed boxer James Toney for a one-off fight against ex-champ Randy Couture. Last month, former WWE superstar C.M. Punk made his octagon debut when he fought Mickey Gall in a welterweight bout. The UFC may not want to put on another “freak show” fight so close to Punk’s unsuccessful debut, but another major promotion such as Bellator would likely have serious interest in the former defensive end.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Greg Hardy Arrested On Drug Charge

September 26th, 2016 at 5:35pm CST by Zachary Links

Former Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy was arrested late Sunday night on a drug possession charge, according to Claire Z. Cardona of The Dallas Morning News. Hardy has been a free agent since the conclusion of the 2015 season.

The former Pro Bowler was stopped shortly before midnight on a traffic violation. When cops pulled Hardy over, they found that he was in possession of a “group 1” controlled substance. In the state of Texas, there are a number of drugs that fall within that category, so it is not immediately clear what Hardy was caught with.

In terms of pure talent, Hardy is arguably the most fearsome defensive free agent in the NFL. Of course, it is his off-the-field baggage that has left him without a job. Hardy’s well-publicized domestic violence incident kept him out of the game for most of 2014 and the first quarter of the 2015 season. In 12 games for the Cowboys last season, Hardy totaled 35 tackles, six sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. While those aren’t bad numbers by any means, they weren’t in line with Hardy’s previous work. Between 2011 and 2013, the former sixth-round pick averaged 56 tackles and 10 sacks a season.

Hardy was already facing an uphill battle to get back into the NFL, but that possibility seems more remote than ever.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jags Owner: Team Not Considering Greg Hardy

August 19th, 2016 at 3:30pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars are the only team to have worked out Greg Hardy so far this offseason. But don’t put money on the Jaguars signing him. In an interview this week, owner Shad Khan indicated that the team has not given serious thought to signing the defensive end.

“Well, I mean, to me, there are a lot of issues,” Khan told Hays Carlyon of The Florida Times-Union. “You have to understand them all and the only way is to experience them first-hand. What the upside/downside might be – I think we’re not even close to a decision like that.”

Khan’s words jibe with earlier reports which indicated that the Jaguars only worked Hardy out with the intention of keeping him on a list of players to call in the event of an injury. The owner confirmed that he met with Hardy personally, but would not divulge his own personal evaluation of him.

“I’ve met with dozens of players,” Khan said. “As a matter of fact, I’m meeting with players today. I just started doing this a year-and-a-half ago, because I want to get to understand them as human beings and what we can do to support them going forward.”

From a football perspective, adding Hardy would give the Jaguars a serious weapon in support of starters Dante Fowler Jr. and Jared Odrick. Of course, signing Hardy also means potentially dealing with his bad attitude, tardiness to practice, and boycotts from fans who do not want to see him on the field.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Cowboys (Again) Rule Out Greg Hardy

August 17th, 2016 at 9:38am CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys front seven has been decimated in recent weeks thanks to off-the-field issues. Linebacker Rolando McClain – once viewed as a great comeback story – is reportedly battling an addiction to codeine cough syrup and has been handed a ten-game suspension. Defensive lineman Randy Gregory is in a treatment facility and could be suspended for 10-14 games if his longshot appeal is not successful. Also, star defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence will be suspended for the first four games of the season after violating the NFL’s policy on substances of abuse.

So, what will the Cowboys do to help fill the void? Could they be desperate enough to tackle this rash of suspensions by welcoming back troubled defensive end Greg Hardy?

“I don’t see that happening. We certainly had that experiment, and unfortunately it didn’t work out,” Cowboys VP Stephen Jones told Mike Florio of PFT. “We’ve moved on and we think we’ve got some good football players on our defensive line that should only get better. They’re young. I’m certainly not naive, I know we don’t have proven production on that defensive line as we sit here today, but I do think we have some good athletes that are only going to get better.”

Jones did say the Cowboys would keep their “eyes peeled” with regards to adding a veteran to their defensive line. However, that lineman will not be Hardy.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus claims there is “substantial” interest in his client, though the Jaguars are the only team to have auditioned him so far.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.