The Cowboys will be "fined by the NFL under the club remittance policy for having three players on suspension," though the policy for this year is "still being finalized and the fine won't be tabulated until the end of the season," according to Clarence Hill Jr. of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. The fine "would have been $250,000 last year." The players suspended include DEs Randy Gregory, DeMarcus Lawrence and LB Rolando McClain. Sources said that Gregory, who was already suspended for the first four games of '16 for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, "has failed another drug test, putting him in the cross hairs of an additional 10-game suspension." Lawrence (four games) and McClain (10 games) also are out for "violating the substance abuse policy." Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones said that the team will "not change their philosophy on taking chances on risky players" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 7/28). ESPN's Adam Schefter noted the policy was "created to hold teams accountable for acquiring players who have violated various NFL policies, by fining the teams an amount that equals" up to 25% of the worth of the suspended players' salaries (ESPN.com, 7/27). But radio host Dan Patrick asked, "Is money really hurting Jerry Jones? Draft picks would hurt Jerry Jones. So if you want to discipline the Cowboys for taking the at-risk players, that would be the way to go about” (“The Dan Patrick Show,” 7/28).
CHARACTER MATTERS: Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott last week was accused of domestic assault, and YAHOO SPORTS' Charles Robinson wrote the team is "playing this situation very conservatively with their public statements." However, there is some "internal questioning" about the allegation and "how it unfolded." The Cowboys do not "want another repeat of the Greg Hardy embarrassment," so it is "taking this seriously." But there is a "strong sentiment internally that Elliott is solidly backed up by witnesses who refuted the alleged incident and that he will ultimately be cleared" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 7/27).
REAP WHAT YOU SOW: In Dallas, Rick Gosselin writes when teams "draft a headache, you get a headache." The Cowboys have "seen too many Hardys, McClains, Gregorys and Lawrences of late." Gosselin: "Character matters. When the Cowboys figure that out, maybe they can start competing for championships again" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 7/28). ESPN's Ian Fitzsimmons said, "Jerry has always had that mentality ... where he can take these wounded puppies and make them great watchdogs and just be a great family pet. Well, it's not working" ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 7/28).
