Cowboys News & Notes: Will Greg Hardy Be A Cowboy Beyond 2015?

Despite controversy, Hardy becomes quick hit with Cowboys - Drew Davison, The Star-Telegram
In this longform piece, Drew Davison looks at how Hardy ended up in Dallas, how he's been embraced by the Cowboys family since, and what could be waiting in the future.

There’s no question Hardy has ingratiated himself with fans on social media. He’s built a loyal following in his short time with the Cowboys. Hardy seems to embrace it all, and isn’t afraid of the spotlight. And that’s a good thing, considering the Cowboys have not only a strong national interest, but worldwide too.

"It is awesome to have a ton more fans, to have a lot more of you guys [the media] to hang out with because it gets lonely in the locker room. But I think it’s awesome."

So awesome, in fact, that Hardy doesn’t want his time with the team to last only 12 games. Instead, he said,

"I hope it lasts 12 years."

Moore: Is there a future for Greg Hardy in Dallas? | David moore, Dallas Morning News
In a chat with fans, David Moore shared his thoughts on the chances of Greg Hardy staying on in Dallas.

Question: Do you think that Hardy has any interest in staying with the Cowboys?

Moore: Hardy said last week that he wasn't here short-term, that he hopes to be with this organization for another 13 years. Putting aside the hyperbole, there's a chance he returns. It will depend on the price. He took a one-year deal because he felt that was the only way to drive up his value to be paid commiserate with his talent coming off his suspension. He was right. The question is how much will it cost to keep him? There's a lot to play out here before anyone can say he will be back or it's more likely that he lands elsewhere.

Michael Irvin: Cowboys should sign Greg Hardy to a long-term deal now - CBSSports.com
One game in, and Michael Irvin was already pushing for a new deal for Greg Hardy last week.

"I know a lot of people are mad at this dude, but I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is the first game.' To come back in the first game and do what that dude did, that was crazy," Irvin said during an appearance on CBS Sports Radio's 105.3 The Fan.

"I'm sorry everybody and I don't want to be insensitive, but while everybody's mad about the [rap] video, we should sign him to a long-term deal now," Irvin continued. "It was so impressive to see that, it was mind-boggling impressive."

What to make of Brandon Weeden's play, how Cowboys QB handles adversity - David Moore, SportsDay
Weeden is out as QB, but are there questions still left unanswered?

Question: Were there any positives to take away from the Brandon Weeden era?

Moore: It would have been interesting to see what he could accomplish if he had a full compliment of offensive players. He was bad against New England. I didn't think he was bad against Atlanta or New Orleans. He could have won either, or both, of those games if the defense hadn't played so poorly. So, do I think you can win with Brandon Weeden for a few weeks if the rest of your team is in place? Yes. But that's not the situation the Cowboys find themselves in at the moment.

Cowboys: Why Cassel Not Likely Better Than Weeden - Christian Blood, SportsDFW
A lot of fans are excited about the QB change, but not everyone is so optimistic.

Unless he’s willing to stretch the field in man coverage to allow, at the very least, some jump balls to pass-catchers like Terrance Williams, Devin Street or Gavin Escobar, I see nothing that opens up both passing and running lanes for this Dallas offense. Each of those targets are 6’3" and taller, which should create a big play here and there that at least changes field position.

Cowboys offensive line: Is the Great Wall crumbling? - Steven Mullenax, The Landry Hat
The Cowboys have all kinds of problems on offense, but how many of them are attributed to the big men up front?

Five weeks into the 2015 regular season and it appears the new Great Wall of Dallas is crumbling. The Cowboys offense currently ranks 14th in total offensive yards (1,741), 15th in passing yardage (1,210) and 16th in rushing (531). Although Dallas is currently without the services of running back DeMarco Murray (free agency), quarterback Tony Romo (clavicle) and wide recevier Dez Bryant (foot); the poor play of the touted Cowboys offensive line owns a large share of the blame for the team’s current 2-3 record.

Dallas Cowboys Must Return To Ground-Game Dominance - Michael Sisemore, Blogging The Boys
Michael Sisemore brings up the importance of getting back to the running game of old.

Top 15 photos from the Cowboys' first five games; Terrance Williams levitates, Erin Andrews can't even - SportsDay Staff
A stroll through memory lane with photos over the course of the first five weeks.

The 10 weirdest Cowboys stories this season, from pictures with state troopers to 'See you in February' | SportsDay Staff
It's been a strange first five weeks with a slew of interesting stories. Here are ten of them, including Tony Romo's exchange with Tom Brady after the Patriots game.

9. Tony Romo's 'See you in February' comment to Tom Brady The Cowboys had just got blown out by the Patriots, 30-6. All Tony Romo had to do was walk up and tell Tom Brady, 'good game.' Instead, he offered a 'See you in February,' referring to the Super Bowl. Whether Romo knew it or not, the exchange was captured by Showtime's "Inside the NFL," leaving Romo with a very public declaration to live up to.

How 10 of the newest Cowboys are faring so far this season - SportsDay Staff
A look at the new kinds on the block.

La'el Collins, Offensive lineman The Cowboys got the projected first-round pick as an undrafted free agent due to Collins being scheduled to talk to police after the draft about the shooting of his ex-girlfriend. Collins was never a suspect. Once he signed, many expected him to start right away. Despite impressing in the preseason, that didn't happen. Collins got his first NFL start in Week 3, when starter Ron Leary was injured. He called the experience, "amazing." Now as the Cowboys come out of their bye week, Collins is moving to the starting job full time, with Jason Garrett saying his tape just looked better than Leary's.

VOTE: Grade Cowboys' top 10 offseason moves; how have new acquisitions performed so far? - SportsDay Staff
How would you evaluate the Cowboys top moves of the offseason?

Machota: "It was obviously a highly controversial move. Hardy's off-the-field issues led to a 10-game suspension from the league. That has since been reduced to four games. Hardy could still fight to get that total reduced further. Either way, when the 2013 Pro Bowler gets on the field, he will instantly upgrade Rod Marinelli's group of rushmen."

Replacing Romo, Dez and DeMarco Murray: Vote and grade these 10 Dallas Cowboys players, units -  Dallas Morning News Staff
How would you grade the Cowboys at each of the position groups? Well, here is your chance.

'Star Wars' trailer to play during 'Monday Night Football' - San Antonio Express-News Staff
Monday night's match-up will feature two teams from the dark side. At least there will be one thing we can all cheer for.

Tune in, you must.