By David Moore , Staff Writer Contact David Moore on Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN
Jason Garrett preaches the importance of culture.
The Cowboys head coach insists that players be accountable to themselves, their teammates and the organization. He considers it one of the building blocks to a successful franchise.
Yet for the third consecutive year, suspensions force the Cowboys to open the regular season without key defensive starters.
What does that say about the culture Garrett has put in place?
A quick recap in case you've lost count:
2014: Orlando Scandrick, the team's best cornerback, is suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Scandrick admits he took a synthetic drug that has an amphetamine component. He swears it was done for recreational purposes, not to gain a competitive edge and apologizes. His suspension is reduced to two games.
2015: Middle linebacker Rolando McClain, the Cowboys' best defensive player during the previous season if Scandrick wasn't, is suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
2015: The Cowboys sign defensive end Greg Hardy knowing domestic abuse charges and an impending suspension hang over his head. He receives a 10-game suspension for violation of the league's personal conduct policy that is reduced to four games upon appeal.
2016: Randy Gregory, the favorite to start at right defensive end, is hit with a four-game suspension to open the season. Gregory has tested positive for marijuana going back to his days in college.
2016: DeMarcus Lawrence, the team's most productive defensive lineman in '15, awaits final notification of a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, sources said.
Separate circumstances led to each of these suspensions. You can argue these are individual failings more than a reflection of a flawed culture.
That carries weight if you're talking about one mistake, maybe two. But this is five suspensions for five different players on the same side of the ball in a span of 21 months. That's not a variance.
That's a trend.
Calling this an indictment of the culture Garrett has put in place is misleading and a bit unfair.
But it's certainly not an endorsement.
Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN
Jason Garrett preaches the importance of culture.
The Cowboys head coach insists that players be accountable to themselves, their teammates and the organization. He considers it one of the building blocks to a successful franchise.
Yet for the third consecutive year, suspensions force the Cowboys to open the regular season without key defensive starters.
What does that say about the culture Garrett has put in place?
A quick recap in case you've lost count:
2014: Orlando Scandrick, the team's best cornerback, is suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Scandrick admits he took a synthetic drug that has an amphetamine component. He swears it was done for recreational purposes, not to gain a competitive edge and apologizes. His suspension is reduced to two games.
2015: Middle linebacker Rolando McClain, the Cowboys' best defensive player during the previous season if Scandrick wasn't, is suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.
2015: The Cowboys sign defensive end Greg Hardy knowing domestic abuse charges and an impending suspension hang over his head. He receives a 10-game suspension for violation of the league's personal conduct policy that is reduced to four games upon appeal.
2016: Randy Gregory, the favorite to start at right defensive end, is hit with a four-game suspension to open the season. Gregory has tested positive for marijuana going back to his days in college.
2016: DeMarcus Lawrence, the team's most productive defensive lineman in '15, awaits final notification of a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, sources said.
Separate circumstances led to each of these suspensions. You can argue these are individual failings more than a reflection of a flawed culture.
That carries weight if you're talking about one mistake, maybe two. But this is five suspensions for five different players on the same side of the ball in a span of 21 months. That's not a variance.
That's a trend.
Calling this an indictment of the culture Garrett has put in place is misleading and a bit unfair.
But it's certainly not an endorsement.
Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN
