Jerry Jones wants to sign Greg Hardy to a long-term deal, even after sideline antics

We have yet to see what kind of behavior the Dallas Cowboys consider to be unacceptable when it comes to Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy.

Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett said Monday that Hardy would not be disciplined for a sideline meltdown late in the fourth quarter Sunday after the Cowboys gave up a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to the New York Giants.

A day later, owner Jerry Jones said the organization never even discussed disciplinary action against Hardy. Jones also said the team is looking to keep Hardy with the Cowboys for as long as possible.

“When we initially signed, talked to him, asked him to join the team, it was not only with the idea of a short-term [deal] but a long-term [deal],” Jones said of Hardy, who signed a one-year contract with Dallas in March. “Relatively speaking, he’s a young player and he certainly has the kinds of skills and impact that we want to look to the future with, with the Cowboys.”

Hardy, in only his second game with Dallas after serving a four-game suspension related to a domestic-violence case, was caught on camera breaking into the special-teams huddle and striking the clipboard of special-teams coach Rich Bisaccia before being shoved by Bisaccia and physically removed from the scene by teammates.

Hardy also appeared to have verbal confrontations with other players, including injured star receiver Dez Bryant.

After the 27-20 loss to the Giants, Hardy refused to answer reporters’ questions on any topic. Meanwhile, other members of the organization defended his actions.

“He wanted to get in there and kind of get after some of the guys a little bit, maybe get them fired up,” Bisaccia said. “It was just not the right time. It’s really not an issue. I just had to communicate what we were going to do next on the return, so I just really wanted him to move on so we could get going.”

“Greg Hardy is such a passionate player,” added safety Danny McCray, who said he got pushed by Hardy while in the special-teams huddle. “He was showing his passion that we gave up the lead and we needed to fix it. ... [Hardy] was just trying to get us fired up.”

Garrett said Sunday: “I was standing right there. I don’t think that’s an issue at all. When that happens, you encourage guys, you get guys excited, you try to get guys ready for the next challenge. I believe from my vantage point that’s what he was doing. You have to have passion.”

Jones said he was fine with Hardy’s actions. “No problem. That doesn’t bother me at all,” Jones said. “I welcome that. I would encourage it.”

Seems like it was just a couple of weeks ago that Jones was defending Hardy over some controversial statements. Oh wait, it was. You’d think Hardy’s act would get old at some point.

By the way, Hardy has three sacks in his two games with the Cowboys. Not that it has anything to do with the topic at hand. ...