There's an ideal scenario for the Dallas Cowboys in which Greg Hardy serves as a pass-rushing terror on the field who never says a word of note off it.
Things aren't that simple, however. Hardy made waves in his first post-suspension media availability on Wednesday, when he told reporters he planned to come out "guns blazin" against the Patriots. Later, Hardy was asked about Tom Brady, which prompted comments about Gisele, the quarterback's supermodel wife.
"I love seeing Tom Brady. He's cool," Hardy said. "Have you seen his wife? I hope she comes to the game, I hope her sister comes to the game, all her friends come to the game. One of my favorite games of the year, guys."
The comments about guns and Gisele were equally ill-timed, given Hardy's suspension came following a two-month investigation by the league into a disturbing firearms-related domestic violence incident involving an ex-girlfriend.
On Thursday, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said he had spoken to Hardy about his comments.
"We want to distinguish ourselves with our play, not with what you say," Garrett said, via the Star-Telegram. "... He understands that now."
The fact that Garrett needed to have a sit-down with Hardy within days of his return to the team doesn't reflect well on Hardy's mindset ... or the Cowboys' controversial decision to get into business with a talented player with a troubling past.