Veteran defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford had a big year for the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, but they may have to begin the upcoming season without him if he faces disciplinary action from the NFL.
Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com reports that Crawford is facing a charge of misdemeanor unlawful assembly that stems from an altercation he had at a bar back on March 15. The 29-year-old has been accused of throwing a punch at someone and instigating a fight at Coyote Ugly in Panama City Beach, Fla. Court records show he was charged via a summons and pleaded not guilty on April 12. A pre-trial hearing for the case is scheduled for June 13.
Crawford, a former Boise State star who was drafted by the Cowboys in the third round back in 2012, recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks in 2018. He has missed just four games in his six NFL seasons and has been a reliable player on the Dallas defensive front.
For whatever reason, the Cowboys seem to have more disciplinary problems with their defensive line than any other team in the league. The NFL will likely wait for Crawford’s case to play out before making a decision, but players can be fined and/or suspended even if they end up being cleared in court.
NFL contracts are often a hot-button issue. People love to debate who’s making too much, too little, who deserves more, and who is overpaid. Some athletes outplay their deals, while others cash in and fail to deliver. Teams obviously try hard to avoid the latter situation, but sometimes things don’t work out as hoped.
With all of that in mind, here’s a look at the worst contract on every NFL team entering the 2018 season.
Arizona Cardinals – Jermaine Gresham, TE
After signing him to two consecutive one-year deals, the Cardinals suddenly decided to invest heavily in Jermaine Gresham, signing him to a four-year, $28 million deal with $16.5 million guaranteed. The $7 million annual salary far exceeds any contract Gresham had previously signed, which is curious considering he hasn’t exceeded 500 yards in a single season since 2012 with the Cincinnati Bengals. Add in that Greshman is now on the wrong side of 30, and it’s easy to understand how he made this list.
Normally when an athlete is upset about their video game counterpart, it’s because they think their rating is unfair. That’s not the case with Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford.
Crawford was not pleased with Madden 19’s portrayal of him — particularly his gut — and made quite clear on Twitter that this would not do.
YO @EAMaddenNFL we need to have a talk. This is unacceptable. Forget my stats. What’s up with the photo? Who on your staff felt it ok to make my body look like humpty-dumpty? I DEMAND A REVIEW! pic.twitter.com/WgL3sMjlvi
— Tyrone Crawford ???????? (@TCrawford98) July 23, 2018
Crawford can take solace in the fact that, no matter how badly he was portrayed here, they still did a better job than the makers of this video game did.
NFL contracts are often a hot-button issue. People love to debate who’s making too much, too little, who deserves more and who is overpaid. Some athletes outplay their deals, while others cash in and fail to deliver. Teams obviously try hard to avoid the latter situation, but sometimes things don’t work out as hoped.
With all of that in mind, here’s a look at the worst contract on every NFL team.
Arizona Cardinals – Jermaine Gresham, tight end
The Cardinals put an emphasis on re-signing tight end Jermaine Gresham and as a result, may have drastically over-paid for him. He hasn’t had over 460 yards receiving since 2012, has seen his catch rate hover around 60% in each of the previous two seasons and hasn’t scored more than two touchdowns since 2014. Those are mediocre numbers at best for a player signed to a four-year, $28 million contract with $16.5 million guaranteed.
Atlanta Falcons – Brooks Reed, defensive end
Brooks Reed is not exactly a bad player — he’s a high-motor guy who plays a very defined role. Of course, when the Falcons signed him to a five-year, $22 million deal in 2015 they expected much more. Instead, what they’ve gotten for $9 million guaranteed is 42 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in 28 games.
Baltimore Ravens – Joe Flacco, quarterback
When the Ravens signed Joe Flacco to a monstrous $120.6 million deal in 2013, many foresaw potential issues looming. However, at the time, Flacco was coming off of a magical postseason run that culminated with a Super Bowl XLVII victory. He had earned his money. But in 2016, facing a massive cap number, Baltimore was forced to extend Flacco with a three-year, $66.4 million deal. Now under contract through 2021, Flacco has cap hits above $24 million beginning next year and throughout the remainder of his deal, large dead cap numbers that render him uncuttable and guarantees that make him untradeable. Arguably, it’s the worst contract in the NFL.
The early news on Tyrone Crawford seems to be fairly encouraging.
Crawford was carted off the field on Tuesday at Dallas Cowboys camp in Oxnard with what appeared to be an ankle injury sustained while making a play on Ezekiel Elliott.
For now, two team reporters say Crawford has a lateral ankle sprain.
Confirmed from source, lateral ankle sprain for Tyrone Crawford…ie badly rolled ankle. But no break. Will be ready for start of season
Both reporters also say Crawford will be ready for the start of the season. That’s big for the Cowboys their issues along the defensive line. They’re already going to begin the season short-handed following David Irving’s suspension, so they didn’t want to lose Crawford for too much time.
Crawford, 27, missed two games last season, and then all of 2013 because of a torn Achilles’ tendon.
Tyrone Crawford was carted off the field during Dallas Cowboys practice on Tuesday in Oxnard after hurting his ankle.
Crawford went to tackle Ezekiel Elliott on a play and ended up rolling his right ankle, according to the Dallas Morning News. He was taken to the locker room for further evaluation.
Crawford has endured multiple shoulder surgeries, and a torn Achilles’ tendon during his career. The 27-year-old is entering the third year of a six-year, $45.67 million deal. The former third-round pick had 4.5 sacks last season and has rotated spots along the Cowboys’ defensive line.
Dallas Cowboys linemen Tyrone Crawford and Travis Frederick got into a fight at the team’s minicamp Wednesday and reports say a few punches were thrown.
Crawford (pictured), a defensive lineman, said he didn’t like the way Frederick, a center, grabbed him, and he called it disrespectful. The Dallas Morning News says there was some pushing and a few punches thrown between the two men. Zach Martin apparently lost his helmet during the scuffle, and Mackenzy Bernadeau and Crawford were still jawing a few plays later.
Coach Jason Garrett reportedly said afterwards that he was pleased with the way they moved on.
It wouldn’t be minicamp if there weren’t a fight between players. This sort of thing just happens when players bang heads repeatedly during practice.
