Carolina Panthers Coach Ron Rivera is walking a tight rope in the case of defensive end Greg Hardy. The giant pass rusher is in limbo after being deactivated last Sunday. Hardy was convicted of assaulting and threatening his girlfriend, but is appealing the decision. Instead of suspending Hardy, the Panthers are choosing to keep him on the roster, so if he wins his appeal, they can play him. Hardy's case is just one in a long string of domestic violence incidents that have come to light in recent months.
Coach Ron Rivera is trying to play the middle ground so that he can have his cake and eat it too. In terms of public image, The Panthers can't afford to misstep after the Ray Rice mess, so Hardy is being deactivated. If he were suspended, and then exonerated by the court, then fans would criticize Rivera for making a hasty judgment (via SB Nation):
"If you play him and you win, then you have no conscience. If you play him and lose he's a distraction. We have to do what's right. None of us are infallible, we all make mistakes. It's important we get this right and we're doing the best we can."
On Sunday, Rivera made a statement concerning Hardy's status. It was vague. But it was true. The decision to bench him, but keep him in the fold may be the best football move, because if his appeal is successful, Hardy can rejoin one of the best defensive squads in the NFL (via ESPN):
"'I know y'all are wondering [about Greg Hardy],' Rivera said after Carolina's 24-7 victory against Detroit. 'I made the decision this morning. It was my decision because it was in the best interest of the Carolina Panthers.'"
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