Cowboys’ Rolando McClain Suspended 10 Games; DeMarcus Lawrence Suspension Upheld

It was literally almost a year ago, July 2nd, 2015, that you were getting ready for your July 4th festivities (Howdy, Jason Pierre-Paul!) and got wind that Rolando McClain of the Dallas Cowboys would be suspended to begin the upcoming NFL season.

363 days later… here we are, again.

Cowboys' LB Rolando McClain will be suspended the first 10 games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, per @toddarcher and me.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2016

The super awesome (sarcasm) thing about this is that instead of being suspended for 4 games, Rolando McClain will be forced to sit out a double digit amount – 10. While we’re on the subject of last year’s suspension, you might remember that McClain had to sit out along with the best pass rusher that the Dallas Cowboys employed at the time – Greg Hardy.

The good news just keeps on coming.

Also, Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence's appeal was denied, he is suspended 4 games, per @toddarcher.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2016

For the second year in a row the Dallas Cowboys will be without Rolando McClain (this time for 10 games as opposed to 4) and their primary pass rusher. There is a stark difference from last year, though. This time instead of it being just those two positions… Randy Gregory joined the party!

The Dallas Cowboys will be without the services of all three for the first four games of 2016. Rolando McClain will miss the next six. How did we get to this point?

So many internet soldiers like to beat up on the Cowboys and talk about how the team is full of certain types of personalities. This is why they say those things.

You know me. I’m an eternal optimist. I wrote five different incarnations of plans that gave us hopes for the playoffs in 2015, but this is a terrible situation to be in for the Dallas Cowboys.

I’ve been critical on here and in the world of social media about how drafting Jaylon Smith was a sign of arrogance from this front office. This is why. The Cowboys were trying to thread the needle on that and now are in a position where they willingly, and intentionally, sidestepped a player who can contribute this season (when so many of theirs can’t significantly) in favor of one who might never!

If the Cowboys have any hope this season players are going to have to rise to the occasion. Perhaps we’ll see Mark Nzeocha, who Staff Writer Sean Martin wrote about this week, take the reigns at middle linebacker for Rolando McClain.

At this point it wouldn’t take much to take away McClain’s reigns. He doesn’t want them. That’s evident in his overall disposition and lack of commitment/discipline to his teammates, coaches, and fans. Take the reigns away, Cowboys. For the sake of all of us.

How fed up are you with this kind of news? Let us know! Comment below, Email me at RJ@RJOchoashow.com, or Tweet to me at @rjochoa!