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Dick Cass: Baltimore Ravens Don’t Have a Zero Tolerance Policy For Player Discipline

By Brett Foote

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Sep 11, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney (left) talks with Baltimore Ravens president Dick Cass prior to the game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

After the Baltimore Ravens have gone through a heck of a time over the last year or so in regards to off field player incidents, there was understandably a lot of speculation that the team was going to get tough on players who found themselves in trouble going forward.  That belief was reinforced with action as the team has already released three players this offseason who found themselves in legal trouble, leading to speculation that the Ravens had imposed a “zero tolerance” policy in regards to player conduct.

But Ravens team president Dick Cass told ESPN at the NFL owners meetings Monday that this simply isn’t the case.

"“We have to look at each case individually,” Cass said.  “We look at a number of factors and make a decision based on those factors. It’s not a zero-tolerance policy at all. We’re still going to be willing to take second chances on people if they deserve it. I think it’s a mischaracterization to say it’s a zero-tolerance policy.”"

This is not at all a surprise, if you really think about it.  The three guys who have been released so far – Terrence Cody, Bernard Pierce, and Victor Hampton, were all fringe roster players to begin with.  Mixing in legal trouble just made the decision that much easier for the Ravens to go ahead and cut ties with them.

A true zero tolerance policy would mean that the Ravens would have to release every player, no matter who it was, that found themselves facing disciplinary action.  That means Joe Flacco, Jimmy Smith, or even Marshal Yanda.  Even though we’ve seen talented, Pro Bowl players like Greg Hardy get cut loose lately, that’s still a stretch for any team.

Talent always trumps fair play, whether you like it or not.  Teams want to appear to be tough on those that tarnish their image, but only to a certain extent.  They also want to retain the freedom to decide if keeping a player is “worth” the negative publicity their indiscretions will bring.  That, my friends, is simply the harsh reality of professional sports.

Next: Ravens Salary Cap Update: Mid Free Agency

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