Cowboys’ Jerry Jones: Orlando Scandrick suspension ‘really does disappoint us’

The Dallas Cowboys will be without cornerback Orlando Scandrick in the first four games of the upcoming season after being suspended for violating the NFL’s drug policy. It is a big loss for a Cowboys’ defense already dealing with injuries and depth issues.

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“It’s certainly a setback, mainly for our team, and no one expresses that more than Orlando,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said during a radio interview on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM], transcribed by Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “But I have known about this for several months. This was an appeal process that he was going through. This was a performance-enhancing drug and one that without a doubt you can have some time no matter what your intention was. He’s one of our top, top off the field players.

“It really does disappoint us not only for the team but for him. I know no one regrets it more than he does.”

Of course the big issue many have with this is that Scandrick is being suspended four games for drinking a cocktail that had MDMA, or ecstasy, in it while Ravens running back Ray Rice got two games for hitting his fiancee. Many also felt like Scandrick’s case should be treated as a recreational drug violation, not performance enhancing.

“I know the amount of scrutiny it receives in the league is very sensitive about the consequences of these penalties,” Jones said. “But on the other hand, they want a zero tolerance posture in the program. There’s always room for interpretation and that’s as it should be, but the program of appeals is one that is without a doubt taken seriously by everybody involved.

“I’m confident that it did get a full hearing. I understand the complaint and I am also sympathetic with the complaint, but boy, there have been some circumstances that are just really sad that these guys can without a doubt, accidentally, and I mean accidentally, have a performance-enhancing drug and that not have been the intent when they took it to actually enhance their performance.”