Pats Get Good News On Dennard

Pats Get Good News On Dennard

How well are things going for the New England Patriots franchise? Even when they’re not playing games they still win!

Thursday in Lincoln, Nebraska, Patriots defensive back Alfonzo Dennard was sentenced to 30 days in jail, beginning March 1, 2014, along with 2 years of probation and 100 hours of community service for assaulting a police officer in that town last year.

How did the Patriots win here? Simple.

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Dennard faced a maximum of 5 years behind bars but, instead, received only 30 days. However, the big surprise was Judge Stephanie Stacy’s decision to suspend the actual time behind bars until March of 2014.

Stacy’s said that Dennard’s lack of any prior criminal history helped him in receiving the sentence that he did. However, she also said that she issued jail time to underscore the seriousness of the offense.

What this means is that Dennard will not miss any time this spring or summer. He will be allowed to attend all of the team’s camps meaning he should be in line to start opposite Aquib Talib at cornerback this fall as he did late last season.

Dennard’s attorney, Terry Dougherty, also said that he would ask the judge to suspend that jail time if Dennard complies with the terms of his probation over the next 11 months.

Dougherty said NFL officials have told him that the league will not discipline Dennard, because of the fact that his arrest came the week before the draft. However, according to ESPN.com, an NFL spokesman said that Dennard's case would be reviewed for potential discipline from the league as it is customary in such cases to do so.