The Baltimore Ravens once touted a “zero tolerance” policy, and rookie Mike Green is the latest stress test of that. Really, it’s not even a test, since they opted to draft him in the second round while knowing his history. As one would expect, they faced a series of questions about their decision and how they reached it.

“We investigated this situation very thoroughly”, Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said, referring to the allegations of sexual assault Mike Green faces. “We understand the severity of what these allegations were, of course. But doing our due diligence, we are comfortable with Mike [Green]. I personally spent an hour and a half with him in my office, and I think the best is yet to come with him, and I’m glad we have him”.

The Ravens volunteered the claim that the organization instituted a “zero tolerance” policy for off-field concerns after the Ray Rice issue. They did so when discussing QB Deshaun Watson, figuring it was a golden opportunity to seize the moral high ground. Yet when the Tucker allegations surfaced, they had to admit there is no “written, definitive” policy. This effectively means there is no policy since the Ravens can move the goal posts to draft players like Mike Green. I’m sure Tucker wishes they could literally move the goal posts these days, anyway.

After all, before drafting Green and after the Tucker allegations, the Ravens also re-signed OL Ben Cleveland despite a DUI arrest. At this point, it’s hard to say what this policy is supposed to be. Maybe it applies only to on-field play? Fortunately, they don’t have to worry about that here.

“The first thing that jumped out at me was his motor. He is a relentless player”, Ravens HC John Harbaugh said of Mike Green. “He plays like a guy that really cares. He comes off the ball, he’s very physical, and he does not stop playing until the final echo of the whistle. He’s physical, he’s aggressive, he plays the kind of football that we like to play”.

If it had not been for his off-field concerns, Green would likely have been a first-round draft pick. Many viewed him as the third-best edge defender behind Abdul Carter and Mykel Williams. During his college career, however, he faced a sexual assault allegation that prompted him to transfer schools. He also faced a similar allegation while in high school, which I’m sure the Ravens extensively vetted.

There are other issues for the team to consider, too—or at least one might think. Yet it almost doesn’t sound like the Ravens gave the allegations surrounding Justin Tucker much thought when considering drafting Green. “I don’t think it would be fair to either player”, DeCosta claimed, offering a clunky analogy about similar writing styles. But he once again reiterated that they take it seriously, so that’s got to count for something.