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Bills WR Hardy Faces Lofty Year One Expectations

Boba_tiny by Brian Galliford on in Opinion


Hardy's rookie task a tall order: score often (Photo Source)

Score.  The Buffalo Bills could not do enough it of last year, but as a junior wide receiver at Indiana University, James Hardy did plenty of it.  In 2007, Bills quarterbacks (helped out once by running back Marshawn Lynch) threw 12 touchdown passes.  In 2007, Hardy notched 16 receiving touchdowns by himself.

So, naturally, Hardy's rookie season in Buffalo comes with lofty expectations.  He is very likely to start immediately next to veteran receiver Lee Evans, who also saw a significant statistical drop-off last season.  Hardy's 6'5", 217-pound frame makes him a full head taller than any other Bills receiver; and, because of that height, Hardy's expectations are even larger than normal.

What, then, can be considered a "successful" rookie season for Hardy?  We've heard all of the cautions about rookie receivers and how they generally don't produce in their inaugural NFL campaigns.  But it's clear that the Bills need something out of Hardy this season.  In order to get an idea of what a player like Hardy has done historically as a rookie, I decided to compile a little data.  Here's a list of rookie receiver numbers, with two criteria to make the list - these receivers are all at least 6'3" in height, and save the anomaly year (see below), all were drafted in the first two rounds.

2003 - Receivers go #2 and #3 overall in the draft
- Charles Rogers, WR, Detroit (Round 1): 22 receptions, 243 yards, 3 TD
- Andre Johnson, WR, Houston (Round 1): 63 receptions, 688 yards, 2 TD
- Tyrone Calico, WR, Tennessee (Round 2): 18 receptions, 297 yards, 4 TD

2004 - The year of the "big receiver"
- Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona (Round 1): 58 receptions, 780 yards, 8 TD
- Roy Williams, WR, Detroit (Round 1): 45 receptions, 687 yards, 8 TD
- Reggie Williams, WR, Jacksonville (Round 1): 35 receptions, 445 yards, 0 TD
- Michael Clayton, WR, Tampa Bay (Round 1): 80 receptions, 1139 yards, 7 TD
- Michael Jenkins, WR, Atlanta (Round 1): 36 receptions, 508 yards, 3 TD

2005 - Looking for a Larry/Clayton repeat
- Braylon Edwards, WR, Cleveland (Round 1): 32 receptions, 512 yards, 3 TD
- Mike Williams, WR, Detroit (Round 1): 8 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD
- Matt Jones, WR, Jacksonville (Round 1): 36 receptions, 432 yards, 5 TD
- Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego (Round 2): 3 receptions, 59 yards, 0 TD

2006* - Well, that didn't work.  No big receivers early!
- Maurice Stovall, WR, Tampa Bay (Round 3): 7 receptions, 102 yards, 0 TD
- Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver (Round 4): 20 receptions, 309 yards, 2 TD

2007 - The shortage of tall wideouts early continues
- Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit (Round 1): 48 receptions, 756 yards, 4 TD
- Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota (Round 2): 31 receptions, 396 yards, 4 TD

Tall receivers don't buck the trend - this group was still wildly inconsistent across the board as rookies.  Part of it was opportunity - guys like Calico, Jenkins, Jackson and Marshall did not get an awful lot of playing time as rookies (though some of them did have surprisingly nice stat lines considering their scenario - see Marshall).  Others had plenty of opportunity and produced (Fitzgerald, Johnson,  Roy Williams), while others failed to make good on their opportunity (Rogers, Mike Williams - poor Detroit).

One thing is certain - Hardy will have plenty of opportunity to produce in Buffalo.  Given his size, he is not the quickest athlete nor the most fluid cutter in his route-running.  For those reasons, don't get your hopes up for Fitzgerald-like rookie production; 45-50 receptions as a rookie should be considered above average.  The Bills have players to move between the twenties as it is.  Where Hardy will make his mark early is in the paint.

Yet this list above - despite their height - didn't produce scores at an overwhelming rate either.  Merely taking an average and tweaking for circumstance, the Bills should consider themselves fortunate if Hardy gives them between 4 and 6 scores as a rookie.  Is that enough production for the team to be successful offensively in 2008?  That depends on what type of ripple effect those numbers have on his teammates' numbers.  What's important to remember is this: even a 5-touchdown season from Hardy gives the Bills nearly half of their aerial touchdown total from 2007.  An average rookie season from Hardy therefore  spells improvement.

Poll
How many TD receptions will James Hardy have as a rookie, provided he starts and plays in 16 games?
  • 0-3
  • 4-6
  • 7-9
  • 10+

  424 votes | Results

0 recs | Comment 51 comments | Add your comment

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Hardy will be able to get 7-9 Tds

Brian:

Very nice analysis. Can envison a spread formation inside the opponents 20 with Hardy, Fine, Anderson and Teyo Johnson running fades and slants. Imagine 4 big guys going into the end zone on patterns.

Hardy’s TDs may very well be limited by this formation as TE will have to read D and Hardy at Wideout may not be 1st read.

by freddyjj on May 5, 2008 8:53 AM EDT reply reply   0 recs

7-9 is a lot

I’m thinking 4-6 is more realistic, but then I’m being pessimistic today.

I like the spread idea, but I’m not sure Teyo makes the 53.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on May 5, 2008 8:56 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Rookie receivers

I have been very against handing the #2 WR spot over to a rookie, of course at this point I don’t think the Bills had a choice in the matter.
Where Hardy could have the biggest impact is in the Red Zone, where his size should give him an advantage over shorter CBs on jump balls. Honestly I foresee 35-45 catches and only about 450 yards for Hardy, but the big impact coming as I said in the Red Zone where he will add some much needed touchdowns.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on May 5, 2008 8:54 AM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Hardy guess

I’m in the mddle of the two projections above. 7-9 TDs seems wildly extreme considering that Buffalo wide receivers not named Lee Evans caught a combined 1 TD last season (Think about that for a second- that’s absurd ineptitude). However, 450 yards seems extremely low for a player who is going to be projected to start on the outside for 16 games in 2008. I’d guess 52 catches for 680 yards, 4 TDs right now. I’ll say it again, all character issues aside (and his interview on the team’s web site was more alarming than comforting no matter how Chris Brown tries to spin him), I’m concerned about Hardy’s route running and reliance on the jump ball for making plays. He doesn’t look like the YAC receiver Buffalo’s offense needs so desperately, but on the bright side, Hardy has impressive measurables so while I think he’ll struggle early, if he can keep his head on straight, he has a chance to be special down the line….The more I review Buffalo’s skill position players on the roster, the more clear it becomes that Buffalo needs to extend Lee Evans yesterday.

Never forget 56-10. Revenge.

by SuperFan82 on May 5, 2008 10:10 AM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Which Hardy interview are you referring to? His 1-on-1 with Brown? If so, I didn’t see a problem – maybe a little over-confidence on Hardy’s part, but nothing “alarming”. What in particular were your concerns?

I think people work under an assumption that Chris Brown is solely a spin artist for the Bills. People can believe what they want about him, but be careful of going too far the other way, i.e. looking for some underlying negative meaning in everything Brown reports.

by Brian Galliford on May 5, 2008 10:38 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Brownie

You’re not going to see him be the first to report any news that is bad for the Bills, (player arrests, or the like) but he will give a good accounting for himself. It is hard to be objective when you have to report on your employer.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on May 5, 2008 10:46 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

No, I completely understand that angle. All I’m saying is that we can’t completely discount everything he says just because of that awareness as well. He walks a line, and we as his readers need to walk that line too… without going too far over the line case in and case out.

by Brian Galliford on May 5, 2008 11:05 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Fair enough

You certainly can go too far in reading between the lines with the media. But with the NFL, if people do goo too far in their distrust of the coverage, it’s the NFL’s own fault. All 32 teams deliberately release most of their breaking stories through a team employee who has more access to interviews and informnation than reporters for independent news organizations. That’s a conflict of interest which makes what these individuals “report” unreliable. The NFL has their own Network which has more access to immediatde information than independent news organizations. That’s troubling. You can also look at Spygate as an example of what’s gone wrong with NFL coverage over the last decade or so. You had CBS garnering huge ratings increases for Pats games as well as having Sean McManus negotiating with Bob Kraft concerning a future business partnership.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/Dec/17/ratings-rise-for-cbs-thanks-to-patriots-run/ NBC Sports president, Dick Ebersol, is a personal friend of Bob Kraft who is often a guest of the Pats’ owner in the owner’s box for Patriots games. The Spygate story broke right before the Patriots played on “Football Night in America” in Week 2 and NBC covered Spygate as a minor back story. Michaels and Madden were also noteable in their defense of New England’s running up the score on opponents all season long. ESPN is headquartered out of Bristol, CT and it draws much of it’s staff from the NYC and Boston markets. The end result was a sympathetic and understanding tone in the national media towards New England’s cheating and stat-grubbing last season. Too many entities were in bed with each other for the coverage to be reliable…as far as Brown and the Hardy interview go, yes I’m referring to the one-on-one available on the team’s web site. I thought Hardy came across as arrogant in the interview and generally, Brown blasts players around the NFL for interviews like that one. However, in this case, he sold the over confidence as an asset and my reaction is that Brown is doing his job as a Bills’ employee by trying to sell a somewhat sketchy character to a fan base that generally gravitates towards players with cleaner resumes. Again, don’t read my reaction to the interview as a condemnation of Hardy; I’m just saying the interview itself didn’t put me at ease with Hardy’s past issues and I was miffed that Brown prefaced the interview with “All I can say is you’re going to love this guy. This guy has big time goals that he’s set for himself at this level and he’s brimming with confidence. I can’t say I’ve come across a rookie, who on his first day in his new NFL city is not afraid to share what he feels he can do on an NFL field…This guy is a keeper for sure.” His enthusiasm reeks of being disengenuous spin doctoring that should be read with heavy skepticism.

Never forget 56-10. Revenge.

by SuperFan82 on May 5, 2008 11:17 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I get that point, and I think you’re absolutely right about the NFL’s coverage in general. That’s why we’re here. :)

But if you read something on BB.com along the lines of “Jason Peters is really good”, do you not believe it just because it’s written there? I think you need to read with discretion, but ultimately opinions are formulated on their own… so I think we just have a different view on the team itself. :)

by Brian Galliford on May 5, 2008 11:20 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hardy

Depending on how much coverage Evans still draws, I can see Hardy having a very productive season. If Evans is still drawing doubles, Edwards will HAVE to look his direction more. I think Hardy will finish with around 50 catches for 600 yards and 6 or so TD’s. If we can continue getting to the red zone, I think Hardy will have a MAJOR impact.

Brian, your Michael Clayton numbers are way off. He had well over 1000 yards as a rookie and about 80 catches…

~K

by Kurupt on May 5, 2008 10:58 AM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Speaking of Clayton...

We’ve discussd before the possibility of acquiring his services. We are both in favor. With Dexter Jackson in the fold, Gruden’s annual roster turnover, and Clayton’s underachieving (need a change of scenery?), what do you think Clayton’s status/availability is?

I would like a good contingency plan in place for Hardy and more so for depth in the event of an injury to Evans (shudder) or Hardy. Evidently SuperFan82 wants to see Josh Reed starting on the outside (shudder again), but I don’t! Hey SuperFan82, why don’t you have a picture of Dick Jauron clapping to himself before a game, or Robert Royal doing a premature touchdown celebration?

by Fort Worth on May 5, 2008 11:26 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Clayton

I wouldn’t be opposed to acquiring him either, for the right price. However you also have to look at the roster.
Evans
Hardy
Reed
Parrish
Johnson
Jenkins (who I think makes the team as a ST guy)
Thats 6. It could be hard to fit Clayton in there. I’m not married to any of these guys so if you were to tell me that Clayton could out perform Reed and we should cut Josh Reed and use a 6th rounder to acquire Clayton, I would be fine with it. However I’m not sure I want to give up that 6th rounder unless I’m sure of it.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on May 5, 2008 11:40 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Unfortunately

I don’t know if we have space for a guy like Clayton at this point.

I can’t see us not having Evans, Hardy, Parrish and Reed as our top 4 WR’s this year. I have to believe Steve Johnson will be a member of the team as he is a guy with excellent upside for us. Justin Jenkins is a ST demon, so his spot seems somewhat safe too. That’s 6 WR’s right there, and even that might be a stretch. Unless Reed gets cut (unlikely), I don’t see us adding anyone else.

~K

by Kurupt on May 5, 2008 11:41 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Ever notice

that the first receiver anybody ever considers cutting is Josh Reed?

Congrats Nick you planted you anti Reed seeds well.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on May 5, 2008 11:45 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Done by elimination

Evans and Hardy are obviously safe.

Parrish just got a new contract.

I like Johnson’s potential and size.

Jenkins is a ST only, so cutting him for a 4th or 5th WR may hurt us more (ST) than it helps (on offense).

I don’t see Reed going anywhere, but if we were to cut a WR to bring someone else in, it could be hi

~K

by Kurupt on May 5, 2008 11:48 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Agreed

I just find it interesting that we (including myself) value a 7th round pick, who we still aren’t even sure how good he can be, (Johnson) and a player who we view as nothing more then a ST guy (Jenkins), over the guy who was the teams second leading receiver last year.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on May 5, 2008 11:56 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Second leading receiver on the Bills...

isn’t saying much. Maybe the reason people are quick to write off Reed is because his production is so unremarkable that we figure we can get the same from someone else – an unknown commodity, that might, just might, have more in him than Reed. We know what Reed can do. We’re attracted to the potential that other players might bring to the field.

by oompaloompa on May 5, 2008 2:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I understand that

I’m just not sure that the Bills will let Reed go based on the perceived potential of someone at this point. I really like Johnson and hope he can help this offense, I just have my doubts that the coaching staff will give him a shot ahead of Reed.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on May 5, 2008 2:21 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Sireric is right, guys. Reed may be the proud owner of animosity from a not-so-insignificant chunk of the Bills fan base, but the Bills aren’t letting him go anywhere any time soon.

by Brian Galliford on May 5, 2008 2:41 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

If this draft taught us anything

It’s that, despite what we think, the coaching staff will keep the players that they like. (see Fowler, Melvin)

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on May 5, 2008 2:53 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I'd be surprised if they let Reed walk.

His contract is very modest and still has three years on it. Also, as far as WR blocking goes (which I think is both overrated and underrated), he’s the only established “blocker” of the bunch.

by krytime on May 5, 2008 7:41 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Reed

I think deep down in your subconsciences all of you really like touchdowns and thus, you’d like to see someone else get a crack at Reed’s job. Maybe on the outside you’re always talking up defense, but somewhere inside, the passive offense of Dick Jauron is crushing your soul like it is mine. Here’s hoping Steve Johnson is the elusive answer as the Bills 3rd wideout and some TDs are on their way.

Never forget 56-10. Revenge.

by SuperFan82 on May 5, 2008 11:56 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

One can only hope

For the sake of my soul anyway.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on May 5, 2008 11:58 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

And...

...there’s a reason why some coaching staffs around the league are perpetually putting out mediocre to subpar seasons each season. Some coaching staffs have an eye for spotting players that can’t hack it and won’t tolerate them. Others are gunshy, preferring to baselessly hope that rotten veterans will suddenly “get it” next year. I guess they all make their own beds in a way.

Never forget 56-10. Revenge.

by SuperFan82 on May 5, 2008 3:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hardy Expectations

I am pretty sure the rookie statistics shown for Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Clayton are incorrect. Why is Marques Colston (and his production) not included in 2006?

I am excited about the acquisition of James Hardy. I think that he is very similar to Plaxico Burress. I would like to see Hardy get stronger and better at defeating press coverage. Both are correctable.

I love our new red zone options with Hardy on the outside. Corner fade, inside slant, back-shoulder fade. Double moves such as the slant-and-go, etc. We are no longer limited to just a run, draw, bootleg, (or a screen pass!) inside the 20.

Regardless of his size, I don’t think that defenses are going to really respect Hardy until he performs. In other words, until Hardy produces, Lee Evans will continue to face double coverage. Once Hardy starts to produce, then his mere presence will provide more opportunites for teammates such as Evans and Marshawn Lynch and vice versa.

If Trent Edwards can have more consistent success throwing downfield, then YAC won’t be nearly as much of an issue. I’m eager to find out.

by Fort Worth on May 5, 2008 11:06 AM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Sorry guys

K and Fort – I was looking at the sophomore stats of both Clayton and Fitzgerald for some reason. Those changes have been made – apologies, folks.

Fort, I explained why Colston isn’t included – I’m looking at 6’3”+ guys drafted in the first two rounds solely (save 2006, when I just took the two highest-drafted 6’3”+ guys. Colston is an exception to the rule, at any rate.)

by Brian Galliford on May 5, 2008 11:09 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Throwing downfield

I really like the potential of Hardy on the deep ball. He’s not really known as a deep threat, but has enough speed to get by DB’s and his height is going to cause a lot of problems in one on one situations. If he runs a deep route with no safety help, I can’t imagine many CB’s being able to stop him.

~K

by Kurupt on May 5, 2008 11:46 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hardy

You just got to hope that with the O-L coming back, Lynch doing his thing and Lee, that Hardy is in a good situation where he just needs to do his part. There is not a lot of “new parts” this year. Hardy’s production will rely on Turk opening it up a little more, and Trent developing a nice rapport with him. I don’t see Hardy putting up Big-Time numbers because of the conservative offense. I hope that changes but I’m skeptical.

What I think Hardy will do based on the conservative/bad offense: 44 catches, 566 yds, 4 TD’s

What I think Hardy can do if Trent and Turk actually wing it around and use that expensive O-L and play action off of Marshawn: 58 catches, 870 yds, 9 TD’s

MARVelous

by MARVelous on May 5, 2008 4:18 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

#'s

Many of the guys on that listed missed time there first season. Many of our projections on Hardy’s #’s are based on him staying healthy. If healthy for 15 or 16 games there is nothing to think he cant put up similar numbers to Roy Williams ‘04 numbers. A lot of those guys on the list were not healthy for a full season or didn’t start from day one as Hardy is projected to do.

MY projection 14games: 45 catches for 675 yards and 6 TDs.

I think he will get banged up at some point.

by Berg79 on May 5, 2008 11:50 AM EDT reply reply   0 recs

Don't we always

project numbers based on a guy being healthy for 16 games? There’s just no way to predict when injuries are going to happen, so how can that be taken into account?

I don’t know that Hardy will put up a ton of yardage, maybe 40 catches for 600 yards and 9 TD’s (most of those coming in the red zone, since most of the other receiving options are limited there). I may be just a tad optimistic on the TD total, but hey, it’s fun to throw numbers around when you don’t have to be held accountable for more than a tongue-lashing. Just ask the hype-masters in the media.

Hardy will take his lumps like any other rookie, but I think he has the tools to overcome those. Certainly his confidence will help him get through a lot of that learning curve. I’m sure he’s eager to prove what he can do on the field, and will do what he has to do to get that chance on a regular basis.

On a separate note, it’s kind of funny how we’ve blogged ad nauseum about how we’d really, really like this or that draft prospect, and then, when we get the player we want, the reality of the player’s limitations sets in a little bit. We start to doubt (just a little) whether the player, in this case, Hardy, can perform, because of the enormity of the pressure he will face from the fans, the media, and the ballclub itself. Rather amusing, when you take a step back and look at it that way…

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on May 5, 2008 2:56 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

agreed....

agreed completely Berg. It’s all about whether Hardy can stay healthy. As Brian noted, he will have ample opportunitites this season that most of those guys didn’t. Some like Roy Williams started the entire season without injury. Others, like Charles Rogers, Calvin Johnson started, but miss significant time due to injury. Keeping Hardy healthy will be imensley important.

Assuming he is healthy, I see Roy Williams type numbers 45 receptions 500 yards, 7-8 tds. That would be a success in my opinion.

John I.

by jri111 on May 5, 2008 10:39 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hardy's reach and jumping

Not only is Hardy 6’5-1/2”, but I understand he has a huge wingspan/reach and high jump. His basketball background makes him perfect for jump balls and grabing in traffic. That just makes him that much taller. Does anyone know his actual reach and jump, compared to others (like Kelly and Sweed)? Also, I presume he has huge hands.

by labill on May 5, 2008 2:02 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

On Hardy, combine #s

Dug a little, and couldn’t find his vertical jump, but Hardy’s arm length was the longest, by a good bit, of all the receivers in the draft, at 35 1/2… His hand size is also pretty big, at 10 1/4 (tied for largest)... By comparison, Kelly is 34 1/4 (next longest to Hardy), and 10 1/4… Sweed is 32 1/2, and 9 1/2….
On an interesting note… Steve Johnson’s numbers are pretty good too… 32 1/4, and 9 5/8…..
But folks… Take hand size, in particular, with a grain of salt… If I remember right, Hines Wards hands are no bigger than my own, at about 8 1/2…. It’s what you can do with what you’ve got….

by Cinga on May 5, 2008 5:36 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Hardy's #'s

Hardy had a 37 inch vertical at his Pro Day (after a 31.5 inch leap at the Combine).

He was one of the top performers at the Combine in the bench press (18 reps), 3 cone drill (6.84 seconds), broad jump (10’5”) and the 20 yard shuttle (4.20 seconds) as well.

Coupling Hardy’s height, long arms, big hands and leaping ability, I find it hard to believe there will be many jump balls he doesn’t win. I love the potential of him in the red zone and him on long balls. It’s going to be darn near impossible to stop him.

~K

by Kurupt on May 5, 2008 6:05 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Agree

with your comments. And he is durable and highly motivated. Hardy is a very productive TD player. He should wear #6. I’m looking forward to see how much 10lbs of muscle does for Trent’s long ball. I think Hardy can be a demon on long throws.
It wouldn’t sadden me at all to see our new draft choices bump Reed to the bench or off the team. He has led a charmed life for a few years now.
It will be most interesting to see who gets cut from Tampa. Everyone has an achilles heel and Jon Gruden’s seems to be the QB position. What would Tampa be like if he were able to settle on just one good QB? We’ll never know.

by keuka121 on May 5, 2008 7:20 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Impact on Other Receivers

I think it’s right that a productive James Hardy will help to free up Evans, especially in the red zone. But I also like to think that Hardy will have even more impact on our secondary receivers – Reed and Parrish – in that they can now play the roles that they are best suited to play.

Reed: his best asset coming out of college was supposedly his ability to run after the catch. Reed was apparently a phenom RB coming in to LSU and promised to bring RB sklls to the WR position. I personally, never saw this side of him at the NFL level – largely because he has either been (1) used as the #2 outside receiver, where he’s been covered by faster/quicker defenders or (2) used as a 3rd down receiver, running a 6 yard curl on 3rd and 5 to pick up the first down (especially true last season…and he was not bad at it!). I always wondered how Reed would do if he got a steady diet of crossing/underneath routes, that have him the chance to turn upfield a bit. Like a certain other Reed used to do back in the day…..

I think penciling in Hardy on the outside gives Reed a chance to move back to the slot where he’s much better suited to do what he does best.

Parrish: I love Roscoe’s speed, quickness and hands. It seems that every year during training camp, I read a few recaps of the day’s practices that contain a line like “Roscoe Parrish made another acrobatic catch down the field today…” For whatever reason, this is a guy that looks great on the practice field or in the pre-season but has rarely shown it consistantly on the field in game situations. Again, I think this may be because the Bills have not had enough size/talent at the #2 receiver position to utilize Roscoe effectively. I don’t think he’s a pro-bowl caliber player, but he could be a great complimentary 3rd/4th receiver, especially in a spead formation. Working down field against a team’s top cover corners is not Roscoe’s strength. But run him out of the slot, or agaisnt a dime corner or safety and watch out. I think the addition of Hardy makes this a more realisitic possibility.

by roscoe11 on May 5, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

New Chris Brown interview

CB: Welcome to Buffalo, James. Lets get right to it. You’re tremendously over rated just because you’re tall. What makes you think you can make even a slight difference on a crappy offensive football team?
JH: We’ll, you’re right, Chris. Most definately. Fact is, I don’t believe I can. I’ll just run around and torture the despondent fan base as long as I can.
CB: Why is it that fades and jump balls are the only routes you’re even remotely marginal at?
JH: Because they seemed to work 36 touchdowns well in the past. Most definately. But that must have been some mistake, because I’m really pretty lousy.
CB: That’s a better attitude! Being the Ralph Wilson lapdog sycophant that I am paid to be, its only proper that I insist that you tell us why you won’t quit beating on women, and when you’ll admit to the many other instances that have never been reported.
JH: I’m not sure what you asked, Chris, but most definately.
CB: All of Buffalo knows you’re a sketchy character with over rated skills and we are ready at the drop of a horned hat to call you a miserable failure and run your sorry ass out of NegativeVille. What do you have to say for yourself?
JH: Maybe Tom Modrak knows more than you. Its been known to happen. Most definately.

by LeClaireBill on May 5, 2008 7:04 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

To each his own

There’s nothing wrong with being a fan of Chris Brown and his state-run coverage of the goings on at One Bills Drive. Under Soviet rule, many Russians grew so comfortable with the state run journalism produced by the Kremlin that an uncensored media failed in the 90’s and they ended up going back to the state-run variety under Putin. Personally, I wouldn’t like living in Russia today and yet millions of people obviously do. In the same regard, I don’t enjoy Chris Brown’s work and others do. Different strokes, I guess. Speaking of which, there’s also two ways to make an impression on your new fan base when you’re drafted high out of college, but there was an incident in your past that needed pre-draft investigation. Here’s the impression that Marshawn Lynch, similarly coming off of a sketchy incident in college, made on Peter King last July as desribed in Monday Morning QB:

“I think Marshawn Lynch impressed me off the field the other day, after showing terrific moves on the field. . . . One other thing about Lynch. I asked him about his goals for the season and how good he thought he could be as a rookie. "I haven’t even put on the pads yet," he said. "We can’t know about that yet. I’m just getting comfortable here. Guys have been doing this for years and I just got here." Impressive kid, at least at first glance.”

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/07/30/mmqb/5.html

Contrast Lynch’s tact for making an impression with Hardy’s from Brown’s interview. Neither is the “right” approach, but I personally prefer Lynch’s as far as putting me at ease concerning worries that Buffalo may have drafted an iffy personality that other teams were afraid to take simply because they had a hole at the position that needed filling. As it turns out, King’s read on Lynch’s personality was dead on. Lynch is a great guy, a future superstar, and I’m proud to root for him each Sunday as a Buffalo Bill. Maybe Hardy will check out ok too. Maybe he won’t. My point was that Brown rips players around the league in his blog all the time for similar quotes. In this case however, Hardy’s prententiousness was judged to be a testament to just how great he’s going to be. It’s very convenient how Brown judges “confidence” when it’s an endorsement of Buffalo’s management compared to how he judges confidence when it comes to others around the league. I’m rooting for Hardy just as you are, man. Do I have some doubts about him related to his arrest and unrelated suspension in college? Yeah, and while his pretentious interview doesn’t prove anything one way or the other, Lynch’s tact from ‘07 is much more mature in my book and in his case, his maturity turned out be a good indicator of what kind of player the Bills had on their hands. Hardy might be just as good on and off the field. I just don’t think you can watch that fluff piece interview and come away fawning as Chris Brown tries to convey. Like I said, I’m not a fan of Brown’s, but different strokes, I guess.

Never forget 56-10. Revenge.

by SuperFan82 on May 5, 2008 10:02 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You love to complain about something, don't you?

What exactly is the “right” approach to conducting interviews if self confidence and deferring to later performance are both wrong? Do you want these kids to be monotonous robots when answering questions?

I have no problem with what Hardy had said, nor does it mean much as it is. I love guys with confidence, but I also love guys who want to prove themselves, which is what Hardy seems like to me. Like most WR’s he is brimming with confidence. Why is that such a major issue for you? Personally, I love the fact that Hardy keeps mentioning making “Buffalo proud”. The kid is determined to prove all the doubters wrong and I don’t have the semi-unfounded qualms you have with him.

~K

by Kurupt on May 5, 2008 10:15 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Qualms

Why are the qualms unfounded? Because Buffalo drafted the guy? That’s Chris Brown’s viewpoint and it doesn’t make sense. I have an open mind about Hardy; I was merely miffed by the spoonfeeding preface to the interview that Brown wrote up which was simply a laughable press release from the Bills. I don’t mind the confidence either and I’m confused as to where you read that to be a major issue for me. I’m skeptical about his two incidents at Indiana which Buffalo hasn’t addressed. In the post above I simply pointed out how different Lynch’s attitude was coming in as a rookie compared to Hardy’s- neither is right. In complimenting Hardy on his talent, I made a comment about Brown’s fawning over Hardy. Brown certainly deserves to be ripped when that little blog section on the Bills web site criticzes players around the league for similar prententiousness all the time…It kind of gets annoying when any type of concern surrounding a team that’s missed the playoffs for an entire decade is considered complaining. It’s not complaining to look at a poorly managed unit in an attempt to understand why things haven’t worked. Buffalo’s track record this decade lends itself to second guessing and that’s their fault and not their fans’.

Never forget 56-10. Revenge.

by SuperFan82 on May 5, 2008 10:50 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

qualms

Well, to me, you are basing Hardy’s potential future impact with the Bills, on and off the field, on some comments in a fluff interview. Maybe that’s not what you are implying, but that’s how I’m taking it. You really shouldn’t take much from these interviews because they’re going to be spun into a positive final product no matter what. Everything is going to sound all fine and dandy even if it isn’t. I find Chris Brown somewhat annoying, but appreciate what we get from him every day. I’d rather get his fluff pieces than nothing at all (see many other teams in the league).

I also don’t think what Hardy has said is comparable to the antics of Chad Johnson, TO, and those idiots. Hardy talks about trying to be the best and make his family and fans proud. So what that he thinks no one can cover him or stuff like that. He’s not acting out like Chad Johnson, calling out the front office/teammates/etc, or TO calling out McNabb, or garbage like that. I think that’s what Chris Brown has commented on in the past. Hardy was showing self-confidence, nothing wrong with that. BTW, I’m not defending Brown here. Many of his blog posts are so annoyingly positive, they can get hard to stomach. I do like his daily stories though, we can’t get that info anywhere else.

I’m still confused by your comment about Lynch and Hardy’s interviews and how neither are the “right” way to approach those types of questions. Why are their answers not right? What do you expect from them? I find nothing wrong with either of their answers and find both to be refreshing actually. What gives here?

~K

by Kurupt on May 5, 2008 11:14 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

this

is all to do about nothing. These guys are trained and school in talking to the meda from their agents in order to assure a player doesn’t say something stupid. Hardy is a little more brash where Lynch is more humble. So what? Is that the real Lynch and Hardy in those interviews? Who knows. They could be saying what their agent guided them to say or they may be telling the truth or maybe he just said something “in the moment.”

Who cares. Chris Brown is going to be more positive cuz he is getting paid by the Bills and so of course he is going to kiss their a**.

What matters to me is that Hardy is 6’5”, has great transferable skills from basketball, and is going to fill a huge need in Buffalo. Time will tell. I think you can agree that the last 3 draft classes made by this organization have been chalk full of high character guys who are laying a great foundation for the next 5 years.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on May 5, 2008 11:27 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

"right"

In contrasting two opposite attitudees by recent Bills rookies, I tried to steer clear of ripping Hardy and acknowledged that while I preferred Lynch’s tact, neither rookie’s attitude is the universal “right” way and accordingly, neither is wrong.

Never forget 56-10. Revenge.

by SuperFan82 on May 5, 2008 11:28 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

OK

Here’s another small interview of his. He seems very humble and determined in this. I really hope you can’t find anything wrong with him here!!!

~K

by Kurupt on May 5, 2008 11:34 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

keeping it short...

i agree with your position on brown (spin central). I have my concerns about Hardy’s character (i was PISSED when his name was called), but after some research and listening to the guy, i am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. i had no problems with the interview though… actually i liked it. it made me like him more.

John I.

by jri111 on May 5, 2008 10:33 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Look...

The main thing I see on this board, with few exceptions, is that we are all, Buffalo Bills fans… That said, I’m sorry…. I don’t care if Jackson beats out Reed, or even if Reed can hold off Hardy for the starting job!!!! Or heck… For a really wild one… If Jenkins can beat out Evans for the #1 job, all the more power to him!!!! To the best man, goes the job…..
Folks, I’ve been a Bills fan a very long time… Been “attached” to more players than I can count… But bottom line is always… What makes our team better????

by Cinga on May 5, 2008 8:32 PM EDT reply reply   0 recs

giving Reed’s job to Hardy haha

Another 3 rounds of starters in the draft?

by poz on May 5, 2008 8:58 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Amen and pass the Biscuits Pa!

Thats exactly right my friend, and hopefully Reed’s next job to Johnson by mid season!

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on May 5, 2008 11:33 PM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Nice reality check....

I had to laugh..we’re all such giant homers. We read this article about how rookie “big men” don’t produce all that well…..and then the majority of us think Hardy is going to grab 7-9, me included.

by Slimmons on May 6, 2008 8:05 AM EDT reply reply   0 recs

That's true, Slimmons

it’s almost as if we can’t help ourselves in this love-hate affair with our favorite NFL team. We want to believe they’ll do well, but at the same time, we really like to rip them when our expectations are not met. We ARE giant homers…

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on May 6, 2008 9:33 AM EDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs