Draft James Hardy Thread

[Officer Joseph J Whitestick]

Lets talk about James Hardy. I love this kid and the Bills better draft him. I can go on forever about him but I don't feel like typing it all so I found a great read that does some for me. Check it out.

James Hardy is the best receiver you've probably never heard of. Hardy is a hard prospect to judge, because if you live outside of Big Ten country you may never get to see him play. Hardy has put together a solid career to this point. After playing for the Indiana basketball team during his red shirt year, Hardy gave up basketball to focus on becoming a better receiver. In 33 career games, Hardy has piled up 191 catches, 2740 yards, and 36 TDs. The 6'7", 220 lbs. junior averages more than a TD per game, or 12 per year, to go with his 83.0 yards per game average during his collegiate career. NFL scouts will drool over his soft hands and his amazing red zone potential. He has the potential to become a bigger, more athletic Plaxico Burress type weapon for some franchise. Hardy has a 42 inch vertical leap, to go along with his size and reported 4.45 speed. Hardy has proved to be an incredibly consistent target, catching at least one pass in every game he's played in for the Hoosiers.
more....http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/p...ospect_ID=1246

[Wiener Knife]

I'm a big fan of hard-on

[Jay]

watch the Bills go draft him ...

I mean hell, they have been known to make picks that aren't the norm.

[USC_Gamecock]

I don't know much about this kid --- but the more I hear about us drafting a CB, the more I am growing into that idea. Really ... I don't think we can rely on McGee as our shut down corner -- no way.

[Wiener Knife]

I don't know much about this kid --- but the more I hear about us drafting a CB, the more I am growing into that idea. Really ... I don't think we can rely on McGee as our shut down corner -- no way.

Myth

the corner problem is so vastly overblown

[Jay]

The corner problem is NOT vastly overblown.

Greer and McGee aren't very good Matt.

[USC_Gamecock]

Myth

the corner problem is so vastly overblown

Maybe ... with the addition on our DLINE it will help, but I just don't have faith in McGee, I don't know why.

[Jay]

However, we have a HUGE hole at WR.

Is Hardy ready for the NFL?

[Officer Joseph J Whitestick]

However, we have a HUGE hole at WR.

Is Hardy ready for the NFL?

He was born ready.

[treydawg]

I really think WR2 is way worse than our CB situation.

[Officer Joseph J Whitestick]

"Hardy burst on to the national scene as a freshman, hauling in 61 passes for 893 yards and ten touchdowns, on his way to Freshman All America honors. He didn’t disappoint as a sophomore, bring down another 51 balls for 722 yards and ten touchdowns. Hardy took the next step to stardom as a junior, catching 79 passes for 1,125 yards and 16 touchdowns on the year.

Hardy has an amazing frame. He has fantastic height and is a nightmare to match up with in one on one situations. He simply towers over everyone on the field, and knows how to go up and get the football. Hardy is an excellent athlete that played on the basketball team as a freshman. His combination of height, athleticism and ball skills should allow him to be a major threat in the red zone at the next level. Hardy also has the toughness to cross the middle and hold on to the football, and can be tough to bring down in the open field.

Hardy is very raw as a receiver. He relies on his size and natural gifts too much. He is going to need to work on his route running a lot. He lacks ideal quickness and needs to be more crisp on his routes to ensure separation.

James Hardy has big time upside because of his potential as a touchdown maker. He has the natural talent you cannot teach, but will need some time to reach his full potential. He could make an impact in the red zone early in his career, but will need time to develop his other skills."
~Robert Davis http://www.footballsfuture.com/2008/...mes_hardy.html

"James Hardy from Indiana measured in at 6-5, 217-pounds, making me happy. But, I began to drool after he ran a 40-time of 4.47. Elite size and speed makes him a coveted receiver.

In his final year at Indiana, he caught 79 passes for 1,125 yards and 16 touchdowns. In his three years, Hardy finished with 191 receptions, 2,740 yards and 36 touchdowns. That’s insane production.

He also has basketball skills, playing one year for the Hoosiers. Hardy is currently my favorite receiver available, unless Kelly can put up a comparable 40-time."
~Dan Goldman http://mvn.com/nfl-bills/2008/02/24/...ide-receivers/

[Wiener Knife]

hardy

[rico]

I don't think he will make it out of the first round,but would the Bills gamble on Hardy at #11?? Sounds like a very possible trade down.

[ICRockets]

James Hardy would be a disaster of a pick at #11.

[Officer Joseph J Whitestick]

The Bengals are looking heavily at him and they pick 9. After us the next team that wants him is at 19 which is the Eagles. From 20-31 there are more teams that expressed interest like San Fran, Dallas and the Bucs. If the Sheppard trade is false we have to take him at 11 or you will have to trade up to 18 or 19 with the Eagles in order to grab him before he goes.

[Officer Joseph J Whitestick]

James Hardy would be a disaster of a pick at #11.

Why is that? Because he's not the consensus draft pick at #11 by the "draft experts"? What position on this team has more of a gaping hole than WR? IMO the Bills will go after who they need and who they need is a WR that fits Hardy's mold. At 11 they will either go Hardy or Sweed and In the end it will be Hardy.

[ICRockets]

Why is that? Because he's not the consensus draft pick at #11 by the "draft experts"? What position on this team has more of a gaping hole than WR? IMO the Bills will go after who they need and who they need is a WR that fits Hardy's mold. At 11 they will either go Hardy or Sweed and In the end it will be Hardy.

There aren't many picks I would hate at 11. James Hardy would be one of them.

At 11, we need a guy who's going to be as close to a guarantee as possible. Nothing that Hardy has done in his career has indicated that he should be the first wide receiver taken.

Considering I have not heard a word about the guy from anybody but you and emo, I think the experts agree with me. Sorry, but they've been right a hell of a lot more often than you have.

For my money, I'm sticking with a Derrick Harvey or Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at #11 and a WR in the 2nd round. I still think we can get Hardy at #41, and if we can't, oh well. There are enough WRs graded in the 2nd and 3rd round area that I'll be just as happy with one of them as I would be with a Hardy or Sweed.

[standingbuffalo43]

Harvey in the 1st, Hardy with the next pick...

Hardy is the #1 WR on the sb43 big board...

but that said, he shouldnt be the 11th overall...

trade up from the 41st spot ala 07 & 06 drafts...


Hardy is money tho...

[treydawg]

Position: WR
School & Year/Status: Indiana - Junior
Height & Weight: 6'7 - 220 lbs.
Ranked #37 on our Top 100 Prospects Board

NFL Combine Results
40-Yard Dash 4.47
Bench press 18
Broad jump 10.05
Three-cone drill 6.84
20-yard shuttle 4.20
See All Combine Results

2008 NFL Draft Prospect - Scouting Report
James Hardy is the best receiver you've probably never heard of. Hardy is a hard prospect to judge, because if you live outside of Big Ten country you may never get to see him play. Hardy has put together a solid career to this point. After playing for the Indiana basketball team during his red shirt year, Hardy gave up basketball to focus on becoming a better receiver. In 33 career games, Hardy has piled up 191 catches, 2740 yards, and 36 TDs. The 6'7", 220 lbs. junior averages more than a TD per game, or 12 per year, to go with his 83.0 yards per game average during his collegiate career. NFL scouts will drool over his soft hands and his amazing red zone potential. He has the potential to become a bigger, more athletic Plaxico Burress type weapon for some franchise. Hardy has a 42 inch vertical leap, to go along with his size and reported 4.45 speed. Hardy has proved to be an incredibly consistent target, catching at least one pass in every game he's played in for the Hoosiers. Despite facing double coverage on an almost constant basis, Hardy still finds ways to get open. He did not end his career on a high note, with only 5 catches for 50 yards against Oklahoma State. Scouts may have also noticed his 3 dropped passes in that game. Hardy will need to prove to scouts he can keep from getting pushed around by the more physical corners in the league. He also has some red flags off the field and has been criticized about his practice habits. However, if he runs at (or above) his alleged 40 time and shows the same crisp route running he's displayed this season, Hardy will likely rocket up teams' draft boards.

James Hardy turned a few heads in Indianapolis by running a 4.47 40 yard dash. Hardy also did 18 reps on the bench press at the NFL Combine, showing he has the upper body strength to get off press coverage in the NFL. Hardy has some minor character issues, but a team in need of a number 1 receiver will look his way in the first round.

James Hardy had an impressive pro day in Bloomington. Hardy finally showed off his jumping ability, recording a 37 inch vertical leap. He also looked good in position drills, dropping just two passes all afternoon. Hardy is a first round talent, but could possibly slip to the top of round two because of character issues.

http://www.fftoolbox.com/nfl_draft/p...ospect_ID=1246

[Officer Joseph J Whitestick]

Awesome article Trey.