James Hardy - next Plaxico Burress

[Max Power]

The 6'6" WR from Indiana with 4.45 speed is very similar to Giants WR Plaxico Burress in terms of size and speed, yet is rarely mentioned on here. Everybody wants a speed WR to stretch the field and that's fine, but even in discussions about the class as a whole there isn't much love for Hardy. I personally think he is up there with, maybe better than, Sweed and Kelly (normally considered the best big, posession-type WR's). So for those of you who feel like a Marshall clone would be his best compliment, forget about the overrated Sweed and Kelly and start hyping up Hardy!

At Indiana's pro day last week he jumped a 37" vertical. A 6'6" guy with that kind of hops? Just throw the ball up in the air anywhere in his vicinity and chances are he will reel it in! Can you imagine he and Marshall just towering over cornerbacks and having their way with them for the foreseeable future? I can, and I like the prospect of it!

[Zanders76]

I agree. Any team will double their red zone percentage with this guy. Not to mention his speed to strech the field. Make my QB look great, thank you!!

[elevation INC]

i for 1 do not want a reciever early but if we take 1 i hope it is this guy or limas sweed the mismatches they would cause with corners on opposing teams would help the offense no matter how bad we need it.


i prefer fixing our o-line and d-line with the first 4 picks we have, but Hardy would help the offense, only problem is he would probally challenge quite well for the number 1 slot so him versus marshall could get interesting.

[Max Power]

Well, in light of the information that Marshall will be out for a while after nearly cutting his arm in half, I think it's about time to hype up the James Hardy bandwagon again. What does everyone think?

[BroncosTX77]

Well, in light of the information that Marshall will be out for a while after nearly cutting his arm in half, I think it's about time to hype up the James Hardy bandwagon again. What does everyone think?

I'll have to do my research on him. see if I got any Indiana games too.

[jlhawkins9]

Count me in! Maybe trade back pick up another 2nd, draft a LT with that pick.

[GridironChamp]

nflcountdown:

Isn't very quick or explosive and lacks a burst...May have trouble separating from pro corners...Has some character concerns...Will have to get stronger...Not much of a vertical or deep threat...Just a marginal blocker...Not a great route runner...Is not real physical or aggressive and may lack a football player's mentality...Still raw and will need to be developed...Inconsistent..Is more athlete than football player

The above in bold concerns me with him. Its widely believed that he didnt seperate from CBs in college, he just merely used his size to catch the ball around/over them. In the NFL, doing that will result in not very many balls thrown that way and a Saftey looking to pop you. Being his size, the middle should be his best friend, but the few games I see of him he avoided the middle of the field.

Better than Jackson and Sweed as a WR, not as good as Thomas or Kelly IMO.

[ReleaseTheBeast7]

Well, in light of the information that Marshall will be out for a while after nearly cutting his arm in half, I think it's about time to hype up the James Hardy bandwagon again. What does everyone think?

Meh, I don't like Hardy. He seems too raw. Sure his size is appealing, but how many 6'4/6'5 WRs do we come across every draft and very rarely do they pan out?

I like Jackson, Sweed, Kelly, Manningham, Thomas, and even Bennett more than Hardy.

Oh, and the 5'10 Leon Hall can out-jump him:


And he's the next Plaxico Burress? He doesn't have nearly the frame that Plaxico has. He looks more like Ashley Lelie without speed.

No thanks.

[GridironChamp]

Also, why do Denver fans pay so much attention to how the WR plays?


First you want a deep threat (Jackson) because apperently Marshall is the only possesion WR you need.

Now since Marshall might be injured for a while, you trying to get a big strong physical WR like him. WHY for so many reasons... 1) Why Hardy? He isnt physical, he is like Burress great size with a panzee's attitude. 2) So Marshall might miss TC, so now all of sudden a speedy guy is useless and you need a possession guy? Why not stick to your guns and get the speedy guy for the second half of the season, or just get who you feel is the best WR in general?

Oh and my biggest question... WHY NOT JUST GET THE BEST WR IN THE DRAFT TO START FOR YOUR TEAM? Seriously, pick who you think is the best WR and stick with him... dont change every 45 seconds because you want a fast guy or a big guy. He will be a starting WR, who cares how he does it as long as it gets done. If you actually think Jackson will be a recieving threat go with him. If you think Hardy will be the best WR, calling him Burress would imply you do, then get him no matter what is happening with Marshall. That way you will 2 guys that have size and corners will fear.

I honestly dont get it. Maybe if you were in NE looking for a complement to Moss and Welker a big solid guy would be what you want... but he would translate to your 3rd WR there, not a starter. Whatever, i'm just ranting because i think its foolish that you change your mind on which WR you want to start. JUST GO WITH THE BEST GUY!

[ReleaseTheBeast7]

Also, why do Denver fans pay so much attention to how the WR plays?


First you want a deep threat (Jackson) because apperently Marshall is the only possesion WR you need.

Now since Marshall might be injured for a while, you trying to get a big strong physical WR like him. WHY for so many reasons... 1) Why Hardy? He isnt physical, he is like Burress great size with a panzee's attitude. 2) So Marshall might miss TC, so now all of sudden a speedy guy is useless and you need a possession guy? Why not stick to your guns and get the speedy guy for the second half of the season, or just get who you feel is the best WR in general?

Oh and my biggest question... WHY NOT JUST GET THE BEST WR IN THE DRAFT TO START FOR YOUR TEAM? Seriously, pick who you think is the best WR and stick with him... dont change every 45 seconds because you want a fast guy or a big guy. He will be a starting WR, who cares how he does it as long as it gets done. If you actually think Jackson will be a recieving threat go with him. If you think Hardy will be the best WR, calling him Burress would imply you do, then get him no matter what is happening with Marshall. That way you will 2 guys that have size and corners will fear.

I honestly dont get it. Maybe if you were in NE looking for a complement to Moss and Welker a big solid guy would be what you want... but he would translate to your 3rd WR there, not a starter. Whatever, i'm just ranting because i think its foolish that you change your mind on which WR you want to start. JUST GO WITH THE BEST GUY!

Yeah, I feel the same way. And honestly, if we were to take a WR in the first, it better be Jackson or Sweed.

[BroncosTX77]

Also, why do Denver fans pay so much attention to how the WR plays?


First you want a deep threat (Jackson) because apperently Marshall is the only possesion WR you need.

Now since Marshall might be injured for a while, you trying to get a big strong physical WR like him. WHY for so many reasons... 1) Why Hardy? He isnt physical, he is like Burress great size with a panzee's attitude. 2) So Marshall might miss TC, so now all of sudden a speedy guy is useless and you need a possession guy? Why not stick to your guns and get the speedy guy for the second half of the season, or just get who you feel is the best WR in general?

Oh and my biggest question... WHY NOT JUST GET THE BEST WR IN THE DRAFT TO START FOR YOUR TEAM? Seriously, pick who you think is the best WR and stick with him... dont change every 45 seconds because you want a fast guy or a big guy. He will be a starting WR, who cares how he does it as long as it gets done. If you actually think Jackson will be a recieving threat go with him. If you think Hardy will be the best WR, calling him Burress would imply you do, then get him no matter what is happening with Marshall. That way you will 2 guys that have size and corners will fear.

I honestly dont get it. Maybe if you were in NE looking for a complement to Moss and Welker a big solid guy would be what you want... but he would translate to your 3rd WR there, not a starter. Whatever, i'm just ranting because i think its foolish that you change your mind on which WR you want to start. JUST GO WITH THE BEST GUY!

First off, Marshall lied about what happened. Then he lied about the extent of his injury. Who's to say the lies aren't over with. I'm no Doctor but those injuries sound rather serious and only time will tell how bad they really are.

Now with that said, DeSean Jackson is NOT, I repeat NOT a #1 WR. Neither is Brandon Stokley, Glenn Martinez, Keary Colbert, or Taylor Jacobs. "The Javon" was cut because Marshall was the #1 WR and there would be an open competition for #2. Hindsight is 20/20 and now "The Javon" is laughing his phat cash happy rear off.

The draft is 1 month away. The Denver Broncos have to make a decision now whether they truly believe Marshall will be ready and in 2007 form, or they will have to draft a WR not a playmaker.

This injury really puts Denver in a bind.

[GridironChamp]

First off, Marshall lied about what happened. Then he lied about the extent of his injury. Who's to say the lies aren't over with. I'm no Doctor but those injuries sound rather serious and only time will tell how bad they really are.

Now with that said, DeSean Jackson is NOT, I repeat NOT a #1 WR. Neither is Brandon Stokley, Glenn Martinez, Keary Colbert, or Taylor Jacobs. "The Javon" was cut because Marshall was the #1 WR and there would be an open competition for #2. Hindsight is 20/20 and now "The Javon" is laughing his phat cash happy rear off.

The draft is 1 month away. The Denver Broncos have to make a decision now whether they truly believe Marshall will be ready and in 2007 form, or they will have to draft a WR not a playmaker.

This injury really puts Denver in a bind.

Why does it matter if Marshall is ready or not? Why not still just draft who you think the best WR is...?

[BroncosTX77]

Like I said, because Denver will need a WR, instead of a playmaker.

With Marshall as a certain penned in game 1 #1 WR Denver needs a Playmaker to compliment him ie. Jackson

With Marshall's status unknown for game #1 then Denver needs a WR to help Cutler in the passing game because.....

A.) Stokley cannot be #1 WR his body cant take that punishment anymore as seen last year when he was #2 WR.

B.) Glenn Martinez, Keary Colbert, and Taylor Jacobs do not instill any kind of fear whatsoever in opposing defenses.

C.) Asking any Rookie WR to come in and be #1 is a tall order but even worse when (yes I will agree with size) you are 5'10" 169lbs.

In a lineup with the Brandon's and T.Scheff protecting DSJ, he has the opportunity to flash his skills. In a lineup where he is lining up as the main man as a rookie his size is asking for THC/Young/Hall to carry the ball 75% of the plays called until BMarsh gets back. That will get Cutler killed faster than DSJ being a #2 WR....

[ReleaseTheBeast7]

First off, Marshall lied about what happened. Then he lied about the extent of his injury. Who's to say the lies aren't over with. I'm no Doctor but those injuries sound rather serious and only time will tell how bad they really are.

Now with that said, DeSean Jackson is NOT, I repeat NOT a #1 WR. Neither is Brandon Stokley, Glenn Martinez, Keary Colbert, or Taylor Jacobs. "The Javon" was cut because Marshall was the #1 WR and there would be an open competition for #2. Hindsight is 20/20 and now "The Javon" is laughing his phat cash happy rear off.

The draft is 1 month away. The Denver Broncos have to make a decision now whether they truly believe Marshall will be ready and in 2007 form, or they will have to draft a WR not a playmaker.

This injury really puts Denver in a bind.

Eh, we don't NEED to take a WR with our first pick. WR is pretty deep this year, and we still need to focus on the core of the team, which is the line. We need a defensive tackle, we need an offensive tackle, we need a couple of WRs.

Through the evaluation process we need to figure out which position is going to help our team win, and which isn't. IMO, defensive tackle is the position that will help us win most, but unless Ellis falls, there's no one with value at #12. That leaves DeSean Jackson, Limas Sweed, Malcolm Kelly, Ryan Clady, and Chris Williams. With that, which player is going to help the most? We've seen what a stud WR can do, but if there's no protection it doesn't mean much. So that tells me protection is our #2 priority.

Ryan Clady, or Chris Williams. Hands down, Clady.

OR, there's always the option of trading down, and getting more picks, say we get a late 1st, and an early 2nd. Late first could be used on Laws, unless he's gone, then we look at someone like Otah. Then we take a DT of value like Sims, Bryant, Moore. Either way, I think out of our 3 main priorities, WR is the last.

Does this mean I'd not support us taking Jackson, Sweed, or Kelly at #12? Not entirely, but in this years draft, I'm feeling that we need the guys who open the plays up for the playmakers a lot more than we need the actual playmakers. If we have a running game, our passing game will benefit from it a lot more.

Oh and as far as a #1 target for Cutler? You guys forgetting Tony Scheffler? Looks like it's time for him to step up, and I think he'll respond to that calling.

Clady, Williams, or bust, in 08.

Unless we trade down of course

[GridironChamp]

Like I said, because Denver will need a WR, instead of a playmaker.

With Marshall as a certain penned in game 1 #1 WR Denver needs a Playmaker to compliment him ie. Jackson

With Marshall's status unknown for game #1 then Denver needs a WR to help Cutler in the passing game because.....

A.) Stokley cannot be #1 WR his body cant take that punishment anymore as seen last year when he was #2 WR.

B.) Glenn Martinez, Keary Colbert, and Taylor Jacobs do not instill any kind of fear whatsoever in opposing defenses.

C.) Asking any Rookie WR to come in and be #1 is a tall order but even worse when (yes I will agree with size) you are 5'10" 169lbs.

In a lineup with the Brandon's and T.Scheff protecting DSJ, he has the opportunity to flash his skills. In a lineup where he is lining up as the main man as a rookie his size is asking for THC/Young/Hall to carry the ball 75% of the plays called until BMarsh gets back. That will get Cutler killed faster than DSJ being a #2 WR....

I dont think you have to be fast to be a playmaker. Hardy, could just as easily be a playmaker as could Kelly or Sweed. A playmaker doesnt have to have sub 4.4 speed, he has to have a knack for big plays. I agree Jackson does, as does Thomas, Kelly, Sweed, ect...

Yeah, ok i could buy Jackson not being able to be the #1 WR, but who cares about the first half of the season. You drafting a rookie that wont be ready until probably next year or the year after doesnt make the slightest difference on this year. If Marshall plays the kid might be able to gel better, but if you call on anyone to be a rookie #1 WR you have a problem.

Again, just stick to your guns. You think Jackson will be the best, then next year or the year after you have your guy rather than someone you drafted to fill in for 1 year because someone has an arm injury.