Before the 2008 NFL Draft, the Bills felt like they needed a better red zone threat. Enter James Hardy, the team's second round pick that was taken eight spots ahead of Philadelphia's DeSean Jackson.
Hardy underwhelmed as a rookie, catching only nine passes in 14 games as he struggled to adapt to the pros. He lost playing time to seventh-round pick Steve Johnson, then tore his ACL in Week Fifteen.
Hardy will try to erase the memory of his disastrous rookie year after getting activated Wednesday from the physically unable to perform list. There's another big receiver in town now that is supposed to be the team's red zone threat, but he's hurting, and probably not in Buffalo for long.
Of course, Bills coach Dick Jauron probably isn't sticking around either. Hardy has seven games to show the front office and the next coaching staff that he wasn't a wasted pick.
Bills look to James Hardy to help passing game
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 11, 2009 7:28 PM ET
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Latest stories in: Buffalo Bills, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Transactions, Top Stories
None of the WR's from last years second round are equating to much than Desean Jackson. Donnie Avery has had a few plays but not enough to leave a mark. Skins drafted Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly who havent done much either, doesnt help they don't have a qb or oline but still. Limas Sweed in pittsburgh couldn't catch a cold and Hardy hasn't been on the field at all. Then again Jackson did fall into the best situation. I can assure you if Desean had been drafted by the Rams, Redskins, or Bills not many people would know his name.
DanSnyder says: November 11, 2009 8:11 PM
None of the WR's from last years second round are equating to much than Desean Jackson....
Let's not forget the Bengals ridiculous selection of WR Jerome Simpson in the second round. Jerome was so sure he wasn't a first day selection that he was on his way to a flea market with his parents when the Bengals called, and he's been inactive every game this year. Even with Chris Henry going on IR, Quan Crosby and Maurice Purify are ahead of him on the Bengals depth chart. Simpson constitutes one of the worst draft picks in recent memory.
Also, it sucks to have to login to this site every freaking day! Fix the login!!!
If Jackson played on one of those horrendous teams, he'd have a gun in his mouth too.
It's more about getting to the right team at the right time.
Clearly Hardy didn't have the kind of season anyone was hoping for last year. However, he DID catch the game-winning touchdown in the late stages of the 4th quarter of the Bills' second game last season against the Jaguars. I would say that keeps his rookie year from having been "disastrous".
James Hardy should have gotten ca$h from TO for his #81 jersey.
Hardy had one less TD than the #1 receiver Lee Evans...if you look at it that way he is not a huge dissapointment yet. Now I know Dick Jauron's offensive schemes are GARBAGE but someone tell me why Steve Johnson has not gotten more playing time..they don't use 4 wide ever. Johnson is being wasted worse that anyone on the team..he proved last year he is a threat in the slot..