James Hardy - Disappointing...

[Pride]

I have to tell you, minus the TD catch last week, he's been a huge disappointment. I know I've asked opening during games why JH isn't in the game... but it appears the coaches don't think he's ready. He's dropping too many balls for my liking.

[The Spaz]

Yeah I guess. 3-0

[YardRat]

He'll get it. He's only three real games into his career as an NFL WR so it'll take a little more time. Still should've caught the one ball, though.

[Novacane]

I was not expecting a huge contribution early from a rookie reciever.

[shelby]

exactly...he's a rookie!

[Mitchy moo]

He has seen like 5 total passes, let's not hang him yet.

[m1orenz]

rookie wr's take a long time to develop. Possession WR's take longer than speed wr's. If its 3 games into next season and he still isnt getting consistent touches, then start worrying.

[yordad]

I expected more. But then again, I expected less from Reed.

[gr8slayer]

Looks like a rookie to me.

[Crisis]

i'd be more disappointed if he wasn't seeing balls and our passing game looked like losman was still in there, but with the way trent is spreading around the ball i think we can afford to use this as his developmental season and ease him along.

[Mitchy moo]

<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=stathead><TD colSpan=13>Disappointing is not the first words that come to mind when I look at this:

2008 American Football Conference
</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD align=left>AFC EAST</TD><TD width="7%">W</TD><TD width="7%">L</TD><TD width="5%">T</TD><TD width="8%">PCT</TD><TD width="8%">PF</TD><TD width="8%">PA</TD><TD width="10%">STRK</TD><TD width="8%">DIV</TD><TD width="8%">CONF</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>Buffalo (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=buf)</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1.000</TD><TD>78</TD><TD>49</TD><TD>Won 3</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>2-0</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>New England (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nwe)</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.667</TD><TD>49</TD><TD>58</TD><TD>Lost 1</TD><TD>1-1</TD><TD>2-1</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>NY Jets (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=nyj)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.500</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>Lost 1</TD><TD>1-1</TD><TD>1-1</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Miami (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=mia)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.333</TD><TD>62</TD><TD>64</TD><TD>Won 1</TD><TD>1-1</TD><TD>1-1</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD align=left>AFC NORTH</TD><TD width="7%">W</TD><TD width="7%">L</TD><TD width="5%">T</TD><TD width="8%">PCT</TD><TD width="8%">PF</TD><TD width="8%">PA</TD><TD width="10%">STRK</TD><TD width="8%">DIV</TD><TD width="8%">CONF</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>Baltimore (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=bal)</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1.000</TD><TD>45</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>Won 2</TD><TD>2-0</TD><TD>2-0</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Pittsburgh (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=pit)</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.667</TD><TD>54</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>Lost 1</TD><TD>1-0</TD><TD>2-0</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>Cincinnati (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cin)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>67</TD><TD>Lost 3</TD><TD>0-1</TD><TD>0-2</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Cleveland (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=cle)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>Lost 3</TD><TD>0-2</TD><TD>0-2</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD align=left>AFC SOUTH</TD><TD width="7%">W</TD><TD width="7%">L</TD><TD width="5%">T</TD><TD width="8%">PCT</TD><TD width="8%">PF</TD><TD width="8%">PA</TD><TD width="10%">STRK</TD><TD width="8%">DIV</TD><TD width="8%">CONF</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>Tennessee (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ten)</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1.000</TD><TD>72</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>Won 3</TD><TD>2-0</TD><TD>3-0</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Jacksonville (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=jac)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.333</TD><TD>49</TD><TD>58</TD><TD>Won 1</TD><TD>1-1</TD><TD>1-2</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>Indianapolis (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ind)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.333</TD><TD>52</TD><TD>67</TD><TD>Lost 1</TD><TD>0-1</TD><TD>0-1</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Houston (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=hou)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>69</TD><TD>Lost 2</TD><TD>0-1</TD><TD>0-2</TD></TR><TR class=colhead align=right><TD align=left>AFC WEST</TD><TD width="7%">W</TD><TD width="7%">L</TD><TD width="5%">T</TD><TD width="8%">PCT</TD><TD width="8%">PF</TD><TD width="8%">PA</TD><TD width="10%">STRK</TD><TD width="8%">DIV</TD><TD width="8%">CONF</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>Denver (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=den)</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1.000</TD><TD>114</TD><TD>84</TD><TD>Won 3</TD><TD>2-0</TD><TD>2-0</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Oakland (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=oak)</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.333</TD><TD>60</TD><TD>73</TD><TD>Lost 1</TD><TD>1-1</TD><TD>1-2</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow align=right><TD align=left>San Diego (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=sdg)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>62</TD><TD>65</TD><TD>Lost 2</TD><TD>0-1</TD><TD>0-1</TD></TR><TR class=evenrow align=right><TD align=left>Kansas City (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=kan)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>78</TD><TD>Lost 3</TD><TD>0-1</TD><TD>0-2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[hydro]

As stated ad naseum... he is A ROOKIE. I do expect him to make that easy catch but still. WRs just don't usually show much early in their careers. I am not dissappointed at all. I just know to wait and see...

[Pride]

relax people... i'm not asking for him to come out and light it up. what concerns me is that the reason he isnt getting game day experience by being on the field, is maybe the coaches are disappointed in him too. I just don't understand why you dont put a 6'6 WR in the game when you are in the redzone. He's not going to get any better riding the pine.

[nostyle126]

relax people... i'm not asking for him to come out and light it up. what concerns me is that the reason he isnt getting game day experience by being on the field, is maybe the coaches are disappointed in him too. I just don't understand why you dont put a 6'6 WR in the game when you are in the redzone. He's not going to get any better riding the pine.

I doubt it's that the coaches are disappointed. It's that they are letting the rookies slowly adjust to the NFL while more established players take care of business. We are 3-0 and haven't asked Hardy or McKelvin to start. I think that's a GOOD thing, and not at all a sign that the coaches are disappointed in them.

Once upon a time, this team (under Marv Levy) had a rule that rookies NEVER started. I believe Ruben Brown was the first rookie that Levy ever started. It is actually a nice LUXURY not to have to start these guys. So unbunch your panties and enjoy the fact that we're 3-0 and we have so much young potential that can still help this team get better down the road.

[mikemac2001]

Ashton Youboughty = Disappointment his first 2 years

[casdhf]

I think the strong play of Josh Reed has more to do with why Hardy isn't getting play time. Parrish, Reed and Evans take up alot of snaps.

[Thurmal]

You are right on one thing -- I would like to see him more too near the redzone.

He is a rookie, though, and his catch last week should buy him at least a litte bit of time before we criticize him.

[Al the Bills Fan]

WR is one of the most difficult positions for a rookie to make an impact. Give him time!

[Tatonka]

he dropped one pass in his nfl career.. and he is dropping two many passes for you..lol.

[Agent007]

Some rookies take time.

Not all of them are as fortunate as Eddie Royal.

[THATHURMANATOR]

Yeah I guess. 3-0
seriously.

[Mad Bomber]

As far as I'm concerned, this kid is doing OK

He had a HUGE catch in the JAX game. You can't ask more than that for a rookie.

You can't expect a rookie WR to come into this league and make an instant impact. He's done OK so far IMHO.

[Mad Bomber]

seriously.

Hey THURM!

We are 3-0, and in FIRST PLACE in the AFC East, after the Phins beat the crap out of the Cheatriots!!!

:hi5: :beers:

[LABillsFan]

The coaching staff isn't going to push him to far. I do think he'll be more involved after the bye. Give him time.

[ZacGriffi~82]

He was out there quite a bit today...?

[ALL D]

I think he is a great pick up...

This kid will be molded into an awesome receiver...

Look at Moulds, Roscoe, and many other major contributors in their first year. A big step up from College to the Pros. When this kid develops, look out. He is huge and he really does have great hands too..

[Confused]

He could have done worse today. He could have fumbled, bobbled a ball that was "intercepted" and then had a cripling penalty.
Give him a break.

Is Josh reed making Josh Reed look like a stud or is it Trent?

[LABillsFan]

He could have done worse today. He could have fumbled, bobbled a ball that was "intercepted" and then had a cripling penalty.
Give him a break.

Is Josh reed making Josh Reed look like a stud or is it Trent?

Like Trent said, every week they need someone to step up. Reed is just being stud like. Trent can only throw the ball, Reed has to find the gap and run a good route.

[yordad]

Look, no one expected him to become the Micheal Jordan of football during his first three games. But, I think most us us expected him to have more catches then drops. I figured since he is a WR, he wouldn't have to learn to catch.

But don't get me wrong, I still believe he has a very bright future.

[BillsOwnAll]

Without james hardy were quite possibly 2-1

With james hardy were 3-0.


yah...ill take him ;)

[Oaf]

I still think that Reed starting and getting 90% of the snaps limits what Edwards has to work with. Evans, Reed, Parrish, and Royal are what Edwards has to work with, and he's done a lot with them. In addition to our excellent pass catching RBs, we need a bonafide TE and a WR to step up. We may be 3-0, but I'm not convinced this is a playoff caliber O because of

1. Lack of offensive firepower for Edwards to utilize
2. Lack of push in the run game with the largest OLine in the league

[elltrain22]

Rookie WR's have, by far, the most to adjust to coming into the league. I think that factor, coupled w/ the fact that he is not getting many opportunities, is why we haven't seen him really break out; yet. Hardy is used to being the go to guy for the last 4 years, and right now this is a big adjustment for him. That drop yesterday was a mixture of things, nerves, thinking about the YAC, etc, etc... I'm not worried or concerned, he'll be fine.

[DaBillzAhDaShiznit]

We used him when we really needed him, and it worked. He'll get his chance, but I see no reason to be worried about that right now. I'd rather have him be decent this year, and break out big next year. I remember Reed's sophomore slump after having what I would consider a great rookie year. I was down on him for a couple years there...but look at him now. He's a warrior.

[dannyek71]

Eric Moulds took a few years, peerless took a few years, even Lee started out slow over the 1st few games.

[RedEyE]

It always takes WRs 2-3 years to come into their own. Give him time, he's way ahead of the curve.

[billsburgh]

Look at Calvin Johnson in Detroit

[LifetimeBillsFan]

What is disappointing is that Hardy hasn't shown consistently good hands when the ball has been thrown to him: he has three catches, but dropped one against Jax and one early in the game against Oakland. In the NFL, when the ball hits you in the hands, you are supposed to make the catch.

But, he'll learn. As has been pointed out, he's just a rookie and WRs take time to develop into impact players in the NFL, especially the bigger WRs (P.Burress wasn't very good as a rookie, but look at him now).

And, the coaches are trying to integrate him into the game plan, particularly in the red zone. As I pointed out in another thread, on Marshawn Lynch's first TD run, Hardy was in the game. The Bills were in the same "bunch" formation that they used on Hardy's TD catch against Jax and you could see the Oakland DBs pointing at the formation and moving over to that side before the ball was snapped. It wasn't Hardy's fault that Lynch took advantage of this attention to run for a TD on the other side of the field!

I do think that the fact that Reed has been playing so well and become such a reliable target for Edwards on third downs has limited the amount of playing time that Hardy might have gotten otherwise. If Reed wasn't playing so well, the coaches might be more willing to give Hardy playing time, even after a big drop like in the Oakland game, but, with Reed getting open and catching the ball when it comes his way, why take the risk that the rookie may not run the route correctly or drop the ball again? If it ain't broke, why mess with it?

Hardy will get his chances to play as the season goes on. But, the fact that he missed so much time in the preseason with his hamstring injury set him back a lot and he may not see as much playing time as he would have as a result. Still, the Bills' coaches will be using him in the red zone when the offense gets into the red zone and needs more than three WRs (with Reed being such a good blocker, they will want to keep him in to make teams wary of the run, even in some throwing situations).

[justasportsfan]

I'd be disappointed if we had to depend on him and him playing the way he is. We haven't had to and we're 3-0 but I would love to see him do better sooner than later. Maybe we won't have to keep coming from behind to win the sooner he plays well.

Rookie is not much of an excuse when you have guys like Colston. I have not doubt however, Hardy will be a stud in this league in the future.

[patmoran2006]

Slow start, yes.

But we may only be 2-1 right now if we didnt draft him.

[jmb1099]

He has made an impact already...