Bills "mortified"

[CJPearl2]

When was the last time PFW "heard it" the right way?

 

File this under no sh--t Captain Obvious.

[SectionC3]

PFW Article

 

Granted, it's according to a "team insider" but it wouldn't surprise me that they are more than a little concerned.

 

Either way it's not been a good off-season discipline-wise for Buffalo,. Especially for a team that's been talking up the idea of having high-character players for awhile now.

 

 

There have been more incidents that those referenced in the PFW article.

 

In other totally unrelated news, we sure have a lot of cornerbacks on the roster now.

[eball]

Despite rookie WR James Hardy’s recent brush with the law, the Bills don’t have buyer’s remorse over investing their second-round pick in him. “But they sure have buyer’s embarrassment,” one team insider told PFW.

 

They should.

Forgive me if I'm missing something obvious, but have the police so much as spoken with James Hardy?

[Wilson from Gamehendge]

I am so sick of this bull$h1t about James Hardy. What he did is a not really a big deal that should effect his reputation this early. There were no charges and he was not arrested, making it a non-issue. His father must have done something to get on his nerves and push his buttons, for him to act out like that. For god sakes, his father was a coke-head, a fraud and a thief. I would say he deserved it, and should have gotten his @$$ beat for not being in his son's life, his whole childhood. People say that he should have gone to the "U" down in Miami, and he should have been drafted by the Bengals? Come on folks, this kid has not killed anybody, raped a woman, been associated with drugs, and the trouble he has gotten into has been dropped. The whole thing was blown out of proportion by his neighbor who saw the incident, and it was only because he is a professional athlete.

 

I think that James Hardy will be a STUD Wide Receiver for the Buffalo Bills, for many years to come. I really hope that he exceeds everybody's expectations for him...eventually making the Pro-Bowl or setting/breaking some receiving records, either for the Bills or the NFL. Out of ALL the Wide Receivers in this years draft class, I strongly believe that we got the best one. The only other Wide Receiver that I think will have an immediate impact and be an All-Star out of this group would be Jordy Nelson, and maybe Early Doucet or Mario Manningham. I also really like Malcolm Kelly and Limas Sweed, but I honestly believe that Hardy will be better than every single Wide Receiver in this years draft class.

 

For ALL the nay-sayers out there, please continue to have negative feelings and doubts about our new Wide Receiver. When James Hardy does turn into at the least Plaxico Burress, and at the most Terrell Owens/Randy Moss, DO NOT jump on the bandwagon. You either like him NOW or you don't and NEVER will.

 

*(NO I am not saying that he will be better than Owens or Moss, but he has the potential to resemble the way they play.)

 

My prediction for James Hardy's stats in 2008-2009:

70 receptions - 800/900 yards - 8 touchdowns

*Assuming he stays healthy and plays all 16 games.

[Bill from NYC]

Don't even bother arguing it, the higher powers here at TBD have determined that it is a non issue that should be ignored and swept under the rug. None of us were there to witness it first hand so we are destrying this young mans character, and no charges filed = no crime. You don't want to join the "Moron Club" with me and Joe Miner because we didn't agree that it is such a non issue and everything is just fine with him.

 

Very true. The last thing a Bills Fan should do is worry about this kid having issues.

 

When he was arrested for kicking some ass on his baby momma and even putting the baby at risk, we all know that was bu!!sh--. After all, women are crazy and commonly make things up for no reason. Remember, a long term relationship is concrete proof of stability.

 

As for the gun thing.....puh-lease!!!!! What's a little gun exposure at 1:30 PM on Mother's Day amongst friends?

 

I know that I for one will be shocked if he has any future incidents, and if he does.....he will certainly be a victim. Or, it will be a big misunderstanding.

[VOR]

I think I'll start to worry when Hardy actually gets arrested, because that will take him off the field. The notion of athletes being role models went the way of the dinosaur.

[Questfor31]

I think the point is that when the Bills drafted Hardy, they were aware of some character issues, but dimissed them based on his word that those things were behind him. By being involved in the gun pulling incident, it brings bad press to James Hardy, to the Buffalo Bills organiation and to the scouting department that convinced the organization that the so-called charater issues were behind him. Regardless of whether of not the gun went off, after having the Bills invest highly in this young man, he should know better than to put himself in a situation like this. I, for one, am embarrassed that this guy is a Buffalo Bill.

[LancasterSteve]

the old term is "skint" - I guess - works - for some.

 

 

 

AFAIK, showing up at a venue and saying "Hey, beautiful, how 'bout buying me drinks all night?" - is a rare and treasured event.

 

I always remember that the term for a dude with fishhooks in his pockets as being a "skinflint"

 

 

The only time this ever happened for me was when my ship was in drydock in the Redhook section of Brooklyn in '72. I had ended up in some dive wearing dress blues. Made it back to the ship 3 days later ( believe me I have no clue how ) and to this day I can't remember her name. Good times!!

[Steely Dan]

Forgive me if I'm missing something obvious, but have the police so much as spoken with James Hardy?

 

I think so

 

According to the paper, Hardy was listed as a suspect but his name was redacted from a police report that said his father, James W. Hardy II, was engaged in a fight with his son. A witness said she yelled at the younger Hardy to stop fighting, and he then pulled out a gun before leaving. Hardy has a permit to carry a gun.

 

 

 

I am so sick of this bull$h1t about James Hardy. What he did is a not really a big deal that should effect his reputation this early. There were no charges and he was not arrested, making it a non-issue. His father must have done something to get on his nerves and push his buttons, for him to act out like that. For god sakes, his father was a coke-head, a fraud and a thief. I would say he deserved it, and should have gotten his @$$ beat for not being in his son's life, his whole childhood. People say that he should have gone to the "U" down in Miami, and he should have been drafted by the Bengals? Come on folks, this kid has not killed anybody, raped a woman, been associated with drugs, and the trouble he has gotten into has been dropped. The whole thing was blown out of proportion by his neighbor who saw the incident, and it was only because he is a professional athlete.

 

I think that James Hardy will be a STUD Wide Receiver for the Buffalo Bills, for many years to come. I really hope that he exceeds everybody's expectations for him...eventually making the Pro-Bowl or setting/breaking some receiving records, either for the Bills or the NFL. Out of ALL the Wide Receivers in this years draft class, I strongly believe that we got the best one. The only other Wide Receiver that I think will have an immediate impact and be an All-Star out of this group would be Jordy Nelson, and maybe Early Doucet or Mario Manningham. I also really like Malcolm Kelly and Limas Sweed, but I honestly believe that Hardy will be better than every single Wide Receiver in this years draft class.

 

For ALL the nay-sayers out there, please continue to have negative feelings and doubts about our new Wide Receiver. When James Hardy does turn into at the least Plaxico Burress, and at the most Terrell Owens/Randy Moss, DO NOT jump on the bandwagon. You either like him NOW or you don't and NEVER will.

 

*(NO I am not saying that he will be better than Owens or Moss, but he has the potential to resemble the way they play.)

 

My prediction for James Hardy's stats in 2008-2009:

70 receptions - 800/900 yards - 8 touchdowns

*Assuming he stays healthy and plays all 16 games.

 

I guess nobody can have concerns about someone and then be satisfied that the guy has moved on and learned his lessons. If you hated Chris Carter for his drug use while he was with the Eagles you have to hate him after he cleaned up his act with the Vikings.

 

People can change. It's part of life. My concerns about his domestic abuse case are a lot lower since I've heard him talk openly about it. To me that shows he's taken responsibility and moved on in a positive way. Not many people here are asking for the Bills to cut him and not many are saying they know everything about the incident. Take a Valium and lie down for awhile. At least until this ludicrous rage subsides.

 

 

I always remember that the term for a dude with fishhooks in his pockets as being a "skinflint"

 

 

The only time this ever happened for me was when my ship was in drydock in the Redhook section of Brooklyn in '72. I had ended up in some dive wearing dress blues. Made it back to the ship 3 days later ( believe me I have no clue how ) and to this day I can't remember her name. Good times!!

 

I'm confused. Which one of you was wearing the blue dress?

[Dwight Drane]

I think the point is that when the Bills drafted Hardy, they were aware of some character issues, but dimissed them based on his word that those things were behind him. By being involved in the gun pulling incident, it brings bad press to James Hardy, to the Buffalo Bills organiation and to the scouting department that convinced the organization that the so-called charater issues were behind him. Regardless of whether of not the gun went off, after having the Bills invest highly in this young man, he should know better than to put himself in a situation like this. I, for one, am embarrassed that this guy is a Buffalo Bill.

 

I think that makes a total of 6 of us on the board.

 

Nobody has any discernment anymore. The way some of the clubs downtown have been going, I would open the line at 3-1 that we hear a story involving shooting, Hardy, and a bar in the general Chippewa district by January.

 

At least when Willis did stupid things, they were innocent enough. I can't blame a guy for being stupid. I can however blame a stupid guy that likes to throw violent tantrums against 3 generations of his family.

 

As our friend Tom Donahoe would say....Stay Tuned!

[Steely Dan]

I think that makes a total of 6 of us on the board.

 

Nobody has any discernment anymore. The way some of the clubs downtown have been going, I would open the line at 3-1 that we hear a story involving shooting, Hardy, and a bar in the general Chippewa district by January.

 

At least when Willis did stupid things, they were innocent enough. I can't blame a guy for being stupid. I can however blame a stupid guy that likes to throw violent tantrums against 3 generations of his family.

 

As our friend Tom Donahoe would say....Stay Tuned!

 

I hope, and don't think, something like that will happen but it wouldn't surprise me to see some sort of acting out. He obviously hasn't dealt with his abandonment issues. Hopefully Demetrius Bell can help him with that.

[Dwight Drane]

I hope, and don't think, something like that will happen but it wouldn't surprise me to see some sort of acting out. He obviously hasn't dealt with his abandonment issues. Hopefully Demetrius Bell can help him with that.

 

Here are some quotes from an article written on 8/2/07 in the HeraldTimesOnline. I would post a link but you need to register. The title of the article is "Fatherly Advice Helped Hardy".

 

 

Here is a blurb of Hardy describing his childhood:

 

Two choices

 

James Hardy Jr. was smart.

“He was always on the honor roll,” says James Hardy III, the 6-foot-7, 220-pound receiver for Indiana. “I still call him just to ask him questions about anything. He’s a smart man.”

But when Hardy Jr. sought a way to support his young family in Fort Wayne, he saw one way that could work quickly. He sold drugs.

And of course you’ve heard this story too many times, the one about the inner city and the poverty and the decrepit commercialism of survival that rules there. You’re numb to it by now. Hardy is, too. In a different way. He shrugs his broad shoulders.

“It’s everything,” he says. “It’s the only thing.”

Then: “It’s almost like you do or don’t. You go to this side or that.”

Finally, wearily: “All of my friends are either dead or in jail.”

 

Hardy moved out of his mother’s home when he was 13 years old. By then his father had been in jail for eight years.

He stayed with relatives — a grandparent for a month, an uncle who had just been released from jail for a while — but otherwise provided for himself.

“I’d ride my bike through the snow to the grocery store and then go home and cook,” he says. “And then it was just me in the living room with my air mattress and my little TV.”

That’s why Hardy never wanted to go home and why he rarely did. He stayed out on the basketball court as long as he could.

James Hardy III becoming a Division I athlete is not the American Dream fulfilled; it is what happens when this country loses another young man and he finds, almost entirely on his own, the right side.

“I was almost there,” Hardy says. “The streets, that life, it was all I knew. What else was I supposed to look at?”

 

 

 

 

Then this is what Hardy says about the father/son relationship last summer:

 

“I wish I could see my son more,” Hardy says. “But I know that I’m doing something to make it better later. Daddy’s busy.”

Hardy’s own father never misses a chance to be with his son and grandson. Most of the angst that James Hardy III felt is gone.

“I blamed him for a long time,” he says. “But he tried to make it work for his family and he took the wrong route. He should have gone another way.

“But we use each other, now. He gives me wisdom. He had 10 years to think about everything. And I show him what I’ve learned about life and the way I’m trying to make it work."

 

 

 

I know intelligent, hard working, God fearing, good intented, talented people that can't turn around their lives with a story like Hardy's. I am far from convinced Hardy has any of those traits. It's easy for someone on an internet board to dismiss another and pass judgement, but if I looked at Hardy's credentials for him to fill any job, I would say PASS. I'll leave it at that.

[2020 Our Year For Sure]

I know intelligent, hard working, God fearing, good intented, talented people that can't turn around their lives with a story like Hardy's. I am far from convinced Hardy has any of those traits.

If you really don't think Hardy is talented at this point, you're either dim, in denial, or haven't been paying attention. Sorry to be so blunt.

[Dwight Drane]

If you really don't think Hardy is talented at this point, you're either dim, in denial, or haven't been paying attention. Sorry to be so blunt.

 

When I say talented, I don't mean "6 foot 7 inches" talented. I mean a guy who can compose a full orchestral suite in 3 hours, yet dies of a drug overdose at 35. A guy who can write a top selling novel, yet has determined since the last 2 generations of men before him killed themselves, he would kill himself. Stuff like that.

 

Deep down, when you read Hardy's quotes and look at his actions, he looks to be saddled with some combo of stupidity and/or mental illness that is writing the script for him. Thug life is the only thing he knows, and in a sad sort of way is a comfort and a fallback it looks like. Usually when a person has to keep talking about how their life is turned around, they really have doubts and are just trying to self-enforce the idea so they can believe it.

 

Maybe the guy has a successful life and a successful career. I wouldn't bet my Preakness dollars on it.

[Pirate Angel]

PFW Article

 

Granted, it's according to a "team insider" but it wouldn't surprise me that they are more than a little concerned.

 

Either way it's not been a good off-season discipline-wise for Buffalo,. Especially for a team that's been talking up the idea of having high-character players for awhile now.

Im sure if he starts scoring touchdowns, stays of the suspension list and doesnt become a locker rrom problem we will all get over this real quick

[eball]

Very true. The last thing a Bills Fan should do is worry about this kid having issues.

 

When he was arrested for kicking some ass on his baby momma and even putting the baby at risk, we all know that was bu!!sh--. After all, women are crazy and commonly make things up for no reason. Remember, a long term relationship is concrete proof of stability.

 

As for the gun thing.....puh-lease!!!!! What's a little gun exposure at 1:30 PM on Mother's Day amongst friends?

 

I know that I for one will be shocked if he has any future incidents, and if he does.....he will certainly be a victim. Or, it will be a big misunderstanding.

It is very sad, Bill, that you can't seem to understand the difference between not jumping to conclusions, and suggesting everything should be forgotten and ignored.

 

Apparently in your world there is only black and white. And you called ME simple?

[eball]

I think so

 

According to the paper, Hardy was listed as a suspect but his name was redacted from a police report that said his father, James W. Hardy II, was engaged in a fight with his son. A witness said she yelled at the younger Hardy to stop fighting, and he then pulled out a gun before leaving. Hardy has a permit to carry a gun.

Umm, Dan, where in this "blog" article does it say James Hardy (the football player) was spoken to by the police?

[Kelly the Dog]

I think that makes a total of 6 of us on the board.

 

Nobody has any discernment anymore. The way some of the clubs downtown have been going, I would open the line at 3-1 that we hear a story involving shooting, Hardy, and a bar in the general Chippewa district by January.

 

At least when Willis did stupid things, they were innocent enough. I can't blame a guy for being stupid. I can however blame a stupid guy that likes to throw violent tantrums against 3 generations of his family.

 

As our friend Tom Donahoe would say....Stay Tuned!

You're a betting guy. Wanna bet $1000.00 on that? I say no shooting before January.

[LynchMob23]

If by silly stupid things you mean he's fathered several children who now know who their father is and wonder why he a) isn't around, b) doesn't love their mother, c) at times won't pay for things they need and d) is not a positive role model on their lives then yeah, you're right. James Hardy is an example, right or wrong of a kid whose dad did nothing to help him in the development process of note; Willis is "just" a guy that is doing that for four to six kids.

 

No biggie.

[VOR]

I think that makes a total of 6 of us on the board.

 

Nobody has any discernment anymore. The way some of the clubs downtown have been going, I would open the line at 3-1 that we hear a story involving shooting, Hardy, and a bar in the general Chippewa district by January.

 

At least when Willis did stupid things, they were innocent enough. I can't blame a guy for being stupid. I can however blame a stupid guy that likes to throw violent tantrums against 3 generations of his family.

Please. His son was inadvertently hit, and barely touched at that. And his father didn't have any signs of injury, which is why the police dropped the case (not to mention the unreliability of the "witness" and no one else willing to give testimony). I guess some would call brandishing a weapon "violent," but I certainly wouldn't, and given dad's history, he probably wouldn't either.

 

And as for the incident with the girlfriend, she was described as having red marks on the side and back of her neck. That sounds like he grabbed her. While that's violent in nature, it's not exactly hauling-off an punching her. And it happened 2 years ago. You'd figure that if he couldn't help himself, he'd have "hit" her again sometime within the past 2 years.

 

True Hardy has some issues to work out. But to start a "countdown to arrest" is premature.