VJ91 Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 Look at what the Bills are saying about Shawn Nelson: Buffalo expects Nelson to make an immediate impact in the passing game as a rookie as his athletic ability and size (6’5”, 240) will create mismatches against linebackers and safeties. That's funny, isn't that exactly what we were hearing about James Hardy, our big tall wide receiver, last year around this time? Remember, those mismatches he would create in the red zone? And, Hardy was our second round choice, and this tight end lasted until round 4. Here's the thing. I used to scream at the TV when the Bills had third and 4 or 5, and Hardy was on the bench because our coaches were so disgusted with his lack of football "intelligence". I screamed, "Just tell the 6'6 kid to run 5 freakin' yards, turn around and catch the high pass for the first down! How many defenses do you have to recognize to be able to pull that off, and keep the drive going?? But alas, the Bills coaches kept Hardy locked to the bench for most of his rookie season, "athletic ability and size to create mismatches" and all. I used to ask, just how stupid can this kid be, for our coaches to not even trust him to catch 3 yard passes over the middle? Only our "ever-demanding" offensive coaches know the answer to that one. So now, here comes yet another big tall athletic kid who our coaches say should have the dreaded "immediate impact." Yeah, that's before they toss him their 3,000 page play book, and demand that he makes zero mistakes out on the field, or watch from the bench behind Fine and Shouman, right? I hope Nelson is smarter then Hardy, so our perfectionist coaches will allow him playing time!
ax4782 Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 Perhaps that had more to do with the fact that Hardy suffered a season ending knee injury in like week four and wasn't really even on the field? That being said, the new TE we drafted is supposed to be a decent route runner, but also has a solid skill set in terms of being able to block. He will very likely be able to create significant mismatches over the intermediate middle of the field on passing downs, giving Trent another solid option in the passing game. I have a feeling we are going to be throwing the ball a lot more this season.
Brandon Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 Perhaps that had more to do with the fact that Hardy suffered a season ending knee injury in like week four and wasn't really even on the field? James Hardy was injured in December. He was active for the first 14 games of the year. As for Shawn Nelson, here's what the Bills say about him: “Being a former wide receiver he’s a little more trained in route running where you can just split him out in the slot and create matchup issues because he does have that athletic ability with his size to be able to do those things,” said Heinlen. “Route running and his polish are very good in the receiving game. He’s just raw in the blocking aspect of it. He should be able to come in and help our passing game right away.” http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1...29-ff36ce9e1b00 It doesn't sound like its going to be a problem, certainly not like it was with Hardy. The coaching staff immediately acknowledged that the Indiana offense was very simplistic last year right after they picked him, so I think the above was an honest assessment about Nelson's readiness to contribute.
VJ91 Posted April 26, 2009 Author Posted April 26, 2009 James Hardy was injured in December. He was active for the first 14 games of the year...... The coaching staff immediately acknowledged that the Indiana offense was very simplistic last year right after they picked him..... I don't remember them saying too much about how simple the Indiana offense was. I do remember them being excited about all those TD's he scored for Indiana. I also remember them saying he would have an immediate impact at the very least, in the red zone.
spartacus Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 I don't remember them saying too much about how simple the Indiana offense was. I do remember them being excited about all those TD's he scored for Indiana. I also remember them saying he would have an immediate impact at the very least, in the red zone. well NOW we have the red zone target we thought we had last year Hardy is officially a bust - even though he is really really tall
ax4782 Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 well NOW we have the red zone target we thought we had last year Hardy is officially a bust - even though he is really really tall How is Hardy a bust? He was a rookie WR last year and at times showed flashes of what he can do. Most WRs have bad first seasons. Perhaps we should see what he has done after this year before we start calling him a bust.
VJ91 Posted April 26, 2009 Author Posted April 26, 2009 How is Hardy a bust? He was a rookie WR last year and at times showed flashes of what he can do. Most WRs have bad first seasons. Perhaps we should see what he has done after this year before we start calling him a bust. And, perhaps the arrogant offensive coaches of the perpetually 7-9-0 Bills could shorten the playbook at times to help the talented athletically gifted rookies contribute to their putrid offense! Again, think about how tall that kid is, and all the third and 4 or third and 5's he could have gone up and caught balls to keep drives alive on, if only he was on the damn field! Anybody remember that TD pass in the corner of the endzone early in the year on the road against a tough Jags defense?? It's hard to do that a second time when your coaches won't put you out there to do it!
LynchMob23 Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 For Nelson, it'll be easier because he can go up the seam and/or do a few drag routes and some y-open option type routes. He won't be running the crazy stuff I don't think. Heck, he could do a ton of TE screens too...
Kelly the Dog Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 I don't remember them saying too much about how simple the Indiana offense was. I do remember them being excited about all those TD's he scored for Indiana. I also remember them saying he would have an immediate impact at the very least, in the red zone. Actually, he did make an immediate impact in the Red Zone, and won a game on a spectacular catch. Game two or something? Then the Bills decided to scrap that play and idea to throw him the ball like that for the rest of the season.
Lurker Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 Hardy is officially a bust - even though he is really really tall Officially?
Endless Ike Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 Officially? if its on the internet it must be true
C.Biscuit97 Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 well NOW we have the red zone target we thought we had last year Hardy is officially a bust - even though he is really really tall Officially, you are the worst poster on this board.
Max997 Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 Hardy was just a bad pick, i said it when he was picked and Im saying it again a year later. Pick should have been Limas Sweed The knock on Nelson is his blocking not his route running ability which was one of the knocks on Hardy coming out
Tortured Soul Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 Actually, he did make an immediate impact in the Red Zone, and won a game on a spectacular catch. Game two or something? Then the Bills decided to scrap that play and idea to throw him the ball like that for the rest of the season. Yeah, I'm not so sure about the Bills' coaching staff.
billhard Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 Hardy was just a bad pick, i said it when he was picked and Im saying it again a year later. Pick should have been Limas Sweed The knock on Nelson is his blocking not his route running ability which was one of the knocks on Hardy coming out Hardy was not a bad pick. It takes time for receivers to adapt to the NFL game and learning to run routes especially if they are not in a pro style offense. Patience. People are quick to call everyone a bust after a year.
SWVABillsFan Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 How is Hardy a bust? He was a rookie WR last year and at times showed flashes of what he can do. Most WRs have bad first seasons. Perhaps we should see what he has done after this year before we start calling him a bust. With Owens, Evans, Reed, Parrish, and Johnson how much of a chance do you think he will have to show anything this year?
Fingon Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 Nelson will be lined up against LBs and Safeties, so he will have a distinct advantage... while Hardy had to face CBs.
Max997 Posted April 27, 2009 Posted April 27, 2009 Hardy was not a bad pick. It takes time for receivers to adapt to the NFL game and learning to run routes especially if they are not in a pro style offense. Patience. People are quick to call everyone a bust after a year. in todays NFL you dont have time to wait but I dont think it will matter anyway because Hardy is simply not an NFL WR the guy lumbers like a big TE rather then a WR there have been very few WRs over 6'4" that have made it in the NFL and Hardy will not be one of them...i am not saying this after one year of play I said this before he was even drafted
Fingon Posted April 27, 2009 Posted April 27, 2009 Considering Hardy did not run NFL routes in college, i would say he needs at least another year to learn to be an NFL WR. He is big and runs in the 4.4's so i think he will be OK.
C.Biscuit97 Posted April 27, 2009 Posted April 27, 2009 in todays NFL you dont have time to wait but I dont think it will matter anyway because Hardy is simply not an NFL WR the guy lumbers like a big TE rather then a WR there have been very few WRs over 6'4" that have made it in the NFL and Hardy will not be one of them...i am not saying this after one year of play I said this before he was even drafted With all due respect, I wonder if you had any opinions on burress after he didn't catch a single td his rookie season.
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