Hardy might be the best of Panthers' rookie class

[Laetitia]

(By Scott Fowler, [email protected]) For all the noise made about high-profile rookies like quarterback Jimmy Clausen and wide receivers Brandon LaFell and Armanti Edwards, there's a sixth-rounder out of Mississippi who might end up eclipsing them all this season.p/Greg Hardy is my early leader for Panthers rookie of the year. He made two spectacular plays in Sunday's loss to the New York Giants and has the capability to make many more.

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[CAVSS]

I absolutely do not understand why Hardy didn't get more time at DE last Sunday against the Giants after it became painfully obvious that we weren't pressuring the QB. Brown also for that matter. If Hardy was a liability in the run game I would understand but he obviously isn't.

[Mr. Scot]

Hardy had injury issues in college. The team may want to acclimate him slowly to the pro game in order to avoid something flaring up due to "too much, too soon".

[Doyle]

Hardy had injury issues in college. The team may want to acclimate him slowly to the pro game in order to avoid something flaring up due to "too much, too soon".

Yeah. I'd be sick if we lost him to injury.

[Davidson Deac II]

Also, while he is a great athlete, learning to play defensive end in the NFL is not as easy as some here seem to think.

[Kyle82]

If this beast stays healthy all year you can count on him getting Rookie of the Year!!

[PantherProfessor]

Hardy will end up being the steal of the draft

[CLTPanther]

The actual steal of the draft is whoever got our next years 2nd to move up for Edwards

[TylerDurden]

I noticed Hardy in there quite a bit. On the passing downs I noticed we moved the bigger DE's inside again (CJ for example) and had Hardy line up on the outside. He looked explosive on some plays, especially the blocked punt. But, that was the first time I've noticed him not be able to disengage the blocker - not that I thought he would everytime, it just never happened in the preseason. He's gonna be good though and I wish we'd start him opposite CJ.

[TylerDurden]

Just caught this too:

But listen to this: Hardy was such a good athlete in college that he was used occasionally as a wide receiver (he caught three passes, all for touchdowns). He also played basketball for a season at Mississippi. Who does that sound like?

Wow, I didn't know any of that.

[Lumps]

I think the DE's did ok, you have to realize the DTs were completely worthless this game and the pocket did not collapse which means Eli could easily avoid them by simply stepping up. If Eli had receivers that could actually catch we would have lost by a lot more points.

Hardy for WR!!!!

[TylerDurden]

I think the DE's did ok, you have to realize the DTs were completely worthless this game and the pocket did not collapse which means Eli could easily avoid them by simply stepping up. If Eli had receivers that could actually catch we would have lost by a lot more points.

Hardy for WR!!!!

Yeah I'm starting to question keeping Leonard, Landri, and Hayden over Tank now. It's all great if your DEs van get around the edge, which ours did several times, but if there is no pressure up the middle the DEs just run past the QB and he can step up in the pocket and throw anyway - like Eli did.

[mj4life]

I noticed Hardy in there quite a bit. On the passing downs I noticed we moved the bigger DE's inside again (CJ for example) and had Hardy line up on the outside. He looked explosive on some plays, especially the blocked punt. But, that was the first time I've noticed him not be able to disengage the blocker - not that I thought he would everytime, it just never happened in the preseason. He's gonna be good though and I wish we'd start him opposite CJ.

i would like to see hardy & brown as our ends with cj and leonard as our tackles.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I absolutely do not understand why Hardy didn't get more time at DE last Sunday against the Giants after it became painfully obvious that we weren't pressuring the QB. Brown also for that matter. If Hardy was a liability in the run game I would understand but he obviously isn't.

I noticed Hardy in there quite a bit.

Same here. Hardy was in there quite a while.