Just how good can Greg Hardy be?

[Dex]

They can't double team him and CJ

Imagine if we got a stud DT in the middle. Not enough blockers in the world.

[bleys]

Hardy appears to be solid example of how the overall general fanbase responds to athletes from a distance.... Compare opinions of Alexander after one "average" year to those of Hardy after 3 incredibly solid years of improvement...

[csx]

He has everything needed to be great physically. I am not sold on his mental acuity.

[Icege]

Hardy appears to be solid example of how the overall general fanbase responds to athletes from a distance.... Compare opinions of Alexander after one "average" year to those of Hardy after 3 incredibly solid years of improvement...

Everything about Hardy is a testament to fans knowing diddly squat about players and their futures.

[JawnyBlaze]

Man, I am happy everyone, including myself was wrong. The kid is a beast and has the heart/desire/motivation to be a great player.

Not everyone, there was a number of us who saw it in him from the start :)

[Chimera]

Not everyone, there was a number of us who saw it in him from the start :)

I know the first time I saw him line up as a gunner on punt coverage, and outran the DB on the other side of the field, he would be a rare player.

2012 was the first time in his NFL career that absolute garbage wasn't playing DT. It's amazing how strengthening that weak link makes other players better. Now imagine what he could do with a solid DT and defensive backfield....

Scary stuff for opposing QBs.

That being said, I'm not sure I see it in Frank Alexander. I think he's a solid guy to have in rotation, but I believe some people are giving him too much credit.

[ThunderKatt]

Hurney did a good job in looking back on things.

[JawnyBlaze]

Hurney did a good job in looking back on things.

Compared to most GMs, Hurney drafted very well in the 1st round and the last couple of rounds. In pretty much every other aspect of the job he was bad.

[MHS831]

http://sportsillustr...2010/index.html

Interesting link on Hardy before he was drafted. Had him listed as the #1 prospect in 2010 and mentioned his "unlimited potential."

I think Hardy really benefitted from adding that extra muscle mass in the off-seaosn and is just now coming into his own. The dude plays with a mean streak that was much needed on this defense and is relentless as a football player. We need to lock him up long-term because a trio of CJ, Hardy, and Alexander could potentially be one of the best in the league if we can sure up the middle with another interior defensive linemen...potentially at our 14 spot this year.

Still kicking myself for not getting a picture with him when I had the chance.

I remember mocking him in the first or second round.

My son has a picture with him after an OTA during his rookie season. The had him at gunner and the DBs ripped his under armor so half his chest was exposed during the picture. He looked like tarzan--We wanted his picture because his motor was off the charts at practice. Again--they had him at gunner.

Hardy is about to become the beast of the NFL. Alexander is good and will be better-DE takes some time.

[MHS831]

One more point about Hardy--due to our lack of a solid undertackle, Hardy moved inside often on passing downs, asked to collapse the pocket. He can edge rush, move inside, stand up--he is more valuable than people know. He will ask for a CJ contract after this season. Hey, if you are not going to pay top CBs, you better pay the top DL. I think we should try to lock him down very soon. Wait for 2013 and it will cost more.

I expect Hardy to get 15 sacks in 2013 because I expect our DT play to improve.

I imagine there are some 3-4 teams licking their chops for a player like Hardy. If Alexander steps up, and don't forget about Keiser who is coming along. we could have something to trade. I hope not, but we need to balance the talent--something Marty did not seem to understand.

[jtm]

This place cracks me up. If Hardy starts out slow this year, half of this forum will be calling for his head.

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

Yep.........I think he turned all the non-believers

He definitely turned me. At the beginning of the year I thought the guy was just a party guy not serious about being dominant in the pro game.

He was tweeting pics of full shot trays and we were all down about it. Then he showed up on Sundays and was on fire.... I have a lot of respect for his game and ability now.

[Navy_football]

Though impressive, it's not the stats that wow me regarding Hardy. It's his passion for the game. He has all the physical tools to be successful, a motor that won't quit, and a little crazy to go along with all that. Like some freaky mix of John Randle and Julius Peppers.

[Chimera]

Though impressive, it's not the stats that wow me regarding Hardy. It's his passion for the game. He has all the physical tools to be successful, a motor that won't quit, and a little crazy to go along with all that. Like some freaky mix of John Randle and Julius Peppers.

This.

He has God-given talent, plus a desire to succeed.

Some guys like Randy Moss and Julius Peppers have the talent to be the GOAT. But they have no desire.

Hardy has the potential to reach Jerry Rice or Reggie White status