Knox Bardeen of BR says we HAVE to re-sign Hardy

[top dawg]

Our new NFC South Lead Writer at Bleacher Report, Knox Bardeen, says we must find a way to re-sign Greg Hardy. Basically his reasoning is that it would hurt us too much not to sign him, but of course his premise seems to be based solely upon the belief that Hardy may be productive to the tune of at least 10 sacks per year for the next six years.  

 

Bardeen, who draws a comparison to Julius Peppers' situation from age 26-30, when Peppers put up 40 sacks. Hardy will be 26 in June, but at this point I have a difficult time believing that he is going to put up those types of numbers, especially if Johnson is not here the whole time, but who knows? 

 

The numbers Hardy could put up elsewhere over the next four to six years might be staggering. From age 26 to 30, Peppers tallied 40.5 sacks. Add in two more seasons and that total rises to 59.5.

Hardy could easily eclipse those numbers.

If Hardy is going to do better than 60 sacks over the next six seasons, it would be absolutely insane for Carolina to let him do that for another team. One of the biggest priorities for general manager Dave Gettleman over the next few months is to sign Hardy to a long-term deal.

A long-term deal is really the only real answer. Carolina should forget about the franchise tag.

 

 

Now, I definitely believe that Bardeen has a point about a long term deal being the only real answer.  Other than a sign and trade (or a tag, sign and trade), a long term deal may be better than dragging things out and ultimately ending up with nothing or in a worse fiscal situation than we're in now. I can't really see G-man putting us in a worse situation. G-man has already alluded to the fact that sometimes you have to let big dogs walk. 

 

To me, it seems that Bardeen is looking from the perspective of an overly emotional Panthers fan, as opposed to seeing the bigger picture.

 

Sure, signing Hardy to a long-term deal is going to hurt a bit to a franchise that’s already in salary-cap hell. But watching Hardy sack quarterbacks for another team and attend Pro Bowl after Pro Bowl for the next four to six years would be absolute misery.

 

 

Yeah it would hurt losing Hardy, but I doubt it would be "absolute misery" because in the mid to long term we may be a more fiscally sound organization, able to make more moves in free agency not only to address Hardy's loss, but other needy positions as well. Furthermore, Bardeen fails to mention the developing talent at DE that we already have. Moreover, he didn't mention the fact that Hardy---whatever the reason---disappeared in a few games.  Don't get me wrong, I would love to have Hardy back for a six year deal that doesn't keep us stressed over the budget, but so far nothing in Hardy's demeanor or public remarks about his contract leads me to believe he is going to accept anything less than top dollar. But I don't think that G-man is going to make the sacrifice, and take the risks that come with it, and sign what he perceives as a bad deal.

[Cyberjag]

People need to relax about this--we won't lose Hardy unless we do a sign-and-trade type of thing.

 

When was the last time a pro-bowl DE left his team without them getting some sort of compensation?  Peppers?

[SCP]

Meh, tough call. The better teams in the league know when to hold them and know when to fold them. Hurney gambled like a drunk teenager in Vegas with his dad's credit card. Gettleman has to take a more tactful approach and longterm focus which I think he is doing. He won't sign Hardy if it doesn't make sense for his team building plan.

[Cary Kollins]

Bleacher report ftl.

[Cape Fear Cat]

I don't really know if it's fair to say Hardy disappeared in some games. I think even when he wasn't dumping QBs on the ground he was drawing attention that opened things up for the other guys on D - whether that be CJ coming in from the other side, Keek shooting the gap to rack up a sack or tackle for loss, or Mitchell, TD, or Cap rushing from the end to make the play. Take Hardy away fro the play, and I think it immediately becomes more difficult to accomplish those shutdowns. As for Mario, Alexander, and the other guys in the DE rotation, they have shown flashes - and maybe they'll also develop into major talents - but based on what I saw this year I just don't think they're there yet. In the final analysis, I trust DG to do what's best for the team. And maybe Kraken walks, but I would not be surprised if he and the front office manage to reach some accommodation that keeps him in Panther blue for the coming year (and hopefully beyond).

[Hammerin'Cameron34]

It could go either way. We could pay him big and get 25 sacks the next 3 years. We could let him go and he could be DPOY candidate, or vice versa.

[philp]

People need to relax about this--we won't lose Hardy unless we do a sign-and-trade type of thing.

 

When was the last time a pro-bowl DE left his team without them getting some sort of compensation?  Peppers?

 

wasn't mario williams allowed to walk?  i know he didn't make the pro bowl that year and was put on IR, but still.

[Varking]

Where you wrote, you believe he would have a hard time putting up sacks without Johnson here.... but he put up his best numbers once Johnson got hurt.

[Dex]

You mean the Knox Bardeen?

[Jackofalltrades]

Bleacher Report is getting better.

I agree that we need to keep him, but at what cost?

[csx]

Knox Bardeen....lol....I just read his profile page on BR. The comments are funny. 

[SCP]

Knox Bardeen....lol....I just read his profile page on BR. The comments are funny.

He's pretty good on twitter.

[MedellinHeel]

We can not afford to tie up that much money in one position. You sign and trade Hardy for picks / assets.

[csx]

He's pretty good on twitter.

 

I had never heard of him and what he said isn't that off base. However, he draws some real ire.