James

Hardy

Chan Gailey revealed that Hardy had “a personal commitment,” although the nature of the commitment is unclear. Not unlike Limas Sweed (though Sweed is more talented), Hardy’s career has been a complete bust to this point. We have a hard time believing he’ll beat out Steven Johnson for a starting job.

Coach Chan Gailey cautioned not to read too much into the practice. “We’re waiting to see who is going to step up,” explained Gailey. Steve Johnson and Chad Jackson were just behind Hardy in the receiver rotation.

Hardy was reportedly found dead in his native Indiana. It appears he drowned. The No. 41 overall pick of the 2008 draft, Hardy caught 10 passes across 16 games from 2008-09 before falling out of the league.

Hardy was found dead at age 31 on June 7. He was lodged in a dam in the Maumee River in Fort Wayne, Ind. Hardy’s relatives reported him missing weeks earlier. Back in 2014, Hardy was arrested in Los Angeles, but the judge ruled him not mentally competent. It’s fair to wonder if Hardy was another CTE sufferer.

A terrific time for the 6'6/219-pounder. Hardy, who led the Big Ten in touchdown receptions last year, is likely headed for the first round.

A beast at 6'6/210, Hardy led the Big Ten in TD catches with 16 as a junior. Speed and explosiveness off the line are always the question marks with big receivers, but Hardy has a good shot at the first round if he times well.

The third wish is very unlikely to happen, but he’s expected to get a new deal, possibly in the six-year, $70 million range. Big Ben has wanted a tall wideout since Plaxico Burress got away. James Hardy (Indiana), Adarius Bowman (Oklahoma State), and Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma) will be available in April.

They’re recovering from torn ACLs. The camp PUP list isn’t a big deal, but neither player practiced at minicamps or OTAs. Hardy’s ’09 outlook is very bleak. He’s buried behind Terrell Owens and Steve Johnson at split end.

Hardy is two months removed from surgery. "(Doctors) said a couple of weeks into training camp I’ll be able to participate,” he said. “I’ll...be able to play in the last preseason game.” Hardy, a second-round pick last April, is a fifth receiver at best following the addition of Terrell Owens.

Split end is Terrell Owens’ position; Lee Evans is likely moving to flanker. Hardy, coming off a torn ACL, clearly isn’t in line for much playing time and may struggle to get a clean release at the new position. He already lacked ideal explosiveness off the snap and will face more jam coverage at split end.