Greg Hardy

I've rewatched a few games from last season and Hardy is not *good* vs the run. He gets blocked out of the play easily most times when it comes to his side. Most of his tackles seem to in the second level middle to other side, or back side. He consistently is held up with one blocker while the running back runs right by him when it's to his side. He does better against a single blocker on pass rush. It's almost if he rushes like he's rushing the passer even on run plays and if he doesn't rush past the runner, he's blocked out easily.

Hope he does better vs the run this year, as well as the whole D. The whole D sucked last year vs the run.

 

Good stuff, thanks. Any more notes you have would be welcome.

 

For the Cowboys maybe..

 

I'd suggested myself that he had not played that well against the run. He does pursue well, and honestly he holds his contain well when he doesn't abandon it. He got suckered outside too much. I've complained about that one for a while. Maybe the weight will help, maybe it won't, but we do need more discipline from him. As for acting like he's rushing, he's supposed to get some depth on where he sets contain, and I don't remember run/pass recognition being much of a problem.

But, put me down once again that Hardy is a legitimate NFL starter. I don't know how that's been twisted otherwise, but while his sack total could be a little better, per PFF his overall pressure was 12th best at end (23rd of all DL/LB in any system), was 12th best in "stops" (tackles that cause the opponent 'failure') even with a negative run grade overall; he led the league in batted balls at 4-3 end and was one off the total DL high of 9. He clearly wore down with too many snaps, and being out most of preseason didn't help, but he clearly also has talent. He's not always the guy who was once thought of as a top pick, but he has the legitimate ability to be.

I can get the want to suggest he isn't ever going to reach potential, but that he doesn't have potential? I won't get that.

That said I never saw him suddenly reaching 300 lean pounds, and if adding that is something that can just happen, makes me wonder what could've happened to guys like Peppers or Gross giving that much effort. No idea if it'll work, or even if a guy like Hardy at 300 lbs can keep up the body bend or radial quickness he'll need once contacting an OT. A year from now it may be looked on as a massive disaster. But he gives a shit, which is nice.

 

Hardy at 300 lbs is a red flag for me. PEDs?

 

3-4

 

That's an unwarranted cheap shot. Peppers was one of the team's hardest workers on the practice field and in the weight room. The idea that Hardy supposedly getting to 300 pounds means he showed more effort than Peppers is absurd.

No, he was probably pretty close to that already. Gaining weight isn't necessarily a good thing and can mean PEDs (hello Jason Peter), but Hardy has the frame to handle it.

 

Coming out, both prospects could’ve been stronger, and a level of athleticism was suggested to be the better selling point for both. It’s worth noting you’re not contesting Gross, but he tested out higher (28 v/s 22) as a prospect in the bench, and the only other anecdotal evidence we have is apparently someone from a local Y who might’ve played basketball with him.

Both players have adequate strength for their appropriate level in the NFL, but I think it’s realistic to wonder if either could’ve advanced their game physically a little bit. And while it’s realistic to think Peppers was already heavy enough, it’s not like it’s a massive leap to get to 300 for him, with a better frame than Hardy.

 

Sure, because I've noted many times that Gross himself said that he hates working out. But ask anyone associated with the team and they'll tell you that Peppers worked very hard in the weight room and in training. The notion that Hardy getting to 300 pounds means he's somehow a harder worker than Peppers is pretty ridiculous.

 

Peppers might work out a ton, but he doesn't lift and has stated so. It's his prerogative to prefer flexibility, but he's also a guy who should be stronger.