Pollack IN and Hardy OUT

Kerberos · 05-03-2005, 01:51 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=2052503

My question is this.... If Hardy is a decent LB would he be worth a look at to bring in as a leader and insurance at a weak LB corps we now have ????

In a move Tuesday that likely fast-tracks first-round draft pick David Pollack into the lineup, the Cincinnati Bengals released starting strong-side linebacker Kevin Hardy.

Even before the Bengals chose Pollack with the 17th overall selection two weekends ago, there was speculation that Hardy, who started 30 games in his two seasons in Cincinnati, might not make it to training camp. Hardy was due a base salary of $2.8 million this season. By releasing him, the Bengals created roughly $1 million in cap room.

But beyond the financial ramifications, the jettisoning of Hardy was made just as much to open a spot for Pollack, the former University of Georgia star who is being asked to make the transition from college defensive end to NFL linebacker. While Pollack conceded he felt "awkward" at times in last weekend's mini-camp, coach Marvin Lewis praised his performance and cited his ability to quickly assimilate the defense.

Hardy, 31, was one of the first unrestricted free agent acquisitions for Lewis in 2003 and immediately bought into the then-rookie coach's program. Releasing a veteran who was so respected both on the field and in the locker room was a tough call, Lewis allowed.

"Kevin's leadership and abilities and professionalism have been a huge asset to me and to our football team, and this is a difficult decision to make," Lewis said in a statement.

A nine-year veteran, Hardy began his career as a first-round pick of Jacksonville's in 1996, the second player chosen overall that year, and he spent his first six NFL seasons with the Jaguars. He signed with Dallas in 2002 and then Cincinnati the following year.

After playing outside linebacker his entire career, Hardy moved to the middle in 2003 to help fill a huge void in Lewis' defense, and he led the Bengals in snaps played that year. Last season, Hardy moved back to his more familiar strong-side linebacker slot, starting in 14 of his 16 appearances and registering 84 tackles.

For his career, the onetime Pro Bowl performer has 1,111 tackles, 36 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, seven recoveries, five interceptions and 44 passes defensed. The former Illinois player has appeared in 134 games, starting 128. Only twice in nine seasons has Hardy failed to appear in all 16 games.

The release of Hardy continues the Bengals' shakeup at linebacker. There figure to be two new starters this season as Lewis attempts to add youth to the unit.

Mr. Laz · 05-03-2005, 01:57 PM

all depends on the money hardy wants...

we have enough injury concerns to make it feasible to bring in another linebacker.

johnson - WOLB
Bell - MLB
Hardy - SSLB

wouldn't be bad ... i still think the chiefs want to keep Mitchell in the starting lineup though.

beer bacon · 05-03-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

all depends on the money hardy wants...

we have enough injuries concerns to make if feasible to bring in another linebacker.

johnson - WOLB
Bell - MLB
Hardy - SSLB

wouldn't be bad ... i still think the chiefs want to keep Mitchell in the starting lineup though.

If he came for cheap he would still be valuable even as a backup. Having two guys in Fuj and Hardy that could come in as backups and not make our defense implode would be nice.

King_Chief_Fan · 05-03-2005, 02:10 PM

If Maz is out, Barber hurt and Fujita's health in question....Hardy would be a good insurance policy.

eazyb81 · 05-03-2005, 02:11 PM

Haven't we covered this already? Hardy is not a starting-caliber LB anymore, his good years are far behind him. We would be fools to waste any money on him at this point.

htismaqe · 05-03-2005, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

all depends on the money hardy wants...

we have enough injuries concerns to make if feasible to bring in another linebacker.

johnson - WOLB
Bell - MLB
Hardy - SSLB

wouldn't be bad ... i still think the chiefs want to keep Mitchell in the starting lineup though.

Frankie · 05-03-2005, 02:30 PM

I thought we were trying to distance ourselves from the slapstick comedy that was last year's defense. Why add Hardy? What's next? Stan Laurel?

BigChiefFan · 05-03-2005, 03:31 PM

The Bengals getting rid of him, is more than enough evidence to pass on Hardy, IMO. Hardy is today's Mark Brunell... DONE.

shaneo69 · 05-03-2005, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

The Bengals getting rid of him, is more than enough evidence to pass on Hardy, IMO. Hardy is today's Mark Brunell... DONE.

I'm not a big Hardy fan, but I thought they tried to make him a MLB in Cincy and it just didn't work out. If that's the case, he may still have some gas left at OLB, but I don't ever remember him being a playmaker.

nascher · 05-03-2005, 04:20 PM

no

let the young guys play + Fujita will be ready for TC.

05-03-2005, 01:51 PM	Topic Starter
Kerberos Chiefs Baby Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Henderson, NV Casino cash: $10000632	Pollack IN and Hardy OUT http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?id=2052503 My question is this.... If Hardy is a decent LB would he be worth a look at to bring in as a leader and insurance at a weak LB corps we now have ???? In a move Tuesday that likely fast-tracks first-round draft pick David Pollack into the lineup, the Cincinnati Bengals released starting strong-side linebacker Kevin Hardy. Even before the Bengals chose Pollack with the 17th overall selection two weekends ago, there was speculation that Hardy, who started 30 games in his two seasons in Cincinnati, might not make it to training camp. Hardy was due a base salary of $2.8 million this season. By releasing him, the Bengals created roughly $1 million in cap room. But beyond the financial ramifications, the jettisoning of Hardy was made just as much to open a spot for Pollack, the former University of Georgia star who is being asked to make the transition from college defensive end to NFL linebacker. While Pollack conceded he felt "awkward" at times in last weekend's mini-camp, coach Marvin Lewis praised his performance and cited his ability to quickly assimilate the defense. Hardy, 31, was one of the first unrestricted free agent acquisitions for Lewis in 2003 and immediately bought into the then-rookie coach's program. Releasing a veteran who was so respected both on the field and in the locker room was a tough call, Lewis allowed. "Kevin's leadership and abilities and professionalism have been a huge asset to me and to our football team, and this is a difficult decision to make," Lewis said in a statement. A nine-year veteran, Hardy began his career as a first-round pick of Jacksonville's in 1996, the second player chosen overall that year, and he spent his first six NFL seasons with the Jaguars. He signed with Dallas in 2002 and then Cincinnati the following year. After playing outside linebacker his entire career, Hardy moved to the middle in 2003 to help fill a huge void in Lewis' defense, and he led the Bengals in snaps played that year. Last season, Hardy moved back to his more familiar strong-side linebacker slot, starting in 14 of his 16 appearances and registering 84 tackles. For his career, the onetime Pro Bowl performer has 1,111 tackles, 36 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, seven recoveries, five interceptions and 44 passes defensed. The former Illinois player has appeared in 134 games, starting 128. Only twice in nine seasons has Hardy failed to appear in all 16 games. The release of Hardy continues the Bengals' shakeup at linebacker. There figure to be two new starters this season as Lewis attempts to add youth to the unit.
Posts: 5,638

05-03-2005, 01:57 PM	#2
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	all depends on the money hardy wants... we have enough injury concerns to make it feasible to bring in another linebacker. johnson - WOLB Bell - MLB Hardy - SSLB wouldn't be bad ... i still think the chiefs want to keep Mitchell in the starting lineup though. __________________ Last edited by Mr. Laz; 05-03-2005 at 02:17 PM..
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05-03-2005, 02:10 PM	#4
King_Chief_Fan Praise Him Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: none ya Casino cash: $5915486	If Maz is out, Barber hurt and Fujita's health in question....Hardy would be a good insurance policy. __________________ No Jesus No Peace Know Jesus Know Peace Ephesians 2:8-10 English Standard Version (ESV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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05-03-2005, 02:11 PM	#5
eazyb81 The Illuminati Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: the road less traveled Casino cash: $10004900	Haven't we covered this already? Hardy is not a starting-caliber LB anymore, his good years are far behind him. We would be fools to waste any money on him at this point.
Posts: 12,033

05-03-2005, 02:30 PM	#7
Frankie Banned Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	I thought we were trying to distance ourselves from the slapstick comedy that was last year's defense. Why add Hardy? What's next? Stan Laurel?
Posts: 26,959

05-03-2005, 03:31 PM	#8
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	The Bengals getting rid of him, is more than enough evidence to pass on Hardy, IMO. Hardy is today's Mark Brunell... DONE. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

05-03-2005, 04:20 PM	#10
nascher Veteran Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hamburg Germany Casino cash: $9994980	no let the young guys play + Fujita will be ready for TC. __________________
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