MD-FalconFan13 Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 We have spent alot of time talking about our defensive upgrades. I think that we will be much improved on D this year, but not the elite powerhouse that some might expect. I still think that there are holes in the defense, mainly at MLB and FS. But we should be a much better team on that side of the ball.An under-rated aspect of the draft though is the youth infusion we got in our talent positions. Tevin Coleman has been the main object of praise and rightfully so. We are moving to a zone blocking concept and his one cut talents are ideally suited. Plus 2,000+ yds, and 15 TDs is undeniable. The true under-the-radar pick was that of the all-time NCAA leader in receptions, ECU's own Justin Hardy. Now admittedly I didn't know much about him until we selected him. I'd heard of him, but never really did any checking up on the guy until we drafted him. But I have to say, once I did I was blown away. This guy is a football player in every sense of the word. He's tough and goes after the ball. He makes the tough catches. One handed catches, Sideline catches. He gets YAC with ease. He can play inside or outside. And once I saw the hit he laid on that CB from UNC I was sold. This guy will have a really positive impact this year. He is sure handed as evidenced by his setting the NCAA record for receptions. I'm excited to see this guy play. If you haven't checked him out please go see some of the guys highlights yourself. I'm calling him as pushing Roddy for second in yards this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfishtom Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 ++++++++++++++++++ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Diesel Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Agreed.Hardy always seems to get separation and catches everything near him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyinglobster Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Should be an immediate upgrade over HD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bawse Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Already better than HD in the slot. Instant upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird56 Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 His skill set meshes perfectly with Ryan.. Those two will be on the same page real quick. Running routes from the slot I foresee great things in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clark Kent™ Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 His biggest contribution may be in the red area. HD was never a guy who got a lot of TD's. Hardy definitely has more potential in that aspect. He has shown he can catch the fade routes and make the tough catches with defenders draped all over him. That is what i'm most excited to see from him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrimitiveJN Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 A much better version of Darius Johnson, who everybody loved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McNulty Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Can he score 2 touchdowns in a season? Then he has already been an upgrade if he does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AEFalcon Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 If he doesn't trip over his own feet and bat around the ball rather catching it cleanly, he will be an upgrade at slot WR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkonator Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Time will tell, an established pro,isn't always that easily upgraded. Not like HD was Darous Johnson.wasn't a fan of He either but he still contributed and had chemistry with Ryan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insight Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 (edited) In 2013 Harry Douglas had a 1000+ yard season in the NFL. Before he tore his ACL the reports out of training camp was he looked the best receiver on the roster. Justin Hardy is a very promising player but the NFL is another level and let's see how he adjust before claiming he is an immediate upgrade over an established player. HD NFL Highlightshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7lRE2Pk72U Edited May 10, 2015 by insight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyinglobster Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 In 2013 Harry Douglas had a 1000+ yard season in the NFL. Before he tore his ACL the reports out of training camp was he looked the best receiver on the roster. Justin Hardy is a very promising player but the NFL is another level and let's see how he adjust before claiming he is an immediate upgrade over an established player. I will defend most any player readily, but HD simply was the bare minimum of what you want at slot receiver, imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD-FalconFan13 Posted May 10, 2015 Author Share Posted May 10, 2015 Time will tell, an established pro,isn't always that easily upgraded. Not like HD was Darous Johnson.wasn't a fan of He either but he still contributed and had chemistry with Ryan.You're right. Lest we forget that that established pro tripped over his own feet and fell in the NFC Championship game. He also failed to get more than 2 TDs when we needed them. He's good, but Hardy can be better. That's just the point. HD has proven time and time again that he can't give us the play we need when the game is on the line. He can fool some of you with that 1,000 yd season he had. But truth is on that many targets he should have had more yards and FAR more TDs. He's maxed out as a player. I think Hardy can come in right now and give us what HD did last year. And going forward he can be a potential replacement for Roddy. He's that good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid-Nite-Toker Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 Funny thing is, Hardy seems similar to HD with larger hands, but a little slower coming out of College. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAD597 Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 He has amazing hands, several one handed catches in his routes, he is also much more fluid and not clumsy like HD was. Should be a really good upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insight Posted May 10, 2015 Share Posted May 10, 2015 (edited) I will defend most any player readily, but HD simply was the bare minimum of what you want at slot receiver, imo.My point is not that Justin Hardy cannot be an upgrade it's just not a forgone conclusion as one poster said time will tell.I posted HD's 2013 highlights which show he definitely is more than the bare minimum. For the money he was making it makes sense to go with a cheaper younger option. I have watched the Falcons for a long time and I recall when HD was more sure handed than Roddy. Edited May 11, 2015 by insight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast-N-Da-Sheetz Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 His hands look like grizzly bear claws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Using his hands and not his body. A lot of one handed catches and he is an elusive runner after the YAC. Didn't know much about him this is what I garnered from the highlight tape.Thicker than Dougle and can break more tackles. Just as fast (4.56). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brewcrew Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 His hands look like grizzly bear claws.And he's not that tall, but his arms look like they hang down to his knees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtlantaFanatic Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Funny thing is, Hardy seems similar to HD with larger hands, but a little slower coming out of College.who cares? I was faster than Tony Gonzalez but on third downs, you didn't go anywhere else cause you knew he'd catch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dozer Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Ryan is gonna love Hardy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFalconRises Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 That one handed catch was sick. I could see him and Julio having over 1k yards next year. roddy too if he stays healthy all season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateDogg1215 Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Man just watch some of his YouTube highlights , guys got some stick em hands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid-Nite-Toker Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 who cares? I was faster than Tony Gonzalez but on third downs, you didn't go anywhere else cause you knew he'd catch it.I guess you care...since you took it that way(negative). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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