GTBF54 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 While in college, Hardy said, he never had a playbook.... Wow...FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- For six consecutive weeks, Atlanta Falcons rookie receiver Justin Hardy has been inactive on game day, despite the preseason talk of him being an integral part of the offense.He doesn't pout. He doesn't voice his frustration. The fourth-round draft pick from East Carolina simply goes about his daily business, working to enhance his game."It's a growing process." Hardy said. "You've got to enjoy this process. Like I've said, I've been in situations like this, and I feel like I know how to handle the situation. I look at the positive in everything. It's a chance to make sure I know everything that I need to know so that when my name is called, I can ball."The Falcons obviously entered the season stacked at receiver, with seven on the 53-man roster. No one was going to replace Julio Jones, Roddy White or Leonard Hankerson, while Devin Hester and Eric Weems both were needed for special teams. Hester suffering a turf toe injury during preseason seemed to open an opportunity for Hardy in the slot, but Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan obviously felt more comfortable with Nick Williams, a player he coached while with the Washington Redskins.Hardy was inconsistent catching the ball during the preseason, but he still showed flashes. He even had a 70-yard punt return, which made you think he could replace Hester in the return game. Instead, the Falcons opted for Weems and Williams.So what did the coaches tell Hardy as the reason for him being inactive?"There is no reason," Hardy said. "It's just one of those things where I'm coming into a new system and I'm just trying to feel my way out."Like Hardy said, he's been in similar situations before. During his first year at East Carolina, he was the scout team quarterback. He finished his college career by catching an NCAA FBS record 387 passes, breaking the mark previously set by Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles (349).While in college, Hardy said, he never had a playbook -- which probably made the transition to the NFL much more difficult, particularly with the variety of route combinations in Shanahan's scheme."Once you learn how to actually do it, when you know how to study -- like I said, I'm coming from a no-playbook system -- so once I got a chance to learn from the vets how to look over notes, how to look over the playbook, it started coming to me a lot better. Midway through training camp, I learned how to piece concept things together so when I know I have this route, this route complements that route."Hardy reiterated how much veterans such as White and Jones have helped him through the growing pains."Everybody has helped me through the process," Hardy said. "They told me 'It's a business, but at the same time you have to keep going out there and showing the coaches you can do this. And when your name is called, just make sure that everybody knows you can do it.'"Definitely I showed something (in the preseason). At the same time, this is a team. This is a team sport. Whatever the team needs to go out there and win every time we play, that's what we've got to do."Based on coach Dan Quinn's words, Hardy could be inching closer to a debut, although nothing is guaranteed. Hester's expected return in Week 13 will affect the receiver depth."I think as much as anybody, we have a Plan B in effect (where) we're trying to work a number of guys -- whether it's on the active roster or on the practice squad -- we kind of treat everybody as one big group, and he, for one, has made a huge improvement in terms of beating man-to-man, beating press at the line," Quinn said of Hardy. "He's chomping at the bit to get his opportunity."http://espn.go.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/16818/falcons-rookie-justin-hardy-patiently-waiting-for-his-chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HASHBROWN3 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hang tough bud. All in due time bro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monolith2001 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 No playbook? Color me impressed and appalled at the same time. I guess that is one way to screw with the opposing team's film study. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoddyWhite84 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 well young man study that playbook and be ready to come out guns blazing..thats a crime he didnt have a playbook in college..ive never heard that before in my life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1970 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 If Hankerson keeps dropping balls we need to see what Hardy can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caddieman Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 (edited) If Hankerson keeps dropping balls we need to see what Hardy can do.D-a-m-n skippy Edited October 21, 2015 by Caddieman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DurtyBurdz155 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 If Hankerson keeps dropping balls we need to see what Hardy can do.Agree 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1989Fan Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 .........just not enought to be active over a udfa.But seriously, this is the first i have heard of no playbook, and it makes the Hardy inactive mystery much more understandable. You need to know the routes and playbook to make sure you meet the ball at a spot. No knowing the route could be the difference between a td and a pick six. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdz4i Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 No one was going to replace Julio Jones, Roddy White or Leonard Hankerson, i do not know if i would go that far. hankerson has been pretty pedestrian with all his drops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lju713 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Part of me can't wait to see JH16 on the field...the other part is saying a DE or cover LB wouldve been nive nice with that pick 😒 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtybird56 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 If Hankerson keeps dropping balls we need to see what Hardy can do.Hank's drops are ridiculous but tbh if we're taking a receiver off the field Im pulling Roddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FentayeJones Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 (edited) Hank's drops are ridiculous but tbh if we're taking a receiver off the field Im pulling RoddyI would pull Roddy too. The separation just isn't there like it used to be. Edited October 22, 2015 by FentayeJones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamPlayer1 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 My feeling is that Mr. Hardy at some point will be a monster in the slot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRUNKuno Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Get in that playbook, Dropsies Magee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DurtyBurdz155 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Get in that playbook, Dropsies Magee.Hankerson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theyhateme : ) Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 No playbook system...wow! That was the last thing that I could have imagined. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeriver Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Let me get this straight: ECU's offense didn't have a playbook? Or is that just Hardy? Either way that's really weird and impressive at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theyhateme : ) Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Let me get this straight: ECU's offense didn't have a playbook? Or is that just Hardy? Either way that's really weird and impressive at the same time.That really explains it. H#LL, he's learning the offense the right way. I'm good with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Javader09 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 If Hankerson keeps dropping balls we need to see what Hardy can do.I think he should be called Hammerhands . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParanoidAndroid Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Coach Quinn said in the presser that Hardy is getting better at beating man to man coverage which implies he's been struggling with it. Last thing we need is to put him out too early. He'll be ready next year I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dirty Bird Nation ® Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Nick fcking Williams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DurtyBurdz155 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Coach Quinn said in the presser that Hardy is getting better at beating man to man coverage which implies he's been struggling with it. Last thing we need is to put him out too early. He'll be ready next year I think.He will be ready in a few more weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zekeyboy1 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 They drafted as if they didn't think we'd be winning many games this year.Collins, Hardy, or Beasley for that matter, were ready to contribute much this year imo...Wouldve been nice to grab a LB, another DE(Gregory) or a S after the Beasley pick.(which I actually liked) Oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GATXBOI Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 (edited) i do not know if i would go that far. hankerson has been pretty pedestrian with all his drops.So did Roddy at the beginning of his career. If it wasn't for Finnerman jenkins and Horn.... would Roddy be the player he is today. The same way some are bashing Hankerson you were bashing Roddy. Give Hank some time once he control those drops watch out. His upside is better than Roddy's was. Edited October 22, 2015 by GATXBOI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drunken Minotaur Zebra Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 No playbook system...wow! That was the last thing that I could have imagined.I would wager thats precisely why he wasnt a starter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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