Greg Hardy?

[bigdog10]

From what you've seen out of him with almost a full year under his belt at DE, are you sold on him being the starter opposite CJ next year? Or do you think we need to address the DE position in the draft (with a high pick 1st or 2nd round)

FWIW, I got to thinking about Hardy after watching Aldon Smith manhandle the Steelers line last night

[smitty_89]

He should still be the starter...when we get Beason back and have some other good players added to the defense, he will be effective. or at least I hope

[rayzor]

he's a solid pass rusher as good as any in the league. his weakness is in run defense, but he's just finishing his 2nd year in the league...his first as a starter. he's also been struggling most of the year because of the guys he's had standing beside him.

he'll be better next year. DE is not an area i am concerned with. we are set and we are fine with hardy as a starter.

[UNCrules2187]

I think Hardy has looked solid enough this season to feel comfortable going into next season with him as the starter, especially when we'll get two healthy, starting-quality (one would hope) DTs next to he and CJ.

In terms of wondering about Hardy vis-a-vis Aldon Smith, they're playing completely different roles in completely different systems. Hardy is being asked to be an every down player defending the rush and the pass while occasionally sliding inside to play a pass-rushing DT while Smith's one and only role, in limited snaps, is to rush the passer from his outside backer position. It's much easier to wreak havoc / look good when you only have one responsibility and aren't worn down from being on the field for 90-95% of the game.

[Porn Shop Clerk]

bigger needs to fill other than hardy imo. the kid is gonna get better.

[teeray]

He has been okay. I don't see us changing our DEs up next season. Too many other holes.

[Crixtala]

i seriously doubt that we'll take a DE with one of our two first draft picks, we have bigger needs

with that being said, i don't think we should be handing Hardy a starting spot... let him win it. there's only a handful of players on this team (Cam, Smitty, Kalil, Stew and DWill combined, CJ, Beason, Anderson and Gamble) who should consider their starting positions a lock.

[Guest Irv]

From what you've seen out of him with almost a full year under his belt at DE, are you sold on him being the starter opposite CJ next year? Or do you think we need to address the DE position in the draft (with a high pick 1st or 2nd round)

FWIW, I got to thinking about Hardy after watching Aldon Smith manhandle the Steelers line last night

Stop looking at the sacks and look at the overall product.

[iamcline]

Hardy has played very well this season. This is a no brainer, yes he starts next year. He's developing into one of the top DEs in the division.

[Argus Plexus]

[iamcline]

Stop looking at the sacks and look at the overall product

Some of these folks do remind me of someone buying a video game. "OMG THE GRAPHICS ARE HORRIBLE"

Then the rest of us who have played it are focusing on game play knowing that graphics will come in time.

[bigdog10]

If you guys were "focusing" on his game play, you would be noticing him get engulfed on most running plays.

Hardy has a great motor and should be the starter next year. I would prefer to have another DE who was better at containing the run and then see this new DE, Hardy, and Johnson on the field at times to get after the passer.

[Chaos]

It would be nice to get another solid DE, and whether he or Hardy started wouldn't matter to me, but you get that depth with hopefully some pass rush to go with. We need that "Al Wallace" type of guy. Coming off the bench on third downs and busting spleens.

[Dpantherman]

DE play will get even better with more solid play in the middle.