Should we tag Hardy and then try to trade him?

[Peppers90 NC]

yes we should tag him, only trade him if it appears obvious he is not willing to take what we can offer him to stay.

[gmonjimbo]

Our entire defense is built on the pass rush. Are you really going to trade the best rusher we have and bank on Mario Addison and Alexander as starters?

 

Yes. This coaching staff is able to get the most out of their players in the defensive side of the ball. Dwan Edwards was able to rejuvenate his career here. Mike Mitchell always had the talent, but he was a marginal player for the Raiders. He signs with the Panthers and plays at a pro bowl level. If Mario Addison, Wes Horton, and Frank Alexander have the talent, I believe this coaching staff will help them reach their potential. 

[Ja Rhule]

Our entire defense is built on the pass rush. Are you really going to trade the best rusher we have and bank on Mario Addison and Alexander as starters?

Many DEs can do wonders when they face single teams and sometimes work against TEs. Hardy got 15 sacks thanks to DTs. He won't anywhere near as many sacks if he gets double teamed. There been games where he was nonexistent.

[rayzor]

slap him with the non-exclusive franchise tag.

 

he can still talk to other teams. if some team offers him a contract he'll take we can either match it or they can give us two first round picks.

 

if we work out a contract with him, let it be heavily back loaded so that the bigger part of his cap hit coincides with the end of CJ's contract.

[unicar15]

I think it's a big risk. Our DBs are marginal at best and need a dominant rush.

[Cary Kollins]

Hell yes. Hardy is a good player but we will not be able to lock him down long term.

[chknwing]

someone please get rayzor into the front office.  man is fuging brilliant

[d-dave]

I am still of two sides to the keep or loose.  I mean, you have to get value one way or another.  Signing him long term is going to be a real challenge, but it can be done.  Its going to take A LOT of magic.  But what Hardy also needs to realize is that he can go and make the money, and maybe go to a winner.  This team is just starting to click.  We'll be good for a while.  Does he want to go to some place like Oakland?  Are they ever going to find a QB?

 

I think I now have a new stand on Hardy.  If we can keep him, great!  Keep the gang together, more parties in the backfield!  It means money is going to have to be moved, but it can be done (Gettlemagic!!!!)

 

If we lose him, just make sure we get something (tag & trade plz!).  I don't want him walking out and only picking up a comp pic...

 

If either one of those happens, I'm fine with it.  If we loose him a la Peppers...I'll not be happy as a fan...

[mwright350]

I love Hardy for his attitude, his abilty to go non-stop, and the talent he brings.  The downside is I just don't think we can afford him and pay proper attention to the rest of the team...still being hamstrung as we are by other contracts with some other doozys coming up.  Give me a choice between Hardy and two of our other big contracts that will be coming up (Luke / Cam) and Hardy, I'm afraid, is 3rd on the list.  To me I think that's exactly the situation we find ourselves in unless we want to ignore every other position on the field.

 

If Hardy is affordable I would be thrilled to keep him here but I think the more realistic scenario is get maximum compensation for him while he's  a hot commodity via whatever means necessary.  It's not unheard of for someone to shell out two first rounders for a hot hand at DE - the non-exclusive franchise tag is a realistic option there.

[jptaylor84]

Trade him whilst we can get the most for him and fill other needs. He's a good player but some of his his stats lie, 10 sacks in three games vastly improved his season stats and he was ineffective against better olines over the season, it's no coincidence when he's got nothing we didn't, I think we were 4-5 in games he didn't register a sack, he's a talent but If he gives us cap space and a high pick or two isn't it better to improve the team instead of keeping him and setting another position or peice of the team back another year! I say thanks Greg but we need an offense more than we need another high paid DE

[joemac]

We can sign him to something like a 6 or 7 year deal with a very large signing bonus and a marginal yearly base salary. Isn't the signing bonus split up over the length of the contract for salary cap purposes? Let's say we give him 7 years with 40 million guaranteed....but with a 35 million dollar signing bonus, which would count against the cap 5 million a year plus his base salary. Someone correct me if I'm just totally off on how that works...

[carolina-chuck]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!

 

(1) Oakland or Jacksonville = 2014 2nd round + 2015 2nd round

 

(2) Oakland = Hardy + Car 2014 2nd round for Oakland no5

 

(3) Cleveland = 2014 1st round (via Indy/no26) + 2014 3rd

[CRA]

I think if Short and Star improve (which they should)...paired with CJ. We add some real secondary talent. D can remain dominant next year without Hardy.

Over-investing at one spot is always playing with fire. Let's say we have DE injuries next year and all our money on D is in that one spot.....you get screwed.

Really no different than the RB thing. You need diverse talent. Too much at one spot isn't always good

[ncfan]

Add a second or maybe 2nd and 3rd off Hardy.  Kareem Martin with one of those Hardy picks, no real drop off in the front 7 with plenty of cap to play with and picks left to work with.

I think if Short and Star improve (which they should)...paired with CJ. We add some real secondary talent. D can remain dominant next year without Hardy.

Over-investing at one spot is always playing with fire. Let's say we have DE injuries next year and all our money on D is in that one spot.....you get screwed.

Really no different than the RB thing. You need diverse talent. Too much at one spot isn't always good