We learned that Al Harris cannot cover Plaxico Burress. We learned that the Packers need a big physical corner that could keep up with the likes of Burress.
So why would the Packers draft a wide receiver with their first-round pick?
Last year, around this time, Brett Favre was campaigning general manager Ted Thompson to bring in then-Oakland Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss. Rumor has it the Packers could have acquired Moss for as little as a fifth-round pick. The Patriots acquired Moss for a fourth-rounder. Favre was not a happy camper.
But it still worked out for them. Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and James Jones provided a trio of receivers that ranged from good-to-great skill wise. Jennings had a career year, albeit his second year in the league, while Jones started off fast, but saw a dip in playing time after his two-fumble performance in Week 5 at Chicago. And then Driver was as good as always. Koren Robinson came off suspension later in the year and teamed with Ruvell Martin to round out the "Big 5" wide receiver set, a matchup nightmare for defenses.
However, these five talented wide receivers all have a drawback: size. They range from 5'11" to 6'4", with Jennings being 5'11" and Martin being 6'4". A big wide receiver like Moss, who is listed at 6'5" or 6'6" would have provided a big help against the Giants in the NFC Championship Game. The Packers wide receivers were not made for cold weather. They were made for warm weather where they can move freely and make their cuts easier. A big wide receiver would provide the size needed and jumping ability to destroy defenses, a la Plaxico.
That is why the Packers should draft James Hardy.
Hardy is 6'7" and 220 pounds. That's some serious size right there. As a junior at Indiana last year, he caught 79 passes for 1,125 yards and 16 touchdowns. The 16 touchdowns ranked second in the nation. And he did this all against Big Ten competition, which is regarded as one of the best defensive conferences out there. For his career, Hardy owns the Indiana record books, with 191 receptions, 2,740 yards, and 36 touchdowns. He helped Indiana to a 7-6 record and their first bowl appearance in 14 years in 2007.
In games against some of the best competition in the nation in 2007, Hardy showcased his abilities. In a 38-20 win against Iowa, Hardy caught four passes for 113 yards, including a 48-yarder, and one touchdown. He followed this up three weeks later against Penn State by catching 14 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort. Later, in an important Big Ten against Northwestern, a 31-28 loss for Indiana, Hardy caught seven passes for 107 yards, and two touchdowns, giving him five multi-touchdown games on the year. He was only kept out of the endzone twice this year, against Wisconsin and Oklahoma State in the Insight Bowl, both losses for Indiana.
Hardy does not come without character issues however. After the 2005 season, Hardy was arrested for domestic battery in Fort Wayne. The charges were dismissed after Hardy went through a diversion program. Hardy's coach at the time, the late Terry Hoeppner, suspended him for two games in the 2006 season because of this. Hardy still seems committed to excellence through all this, as he told the Associated Press, "No matter what I accomplish, I'm never satisfied now. I will continue to work hard no matter what comes my way."
Many sources rate Hardy as a top five receiver in the upcoming draft, including NFL Draft Watch, which has him as the third-best wide receiver, and rising, behind Malcolm Kelly from Oklahoma and DeSean Jackson from California.
So why do the Packers need Hardy?
Well he would provide a large presence in the secondary for the Packers. He would be Favre or Aaron Rodgers' go-to guy in the red zone, providing size and jumping ability. He would also be able to create mismatches across the middle with linebackers and safeties. This might be a huge risk, but it yields high reward.
If you want to see what Hardy could do, Packers fans, watch a replay of Plaxico Burress in the NFC Championship Game against the Packers. The Pack could have a guy like that. The Pack need a guy like that.
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