“Dream” Spot For Greg Hardy Alongside McCoy
January 24th, 2014
The Panthers’ sackmaster is salivating
You want beastly young Panthers free agent defensive end Greg Hardy playing alongside Gerald McCoy and terrorizing left tackles?
Well, the outspoken Hardy would love to accommodate, so he told JoeBucsFan.com in Hawaii.
Yes, Joe’s got great, great, great stuff coming to you today and all weekend from the land of pineapple and this weekend’s Pro Bowl, including some kick ass video.
JoeBucsFan.com: So free agency’s coming up. How would you like to play with a guy like Gerald McCoy?
Greg Hardy: I love a guy like that, man. He gets off fast. He knows how to get to the quarterback. And he keeps them on the move. For guys like me, that’s a dream.
Hmmm, that was interesting. Joe wonders if Jared Allen is thinking the same thing?
Hardy surely didn’t give the stock answer of, ‘Oh, I’m representing the Panthers here at the Pro Bowl and I love my team.” And word out of the Charlotte Observer yesterday painted a somewhat grim picture of Panthers fans seeing more of Hardy in their colors 2014. Hardy had 15 sacks this season on the heels of 11 in 2012.
Joe will bring the details and quotes later, but Saints Pro Bowler Jahri Evans dove into Xs and Os of McCoy’s dominance and how the Saints prepare for him.
Yes, the Bucs, with McCoy and Lovie Smith, are a coveted landing spot for a free agent DE.
January 24th, 2014 at 8:54 am
If the bucs somehow manage to get this guy under contract, it would really open up option in the draft! Like drafting Watkins or any OL stud
January 24th, 2014 at 8:55 am
Given our propensity to make decent players the highest paid at their position, I’m sure he would.
January 24th, 2014 at 8:58 am
Nah, don’t play with emotions like this Joe. Not cool bro
January 24th, 2014 at 9:00 am
Gulp you serious?
January 24th, 2014 at 9:05 am
Just so everyone knows. The pop-star drafted Brent Bowden in 6th round ( the punter that never made it past camp) 3 spots ahead of Greg Hardy in the deepest draft that the pop-star has ever seen.
January 24th, 2014 at 9:09 am
@Realist – 31 other teams passed on him at least 5 times as well. Let’s not act like Dom is the only one that didn’t see him playing at this level.
January 24th, 2014 at 9:14 am
I would cry tears of joy for this!
January 24th, 2014 at 9:18 am
The_Buc_Realist Says:
Just so everyone knows. The pop-star drafted Brent Bowden in 6th round ( the punter that never made it past camp) 3 spots ahead of Greg Hardy in the deepest draft that the pop-star has ever seen.
“I’ve been saying this around these parts since the 2010 draft. I never forget thinking when Greg returned to Ole Miss, for his last year. Smh kid, your gonna destroy your draft position if you get hurt. Later I even went on the radio, to ask DOM what was the reason why he didn’t draft Greg. Now we might get a chance to correct it.
January 24th, 2014 at 9:20 am
Would be great to see Hardy come to Tampa. Would like to see Bennett on the other side of him and Mack coming in through the draft. That would be a pretty nasty front 7
January 24th, 2014 at 9:26 am
Anybody want to fathom a guess as to why Owners created the franchise tag? Even the ability to use it two years in a row? The Panthers have as much cap space as the Bucs and not nearly as many needs.
Greg Hardy will be chasing whoever our starting QB will be next year as a Panther. Our best bet is to see if we can find someone to block him. And the Saints are currently 8mil over the projected cap and Jimmy Graham will be catching Brees passes and slam dunking TDs for the Saints too.
The good thing about dreaming is sooner or later you wake up and that’s a good thing too!
January 24th, 2014 at 9:27 am
“@Realist – 31 other teams passed on him at least 5 times as well. Let’s not act like Dom is the only one that didn’t see him playing at this level.”
Sure, that’s true. But Dom was the only one that used the spot on punter, one who never was deemed good enough to even kick in a real NFL game. If you’re going to draft a punter, he should be lights out awesome. Bowden was good enough to kick in the UFL in 2012.
January 24th, 2014 at 9:28 am
Or did Hardys’ agent tell him to say that kind of stuff to ‘up the ante’ in Carolina? They might be on the fence about losing Hardy, but they sure as heck don’t want to see a division rival get him.
A guy like Hardy sure would make McCoys’ job a lot easier.
*If* he’s signed by the Bucs, the #7 pick then looks more like a WR.
January 24th, 2014 at 9:30 am
If we are going to run elements of the T2, you need pressure rushing only 4. Hardy makes sense.
What truly nibbles the nut sack is that we simply don’t know how good our existing 4 can be rushing straight up.
The money spent on Revis may be better spent elsewhere.
January 24th, 2014 at 9:37 am
Posturing.
I mean it would be one helluva combo, but it’s posturing for a big contract with the Panthers. Nothing more.
January 24th, 2014 at 9:38 am
He said before that he wanted to stay a panther and was willing to take a pay cut. He probably thought you meant McCoy going to the panthers ha.
January 24th, 2014 at 9:39 am
If the Bucs could land Hardy this next year would remind me of how the Bucs made it to the Super Bowl. Todays NFL is about being young and quick turn arounds, with that being said bringing in Hardy would be like Rice, we have a DT and LB in the mold of Sapp and Brooks, Glennon can be just as servicable as Brad Johnson was, or running backs are way better than Mike Pittman and we didn’t have that speed WR in Key,Macardell, and Joe.J which if we shore up a fast/speedy WR and mabey bring in Nicks from the giants. If Tedford can run a good offense who really knows what we will see on Sundays. Big name Head couch in his first year with the same schedule we had in 2001-02 except one team mabey the stars align and something magical happens. That’s how this Bucs fan is going into this season, what’s the point of being skeptical. There’s no fun in that.
January 24th, 2014 at 9:43 am
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come join us Greg!
January 24th, 2014 at 9:53 am
We are in a position to attract some good Free Agents…..The Bucs are an attractive team now with Lovie and all the assistants in place.
Add no state income tax and a core of good players and you have a recipe for success. I suspect in some cases we will be getting big raises for our opponents….Hardy & Graham may be two of them.
January 24th, 2014 at 9:57 am
Do you know how many teams are looking for pass rushers, wide receiver depth and DB depth? Lots.
RockStar generally did a good job but made a huge mistake last off-season by NOT acquiring depth in a market where non-star players could be had for relatively cheap salaries. Johnthan Banks could’ve spent the year backing up Sean Smith or Brent Grimes instead of starting.
January 24th, 2014 at 10:03 am
He’s using us for leverage in his negotiation with the Panthers.
January 24th, 2014 at 10:09 am
Greg Hardy or Jared Allen would be nice…….
January 24th, 2014 at 10:11 am
This is the type of signing that would convince me to renew my tickets for a seventh season.
January 24th, 2014 at 10:14 am
The “rockstar” also had a bad habit of overpaying for FA’s (including PUNTER Michael Koenen and Eric Wright). That may cause hesitation on the Glazers’ side to open the checkbook again so soon.
January 24th, 2014 at 10:21 am
I love seeing Dwew Bwees laying flat on his back. Anything to see more of that….
January 24th, 2014 at 10:22 am
Greg Hardy would be great!!! Wouldn’t mind drafting Aaron Donald DT to put with McCoy.
January 24th, 2014 at 10:23 am
can we start developing our scheme to make these guys on our D……and stop breaking the bank only to have them flop here…
not saying this guy does not sound interesting though 🙂
January 24th, 2014 at 10:23 am
Did NOBODY listen to that press conference yesterday? “You draft your stars and value in free agency.” That is what your new GM said.
You can dream and wish all you want, but there is literally zero chance of a Greg Hardy signing.
Well, Licht was in Arizona last year when they signed John Abraham, and Lovie was in Chicago when they made a desperate trade for Gaines Adams and then broke the bank for Julius Peppers. So these guys have shown that might not exactly be their pattern. –Joe
January 24th, 2014 at 10:36 am
The man knows how to get paid! With the addition of Hardy and a legit defensive tackle to take the double teams off McCoy the Bucs would be well on their way.
January 24th, 2014 at 10:37 am
Please baby Jesus let the Bucs find a way to sign Greg Hardy. Amen.
January 24th, 2014 at 10:40 am
Okay Joe. Now I’m drooling. Stop teasing me.
January 24th, 2014 at 10:47 am
We are all using prior history of team needs for Lovie, Most teams have priority is QB, DE, O-line is premium positions in that order. From past history. Lovie’s priority is DE, DT, O-line and then QB
January 24th, 2014 at 10:50 am
Re-sign McCoy! First things first! Stop dreaming. Start signing!
January 24th, 2014 at 10:52 am
“Well, Licht was in Arizona last year when they signed John Abraham, and Lovie was in Chicago when they made a desperate trade for Gaines Adams and then broke the bank for Julius Peppers. So these guys have shown that might not exactly be their pattern. –Joe”
That is exactly the point, Abraham was a VALUE free agent. He sat on the market for the entire off season practically. Hardy will be a TOP free agent. Gaines Adams trade was just a stupid move and I have no explanation for that, but shouldn’t enter into the discussion, as that was a trade and not FA.
That all sounds nice, but you have no idea of what the free agent market will be this season. Remember last season, when the price/value of cornerbacks plummeted? Not counting the Bucs overpaying Revis. –Joe
January 24th, 2014 at 10:53 am
Licht signed Abraham?? What an asinine statement, he was signed for 2 years for a total 4.6 million combined.Not exactly franchise player money.
Who was talking about money?–Joe
January 24th, 2014 at 11:13 am
Restructure his contract, and trade Revis 1st. Then Re-Up Gerald McCoy
January 24th, 2014 at 11:29 am
Hardy will be tagged. Period. You think a team with cap space is gonna let their best d-lineman walk? After 15 sacks? And being as young as he is? Come on guys, be realistic. Teams don’t give other teams gifts like that, especially division rivals. Not happening. Not now, not ever. Moving on.
January 24th, 2014 at 11:41 am
@Patrick: We were going in that year with Stylez White and Kyle Moore as our starting DEs. Bennett was depth and that’s about it, had nothing worth mentioning behind them. Now you tell me, shouldn’t a Pop Star think about acquiring some DEs over a punter, especially when a guy that could have been a 1st rounder dropped down to 6th because of injury issues?
January 24th, 2014 at 11:44 am
Hardy and his agent will be making these same comments about the other 30 teams as well. Hardy is a beast but I hate to see him get a huge contract with the Bucs then coast. It seems to be a common occurrence in the NFL. I would prefer to pick up a few DE ‘s veterans and add in some draft picks.
January 24th, 2014 at 11:47 am
@Jonny 2.3
then the next year, reached on 2 questionable DE’s with very high draft picks.
January 24th, 2014 at 11:51 am
IT THE NFL-ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN
-In February 2008, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Allen, giving him a one-year, $8.8 million salary for 2008. On April 22, 2008, the Chiefs traded Allen to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a first-round pick, which they used to select OT Branden Albert, and two third-round picks, one of which was used to take Jamaal Charles, and swapped sixth-round picks in the 2008 NFL Draft. The Vikings then signed Allen to a six-year contract, which at the time was the richest contract for a defensive player in NFL history
-Julius Peppers finished the 2010 season with 36 solo tackles, 6 assisted tackles, 10.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed, 3 stuffs, 1 blocked kick, and 1 defensive touchdown. Peppers was voted to his fifth Pro Bowl and also earned Second-Team All Pro honors. On February 22, 2010, Adam Schefter reported that the Panthers would not place the franchise tag on Peppers, leaving him an unrestricted free agent, free to pursue a contract with another team. On March 5, 2010, the Chicago Bears signed Peppers to a six-year contract worth $91.5 million, with $42 million guaranteed in the first three years
-Mario Williams-On December 15, 2010, the Texans announced they were placing Williams on injured reserve for the remainder of the season with an inflamed hernia. Williams had been struggling since September with injuries, though he still ranked in the top third in the NFL in sacks with 8.5 through 13 games.
Texans franchise records
Most career sacks (53)
Most career forced fumbles (11)
On March 15, 2012, after two days of negotiation with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent, Williams signed a six-year contract with the Bills. Williams’ new contract is worth up to $100 million, with $50 million guaranteed, which makes it the most lucrative contract for a defensive player in NFL history.
January 24th, 2014 at 11:52 am
*IT’S THE NFL-ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN
January 24th, 2014 at 12:07 pm
And there’s plenty other examples too.
Ever heard of a guy name Reggie White or Simeon Rice? How about Leslie O’neal, Kevin Greene?
Not good enough, how about “Da Freak” Jevon Kearse, Kevin Carter & Grant Wistrom?
So as you can see it does happen
January 24th, 2014 at 12:14 pm
bucrealist = buchindsight
January 24th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
I’d be ecstatic if the Bucs were able to land Greg Hardy, but I don’t see how Carolina doesn’t at least place the franchise tag on him. Realistically, it might make more sense from a salary standpoint to go after Jared Allen and/or Peanut Tillman on three year contracts. I have to think that the Bucs will at least land one of those guys, maybe even both, while signing some other guys to build depth on the roster. Alex Mack could be a possibility as well, but either the Bucs will go after experienced veterans and some cheap younger guys or they’ll surprise us and sign a big ticket player like Hardy or Mack.
January 24th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
Its crazy to think that Teams would trade or not Re-Up young Pass Rush talent. But it does happen. Also will someone please tell me, why in the hell Pat Swilling is not in the HOF.
Smh, this brotha was no better than a 2× Second-Team All-Pro selection (1989, 1990). *With 27.5 sacks over those two years.
Goes to show you as much as they brag about these kids now days. Most of them couldn’t make ANY of the ALL-PRO or ALL-DDECADE teams years ago. At least not without IMPACT PLAYS.
January 24th, 2014 at 12:59 pm
This doesn’t necessarily fit with the shopping for value in free agency philosophy espoused by Licht and supported by Lovie. I see Jared Allen as more likely since he’s older and would probably come cheaper. In truth, I don’t think we should bank on any free agent splashes this year. I’m looking forward to returning to the days where we aren’t desperately looking to free agency every year.
January 24th, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Trade revis and reup gerald McCoy?
SUH is currently working on a deal to become the highest paid defensive player, McCoy was drafted right behind him so the more he gets paid, the higher McCoys payday will be, he’s worth it but trade one of the best corners in the game…..for what…for who dominick left us with a good roster and an even better salary cap situation, best in our division anyway but people say trade revis but want to go to the playoffs, thats just dumb. no huge contracts are coming up and we could get greg hardy plus another big time free agent thanks to paying up vjack contract…..most of our star players have gotten their guaranteed money already, theres not a better situation for a gm and head coach to walk into than the bucs roster and salary cap, if we get rid of anyone im happy because i know it would have more to do with production than pay….the HNIC already said revis stays so let it go
January 24th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
@luvmybucs
1/2 those or more didn’t earn the contract with their other teams…productivity and value fell
January 24th, 2014 at 2:06 pm
@bucs4lyte
I don’t embrace excuses on why we’re a losing franchise. I only look for solutions, and you don’t win in the game unless your dominate; in the trenches. $16 million tied up in a CORNER ain’t cutting it.
January 24th, 2014 at 2:08 pm
*and you don’t win in this game unless your dominate; in the trenches.
January 24th, 2014 at 3:21 pm
First thing Licht needs to get done is restructure Revis’ contract.
January 24th, 2014 at 3:57 pm
bucs4lyfe,
Explain HNIC, I’ve never heard that before.
January 24th, 2014 at 4:57 pm
My goodness this would be a great tandem up front on our DL. Include David in the middle, D-Rev, Banks, Goldson and Barron in the backend.. oh wow! Plus I would love to get Greg our of CAR – the worst team in the league for talking trash.
January 24th, 2014 at 5:02 pm
Who says the best value pick may not just be the most talented player?
lol The pick with the most value does not mean that the pick has to have less talent.
One of the positions in Lovie’s D that carries the most value is an elite DE that can consistently get to the QB.
We currently do not have that so logically speaking it would fit perfectly into that statement were they to go out and get an elite DE like Hardy.
I didn’t think it would happen but I doubt they have enough money to franchise him and extend Cam to a mega contract. Or sign them both to new mega contracts lol.