Daniel Hardy Talks To Joe
August 28th, 2011
Roster cuts are a focus as the final preseason game approaches on Thursday in Washington. And one guy on the bubble is Daniel Hardy, the Bucs’ rookie tight end out of the University of Idaho, a late seventh-round pick. He’s slugging it out for the third tight-end role with Ryand Purvis and Nathan Overbay, who spent much of last year on the Bucs’ practice squad.
Joe caught up to Hardy yesterday to chat about his NFL experience.
JoeBucsFan.com: How do you feel about your chances of making the team? How have you played? Have you shown the team what you’re all about?
Daniel Hardy: I feel like I’ve made plays when I’ve gotten the opportunity. But there’s always a lot more I can work on. You know, I just try to do what the coaches tell me. That’s what my whole focus has been. I feel good about how camp has been going, about how preseason has been going. I feel I’m improving and learning more and more. That’s really been my whole focus.
Joe: What is your biggest improvement since becoming a pro?
Hardy: I’d say attention to details. There’s so much more that goes into it at this level in terms of off the field in terms note-taking, learning from watching the veterans in front of you, trying to pick up something new every day. And the tempo, the tempo is faster, you really have to be on your cues. You gotta study what the defense is doing. Everything is sped up, the mental and the physical part of it.
Joe: Talk about Kellen Winslow’s influence on you.
Hardy: It’s been huge. Going in I was kind of anxious just to see what kind of guy he was. You know, you hear different things. But he’s been everything and more than I could have asked for me as a rookie at the position. He is so knowledgable. People don’t understand what he goes through every day just to be able to play, in terms of getting physically ready. And his mental approach to it — he’s such a professional seeing how he approaches the game and what he does on and off the field. He’s a physical beast but the mental part of his game I think people on the outside underestimate. Just having someone like that I can look up to is a blessing?
Joe: What are you doing on special teams?
Hardy: I’m on just about everything. They got me at kickoff return, kickoff, punt and punt return. And it’s something that I embrace. A lot of guys, and even for me, it’s a great chance to make a team, just to show them I’m willing to do it and that I’m versatile. … I’m excited because in high school I got to play safety and on special teams you get to be a defender. You get to hit somebody. I love it. I embrace it.
August 28th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
I’d say his hands rival those of Mr Winslow
August 28th, 2011 at 4:45 pm
They might keep Overbay knowing Hardy can be on our practice squad for now. Nobody is going to claim him.
August 28th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I think that this kid has surprised me and I would keep him as the third TE.
August 28th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Winslow. Hardy. Stocker. Goodbye Overbay.
I don’t like the emphasis on 2nd or 3rd in this situation. Id like them both to get plenty of snaps.
August 28th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
I dont see anything in overbay or purvis. Just practice squad players but hardy showed that he can really play.
August 28th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Hey Joe. Do an article on the Madden ratings for Buc players. I bet you would get a whole lotta feedback.
http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/videogames/madden12ratings/_/team/tam/id/27/tampa-bay-buccaneers
August 28th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
@WeNeedADefensiveCoordinator LMAO!!! Like that is ever going to happen. Joe didn’t even know transformers was a cartoon originally. He certainly isn’t going to give a crap about a video game.
August 28th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
PA from our big formation should be exciting to see. Red Zone TD % should go up this year.
GO BUCS!
August 28th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
I think Tampa might consider cutting a lot of people, and picking up some cast off Lineman from other teams.
August 29th, 2011 at 12:19 am
Mauha Deeb:
LOL Joe’s a boring guy. Doesn’t do video games — never did — doesn’t do movies, doesn’t gamble, doesn’t play fantasy any sport.
August 29th, 2011 at 12:20 am
WeNeedADefensiveCoordinator:
joe will pass.
August 29th, 2011 at 3:15 am
@Joe That lack of desire in those certain indulgences of life seems to have paid off pretty well given the success of this website.
August 30th, 2011 at 8:14 am
@Mauha—wow, nice shot at the website. I actually liked Overbay during week 3, Hardy hasnt caught my eye…but that doesnt mean that he hasnt been putting in work. The Bucs front office will make the right choices.