Hardman Returns
November 28th, 2012
The story of guard Derek Hardman always flummoxed Joe a bit.
Hardman was an undrafted rookie in 2010, and played five games in place of Davin Joseph, during which time the Bucs’ ground game was stellar and the passing game put up big numbers. Hardman did well, notbably holding fellow rookie Ndamukong Suh in check.
Then Hardman fell off the map. He saw very little action in 2011, none this season, and was cut by the New Schiano Order after two games, despite Joseph being out for the season.
That seemed odd considering he had more experience at guard than the guys considered to be Joseph’s replacements.
But now Hardman is back off the streets, re-signed today by the Bucs.
November 28th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Hardeman played left tackle all through his college career, so he adds depth there too. Interesting change from LT to RG.
November 28th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
At least we have SOMEBODY.
Von Miller must be licking his chops watching game tape of us.
November 28th, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Seems like the team has plenty of C/G depth, but T is another issue. Looking at the depth chart on Bucs.com and there’s no backup for RT or LT. Scary situation with 6 games to go.
November 28th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
I realize I am a day late and a dollar short on this…but I think bringing in DE Jason Babin for the remainder of the year would be a good idea. Just cut from the Eagles, he’s 32 and only has 5.5 sacks this year…but last year he had 18 sacks.
I’m not saying he would be a long term signing. No way. But anyone would look bad on that Eagles team at this point. $1.8 million is a fair price to pay. It’s not very costly.
Even if we signed him to a 2 year deal, he could be depth next year.
November 28th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Also, on Jason Babin, imagine the threat he poses to other teams on the end. They would have to double cover him…which would open holes for ANY of our other guys.
November 28th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
+1 on Babin. He deserves a look.
November 28th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Jason Babin is not a good idea. Yes, he had 18 sacks last year but that was playing the “wide 9” style which the Bucs do not run. Plus, teams were able to get the 2011 film on him in the offseason and almost totally counter his abilities this season. He only has 5.5 sacks as a result. If he was still a valuable pass-rushing asset the Eagles would never have released him. Those guys don’t grow on trees and teams don’t just give them away. Not to mention he’s not the best locker room asset, either.
Look, we already have a DE in Bowers who is capable of getting much more than 5.5 sacks in a season. The Bucs have brought him along slowly so as not to have a setback in his Achilles, but he’s playing more and more each game. Pretty soon here he’ll be able to play full-time. He’s far more talented than Babin and is a tremendous asset to the team.
I really don’t see the Bucs pushing the panic button and signing a guy who’s very mediocre now. It just doesn’t make any sense in their overall plan. Plus both of the roster spots created yesterday are now already filled by signing Hardman and Gilreath. Don’t see how signing Babin makes the Bucs any better.
November 28th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Pete-
I agree Babin would be a good pickup. I am just not sure if he would fit into the culture here with the NSO. The Eagles are stating he was dumped to give the younger guys a chance. However, I read this as we dumped this guy because he was getting paid big $$$ and had a bad attitude and was difficult in the locker room so we kicked him to curb.
November 28th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Babin didn’t just have 18 sacks last season, he has 36 sacks the past 3 seasons. That’s 36 sacks in 43 games (he’s played in all games the past 3 seasons so he is also durable). He can rush the passer? Am I on board with the Bucs signing him? Not really.
Babin didn’t just solely play in the wide 9 the past 2 seasons, he played with the Titans in 2010 and racked up 12.5 sacks… my issue with Babin is how much does he have left and how quickly can he acclimate himself to the Bucs, their culture, and their concepts?
He’s a good player, or perhaps was a good player but he’s always struggled against the run. I’m not sure he would be a big upgrade over what we already have and I’m sure what we already have is better against the run.
November 28th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
BK-
I don’t think it matters if he fits the NSO culture with so few games left. There is no way we would keep him beyond the end of the season. He wasn’t dumped because of salary…he was only making 1.8 million.
If he were to come in with a bad attitude Schiano would dump him in a heartbeat…and the guy would REALLY be viewed as a bad egg then…no one would hire him. He would know that, so I believe he would change his attitude.
That point about his run defense is valid, but a safety or LB can pick up the slack and help him in those instances. Ideally he would draw double teams…freeing up the other side.
November 28th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
I agree with you Pete. We wouldn’t be asking him to learn the playbook. We would just want him to rush the passer. If the Bucs are serious about making a run for a playoff spot, they could use Babin for the last 5 games. The problem is we don’t have the top waver priority and he probably won’t make it past waivers. So it is a moot point.
November 28th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
also at this point in Hardman’s career, he must feel like a yo-yo….
November 28th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
That’s one good thing about the gauntlets is, once you ran them and recuperated, you can be re-signed multiple times a year. Unless, you have a looming Adderall suspension.
A player with fresh legs who knows the system and the plays, even if you suck, is better than a new player who is limping around at half speed with traumatized leg muscles, sore knees and ankles.
November 29th, 2012 at 7:54 am
Wow, El Magnificio. You do know that most all teams have a conditioning test. Some are difficult and some are not. If you can’t make it thru this gauntlet how does playing a full 60 minutes of football even become possible. One of the many many positives Coach Schiano has brought to our team is physical & mental toughness. This is accomplished by focused long hard dedicated hours working at this craft of being a NFL player. Something that is not easy. This is not the NFL of the 70’s where you came into camp to get into shape, no no no if you are not in shape today you do not make it on a team.
Glad Hardman is back I thought he played well 2 seasons ago in place of our injured starting guard. Hope he gets to play some this season.