Hardesty's knee not so good (1 Viewer)

[Hoss_Cartwright]

The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram's Scott Petrak suspects RB Montario Hardesty may have encountered a setback with his surgically repaired knee.

Though coach Pat Shurmur insists Hardesty is just following the team's plan, Petrak noted that the oft-injured back "didn't look right" while running sprints off to the side. He's either a slow healer or weeks away from returning to form. Either way, we're prepared to give Peyton Hillis a slight bump in projections while downgrading Hardesty.

 

[eakfootball]

Not again. If Hardesty is healthy he could be a star, but this knee may hold him back.

 

[LHUCKS]

good news for Hillis owners

 

[ThePittbully]

I for one am shocked

 

[Anonymous Internet User]

I don't think a healthy Hardesty takes the starter job from Hillis this year.

 

[statman]

Looking like Brandon Jackson could be the handcuff?

 

[munchkin]

"He didn't look right running sprints on the sidelines", what the heck does that mean? What is the writter comparing it too? It is not unusual for a team to hold a player out of contact drills early in camp when they are recovering from injury. The team does not have him on the PUP list. They have not had contact with him over the offseason due to the lockout and need to evaluate his recovery from surgery. You wouldn't want the team to put him in harm's way before a thorough evaluation by the trainers and coaching staff. Give the guy a break already.

 

[SWC]

hardesty is awesome but the problem is the thing he is awesome at is being injuredhe would be a world dominator and probably destroy nations if he could get on the field and show the folks what he is capable of

 

[sihaokills]

Too many injuries

 

[ty247]

I'm hearing that he still has a lot of swelling on the knee and something just isn't right.

Lot of Browns fans are getting the feeling that it's possible he may start the season on PUP and that the Brandon Jackson signing was an indication the lack of confidence in Hardesty's health

 

[loose circuits]

I was thinking Buckram would be a sleeper now, but he failed his physical and was never actually signed :(

 

[De Novo]

I'm hearing that he still has a lot of swelling on the knee and something just isn't right.Lot of Browns fans are getting the feeling that it's possible he may start the season on PUP and that the Brandon Jackson signing was an indication the lack of confidence in Hardesty's health

Could be one of those situations where they have to go back in and so some clean-up.

 

[Steelfan7]

Staph infection?

 

[Bri]

"He didn't look right running sprints on the sidelines", what the heck does that mean? What is the writer comparing it too?

A long time sports writer is not a doctor, but they've seen many injured athletes and covered their recoveries. We don't always have a doc or trainer's opinion to roll with in FF

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Another Cleveland sports guy (Fox 8) said:

Montario Hardesty running short distances and massaging knee means A.low threshold pain ..or B.a ways away from getting back to top speed

Obviously that's just, like, his opinion, man, but he is a marathoner/triathlete too...

 

[BespokeJort]

haha nicely said, Bloom

 

[Bri]

If it wasn't Cleveland, we'd be saying there's zero need to make an effort to replace Hillis. Cleveland has done things incorrectly in the past and this might work out for them.

Suppose Hardesty is better by October(like looking sharp with no ill effects) and provides a nice backup to Hillis-that would probably be ideal.

IMO there's a huge warning or flare about fixing something that isn't broken here.

McCoy is a fun guy to root for and an impressive young player. If they take his running game away, things will get real difficult for him real fast. Their defense got time to rest last year-a normal or more than normal time to rest. When's the last time a Browns D had that? Hillis' success did far more for this team than (apparently) they're letting on.

 

[Bamac]

Looking like Brandon Jackson could be the handcuff?

Yes. Even if Hardesty is healthy to start the season, snag Jackson at the end of your draft.

 

[zed2283]

2010 1.6 Hardesty drafter.

 

[valhallan]

Looking like Brandon Jackson could be the handcuff?

Yes. Even if Hardesty is healthy to start the season, snag Jackson at the end of your draft.

Jackson has plenty of experience in this west coast offense and the Browns o-line has some serious run blockers. I think he's more of a threat to Hillis than generally believed.

 

[sho nuff]

Looking like Brandon Jackson could be the handcuff?

Yes. Even if Hardesty is healthy to start the season, snag Jackson at the end of your draft.

PPR he could be ok...non-ppr...not sure he will even be worth having.Couldn't do much in Green Bay's offense last year...what makes anyone think he will be able to do it in Cleveland?

 

[PizzaDeliveryGuy]

Looking like Brandon Jackson could be the handcuff?

Yes. Even if Hardesty is healthy to start the season, snag Jackson at the end of your draft.

PPR he could be ok...non-ppr...not sure he will even be worth having.Couldn't do much in Green Bay's offense last year...what makes anyone think he will be able to do it in Cleveland?

They are better at run blocking?

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Jackson has plenty of experience in this west coast offense

He does? The term "West Coast Offense" covers so much now and Shurmur and McCarthy don't appear to have ever been on the same staff or worked under the same coaches. How similar are their offenses really?

 

[valhallan]

Jackson has plenty of experience in this west coast offense

He does? The term "West Coast Offense" covers so much now and Shurmur and McCarthy don't appear to have ever been on the same staff or worked under the same coaches. How similar are their offenses really?

Well Shurmur worked 10 years for Andy Reid, who worked for 7 years under Mike Holmgren, who hired Shurmur. Safe to say they share similar philosphies, no?Ok I neglected McCarthy. However, I believe it's common knowledge he runs a West Coast system and it's also common knowledge that the requirements placed on a RB in that system can take years to learn. You can discount Jackson's experience if you want.

 

[amnesiac]

bust.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Jackson has plenty of experience in this west coast offense

He does? The term "West Coast Offense" covers so much now and Shurmur and McCarthy don't appear to have ever been on the same staff or worked under the same coaches. How similar are their offenses really?

Well Shurmur worked 10 years for Andy Reid, who worked for 7 years under Mike Holmgren, who hired Shurmur. Safe to say they share similar philosphies, no?Ok I neglected McCarthy. However, I believe it's common knowledge he runs a West Coast system and it's also common knowledge that the requirements placed on a RB in that system can take years to learn. You can discount Jackson's experience if you want.

I was really just trying to learn. Andy Reid and Mike Shanahan both run WCOs but Donovan McNabb didn't exactly have a seamless transition.

 

[valhallan]

Jackson has plenty of experience in this west coast offense

He does? The term "West Coast Offense" covers so much now and Shurmur and McCarthy don't appear to have ever been on the same staff or worked under the same coaches. How similar are their offenses really?

Well Shurmur worked 10 years for Andy Reid, who worked for 7 years under Mike Holmgren, who hired Shurmur. Safe to say they share similar philosphies, no?Ok I neglected McCarthy. However, I believe it's common knowledge he runs a West Coast system and it's also common knowledge that the requirements placed on a RB in that system can take years to learn. You can discount Jackson's experience if you want.

I was really just trying to learn. Andy Reid and Mike Shanahan both run WCOs but Donovan McNabb didn't exactly have a seamless transition.

Sorry for coming off combative. There are certainly differing versions of the WCO so there will likely be a learning curve for Jackson, but I would think it'll be brief. It strikes me as no coincidence they chose to sign him over other available runners. As for McNabb, I happen to be local to DC and fully believe it was mainly due to lack of effort on his part. However, many Skins fans and talking heads will debate that until the end of time.

 

[zed2283]

With Hillis and Jackson both dinged, sounds like Hardesty will finally get the chance to show his stuff tonight.

Let's just hope it doesn't turn out like last year.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Looking like Brandon Jackson could be the handcuff?

Yes. Even if Hardesty is healthy to start the season, snag Jackson at the end of your draft.

PPR he could be ok...non-ppr...not sure he will even be worth having.Couldn't do much in Green Bay's offense last year...what makes anyone think he will be able to do it in Cleveland?

Joe Thomas thinks he could be pretty good.

 

[loose circuits]

jackson has turf toe and it looks like it might not heal anytime soon. Wouldn't surprise me to see Armond Smith heavily involved as well

 

[ldizzle]

Prediction: later today front page of the Shark Pool:

Montario Hardesty Official Hype-Train!!!

Choooooooo Choooooooo All Aboard!!!

 

[Banger]

Prediction: later today front page of the Shark Pool:

Montario Hardesty Official Hype-Train!!!

Choooooooo Choooooooo All Aboard!!!

added him with the last pick in the draft. Great run blocking and while Hillis is a great story, he wasn't meant to be the guy. With Hillis's style it's a matter of time before he's banged up. Take a shot with him and if he doesn't work out you drop him after a couple weeks for a WW pickup.

 

[Otis]

Prediction: later today front page of the Shark Pool:

Montario Hardesty Official Hype-Train!!!

Choooooooo Choooooooo All Aboard!!!

The Hawks are already all over this one. Get in line.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Not really a strategy but I wrote him off as soon as I heard his name, he just didn't sound like he'd be good.

 

[Urlacher54]

Not really a strategy but I wrote him off as soon as I heard his name, he just didn't sound like he'd be good.

"Hardesty" competitive with a strategy like that.

 

[ourmanflint]

Prediction: later today front page of the Shark Pool:

Montario Hardesty Official Hype-Train!!!

Choooooooo Choooooooo All Aboard!!!

 

[ldizzle]

Prediction: later today front page of the Shark Pool:

Montario Hardesty Official Hype-Train!!!

Choooooooo Choooooooo All Aboard!!!

its better he didnt blow up so we can still get him cheap?

 

[zoonation]

He didn't look very good. I'm willing to let him knock some rust off before I throw him back on the pile. This is not a guy that will be any type of bell cow though. The "Hawks" are going to need food stamps to eat this Fall.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Prediction: later today front page of the Shark Pool:

Montario Hardesty Official Hype-Train!!!

Choooooooo Choooooooo All Aboard!!!

its better he didnt blow up so we can still get him cheap?

Egg zactly. 5-15 going to lull the guppies. Just remember, he totally matched Hillis' workload (5 touches), and he didn't even limp off the field once. Awesome night.

 

[griff321]

Some observations from the game:

Hardesty did get carries very early in the game, third Cleveland possession still first quarter early. He took all of the carries for that drive and then Hillis was back out for the rest of the half.

Hillis looked very good. His first carry he bulldozes a LB to pick up 8 and the first, then on his second he stiff arms Matthews to turn a 2-3yd gain into 8yds.

The Browns look like they're trying to get Hillis more involved in different facets of the passing game. On the second drive Cleveland had a 3rd and 7 to go from the Eagles 15. They motioned Hillis to the X spot and threw a corner fade.

 

[Kwai Chang Caine]

Hillis may not repeat last year's lofty stats but if you get this guy third round you are gonna be happy. In fact he's my guy to pair with Rodgers who I am gonna grab early. We'll see...

 

[zed2283]

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Last night it looked like MH was average at best at one thing and thats running in a straight line.

 

[No Way Jose]

I think it was a victory for MH, just getting through an entire preseason game. I won't draw any conclusions about his game after just 5 carries however, but I'm sure many will.

 

[Mark Wimer]

Last night it looked like MH was average at best at one thing and thats running in a straight line.

His knee just isn't right, IMO. He can't make the cuts and shifts to be effective at this level.Full Disclosure: Peyton Hillis owner in multiple leagues, not a Hardesty owner in a single one.

 

[griff321]

Last night it looked like MH was average at best at one thing and thats running in a straight line.

His knee just isn't right, IMO. He can't make the cuts and shifts to be effective at this level.Full Disclosure: Peyton Hillis owner in multiple leagues, not a Hardesty owner in a single one.

I own both in one league. Hardesty's just isn't 100% recovered, and usually it takes a bit more time for the speed to return, but if he really is 100% then that's just a shame.

 

[[icon]]

Hillis may not repeat last year's lofty stats but if you get this guy third round you are gonna be happy. In fact he's my guy to pair with Rodgers who I am gonna grab early. We'll see...

Just grabbed him in the 7TH ROUND in a PPR league (10T - $250bi - local league) as a RB3 and promptly was told he's a bust this year. Using FBG's projections under this scoring system he's listed at RB12. Absolutely amazed he fell that far and was very much amused to be called out for a bad pick for that one.

 

[zoonation]

Hillis may not repeat last year's lofty stats but if you get this guy third round you are gonna be happy. In fact he's my guy to pair with Rodgers who I am gonna grab early. We'll see...

Just grabbed him in the 7TH ROUND in a PPR league (10T - $250bi - local league) as a RB3 and promptly was told he's a bust this year. Using FBG's projections under this scoring system he's listed at RB12. Absolutely amazed he fell that far and was very much amused to be called out for a bad pick for that one.

I'm shocked you didn't grab him in the 4th, 5th or 6th? What were you thinking?

 

[griff321]

Hillis may not repeat last year's lofty stats but if you get this guy third round you are gonna be happy. In fact he's my guy to pair with Rodgers who I am gonna grab early. We'll see...

Just grabbed him in the 7TH ROUND in a PPR league (10T - $250bi - local league) as a RB3 and promptly was told he's a bust this year. Using FBG's projections under this scoring system he's listed at RB12. Absolutely amazed he fell that far and was very much amused to be called out for a bad pick for that one.

I'm shocked you didn't grab him in the 4th, 5th or 6th? What were you thinking?

Madden Curse IMO

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Hardesty looked good last night. Let me also say that he has zero chance of unseating Peyton Hillis...EVER!!! Hillis is the NFL definition of a beast at RB.

Hardesty looked good though. I was impressed since the run blocking was hit and miss. He was able to gain yards after contact which is important in Cleveland where you might not always have a gaping hole to slash through. His 1st and 2nd carries of the game he made about 4-5 yds and took some folks with him. His 3rd carry, he was in a shotgun formation and when he took the handoff he had 2 guys waiting to wrangle him down, not sure what you can do in that situation. He will make a nice RB2/3 with Brandon Jackson for Cleveland.

Hillis is still going to get 20+ touches a game.