Hardy Among Bills Roster Cuts

ORCHARD PARK, NY (WIVB) - James Hardy was drafted to be an big receiving target and end zone threat.  Two years and 10 catches later, Hardy is an ex-Bill.  He was among the 20 players cut by the team on Saturday, as they met the NFL's 53 man roster limit.

A 2008 second round draft pick, Hardy battled injuries the last year and never seemed to grasp the Buffalo offense.  He was hurt (knee) at the end of his rookie year, and missed all but two games of last year.  The injury lingered into the offseason, and another injury forced Hardy to miss time in training camp.

In 16 games with the Bills, Hardy started just three times, had 10 catches and two touchdowns. 

Head Coach Chan Gailey talked about the release of Hardy and fellow veteran wideout Chad Jackson.

"To be honest with you, those guys played really good during preseason. They did a nice job on special teams for us. In our opinion, they gave us the best chance to win football games. That’s why you make those decisions. The one thing when you come in without any preconceived ideas, everybody gets to start on an even keel. Those guys played well when they got their chances. So, they made the most of it. We told them that everybody had a shot, and they took advantage of it."

 

 

Here is the complete list of Bills cuts and roster moves:

WR James Hardy

WR Naaman Roosevelt

RB Joique Bell

QB Levi Brown

WR Chad Jackson

C Sean Allen

RB Andre Anderson

T Kirk Chambers

DE Rashaad Duncan

FB Rodney Ferguson

C Christian Gaddis

TE Andrew George

G Nick Hennessey

DB Ellis Lankster

G Andre Ramsey

DB Lydell Sargeant

RB Chad Simpson

T Jason Watkins

LB Donovan Woods

Roosvelt is the Buffalo native and U.B. grad who was trying to make the team as an undrafted free agent.  Jackson, a veteran, had a good preseason but lost out to a pair of undrafted free agent rookie receivers who made it, David Nelson and Donald Jones.

Bell led the team in rushing during the preseason.  But the Bills kept three veteran tailbacks in Lynch, Spiller and Jackson.

Brown was the team's seventh round draft pick and the Bills are likely hoping he isn't claimed and makes it to the practice squad.

The Bills went heavy on linebackers and defensive backs.  They kept 10 LB and 11 DB's.  All the teams draft picks except Brown and 7th rounder Kyle Calloway made the team.