Should the Bills cut James Hardy?

I’ve been reading a lot of posts online about people wanting to see the Bills cut James Hardy. I understand the pros for the team to cut the 3rd year wide receiver.

1) He sucks.

2) Buddy Nix didn’t draft the player, so he owes him nothing.

3) Let other players get reps.

However, and I’ve said this before, just because the GM didn’t draft the player, doesn’t mean you can just toss him in the waste paper basket. Its a team investment and frankly, as bad as Hardy has been, his biggest issue is staying healthy and getting on the field. This isn’t a Todd Collins situation where the guy had his chance and just blew it during his first year of starting. Hardy has had two serious surgeries in the last 18 months and deserves time to get healthy.

Plus, we all know that the transition from the college to the pro game is extremely difficult for a wide receiver. It has been proven that it can take anywhere from 3-4 years for a wideout to find his stride. Hardy deserves that chance to figure out what he can do for the Bills. Also, it’s not like the Bills are extremely deep at the wide receiver position. If they had a legit number 2 and 3 receiver, then I could understand the thought of cutting Hardy. However, to say that Stevie Johnson and Roscoe Parrish are head and shoulders above Hardy, is a little extreme.

Not to mention, what’s the point of cutting him? Are you sending a message to the public and team that the team is serious about contending? Sorry, but that transaction wouldn’t make me get on my soapbox and declare a changing of the guard. I’d understand if the Bills got rid of Marshawn Lynch because they were sick of his off the field distractions and they wanted to show the public that they were going to take off the field distractions seriously (Actually, let me clarify, I wouldn’t care if he was still on the team, but most fans would).

Bottom line: Until the Bills find a legit number 2 or 3 wide receiver, James Hardy should still be on this team. Now, if he still stinks by next year, then I’d be open to cutting him. You just don’t throw away 2nd round picks after two years.