Plays with a lot of heart, but slow & got burned numerous times last year. I am concerned about losing a veteran at this thin position, but maybe better for the program if we can develop a player with more athletic talent. I like the new JC player coming in and perhaps Hardy saw some reduced playing time in his future - we'll be OK.

Cal Bears Great;842679831 said:

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Am I the only one who is kind of miffed by this? I mean, I am definitely all for graduating, and the statement was classy, but when the team is looking to you for experience and leadership on defense - at a position where we have precious little depth - you just leave? Sorry, I just don't think that's the right thing to do. Maybe there's more to the story than I realize, but I think it's a bad look.

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Honestly, it's bullshit. He quit on his team and I won't look at him the same. The good news is that we will get more athletic immediately.

beeasyed;842679894 said:

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at a certain point, you have to realize some of these kids are choosing to graduate early for the sake of being eligible for a grad transfer. it's not just a matter of Cal's grad programs not being easy to get into that's forcing our players out. it's not difficult to spread out your units into 4 years as it is--and I'm sure it's even easier when you're splitting time with D1 ball at a challenging school...

worst part is it's no longer the insignificant players we saw depart in the first seasons. these are all experienced, seasoned leaders that are departing (Barton and Nickerson) at an already thin position. the staff had to have known this for some time, yet doesn't seem to have made any adjustments in the recruiting season to counter it.

I suppose it is to be expected. after all, we've had 3 different coaches for LB in about as many years, and we've reduced that position to be part of the unappealing 4-2-5. Dozier said in his announcement that coaching instability was a big hardship in his time here as well. don't blame them.

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First of all, do you think the staff would let him play spring ball if they knew he was transferring? Simple answer- no! Secondly, this has become a passing conference and many programs will have the same base. It would be more unappealing to have seven guys in the box. It's simple math.

82gradDLSdad;842679877 said:

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Can't help but think that the guys who have been coaching our LBs have not done the job. No depth and players showing no reluctance to pack up and leave. I guess Kaufman has coached LBs before. Let's hope he's not too busy with his other duties to recruit LBs like a mad man and coach them so well that they actually want to stay and play for a good coach on a good defense.

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Looking at the database and all the linebackers Cal has offered for 2017 so far... Damn, they need to offer a lot more kids over the next months, because I don't think we'll have a shot with most of the guys they've offered so far...

SonOfCalVa;842679964 said:

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+1 ... too bad Jr's career at Cal ended like this ... I wonder how much the lack of playing time enters into it as the 2 linebacker scheme is being used and, frankly, more suitable guys are entering as LBs, even if not optimum. Perhaps that influenced the others who left for 'greener' pastures.
Weaver fits into a hybrid DE-LB as that's what he played.

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Weaver doesn't fit into a LB equation in an even (40) front. He would in an even (30) front. Kind of like an Aldon Smith.

SonOfCalVa;842679895 said:

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Congrats Hardy on graduating !!!!

um ... transfer from Cal to Illinois to play for dad for a couple of months ...
assuming Hardy I won't play Hardy II over other players who are younger, bigger, faster, stronger, etc. or that could create a bit of nepotistic resentment ...
another from Dykes, Phase I passes on ... Good luck to him.

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Illinois lost their two leading tacklers at linebacker. One as a grad transfer (how ironic?) and the other one ran out of eligbility. Their leading tackler, a safety, is gone as well. Plenty enough playing time and tackles to go around on that defense.

Boot;842679988 said:

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Really pathetic posts. I'm very disappointed in People on this board.

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He let down 85 players. He should have seen it through.

beelzebear;842679991 said:

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Really, okay then. Good for HNJr. I thought he was a little slow. That's never a disqualifier but it doesn't help.

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There's no way this guy goes in the draft. He's small and slow for his position. Bad info

beelzebear;842680002 said:

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^^^ Well he got the APR on track, so there's that. The sense I get is sort of mercenary/corporate vibe, for lack of a better term...perhaps compared to a family environment. And while I can't say, seems like the Southern culture is part of it, i.e., more "yes sir/no sir" and less go with the flow California.

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There was a time when yes sir and no sir was this country's culture. Look where go with the flow has gotten this state.

Ncsf;842680042 said:

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First of all, do you think the staff would let him play spring ball if they knew he was transferring? Simple answer- no! Secondly, this has become a passing conference and many programs will have the same base. It would be more unappealing to have seven guys in the box. It's simple math.

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I never said hardy made up his mind before spring game. I said no way this was a recent idea he just thought of.

BEAST2324MODE;842679845 said:

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might as well have everyone play as a true frosh, less incentive to go to another school

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Yes. New unspoken policy should be --> ALL true frosh must get PT, the earlier in the season the better. This year all true frosh play vs SDSU & OSU.

Meister Petz;842680043 said:

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Looking at the database and all the linebackers Cal has offered for 2017 so far... Damn, they need to offer a lot more kids over the next months, because I don't think we'll have a shot with most of the guys they've offered so far...

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Given the proposed policy change, we can promise ALL 2017 recruiting class LBs immediate PT and really mean it.

Ncsf;842680047 said:

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There's no way this guy goes in the draft. He's small and slow for his position. Bad info

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I agree with you on his NFL prospects (specifically the lack thereof). I disagree that he didn't "see things through": He was in the program for four years and he graduated.

Now, if 'Furd had hired his Dad...

Good for Hardy. It's a shame to see him go, especially as we were looking towards him to lead the defense this season, but this is an opportunity that I imagine many wouldn't pass up.

I wish him and his dad nothing but success.

Do we have any LBs left?

At least Illinois isn't a rival, or on the schedule, or in the conference.
Know who's next to leave? Check the uniforms, upper right on the chest.
If there's a C (captain), it's probably byebye time for the player.

Not that it matters but if HNSr inserts HNJr into the lineup instead of guys who have been with the program, sticking it out, earning playing time, good luck with morale. They've recruited a good number of LBs, 3*, a couple of 2*, decent size, in-state over the last few years.

Ncsf;842680044 said:

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Weaver doesn't fit into a LB equation in an even (40) front. He would in an even (30) front. Kind of like an Aldon Smith.

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Kaufman ... you have a problem.

Ncsf;842680046 said:

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He let down 85 players. He should have seen it through.

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No. Helping out family when you can always comes first.

dajo9;842680075 said:

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No. Helping out family when you can always comes first.

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This is not about helping family. This is about the "you do you", "YOLO" mentality of the millenial generation, to whom the primary ethic is being true to yourself. Doing things out of duty or obligation to others is a senseless notion to them.

eh I disagree. i doubt this happens if dad doesn't take the Illini job. and Dad doesn't go back to the college ranks for anyone except someone like Lovie that he has a deep relationship with. I think Dad took the job and said, hey son, how bout you come play for dad for a year. hardy then thinks about it. looks at his transcripts and says....shoot...this could actually happen. then decides f it, I'm gonna hang with pops for a year. Especially when lets face it, Hardy's pro prospects aren't very good and coaching is probably a better route given that Hardy clearly has a deep love for the game.

Illinois has assembled quite the coaching staff. How did they get Lovie Smith? Figured he would have gone to a bigger name school.

SurvivorOf1and10fkaLEA;842680086 said:

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This is not about helping family. This is about the "you do you", "YOLO" mentality of the millenial generation, to whom the primary ethic is being true to yourself. Doing things out of duty or obligation to others is a senseless notion to them.

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Your post says much more about you than Hardy Jr. Was this really the message you wanted to send?

Wish him all the luck in the world, but I have to say he was not nearly as talented as his father.

SFBear2012;842680092 said:

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Illinois has assembled quite the coaching staff. How did they get Lovie Smith? Figured he would have gone to a bigger name school.

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Yep I kinda saw all this coming when lovie got let go

Perfect storm

Bunch of other thoughts (personal)

No time for drama... Many factors made this possible

Stay classy cause being butt hurt does Nothing to help move on to what's next

GoBears

moonpod;842680089 said:

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eh I disagree. i doubt this happens if dad doesn't take the Illini job. and Dad doesn't go back to the college ranks for anyone except someone like Lovie that he has a deep relationship with. I think Dad took the job and said, hey son, how bout you come play for dad for a year. hardy then thinks about it. looks at his transcripts and says....shoot...this could actually happen. then decides f it, I'm gonna hang with pops for a year. Especially when lets face it, Hardy's pro prospects aren't very good and coaching is probably a better route given that Hardy clearly has a deep love for the game.

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I agree. Hardy Jr and Sr are great Bears.

Somehow I had pictured Hardy Sr. telling Hardy Jr." I may now work at Illinois, but we are a Cal family and you are a Cal captain. I want you to stay and be loyal to your teammates, your coaches and your school. I can always hire you later as a grad assistant". But I guess that only happens now in the movies.

Ncsf;842680048 said:

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There was a time when yes sir and no sir was this country's culture. Look where go with the flow has gotten this state.

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What the hell are you talking about?

California has the 8th largest economy in the world, including being major creators and producers of media, tech and ag. Conversely the South and their "yes sir no sir" bit lead the country in poverty and all the associated issues like obesity, younger death rates, yada, yada.

The grad transfer rule is now a bigger issue/problem than the one-and-done. While the intent is good, have to adjust the rules.

The only good from the grad transfer rule is is likely pushes kids to actually graduate.

beelzebear;842680130 said:

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The grad transfer rule is now a bigger issue/problem than the one-and-done. While the intent is good, have to adjust the rules.

The only good from the grad transfer rule is is likely pushes kids to actually graduate.

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Pushing kids to actually graduate sounds like a lot of "only" good.

oski003;842680132 said:

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Pushing kids to actually graduate sounds like a lot of "only" good.

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Can't argue against graduating kids but the rest of the rule has negative effects as programs seek to exploit it.

Surprised at all the people jumping to Hardy's defense. You don't think Sonny and Art are disappointed, that his teammates are disappointed, that our program suffers because of this? Since when is it acceptable for a team captain and role model to leave everyone in the lurch on the eve of his final season? Unbelievable.

Note that this "Bears to Count on Nickerson for Leadership" article (which refers to him as the "face and leader of the defense") was published only a few weeks ago: http://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30100&ATCLID=210780990.

I blame "family values". We need less of this

Cal Bears Great;842680159 said:

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Surprised at all the people jumping to Hardy's defense. You don't think Sonny and Art are disappointed, that his teammates are disappointed, that our program suffers because of this? Since when is it acceptable for a team captain and role model to leave everyone in the lurch on the eve of his final season? Unbelievable.

Note that this "Bears to Count on Nickerson for Leadership" article (which refers to him as the "face and leader of the defense") was published only a few weeks ago: http://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30100&ATCLID=210780990.

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+1 Good catch ... maybe send to him with sentiment <thanks for the memories, "captain">

Yea....this sucks. All this time and effort a program puts into a player to develop them, only to have them leave when they are at their peak. Can't blame Hardy for wanting to play for his dad at Illinois...but damn....still sucks.

oski003;842680132 said:

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Pushing kids to actually graduate sounds like a lot of "only" good.

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you make sound as if they can't graduate unless they do it early and then leave Cal.

Troof.