Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie is really trying to max the talent on his team this time around. I'm not sure signing a Big West college basketball player as a potential tight end is what Raider Nation had in mind in terms of turning the team around.
The Raiders really don't have any tight ends that they can be certain will be their starter on Opening Day. So Oakland signed Andre Hardy today, perhaps to fill in depth.
Here's more information from the Raiders.com news release.
A native of San Diego, Hardy transferred to Cal State Fullerton after playing two seasons of basketball at Oral Roberts. His father, Andre, played parts of three seasons in the NFL as a running back with Philadelphia, Seattle and San Francisco.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Hardy was selected as the Big West Conference Newcomer of the Year as a junior after averaging 10.6 points and a team-high 8.5 rebounds per game. He played in 16 games as a senior.
There's only real question: Can Hardy really play good football? He hasn't played football since high school, as Cal State Fullerton doesn't have a college football team. However, what probably impresses Hardy the most is his measurables: 6'5", 250 pounds with a 79 inch wingspan and a 4.7 40 time. All the physical capability matches up with an NFL tight end, so why not experiment there?
To discuss the Raiders and their free agency moves, hit up Silver and Black Pride.
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