Monday, May 05, 2008 | Posted by Connor Byrne

Let's face it, the Buffalo Bills used their second-round pick on wide receiver James Hardy in last month's NFL draft because they expect him to step in and make an immediate impact as a prominent member of their offense. Assuming the 6-foot-5, 217-pounder from the University of Indiana is the team's No. 2 wideout this season -- and there's no reason he shouldn't be -- that would bump incumbent starter Josh Reed back into the slot, where his career began.

Whenever the Bills have started Reed since he began his pro football-playing days in 2002 as a second-rounder from LSU, he's been out of his element. The 28-year-old won the Biletnikoff Award (given to the nation's top receiver) during his final year with the Bayou Bengals, so the expectations were understandably high when he entered the NFL. Obviously, however, Reed's performance hasn't met those expectations. Evidence of that lies in his numbers: During his six-season career, Reed has only 228 catches (good for under 40 per year) and a pathetic eight touchdown receptions (barely over one per season). Clearly, then, he hasn't been the explosive player Buffalo thought it was getting originally.

Nevertheless, Reed does serve a purpose. And back in the slot, where his career began so promisingly (37 grabs, 509 yards and two TDs as a rookie), Reed might be in position to succeed in 2008 and, for the first time since his inaugural campaign, avoid scrutiny from fans and media.

Given that the 5-10, 210-pounder -- who is Buffalo's best blocking receiver -- won't be expected to fill the role of a starter and take on opposing defenses' top two cornerbacks, odds are in his favor that he could serve as a reliable weapon to second-year quarterback Trent Edwards. It might even be fair to argue that Reed did that last season, when he hauled in 51 passes from J.P. Losman and Edwards -- a signal-caller unafraid to check down and find his targets via short and intermediate routes (which suits Reed). However, his 11.3 yards per catch and zero touchdowns were obviously unacceptable for a wideout who appeared in 15 games and was counted on as a starter for seven.

But, with Lee Evans and Hardy likely to start and handle the bulk of the receiving corp's major responsibilities, the pressure is no longer on Reed. At this point in his career, it's fair to say the Lafayette, La., native is never going to turn into the Hines Ward-type receiver many were hoping for. The big-play ability and sure-handedness simply aren't in Reed's repertoire. That doesn't mean he can't be of use as a No. 3, though, a position where he should be able to catch between 40 to 50 passes from Edwards in 2008 and supply Buffalo with another capable aerial weapon who can complement the better ones in front of him.

That should be the offense's hope, anyway, as Reed's days as a starter -- assuming Hardy performs the way he's capable of -- seem unofficially over. Whether they are or not, it's manifest the former college superstar doesn't have what it takes to be anything more than a serviceable role player on the big stage.

*E-mail: cbyrne@realfootball365.com

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