The NFL dreams of West Anchorage H.S. graduate Daniel Hardy have taken a slight detour. Hardy, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 7th round of this year's draft, was among 27 players cut by the Bucs over the weekend and then kept by the team as a member of their eight-man practice squad. Each NFL team must begin the season with only 53 men on their active roster.
Hardy, a rookie tight end from the University Of Idaho, gave himself an opportunity, catching four passes for 80 yards in Tampa Bay's four exhibition games. Being a member of a team's practice squad is a fairly unstable position to be in, as the squad is fluid and could change at any time. It does give Hardy another chance to impress the Bucs' coaching staff. Tampa Bay currently has three tight ends on its 53-man roster.
The other three Alaskans currently in the NFL are all looking like candidates to either start or compete for a starting job. They are Chicago Bears defensive back Zack Bowman, Denver Broncos guard Chris Kuper, and Arizona Cardinals guard Daryn Colledge.
