In 2008, the Buffalo Bills used a second-round draft pick on James Hardy, the former Elmhurst and Indiana University star, thinking he would become a receiver in the mold of Terrell Owens or Randy Moss.

On Saturday, he was released by the Bills, who opted instead to keep two undrafted rookies, David Nelson and Donald Jones, on the 53-man roster.

“To be honest with you, those guys played really good during preseason. They did a nice job on special teams for us. In our opinion, they gave us the best chance to win football games,” said Bills coach Chan Gailey, in his first season with the team.

“That’s why you make those decisions. The one thing when you come in without any preconceived ideas, everybody gets to start on an even keel. Those guys played well when they got their chances. So, they made the most of it. We told them that everybody had a shot, and they took advantage of it.”

Hardy’s opportunities were limited by knee injuries over his 2 1/2 years with the team. He played just 16 games and had with 10 receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns.

During this preseason, he missed two weeks with an undisclosed injury, but he was on the field for Thursday’s 28-23 loss to Detroit, making three catches for 23 yards.

“He was in and out (with the injury), but he had some really good days,” Gailey said. “I think he was healthy the last week or two, and we got to look at him. I don’t think that deterred him. It got him behind mentally more than it did physically.”

Hardy, 24, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Heading into August, Hardy was in the mix for the No. 2 receiver job behind Lee Evans, a prospect that excited the 6-foot-5, 220-pound former basketball star at Elmhurst.

“Each and every day, you have to show something,” he said Aug. 25. “And I feel that the days that I was out there, I showed huge improvements and strides. And now it’s just time to go out there and do it on game day and I’m looking forward to it.”

The Bills opted to carry only five receivers in the regular season. Only Evans and Roscoe Parrish have more than 13 NFL receptions.

Keeping Nelson wasn’t a shock; he was a go-to receiver at Florida last year.

The deciding factor in keeping Jones, who played last year at Youngstown State, over Hardy, seems to have come in his ability to play special teams.

“That was a big part of it. It sure was. It was a big part,” Gailey said.

Jones, 6 feet, 214 pounds, said he knew that would work in his favor, after he led the team with seven preseason kickoff returns for an average of 22.4 yards.

“I feel special teams was a big part of it,” he said. “When you come in as a free agent, that’s kind of how you make the team is on special teams.”

jcohn@jg.net