It’s probably a good thing the Green Bay Packers drafted two defensive linemen this year.
Anthony Hargrove, one of the team’s offseason free agent signings, has been suspended eight games by the NFL for playing a role in the New Orleans Saints bounty program.
The league said that Hargrove “actively participated in the program while a member of the Saints. Hargrove submitted a signed declaration to the league that established not only the existence of the program at the Saints, but also that he knew about and participated in it. The evidence showed that Hargrove told at least one player on another team that Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was a target of a large bounty during the NFC Championship Game in January of 2010. Hargrove also actively obstructed the league’s 2010 investigation into the program by being untruthful to investigators.”
In all, four current and former Saints players were suspended without pay. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma received the worst punishment — 16 games. Will Smith got four and Scott Fujita, who’s now with Cleveland, got three.
“In assessing player discipline, I focused on players who were in leadership positions at the Saints; contributed a particularly large sum of money toward the program; specifically contributed to a bounty on an opposing player; demonstrated a clear intent to participate in a program that potentially injured opposing players; sought rewards for doing so; and/or obstructed the 2010 investigation,” commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
All four players are expected to appeal, but since Goodell is judge, jury and executioner, they probably won’t get far unless they resort to legal action.
Hargrove joins defensive end Mike Neal on the suspended list. Neal was suspended four games for performance enhancing drugs.
Fortunately, the Packers didn’t make much of an investment in Hargrove. His contract is for only $825,000 over one year. It isn’t guaranteed and contained no signing bonus.
Hargrove will be able to participate in the Packers offseason program and the preseason. If he doesn’t show something there, it will be pretty easy for the Packers to move on without him.
Last updated on February 18th, 2014 at 04:42 pm
smart play by the packers, if we get him at a good price, great. if not, who cares
Cut his ass – now! Packers don’t need this cat. Many other pedestrian DL’s in the NFL that don’t have his baggage.
Packers don’t need this shit. Jolly, Neal, now this guy? You say hello, I say goodbye.
Well, his tenure as a packer was short lived….
Looking to Mike Neal to produce this year. Packers gambled with Jenkins leaving last year, and lost.
Packers were 15-1 without Jenkins. So, yeah, they lost a lot.
The fact that Hargrove is a liar is almost worse than the fact that he participated in the bounty BS.
Good thing the Packers drafted Worthy and Daniels. Basically just pencil Worthy in as the starter right now.
Ironic is the fact that a Packer was suspended for putting a bounty on Brent Favre as a Viking, except he wasn’t a Packer at the time.
Well the 2012 season just went right down the shitter…who will the Packers ever find to replace Hargrove’s projected 5 snaps per game?!?!?
lol
Really you are calling to cut a guy that you don’t have to pay for 8 games. You don’t think there will be some injuries during that time. You keep him on and he is a good mid season addition for cheap.
the question is the roster spot that we’d have to reserve to keep him on the team.
Suspended players don’t take up a roster spot,finding one after the 8 games is the question.
This actually works out good. If there are any injuries or someone along the line is under performing by mid season, you bring in a fresh Hargrove. Provided he’s able to play at a high level.