Report: Bills DE Hargrove Suspended for 2008 Season

by Brian Galliford on Jan 19, 2008 8:08 AM EST in News Comment 17 comments

Unlikely to return in '08 (BuffaloBills.com)

Bills defensive end Anthony Hargrove, according to reports from Sirius Radio and WKBW in Buffalo, has failed a drug test and is set to be suspended for the entirety of the 2008 NFL season. Hargrove, who earlier this season was suspended for four games for a similarly failed test and was also arrested for an altercation outside a night club during training camp, will unquestionably face doubts as to whether he'll play in the NFL again.

The reserve defensive end is an unrestricted free agent heading into this off-season. With this year's suspension hanging over his head, it's very safe to assume that once it becomes official, his Bills career is over. The Bills may have had no interest in re-signing Hargrove before the suspension; it's virtually assured that his third strike against the law will ensure his exit from Buffalo's roster. Not only that, he may have run out of chances in the NFL in general. Hargrove was traded from St. Louis to Buffalo in 2006 after abruptly leaving Rams training camp practices - an odd move that cost him a starting position. It is unlikely that a team will take a chance on Hargrove in 2009, a year after a suspension, and with erratic behavior and statistically mediocre play predating the suspension.

Hargrove finished the 2007 season with 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks for the Bills. One of Buffalo's most energizing defenders, Hargrove saw time at both defensive and and inside at tackle on pass downs. He was also a solid performer on the team's kick coverage units. His likely departure means that the Bills will look to upgrade the defensive end position further this off-season, hopefully with a speed rusher.

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DE

Can you say Vernon Gholston?

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 19, 2008 8:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Even I think

that Gholston might be the right pick now, and I wasn't crazy about him.

Even for their underachievings, I thought DE might be at least serviceable again with status quo. Not saying Hargrove was a difference maker, but he provided some depth.

I'd say this moves this position from a want to a need.

by krytime on Jan 19, 2008 9:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

DE

Hargrove brought versatility, and was the closest thing to a speed rusher this team had. With him gone the need for a fresh face at this spot is increased. I like Gholston, I'd take Harvey. One thing is certain, DE is a more important need this morning than it was yesterday.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 19, 2008 9:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I completely agree about the need..

I think I like Gholston alot more than Harvery though.

I'm not saying Hargrove was anything special, but my God, how stupid can you be to blow up your career by doing this? Or am I just silly for assuming it was a recreational drug?

by krytime on Jan 19, 2008 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly, guys...

... I don't think it changes much. As I said in the write-up, Hargrove was an unrestricted free agent anyway - so if the Bills weren't going to re-sign him (and that's a strong possibility), I don't see how Hargrove's suspension changes any plans the Bills had other than simply not having the alternate option of re-signing Hargrove if they can't find a replacement.

Y'all know I love Gholston, and Harvey is growing on me fast as well - I just don't see the Bills going DE in the first round, especially with their potential problems at outside linebacker (see below post).

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Jan 19, 2008 11:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

You know

I've been calling for Gholston for a while now. I'm just looking for anything I can to help justify the pick. You may be right, but I can hope, can't I?

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 19, 2008 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So much will depend on FA

I think they would have signed Hargrove. But that doesn't matter anymore..

I hope John Guy is earning his promotion. He absolutely needs to bring in a quality DL or LB to supplement what they will do on draft day.

I forgot where I heard this (if could have even been here somewhere), but I thought I heard Guy say on a Rochester TV show that they were taregeting a LB, TE, and FS in FA. Does anyone know if that's true, or have I just been hanging out with Hargrove too much?

by krytime on Jan 19, 2008 11:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ha, it's true

Here's the diary you refer to, published by B3J.

Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Jan 19, 2008 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

I was going crazy trying to remember where I heard (read) that.

by krytime on Jan 19, 2008 11:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To some of you....

How would this change our offseason plans at all? Other than needing a new 4th DE, this has no bearing on the rest of the makeup of the team. We aren't going to be drafting Gholston or Harvey to replace HARGROVE!

If we draft one of those guys it's because the FO wants to upgrade the starters and push Denney and Kelsay to more supporting roles. I would hope that's what their plan is because the top of the rotation sucks.

Hargrove is a FA, so him being resigned was a question as it was. Now, he's definitely gone if he wasn't before.

It's up to the front office to decide how they want to add talent to the position. If they feel, like all of us, like we need a true pass rush presence then we should be looking for him at #11. If they want to simply add a 3rd/4th type DE, like a Hargrove, they can find one in FA like Antwan Odom or Bobby McCray, or a mid to late round pick. If the plan has been to add a top talent, then Hargrove wasn't likely in the plans anyways. If the plan was to look for a gem in the mid rounds, again Hargrove probably wasn't in the plans anyways.

I really don't see this as a major factor for how the offseason will shape up.

I just re-read what I wrote and it makes no sense....ah well...

by Kurupt on Jan 19, 2008 12:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You're right

It makes no sense. Just kidding, I get what you are saying. To me the DE position need upgrading, resigning Hargrove was a fall back option far the Bills that is thankfully no longer there. Drafting Gholston (which is my wish) would do just what you suggested, push Denny and Kelsay into more supportive roles. Hargrove's suspension may not change anything as far as what the Bills plan- A goes, but it may have an effect on what their plans B and or C are, there by making plan-A a more higher priority.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 19, 2008 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I will miss...

Hargrove being the best player/cheerleader on the Bills though. I love having those guys that are psycho all game and get the crowd into it. That will be missed on gamedays. He brings an energy that I love to have on my team. But, Kurupt is right, this loss as a personnel standpoint is not a big deal at all.

I would rather take a DE than a WR at 11. DE's can have immediate impact, and getting Ernest Wilford in FA would be a nice way to add a red zone threat. I'm more concerned about getting a pass catching TE. I have not scouted that position out on draft boards but I think that is the BIGGEST need cuz if we are running west coast stuff, WE HAVE to have someone better than Robert Royal and Michael Gaines.

MAN I LOVE FOOTBALL. March 3rd for FA and then APRIL whatever for the draft can't come soon enough

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Jan 19, 2008 2:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good luck buddy!

I wish there was a way that we could forward wishes to Hargrove. I feel no animosity towards him, not that I have any right to as a fan. Still, I believe he was being truthful a year ago when he said he wanted to prove to the Bills organization that he could be a good member of the team, and also that he liked being part of the organization. He is such a positive guy and seems like he really wanted to make things right, but unfortunately he seems to have made another mistake.

Hargrove obviously has some issues to deal with, but I wish him all the best in his recovery and future. Hopefully he will be able to kick whatever habit he has and get back into football at some point if that is what he chooses.

Good luck Anthony, best wishes in whatever the future brings you.

by jmorris0823 on Jan 19, 2008 3:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The money at the DE position

has been spent. There is no way the Bills will put significantly more into the position until they cut Denney or wait another year or two. With Hargrove out of the picture, look for us to grab that speed rusher in the midrounds as a pass rush specialist. No way we draft one in our first 3 picks though. Personally, I still think DT is a bigger need that DE.

Those first 3 picks should be specially reserved for WR, TE, and WLB in no specific order, followed by consecutive DLine picks at DT and then DE. After that, go for some cornerback depth, then get a fullback, and finally round out with some more OL depth.

by Kumario! on Jan 19, 2008 8:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The money at the DE position

I know there has been a lot of money spent on Schobel and Kelsay, But lets face it, they aren't getting the job done. I don't think that you can just say "Those first 3 picks should be specially reserved for WR, TE, and WLB in no specific order".
9at this point anyway) What if they sign a WR, and they like a kid they feel could be had in the 4th round. That opens a top spot for a DE. I just think it's too early to rule out DE in the top spot.

Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 19, 2008 9:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Money at DE

I doesn't really matter how much is spent at a particular position, so long as it doesn't have an adverse reaction to the rest of the team. You may very have great value at another position that affors you the ability to "overspend" at another.

For example, the Bills will probably not spend more than 4 million dollars in salaries on QBs. Doesn't Peyton Manning alone account for 16 million of cap space this year? That's a huge difference. Now, please, please don't imply that I'm trying to compare Edwards to Manning, or even that I'm comparing organizational philosophies, or wishes. I'm just saying it all depends on how a team is forced to pay attention to a position, or how it regards it.

And as much fun as it is, quite frankly it's ridiculous to say "you need to draft a this hear and a that there, and then get two of those in the next round," or any sort of derivation. Everything that happens is dependant upon free agency.

by krytime on Jan 19, 2008 10:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs