Bills DE Hargrove Suspended for Substance Abuse

by Brian Galliford on Aug 11, 2007 7:12 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

Deserving of a third chance? (Courtesy: BuffaloBills.com)

Less than one week after being arrested for allegedly striking a police officer, Bills defensive end Anthony Hargrove has been suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Hargrove's suspension begins on September the First and will last for one month; he is allowed to participate in all pre-season practices and games until his suspension begins.

But does he deserve that opportunity? These were Hargrove's words just one week ago:

"I've been in the league long enough to know what not to do. It's time for me to grow up. It's time for me to be a man and take responsibility in myself."

There have been circumstances where players unknowingly take substances that contain traces of chemicals banned by the league. There have even been cases where great players are suspended and given a hero's welcome (see Shawne Merriman). But coupled with his arrest, it's unlikely that Hargrove falls under either category. I'm not exactly trusting of a guy with a track record of strange transgressions such as this. That includes his mysterious disappearance from Rams team activities last September, an incident that eventually led to his trade to Buffalo.

What Happens Next?
If I'm the GM of this team (which I'm obviously not), Hargrove is out the door tonight. The team took a chance on him after his fall-out in St. Louis, and they stood behind him after his arrest last week. Third strike and you're out in my book.

The worst part about this situation is that Hargrove could really help this team this year. I thought he played very well in last night's victory in New Orleans, where he showed solid pass rush skills and aggressiveness. He seemed to be the one depth lineman the team had that could provide any sort of spark. But that doesn't mean he's a great player by any means - in fact, he's startlingly average. A player of his caliber is not worth the distraction in my opinion (whereas a Merriman is).

Only time will tell how this will play out for Hargrove as far as a roster spot goes. The Bills have ends Eric Powell (a member of the final roster all last season) and rookie C.J. Ah You (a nice developmental player) waiting in the wings, but neither provide the immediate reward that Hargrove can. Letting him go puts the team in a bit of a bind depth-wise at defensive end, but sometimes sacrifices need to be made for the betterment of the organization. This, in my mind, is a case where the player isn't worth the headache.

Kudos to Kurupt for breaking this story first in the diaries.

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Comments

What teams need DEs?

I'd hate to cut the guy after trading for him next year, but a drug suspension right after getting arrested for hitting a police officer means he's not Bills material. Still, just as Marv was able to find someone to take Darwin Walker, maybe he could find someone to give up a 7th round pick for Hargrove instead of just cutting him.

by rexob on Aug 11, 2007 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

That should be...

..."I'd hate to cut the guy after trading for him last year."

Sorry -- my brain is still fried from my exam last week!

by rexob on Aug 11, 2007 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually,

Given Buffalo's and Marv's position on the matter, I thought Hargrove would have likely been cut before the season for his nightclub incident. By the way, since the team management spoke with Hargrove right after the incident, where he was so contrite, wouldn't he have also said, "by the way, I had the regular drug testing done recently and, just so you know since I am being so open about everything . . ." Its not like he didn't know what was going to happen...

by labill on Aug 11, 2007 11:11 PM EDT reply actions

DON'T KNOW

THIS IS NOT EASY---THE BILLS HAVE WHAT 70 SOME PLAYERS ON THE ROSTER IN THE GENERAT PUBLIC WITH THAT MANY YOUR BOUND TO HAVE SOME + TEST AND I THINK AS A SOCIETY THAT WE HAVE TO BE A LITTLE MORE UNDERSTANDING OF THESE KINDS OF SITUATIONS NONE OF US ALWAYS MAKES THE BEST DECISIONS THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD BUT WE DON'T, AND MOST OF US DON'T HAVE OUR MISTAKES LISTED ON A BLOG FOR EVERYONE TO TALK ABOUT AND A PRESS RELEASE OF OUR MISTAKES FOR THE WORLD TO READ ABOUT, GREANTED HE'S NOT MERRIMAN BUT HE SHOULD BE TREATED THE SAME, THE LEAGUE DOES THEY BOTH GET 4 GAME SUSPENSIONS-JUST ANOTHER MANS OPINION

Bills fan in PA

by Bills fan in PA on Aug 12, 2007 9:22 AM EDT reply actions

Keep him

At least until everything comes out.

I'm interested to find out what the banned substance is. If it's one of those borderline supplements with traces of a banned substance, then we might have to give him the benefit of the doubt. If it's coke or straight up 'roids, then we probably will be looking to cut him or maybe get the kid some help.

If it wasn't for his arrest last week, nobody would be saying cut this guy. Lots of guys have been suspended for banned substances (hell Bruce Smith got suspended for drugs and had a DUI during his time here), but very rarely do you see someone released because of it. The mandatory suspension without pay is pretty harsh as it is. Marv, Jauron and the rest of the staff really need to think about what is best in this situation and whether or not Hargrove is worth waiting until October for. Personally, he'll be a free agent after this season, so I don't see the harm in waiting this out. If the charges stemming from his arrest get increased or something, then wave bye bye to him, but I think he deserves the chance to play here this year. We sure won't be resigning him next year anyways...

by Kurupt on Aug 12, 2007 1:54 PM EDT reply actions

Waiting for more details

I agree with Kurupt, would like to see alot more details about both incidents before lighting the bonfire. Alot of things can trigger those banned substances tests, including legal over the counter supplements. Not defending Hargrove, just saying that it should be serious for the punishment to exceed that already handed down.

Its also worthwhile noting that its entirely possible that Hargrove didnt know he had failed a test when the Rochester incident occured. Not sure how long it takes to process those things. Doesnt excuse either behaviour, but its a bit rough getting 2 strikes without knowing you had had 1. Again, thats if you want to go above and beyond the punishment (such as releasing him) than the NFL has already mandated.

by Thronsen on Aug 13, 2007 1:00 AM EDT reply actions

Test

Well, I have to disagree. If Hargrove took steroids or smoked pot, or whatever, he knew he was doing that. And if he took a test, you may be right that he may not have yet known he failed the test, but he probably knew he was going to. In any event, if he was so apologetic about the nightclub incident, and he obviously knew that he had done something that is illegal before that (and got tested for it!), I think not telling management about the 1st strike is a bit telling -- just because the test results didn't come in yet is not an excuse. As to getting all the facts -- we know the following facts: he was out at 2 am with his brother at a nightclub during training camp, he assaulted a police officer and got arrested, and failed a drug test that results in a suspension. We also know that the Rams got rid of him for diappearing for 2 days. I am not sure what other facts we are waiting for?

By the way, I think the loss of Hargrove is a terrible blow, because I feel he has starter-type talent.

by labill on Aug 13, 2007 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Allegedly*

Be sure to use that nice little word, labill, because Hargrove hasn't been convicted of anything yet. But yeah, this whole situation spells "release", especially if the team really wants to sell the "character" that they're trying to build around. Time to set an example.

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

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2007 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Change of heart

After reading some of the reports I find that this 4 game suspension is not for first time positive it is either the second or third depending on the substance. The first is so that you can get help without anyone knowing about it you only get the suspension after 2, I guess it's time to cut bait.

Bills fan in PA

by Bills fan in PA on Aug 13, 2007 5:25 PM EDT reply actions

He is not charged with assaulting a police officer

'he assaulted a police officer'

He is not charged with assaulting a police officer, one of the few facts we do know.

I dont necessarily disagree that he should be released, my overall point is that we know so little about what is going on and what happened that night. Its extremely hard to make judgements with the information we have.

As for the drugs, I guess will have to agree to disagree. I personally dont think a player should get done for marijuana, or for over the counter supplements. I understand why the league has the rules, and support them, but piling team punishment on top of that seems harsh.

If its a more serious drug, either recreational or performance enhancing, then yeah thats pretty bad, get rid of him. I have no idea what it was, or if this was a second+ failed test. Regardless, he is certainly being punished for that with a 4 game suspension that will cost him 200,000.

The question is whether the Bills should pile onto the already serious league punishment, and for that I would like to see more information on both incidents.

Just my .02.

P.S. Yeah, the out at 2am and the 'dont do stupid things that get you suspended' raise red flags for me as well. But more along the lines of not signing him to another year, not getting rid of him immediately while he is under contract.

by Thronsen on Aug 14, 2007 1:49 AM EDT reply actions