We've all can have second chances in life. Whether it's a second chance at a relationship, job or anything else. New Orleans Saints defensive end Anthony Hargrove has had his second chance in the NFL, and then some. In fact he has had at least 4 chances.
He's hoping to finally catch on and stay out of trouble with the Saints.
Hargrove was originally drafted in the third round by the St. Louis Rams in 2004. As a rookie, he played in 15 games. He racked up 31 tackles and recorded one sack. The following season he was named the starter for the Rams at defensive end. He posted 6 and 1/2 sacks. Hargrove was extremely productive in his first two seasons in the league.
Inexplicably in the early part of the 2006 season, he went missing for two days from the Rams. The two day absence led to his eventual trade to the Buffalo Bills. So, there was chance number 1 down the tubes right?
In an abbreviated season with the Bills, Hargrove's productivity fell off a bit. He ended the 2006 campaign with just 1 and 1/2 sacks. In August of 2007 Hargrove was suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Okay, chance number 2 down the drain.
It wouldn't take long before Hargrove pushed the envelope on chance number 3. In January of 2008, he was suspended for the entire season for another failed drug test. Now, that we're keeping track, how many is that? Three?
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Hargrove in February of this year. The New Orleans Saints took a calculated risk in May, signing the talented but troubled defensive end.
"I love the game. In St. Louis I just ran into some bad demons," Hargrove told me when I sat down with him at the Saints facility. The big defensive end has been one of the more intriguing players to watch in Saints training camp this year. He flashes good talent from time to time, and he can be heard cracking jokes and making his teammates laugh from all over the field with his playful personality.
"I had about 17 months to get my act together, I had to admit a lot of things, and I did." Hargrove insisted.
Listen to Hargrove:
Hargrove could prove to be one of the big "boom" or "bust" off-season pick ups for the Saints. WWL'S Bobby Hebert has watched him a lot in the first week of camp. He says he's impressed with Hargrove's non stop motor. "He doesn't stop. He's always going, but of course when you are a risky acquisition, you can't take plays off. Hargrove hustles. He makes good plays, and with Charles Grant and Will Smith facing the suspension, if the Saints hit on him, that's a great find." After a brief pause, Hebert quickly added, "That all depends on if he is clean, and can stay out of trouble."
I asked Hargrove that question, can he stay out of trouble?
"I'm on a journey right now, to mature a little more, you know to become a man." Recognizing that this might be his last chance he said, "I really want to be a part of this ball club."
So why now? Why has it taken this long, this many chances for him to get it, or in his words "grow up"?
"I don't know why it didn't happen a long time ago. I wish it did. We all have to go through our trials and tribulations," he told me. Interestingly enough the same group of guys he's competing with for playing time, are involved in the process of helping Hargrove mature. "Will, Charles, Paul Spicer are the older guys that I confide in them, and sit down and talk to them, and it's about being honest, and I think that they appreciate my honesty, and I tell them what really went on and trusting them, they have my back. I have to get it right this time."
Hargrove is heaped in stiff competition with fellow ends Jeff Charleston, Paul Spicer behind the top three of Will Smith, Charles Grant and Bobby McCray.
Smith and Grant are established veterans and figure to be the starters after they serve their four game suspension for a failed banned substance test last season.
Bobby McCray was productive last season filling in when Charles Grant went down with an injury, and he is having a solid training camp so far.
McCray is thought of as speed rusher, but he did well as both a rusher and run defender last season.
Spicer was brought in from Jacksonville. The 10 year veteran has good versatility and can play end and defensive tackle for the Saints.
Jeff Charleston came to the Saints last season after a rash of injury's hit that position, and he's done well when he's had the opportunity.
If Hargrove is going to make the Saints final roster in September, he'll have to do more than just make plays on the field. He'll have to prove that he's not playing off the field.
How many more chances does he have left? This may be the last one.
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