2012 DRAFT GUIDE

Hargrove's declaration says he followed orders

By BRETT MARTEL - AP Sports Writer
2012-05-07 17:54

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Former Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargove describes in a sworn statement how he was told by ex-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and current New Orleans assistant head coach Joe Vitt to deny the existence of a bounty program to NFL investigators.

In a document obtained Monday by The Associated Press, Hargrove acknowledges that he acted on Williams' and Vitt's instructions to ``play dumb'' if asked whether he was aware of bounties being placed on former Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre or any other player.

The declaration does not go into specifics, however, about just what Hargrove knew or did not know about the bounty program in New Orleans, and for that reason it has become a point of contention between the NFL and the NFL Players Association.

From the union's perspective, Hargrove's statement does not say that he lied to anyone, nor does it state that he or any other Saints participated in a bounty program that offered cash bonuses for hits that injured targeted opponents.

The NFL, by contrast, has said that Hargrove's words acknowledge the existence of a bounty program and show that Hargrove initially lied to NFL investigators about it.

In describing Hargrove's declaration last week, Mary Jo White, a former U.S. attorney hired by the NFL to review its investigation, said the player, ``acknowledges the nature of the program and his participation in it, and, which is really the thrust of the declaration, that he was told to lie about it, and he did when he was asked about it in 2010 by the NFL investigators.''

Hargrove, currently with Green Bay, was one of four players who received suspensions of various lengths in connection with the bounty probe. Hargrove was suspended eight games, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma for the entire season, Saints defensive end Will Smith for four games and Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita for three games.

Vilma's attorney, Peter Ginsberg called the NFL's characterization of Hargrove's statement ``misleading.''

``All we know from the declaration is that a couple of coaches were in trouble and hoped for support from him,'' Ginsberg said. ``Anthony's declaration in no way supports that he lied, that a bounty system existed or that players participated in any kind of inappropriate program. It's a shame that the NFL needed to have mischaracterized that declaration in order to justify these punishments. It's just another reason to conclude that the NFL has no evidence to justify what it has done to the players.''

The NFL has said the Saints' bounty program was run by Williams from 2009 through 2011. Williams has been suspended indefinitely by the league and has apologized for his actions.

All four players are appealing. The NFLPA also has filed grievances with the NFL, arguing that Commissioner Roger Goodell lacked the authority to punish players for off-the-field matters that predated last August's new collective bargaining agreement, and that Goodell should not hear the appeals of the players' suspensions in the bounty matter.

No other players are mentioned in Hargrove's sworn statement, which also does not contain any description of payments being pledged, made, or received.

In his declaration, first published Monday by Yahoo Sports, Hargrove describes how he was called into a late February 2010 meeting with Williams and Vitt. The coaches said they had heard Hargrove might have told Minnesota Vikings player Jimmy Kennedy - a friend and former teammate in St. Louis - that there had been a bounty on Favre in the NFL title game near the end of the 2009 season.

The statement then describes Williams saying, in obscenity-laced terms, that league officials, ``have been trying to get me for years,'' and ``if we all stay on the same page, this will blow over.''

It also describes Vitt reminding Hargrove that he brought him into the league with St. Louis and later brought him to the Saints - a second chance Hargrove had sought in the NFL after being suspended for drug abuse.

Hargrove's statement says that in March 2010 he met with NFL investigators, who asked him a range of questions about a bounty program in New Orleans, and that he denied knowledge of any of it, in line with the ``clear directions'' he had received from Williams and Vitt.

FOOTBALL HEADLINES

PAUR REPORT

RealTime Fantasy Sports Mailbag

PLAYER NOTES

Dwayne HarrisMay 23 10:14a

Dallas Cowboys WR Dwayne Harris is considered the front-runner for the No. 3 wide receiver job behind WRs Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, and it is believed WR Terrance [ More ]

Andy DaltonMay 23 10:04a

Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton has, during organized team activities, been focusing on improving the trajectory and accuracy of his throws while working with quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese. Dalton [ More ]

Louis MurphyMay 23 10:03a

New York Giants WR Rueben Randle is listed as the No. 3 receiver on the depth chart over WR Louis Murphy.

Jerrel JerniganMay 23 09:54a

New York Giants WR Jerrel Jernigan has shown progress as Victor Cruz remains absent from OTAs. WR Hakeem Nicks said his teammate has been adjusting well to the slot [ More ]

Thaddeus LewisMay 23 09:23a

The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent WR Tori Gurley (Ravens) and waived QB Thaddeus Lewis.

Johnny JollyMay 23 08:22a

Green Bay Packers DE Johnny Jolly is expected to return to the team next week and begin participating in OTAs after completing a court-ordered drug treatment program.

Aaron CurryMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants LB Aaron Curry admitted that the money he earned as a high draft pick changed him and he lost his motivation, ultimately leading to his trade [ More ]

Dan ConnorMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants LBs Mark Herzlich, Spencer Paysinger and Keith Rivers were the starting linebackers during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22, with LBs Dan Connor, Aaron Curry [ More ]

Chris SneeMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants C David Baas (undisclosed), OG Chris Snee (hip), CB Terrell Thomas (knee) and LB Jacquian Williams (knee) did not take part in team drills during organized [ More ]

Jason FoxMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions OT Jason Fox served as the first-team right tackle, and OT Riley Reiff worked as the first-team left tackle, Wednesday, May 22, during organized team activities (OTAs).

Chris GreenwoodMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions CB Chris Greenwood (abdominal) was able to practice Wednesday, May 22, during organized team activities (OTAs). He missed last season due to an abdominal injury.

Reggie BushMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions RB Reggie Bush was used as a punt returner during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. WR Terrence Austin, WR Patrick Edwards, RB Steven Miller, WR [ More ]

Nate BurlesonMay 22 11:53p

Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions WR Nate Burleson (leg) showed quickness during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. He has also lost weight, dropping from 198 to 192 pounds to add speed.

Dylan GandyMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions C Dylan Gandy saw first-team reps during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. He has a chance to replace the departed OL Stephen Peterman (Jets), but [ More ]

Hakeem NicksMay 22 10:13p

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks did not show up to practice Wednesday, May 22, because he is unhappy with his contract situation, a source indicated. Nicks did not [ More ]

Justin TuckMay 22 10:13p

New York Giants DE Justin Tuck, a free agent at season's end, said Wednesday, May 22, that he wasn't thinking about his future with the team, or how he [ More ]

Randy MossMay 22 08:33p

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said the team isn't considering re-signing WR Randy Moss after learning that WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') tore his Achilles' Wednesday, May 22. [ More ]

Charles WoodsonMay 22 08:13p

Oakland Raiders CB Charles Woodson (collarbone) said he expects to play the same safety role he moved to with the Green Bay Packers late in his career. Also, he [ More ]

Michael VickMay 22 07:23p

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick, who held onto the ball for an average of 3.07 seconds last year, will likely have to change in order to be successful in [ More ]

Mark SanchezMay 22 06:13p

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said he was disappointed with QB Mark Sanchez after he threw three interceptions during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22. 'Yeah, it [ More ]

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 05:53p

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he does not think WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') will miss the entire 2013 regular season.

Tim TebowMay 22 05:43p

Ron Jaworski, part owner of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League, said he is serious about his interest in signing free-agent QB Tim Tebow (Jets) to his [ More ]

Brandon GibsonMay 22 05:13p

Miami Dolphins WR Brandon Gibson lined up as the slot receiver when the team used three-receiver sets during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21.

Rokevious WatkinsMay 22 05:13p

St. Louis Rams OG Rokevious Watkins has been suspended for the first game of the 2013 season for violating the NFL's policy for substances of abuse.

Brent GrimesMay 22 05:03p

Miami Dolphins WR Brian Hartline, WR Brandon Gibson and CB Brent Grimes worked as punt returners during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21. Head coach Joe Philbin did not [ More ]

Aaron WilliamsMay 22 04:33p

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said FS Aaron Williams has done well in his transition from cornerback to safety. 'He's doing a nice job, and that's a difficult [ More ]

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 04:13p

Updating previous reports, San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') has undergone surgery to repair his torn Achilles' tendon.

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 04:13p

Updating a previous report, doctors believe San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') will miss six months because of his torn Achilles' tendon. Doctors have recommended that Crabtree undergo surgery as soon as possible.

Jameel McClainMay 22 03:53p

Baltimore Ravens LB Jameel McClain (spine) and CB Lardarius Webb (knee) were limited to individual drills during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22.

Jeremy EbertMay 22 03:53p

The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed free-agent WR Jeremy Ebert (Patriots). Terms of the contract were not disclosed. In a corresponding move, the team waived DT Jeris Pendleton.

Stephen HillMay 22 03:43p

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said WR Stephen Hill (knee) did not participate in organized team activities Wednesday, May 22, because of swelling in his knee.

Mark SanchezMay 22 03:33p

New York Jets QBs Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith both struggled during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22, with Sanchez completing only six of his 11 passes, including three [ More ]

RSS Feeds

NFL News:

Player Notes:

Forum Posts:

Email Us · Call Us 636.447.1170 · Lost Password

Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group