An Update for the Hargrove Fanatics

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 22, 2010 10:07 AM EDT

There has been a lot of talk lately about the Lions and their interest in a DE/DT from New Orleans, Anthony Hargrove. He is a restricted Free Agent with a third round tender, meaning the Lions would have to give up the #66 pick this year [unless they can negotiate something lower] and put together a contract that the Saints would not match.

Here is a link to the story in the National Football Post:
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Schwartz-sees-plenty-to-like-in-Hargrove.html

I am not sure about this move. Hargrove has been suspended for violating the drug policy twice. He was clean all of 2009 and his teammates on the Saints voted him their Ed Block Courage Award. He is listed as 6' 3" and 272 pounds yet apparently played a lot as a DT. Primarily as a pass rush specialist I guess.

"What he is now is an end who moves down to a rush role. He's a really athletic guy. He would fit in both of those roles.' - Jim Schwartz

I don't like giving up that third round pick as there will be a lot of excellent prospects available there. Strangely, the article indicates that the Lions would still select a DT at # 2 to complete their D Line makeover. Personally, I am not buying it. If they sign Hargrove I think all the DEs and DTs are off the board and the # 2 pick looks to be either Okung or Berry. Or the Trade Down Fantasy.

Thoughts or comments?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride of Detroit or its writers. FanPosts are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable fans.

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I agree

I’ve been for this since his visit…..It really seems like the thing to do. I like it better to get Okung with the #2, but I’ll take Suh and not complain too much (though i thing we will have to spend too much $$$ on the #2 pick)

by buckone on Mar 22, 2010 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

Sorry buckone, I did not see your similar story until I had published this one.

I agree with part of your Post, I think this [Hargrove being signed that is] makes Okung a more likely pick at # 2. I am not a big fan of the Pacman move. I would still look for a CB or Safety at the # 34 pick.

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 22, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

#34 question

I agree if k Smith can still carry a load effectvly. this injury has me concerned? He must be Ok though since the lions have past on some re-tred (LT, thomas etc). If smith is ok then I really agree to get a DB……Though I would still take Pacman…..

thoughts

by buckone on Mar 22, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I look at this a little different and probably get hit for saying this but

I think trading for Hargrove and drafting Suh would be a great thing to do. I am a big Eric Berry fan but I just dont see the Lions taking him as i probably did months ago. Ill give you Okung could be the pick but at this point it is only between him and Suh. In my opinion the BPA is Suh no question and thats the way Schwartz will be drafting at least this year. I know all the money that would be involved in our defensive line but would you really be complaining after we havent had even a good defensive line since Big Baby and Big Daddy. what is so bad about having this:

Bosch Williams Suh Hargrove as starters and as depth

Avril SLH Cohen Hunter

We would finally have decent starters and enough depth just in case of injury. Last year we stacked up on our worst position at LB why not do the DL this time?

by Liontotheextreme on Mar 22, 2010 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Anything is possible Ltte, but if you take Suh out of there that is potentially a very good D Line.

Like this:

KVB SLH Corey W Hargrove would be the starters. Then…………………..

Hargrove moves to DT on passing downs [like he did at New Orleans] replacing Sammie Lee, and Avril comes off the bench to rush the passer. Like this:

KVB Hargrove Corey W Avril with Hunter, Cohen, and McBride in reserve roles.

There is a lot of potential among SLH, Hargrove, Avril, and McBride to get better. I think Suh would be overkill.

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 22, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I can agree with that

That it could be overkill with Suh added to that but if we do not get Hargrove, i still believe that Suh will be the pick come April. If the Lions really wanted to add a shocker to the draft they would draft Berry but to me its no contest, it is between Suh and Okung. I will admit just like all of us have screamed at the tv over the years at Backus but he did play amazing this last year and odd that he didnt have more penalties that were his fault. That being said though, when comparing Okung to Suh, i just believe Suh is that much better than Okung even though Okung is not that bad of a player just that Suh is that much better.

We need youth with the kind of veterans on that DL and having Suh and SLH learning to become a great threat, those two would be amazing given the time in the system. I like Okung but unlike most of these experts, I dont see us taking him unless we trade for Hargrove.

by Liontotheextreme on Mar 22, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree. If Hargrove is not signed I would bet on Suh being the pick.

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 22, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Even if we sign Hargrove

I think we should go get Kong. Make the weekest part of the team for the last decade into the strongest link on the team for the next decade. We could rotate guys in left and right and not loose a single beat. The object is to put pressure on the opposing QB and the best way to do that is keep those beasts up front fresh.

How many lumps you want Doc?

by davis0169 on Mar 22, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure how I feel on Hargrove yet

Never really seen him play, so I don’t know much about him other then his stats, which are ehh. Except for last year when they were pretty good. However, if they do decide to trade/sign Hargrove, I would be much more on the Berry or Okung pick. Suh will still be the best player, but we could still have a good line w/o him and boost the secondary with a starter instead of make our d-line depth better.

All I know is this draft is going to be a big turning point on how I feel about this FO. I’m happy with what they did with last years draft for the most part and they’ve made some good off season moves. If they can draft good again, I’ll be right on board from there on out. For now my classic Lions fan skepticism still lingers.

by vanman on Mar 22, 2010 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

Here, have a sip of Blue Berry Kool-Aid!

Others have and are feeling no pain. They are also having visions and hearing Gunther and Schwartz whisper in their dreams.

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 22, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think I like the idea of us signing him.

As deep as this draft is there will still be a lot of good prospects when it’s time to make our third round pick. Add to that his drug problems in the past and he seems like a guy who’s just not worth the price. What happens if he relapses? We’re just shit outta luck? Only 10% of addicts who go through rehab actually stay clean. Are those odds we want to take right now?

by motown313 on Mar 22, 2010 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but in this case the Lions are assuming too much risk.

I agree with you motown. A team that is already good can afford to take this risk, but the Lions losing a very early third round pick for him and then losing him is a big hit. If it was our fourth round and another pick from 2011 dependent on him making it through a full year clean would make more sense to me.

Maybe Mayhew can work something out like that based on the Pacman trade that Dallas did with Tennessee? I doubt the Saints go for it though.

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 22, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Question: How many NFL-proven prospects are available in the entire draft?

Answer: None.

I love the idea of signing Hargrove for, at most, the Lions 3rd round selection. He’s a proven talent that is just coming into his prime. You make a great point about the risk involved due to his prior addictions, however. If Mayhew pulls the trigger on him then we’ll have to assume that he’s willing to live with the 90% chance that Hargrove might not stay clean.

by BriansLions on Mar 22, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

You realize that he is only a role player on the saints right?

He only started 6 games last year. In my book we can’t afford the luxury of role players right now even if he was a good fit for our d (which it doesn’t seem like he is).

Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson

by footstock on Mar 22, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

What's your definition of a role player?

A role player is as follows:

A team athlete who plays mainly in specific situations.

Hargrove may not have started every game last year, but he played in every game, was utilized during all 3-downs, and really came on at the end of the season. In my opinion, he’d be an excellent addition to the Lions defense, and he’s anything but a role player.

by BriansLions on Mar 22, 2010 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions

that is silly!

a role player is someone who doesn’t have the skills to start on the team, but has skills to contribute in certain areasa of the teams success.

He couldn’t break the starting lineup of the saints consistently, and that makes him a role player.

I wouldn’t give up a 3rd at the top of the round (basically a late second) for a backup/role player.

Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson

by footstock on Mar 23, 2010 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

who's callin who silly?

In Mayhew’s words when asked about Hargrove:

"He’s definitely a guy that would help us. He can play end. He can play tackle. Explosive guy. Great athlete."

Are those the type of words you’d use to describe a “role player”? Look, he’s not a Pro Bowler, but he’d play a significant amount of snaps for Detroit.

by BriansLions on Mar 23, 2010 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

check this out

According an article in Kevin Seiferts NFC North blog (link), Seifert writes:

I think you can make a quite reasonable argument for the Lions to follow this scenario: Sign defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove, a 26-year-old restricted free agent whose pure athletic ability matches or exceeds Suh and McCoy. Then draft Okung.

I’m unsure of where this “role player” thing started when talking about Anthony Hargrove. Whether you agree with me (or Seifert) or not, that article is worth checking out…

by BriansLions on Mar 24, 2010 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions

He's still a role player until..

he proves he can start on any team ona consistent basis right. Until that time, he is a role player and starting prospect.

Don’t take my comments personal. I never said YOU were silly. I said your comments were silly. Big difference.

Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson

by footstock on Mar 24, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Whoa. I think Seifert is a little over the top here.

His athletic ability matches or exceeds McCoy or Suh? A bit of a reach there. Then why would they put just a third round tender on him? I find that very confusing. Especially when you hear Jason Hunter has a second round tender. I don’t hear anyone salivating over Jason.

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 25, 2010 7:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't hear anyone but us salivating over Hargrove either

am i right?

Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson

by footstock on Mar 25, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I have not read anything on any other site that is talking about this guy.

I have not looked very hard though.

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 25, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

if the lions pickup hargrove then they will go bpa at ot with the 2pick in the draft and hear why i think this will happen they will use thier 2rd pick to pick the bpa at dt or use it to get etra picks inthis draft let not for get that manny teams will want to move up to the top of 2rd in this draft . teams like the pats who have alot of 2rd picks might want to move to top 2rd and give the lions one of thier 2rd picks and say a 3rd pick that would make up for the hargrove move .

by kwfords on Mar 22, 2010 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

not bad

Pik up hargrove, trade way down with NE for several 2nd picks…..HMMMM good food for thought

by buckone on Mar 22, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

unless Dorsey

is cheaper (KC)

GO LIONS in 2010! the transformation starts now.. they have much to do.

by DINORDO on Mar 22, 2010 3:57 PM EDT reply actions

Keep the pick

I’d be happier with the 3rd rounder and picking Suh over Berry than to get hargrove.

How do you keep a running back out of your secondary? You put up a LEVY.

by The Profiler on Mar 22, 2010 4:21 PM EDT reply actions

I'd rather keep the pick

But, if Schwartz thinks he’s worth it then I suppose it’s a good move.

"Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind." - Pride Leader, Sean Yuille, wielder of the Ban Hammer.
2010 Wests Tigers : Current record - 1-1 : Current Position - 11th : Last game - Defeated by Sydney Roosters 44-32

by Hyperion Ecta on Mar 22, 2010 7:27 PM EDT reply actions

If we traded down we could get that pick back

If we trade down to 5-15 we should be able to get at least a 3rd if not more.

by WestsideLionsFan on Mar 22, 2010 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

We were just kicking the tires

I think a 3rd is too much for a role player on a team that was rated 25th in defense last year.

by coolbreeze42 on Mar 22, 2010 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

That does not make sense to me. What does the team rating have to do with how good Hargrove is...or could be?

I don’t hear anyone putting Will Smith or Darren Sharper down because of playing for the Saints defence. If a guy can play well, he should be able to contribute even to a bad defence. I’m sure the Lions can see what Hargrove has done and maybe have a good idea what he can do for them from the tapes of the Saints games.

by NorthLeft12 on Mar 22, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't see anyone rushing to pick up sharper either

Their defense was very average.

Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year....Sparky Anderson

by footstock on Mar 23, 2010 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

That's because Sharper is old

regardless of how well he played last year, team’s are not gonna run to sign a 35 year old safety. I guarantee you though that if Will Smith was on the market, the Saints would get a hell of a lot of offers for the guy.

by motown313 on Mar 25, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions