Rams Defensive End Apologizes, Returns to Practice Field
Sep 27, 6:06 PM (ET)
By R.B. FALLSTROM
ST. LOUIS (AP) -Wayward defensive end Anthony Hargrove returned to the St. Louis Rams' practice field on Wednesday, the first step in reclaiming his starting job and his teammates' trust.
"Anthony spent the week in self-inflicted doghouse," coach
Scott Linehan said. "He's got to work his way back.
"I think the worst consequence is you feel you've let your teammates down."
Hargrove was fined an undisclosed amount after skipping two days of practice and meetings last week, and did not make the trip to Arizona for the Rams' 16-14 victory. Rookie Victor Adeyanju, a fourth-round pick, will get his second start this week against the Lions at Hargrove's spot.
Hargrove apologized to the team for his absence, but declined to shed any light on the personal issues that led him to take time off without notifying the team.
"I play with 10 other guys and they count on me to make plays and be there, and I wasn't there," Hargrove said. "Nobody yelled at me, nobody cussed at me. Everybody gave me hugs and they were happy to see me."
Hargrove said the personal matter was "water under the bridge."
"It's a new week, so I'm just ready to go on," he said. "I'm not trying to relive that tale, I'm moving on. It's my personal business and I don't want to get into it."
Defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy said it was "poor judgment" that Hargrove failed to pick up a telephone and call the coaches. But he said that was outweighed by concern for the third-year player.
"There's no welcome-back hazing," Kennedy said. "A couple of guys swung by his house to make sure he was cool, and he was all right.
"He had to deal with some things and if he shared that with you guys, that's on him. I'm grateful that he's back."
Defensive end
Leonard Little noted that Hargrove is only 23 and left Georgia Tech after his junior season.
"He's a young guy and he's going to make mistakes," Little said. "It's our job that when he makes mistakes to support him."
Quarterback
Marc Bulger was more circumspect.
"I know he's lost the trust of a lot of guys, and I think he recognizes that," Bulger said. "He'll have to get it back from his coaches and his teammates. He'll have to accept those consequences."
Hargrove said the biggest thing he learned from this episode was that he was accountable for his actions.
"In this business we're being held on a pedestal, and whenever you mess up the whole world knows, so I learned a lesson," Hargrove said. "They counted on me to be here, I wasn't, and I had to make things right.
"It's about being a man."
Hargrove said he would not appeal the fine. He said he also happily took snaps with the second team and scout team
"There's nothing to worry about," he said. "I'm here and I've got another chance to play football."