Hargrove's exit opens door for rookie, reserve

[RamWraith]

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Oct. 18 2006

When Anthony Hargrove registered 4 1/2 sacks in the final three games of 2005,
it looked like he was on the verge of breaking through as an NFL defensive end.

"He's a very talented kid," Rams defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said.
"Coming out of the offseason, we thought he was going to be one of our better
linemen."

But it never happened. Hargrove made very little happen in the four games he
played this season, with modest totals of nine tackles, one-half sack, and
three quarterback pressures.

"It just seems like there was something always in the way, or something that
happened to him that always brought him down," Haslett said. "Sometimes it's
not always what you do on the field, it's how you conduct yourself off the
field, how you conduct yourself in public, how you handle yourself with
teammates."

In Hargrove's case, there was the matter of skipping two practices in Week 3
prior to the Rams' game in Arizona. The night before his first missed practice,
Hargrove was out late with friends at a casino.

He was dispatched to Buffalo on Monday, one day before the NFL trade deadline.

Hargrove's departure creates more opportunities for rookie Victor Adeyanju and
reserve Brandon Green.

Adeyanju has started the past three games in place of Hargrove, but there was
the chance that Hargrove could win back the starting job.

"It's always up to the coaches," Adeyanju said. "But I guess with the change
that just occurred, I guess I'm starting again now."

A fourth-round draft choice in April from Indiana University, Adeyanju is a
high-energy player who has played the run surprisingly well. Linehan has
remarked on a couple of occasions that Adeyanju doesn't play like a rookie.

"It's just playing fast, reading your keys," Adeyanju said. "We have a lot of
preparation, and a lot of practice. I'm obviously being taught different
techniques, and different moves."

Adeyanju still needs plenty of work on his pass rush. He has a good bull-rush
but needs to develop other moves and techniques. He did get his first NFL sack
Sunday against Seattle.

In the past couple of games, Hargrove replaced Adeyanju in passing situations.
That role now should fall to Green, who didn't even dress in three of the Rams'
first six games.

"Brandon's going to have to pick it up," Haslett said. "He's going to have to
give us more production and more pass-rush ability. He's the kind of guy that's
going to give you 100 percent effort all the time. We know that. He's a guy
that runs to the ball, has unbelievable effort, good technique. Not the biggest
guy in the world (6-feet-3, 264 pounds), but he makes up for it in a lot of
different ways."

Green had three sacks last season as a Rams reserve and has one-half sack so
far this season. He has been slowed by a nagging ankle injury, but is healthier
now and will benefit from the bye week.

When asked if Hargrove's trade made him feel more secure, Green replied, "No.
Never. Based on past experience. There's a lot of guys floating around out
there. I'm sure they would love to have my spot, also."

The Rams, in fact, added a fourth defensive end to the roster Tuesday
afternoon. Tony Bryant, who played the past two seasons for Haslett in New
Orleans, was signed to Hargrove's roster spot.

Bryant, 6-feet-6 and 282 pounds, had 34 tackles and four sacks last season as a
Saints reserve.

The Rams also worked out free-agent defensive linemen Carlos Hall and Chad
Lavalais on Tuesday.

[laram0]

I must say I am disappointed that Hargrove is gone. There has to be more to the story than Haslett is letting on. This kid has talent and last year showed lots of enthusiasm. I hope we made the right move here.

[RamFan_Til_I_Die]

In Hargrove's case, there was the matter of skipping two practices in Week 3 prior to the Rams' game in Arizona. The night before his first missed practice, Hargrove was out late with friends at a casino.

Hmm funny how we were told it was "personal issues" he needed to take care of...maybe he lost a ton of money on markers and had to figure out a way to get it to the casino before they threw him in the river

[ramsbruce]

Hmm funny how we were told it was "personal issues" he needed to take care of...maybe he lost a ton of money on markers and had to figure out a way to get it to the casino before they threw him in the river

Just going from memory (so I may be wrong) but he was out drinking at a casino like you said, but he was also dealing with personal problems at home, hence the drinking/gambling.