Despite already making a few significant changes to the defensive line this offseason, there is a report that New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove will visit the Detroit Lions.
Hargrove is a restricted free agent so any contract the Lions are willing to offer the defensive tackle must be better than any offer that New Orleans offers. In addition, the Lions would have to surrender their third-round pick in this year’s draft.
The news is especially intriguing because in many mock drafts the Lions are projected to select Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. The addition of Hargrove would solidify the Lions defensive line with the recent acquisitions of former Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and the trade for Browns defensive tackle Corey Williams.
Hargrove, 26, played every game for the Saints last season, after the NFL suspended Hargrove for the 2008 season for his third violation of its substance-abuse policy. He spent three months in a rehab center in South Carolina, then 10 months in another rehab center in North Miami Beach, Fla.
His teammates voted him a recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, given annually to a player from each NFL team who exemplifies inspiration, sportsmanship and courage.
The 6-feet-3 and 272 pounds started six games and had five sacks in the regular season and played all four games in the playoffs for the Super Bowl Champion Saints.
(Photo courtesy of nytimes.com)
The Saints should keep Hargrove because he was crucial to our playoff run and Super Bowl victory. Also, by the way, the Saints only played in three playoff games including SuperBowl.