Saints DT Hargrove never thought he’d make team in ‘09

QBREES9 · 09-06-2010, 09:20 AM

METAIRIE, La. ― Anthony Hargrove came to the Saints as a project, a player with tremendous potential but an explosive past.

A year later, he’s an integral part of an aggressive, chaos-creating defense.

“(I’m) going into training camp and giving it my all,” Hargrove said of August 2009. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘Man, there’s no way. I’m playing d-tackle now. I’m trying to learn a new defense. I’m heavier. How am I even going to compete to even play?’

“At that point, they wasn’t really playing me on special teams. I’m like, damn. (I’m) just praying it works. But they kept me. The rest is history.”

Hargrove played the 2009 season as an inspiration to those who followed his story. He was out of the NFL twice in his past for drug-related transgressions. He spent more than a year in drug rehab facilities.

And when he got out, the Saints were the only team to give him one final chance.

He responded with 63 tackles, five sacks, four fumble recoveries and a touchdown.

“It wasn’t really about me playing football as much as it was about me finding a better life,” Hargrove said. “That was the opportunity they gave me. For that, I can’t thank them enough.”

This year on cut day, Hargrove wasn’t worrying.

Now he’s comfortable as a member of the team.

“I don’t feel like that guy on t he outside looking in where I don’t know anybody,” Hargrove said. “I only knew a few coaches last year and didn’t really know anybody’s name, just walking around here smiling at people thinking, ‘What do they think about me?’

“Now I talk to everybody. It’s nothing but love. It’s very comfortable. “

Saints DT Hargrove never thought he

09-06-2010, 09:20 AM	#1
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,982	Saints DT Hargrove never thought he’d make team in ‘09 METAIRIE, La. ― Anthony Hargrove came to the Saints as a project, a player with tremendous potential but an explosive past. A year later, he’s an integral part of an aggressive, chaos-creating defense. “(I’m) going into training camp and giving it my all,” Hargrove said of August 2009. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘Man, there’s no way. I’m playing d-tackle now. I’m trying to learn a new defense. I’m heavier. How am I even going to compete to even play?’ “At that point, they wasn’t really playing me on special teams. I’m like, damn. (I’m) just praying it works. But they kept me. The rest is history.” Hargrove played the 2009 season as an inspiration to those who followed his story. He was out of the NFL twice in his past for drug-related transgressions. He spent more than a year in drug rehab facilities. And when he got out, the Saints were the only team to give him one final chance. He responded with 63 tackles, five sacks, four fumble recoveries and a touchdown. “It wasn’t really about me playing football as much as it was about me finding a better life,” Hargrove said. “That was the opportunity they gave me. For that, I can’t thank them enough.” This year on cut day, Hargrove wasn’t worrying. Now he’s comfortable as a member of the team. “I don’t feel like that guy on t he outside looking in where I don’t know anybody,” Hargrove said. “I only knew a few coaches last year and didn’t really know anybody’s name, just walking around here smiling at people thinking, ‘What do they think about me?’ “Now I talk to everybody. It’s nothing but love. It’s very comfortable. “ Saints DT Hargrove never thought he
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