NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The agent for suspended defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove says the NFL has used semantics, but not hard evidence, as the basis for punishing current and former Saints players in its bounty investigation.
In a statement emailed to The Associated Press on Sunday, agent Phil Williams questions whether the NFL made Hargrove a central figure in its investigation because his past drug suspensions made him an “easy target.” Williams also asks why the NFL has released evidence strategically rather than sharing as much as possible in a matter that has harmed players’ reputations.
Hargrove, now with Green Bay, has been suspended eight games. Also sanctioned were Cleveland’s Scott Fujita, and current Saints Jonathan Vilma and Will Smith. All four players have appeal hearings scheduled before NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday.
