COACH DICK JAURON
Practice – August 12, 2007
Opening statement…
I know that everybody is concerned and would like to talk about the Anthony Hargrove situation. We're all aware of it. I'm sure that you've all read the release through us from the League yesterday and Anthony will be suspended for the first four games. It's an unfortunate situation and the specifics of it, I certainly can't address due to the confidentiality issues involved in it. I can answer some personnel questions if you have those. We're disappointed but we'll deal with it as we move forward kind of on a daily basis and see where it takes us.
On if he has given any thought to releasing Hargrove…
Releasing him is an option. It is an option. At this point, we're not there. We're not at that point. A lot of things have to occur and a lot of facts have to be gathered.
On if he can clarify if the suspension is related to the incident last week…
I don't know that I can or can't so I wont. I don't want to make any errors that would affect anything involved in this.
On if Hargrove counts on the roster up until September 1…
Absolutely yes.
On when he is suspended he no longer counts on the roster…
That is correct.
On if they are looking to add a defensive end with more experience…
The situation does change a little bit how we look at that position. My initial response would have been in any situation, we always watch the wires. We always look at personnel. And any time we think we can make our team better we make a move to do it. But this is clearly a little different situation. It's not going to make any more people appear, but we will be looking at it and it will be in our mind.
On giving a player who will not play the first four games repetitions in practice and preseason…
We'll have to make an adjustment. We'll have to make an adjustment because clearly we know that he won't be available to us for the first four games.
On if he sees Eric Powell getting more playing time…
It will depend on a number of things. It will depend on performance number one; who's performing well and to how many we carry active into a game, who they are. A lot of those things usually take care of themselves as we play our preseason games and get into it. But some of those other defensive ends will get a longer look.
On what Powell's strengths are…
He's a tough guy. He plays hard. He plays hard all the time. In the game the other night for example, he was very noticeable I thought on a couple of plays he made. He made a play in the kicking game which is huge when a big man does that. And he made a terrific play on Reggie Bush on the sideline and that's not easy to do for anybody. He did a nice job.
On the progress of CJ Ah You…
Same thing. He's a little younger, just getting his first feel of NFL game activity and it's a preseason game. We obviously like him and used a draft choice on him. We like his toughness; he's got pedigree in our business. He's got a chance but he's got a longer ways to go because he's never done it.
On Trevor Hooper and Ryan Denney's injuries...
Trevor (Hooper) was the big hit on the sideline and our doctors and Bud (Carpenter) don't feel like it's anything serious. We really watched him closely afterwards and kept him in the locker room for a while and tested him. They feel somewhat comfortable that he may be back for practice as this week moves on. Ryan (Denney) got hit in the glutes. He's got a bad bruise and is very stiff. We held him out a little bit today and tried to loosen him up but he's very stiff and black and blue.
On if upgrading the defensive end position is the priority right now…
I wouldn't necessarily say so, but I'm certainly not going to deny that this changes our perspective on a number of things. It has to.
