Anthony

Hargrove

This will be evaluated Monday afternoon.

Still just 28 years old, the versatile Hargrove racked up six sacks and three forced fumbles as an interior rusher with New Orleans in 2009-2010. Hargrove has been informed that he’ll be active for Week 1. The Seahawks figure to use him at defensive tackle on passing downs, spelling “3-technique” Alan Branch.

Hargrove, 28, has been primarily an interior pass rusher in recent seasons, but the Packers will likely give him a look as a right end in the role once filled by Cullen Jenkins. The Packers can’t count on Mike Neal after a four-game PEDs suspension, and C.J. Wilson and Jarius Wynn are “just guys.” Hargrove can get after the quarterback when his head is on straight. The Packers remain interested in DL Dave Tollefson, who is visiting on Thursday.

Packers DE Anthony Hargrove (eight games), Saints DE Will Smith (four games) and Browns LB Scott Fujita (three games) have also filed appeals. The NFLPA had already filed grievances on the suspended players’ behalf, so Vilma’s appeal may be a purely procedural move. It’s highly unlikely the league will take mercy on Vilma after upholding the bans of coach Sean Payton, GM Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach Joe Vitt.

It’s Hargrove’s first known visit of free agency. Signed by the Seahawks just two days before the start of the season in 2011, Hargrove went on to notch 18 tackles and three sacks in 15 games, none of which were starts. Four months shy of his 29th birthday, he’d be a situational pass rusher in Green Bay.

“Not official, but like I said green and yellow,” Hargrove tweeted Sunday. “Can’t wait for my first Lambeau Leap.” Green Bay is Hargrove’s only known visit since the beginning of free agency. A deal should be struck within the next 48 hours.

The NFL’s investigation concluded that Vilma, as captain of the defense, aided Greg Williams in establishing and funding the bounty program. Vilma’s suspension will kick in immediately while Packers DE Anthony Hargrove (8 games), Saints DE Will Smith (4 games), and Browns LB Scott Fujita (3 games) are allowed to participate in OTAs and preseason action. Curtis Lofton will shift to middle linebacker, with David Hawthorne on the weak side and one of Scott Shanle, Martez Wilson, and Chris Chamberlain on the strong side. No other players will be suspended for the bounty scandal.

Hargrove’s suspension was more harsh than those of DE Will Smith (4 games) and LB Scott Fujita (3 games) because the NFL determined that he “actively obstructed” the league’s investigation by being untruthful to officials. Hargrove also laid the infamous brutal hit on Brett Favre in the NFC Championship game. He had signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with Green Bay in late March.

Jonathan Vilma, who has sued commissioner Roger Goodell for defamation, will have his face-to-face meeting. Vilma has been suspended for the entire year. Other players appealing their suspensions are Saints DE Will Smith (four games), Browns LB Scott Fujita (three games) and Packers DL Anthony Hargrove (eight games).

This was certainly not unexpected. An arbitrator ruled last month that Goodell retained the power to impose discipline on players involved in the scandal from 2009-2011. “None of you has offered any evidence that would warrant reconsideration of your suspensions,” Goodell explained in a letter to the players. “Your lawyers raised a series of jurisdictional and procedural objections that generally ignore the CBA.”