Somewhere in Green Bay, Wisconsin, right now, Packers general manager Ted Thompson is cursing Bountygate.
In a move that was a little surprising but not shocking, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the players who were known to have the most involvement in the Saints’ now-infamous bounty program, including Anthony Hargrove, a recently signed free agent of the Packers, for eight games.
According to a report issued by ESPN.com, Hargrove, along with three other current and former Saints players, were suspended by the league for their role in the bounty program.
Jonathan Vilma was hit the hardest by the league, as he received a year-long suspension similar to the once received by Saints’ head coach Sean Payton.
In addition to Vilma, New Orleans defensive end Will Smith received a four-game suspension, while former Saints linebacker Scott Fujita, who now plays for the Cleveland Browns, will be forced to sit out three games.
Previously, Payton, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis (eight games) and assistant coach Joe Vitt (six games) were all suspended by the league for their role in the controversy, while the man in charge of the operation, former New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, has been suspended indefinitely from the NFL.
The Packers had to know when they signed Hargrove that the possibility for a suspension existed, yet they probably expected something in the range of three to four games, as opposed to half the season.
Now their defensive line, which appeared to have plenty of depth following the selections of two defensive tackles in the 2012 NFL draft, Jerel Worthy of Michigan State and Mike Daniels of Iowa, has come into question again.
It will be interesting to see how the Packers respond and whether or not they look to add another D-lineman with some pass-rushing ability. If not, Worthy and Daniels better get ready to see the field a lot as rookies in 2012.
