Bills DE Hargrove Pleads Not Guilty After Confrontation, Arrest

Monday, August 6th 2007, 2:51 pm

By: News On 6

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) _ Buffalo Bills backup defensive end Anthony Hargrove pleaded not guilty Monday to several misdemeanor charges stemming from a weekend confrontation with police outside a nightclub.

Hargrove was scheduled to appear in Rochester city court again on Thursday morning. It's not clear whether the hearing will prevent Hargrove from traveling with the Bills that day for their preseason opener at New Orleans on Friday.

Hargrove was charged with harassment, resisting arrest and criminal mischief after an altercation outside a Rochester nightclub early Sunday morning. According to police, Hargrove was arguing with a bouncer when police arrived. He is accused of shoving an officer in the face and breaking his glasses.

Coach Dick Jauron said he was disappointed with Hargrove's arrest, but added the team has not determined whether it will take disciplinary action against the fourth-year NFL player.

``At this time we are gathering all the available information so that we can make the most appropriate decision,'' Jauron said, after the team held a morning walkthrough at training camp in suburban Rochester. ``Anthony is not guilty of anything at this point.''

Hargrove missed the walkthrough because of his court appearance, but was expected to rejoin the Bills for their practice Monday night.

Jauron said he spoke to Hargrove and described the player as being ``very disappointed.'' Jauron added the team has notified the NFL of the player's arrest, and noted that Hargrove could face league punishment for violating its code of conduct policy.

Police said Hargrove's brother, Terrence Hargrove, joined in the confrontation and was charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest. Terrence Hargrove also pleaded not guilty Monday.

The player was released on $1,100 bail Sunday afternoon. The Bills were off Sunday, their first break since opening camp on July 26.

Hargrove is entering his second season with Buffalo after the Bills acquired him in a trade with St. Louis in October. He appeared in 10 games with Buffalo last season and was expected to continue his role this year as one of the team's two primary backups.

A restricted free agent this offseason, Hargrove was re-signed by the Bills to a one-year, $850,000 contract.

Before he was traded to the Bills, Hargrove lost his starting job with the Rams after skipping two days of practice and meetings. The third-round selection out of Georgia Tech in 2004 failed to show at Rams Park on consecutive days in September 2006 and was fined an undisclosed amount. He apologized for his absence but did not say why he took time off without notifying the team.