Found this very detailed article re. Hargreave's release.
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Why the Bucs released Vernon Hargreaves
Rick Stroud: He didn’t hustle and they didn’t want to be hustled
By
Rick Stroud
Published Nov. 12
TAMPA — This was about accountability. It was also about accounting.
Neither really worked in favor of Vernon Hargreaves remaining with the Bucs.
The 11th overall pick in the 2016 draft from the University of Florida was waived on Tuesday morning. It came two days after Bucs coach Bruce Arians benched Hargreaves in the third quarter of Tampa Bay’s 30-27 win over Arizona for not hustling to make a tackle on what became a 55-yard catch and run by Cardinals receiver Andy Isabella.
“There’s no argument,” said Hargreaves, who later re-entered the game. “I need to hustle. Point blank, end of discussion. I’ll get better. I’m sure I’ll talk with them this week and get things straight and see where we’re going.’’
That talk came Tuesday morning at the team’s training facility with general manager Jason Licht and Arians.
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“After thoughtful consideration over the past few weeks, Bruce and I came to the conclusion that we needed to make this change,” Licht in a statement Tuesday. “Decisions such as this are always difficult, but I felt it was in the best interest of our team to part ways with Vernon at this time and allow him to explore other opportunities. We are disappointed that it did not work out here for Vernon and we wish him continued success moving forward.”
Every time you think decisions are made in the best interest of the team, remember the NFL is a big business.
The Bucs had picked up the fifth-year option on Hargreaves contract in 2020 for about $9-million which was only guaranteed against injury.
Once it was decided that Hargreaves was no longer a part of their future, the Bucs had to protect themselves from having to potentially shell out that kind of money next season for a player they no longer wanted.
And remember, injuries derailed two of Hargreaves’ previous three seasons.
Yes, this is a very bad look for the Bucs and Licht. The only remaining player from the Bucs’ 2016 draft class is cornerback Ryan Smith, who went in for Hargreaves Sunday and immediately gave up a 69-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kyler Murray to Christian Kirk.
Of course, that was the draft where the Bucs traded up to the second round for Florida State kicker Roberto Aguayo, who was out of football within a year. Hargreaves is the fourth player to be released from that 2016 class this year.
The Bucs cut defensive end Noah Spence, a second-round pick, before the season began. After Week 1, they said goodbye to tackle Caleb Benenoch, their fifth-round pick. And during last month’s bye week, they waived linebacker Devante Bond before the league suspended him four games for using performance-enhancing drugs. Tight end Danny Vitale is a fullback for the Packers.
The Bucs also have to take responsibility for Hargreaves’ failure.
At Florida and Wharton High School in Tampa, Hargreaves was known as a ball hawk. But he thrived in man-to-man coverage. The Bucs drafted him to play in the zone scheme of then defensive coordinator Mike Smith.
When Hargreaves arrived at minicamp and began work in the offseason, the Bucs crossed trained him at two positions. They wanted him to learn how to not only play cornerback but also move inside and cover the slot receiver.
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