Robert Ferguson Released
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by Cheezer
The Green Bay Packers have placed veteran wide receiver Robert Ferguson on the trading block. If a trade is not worked out, it looks like Ferguson will receive his release. If released, he would not be subject to waivers as he has more than four years experience.
"Robert will no longer be a Packer," Green Bay Head Coach Mike McCarthy said after practice Thursday night. "We're going to go in another direction. We're just moving on with the other guys and that's where it stands right now. I'll have more definitive information for you tomorrow."
Ferguson was drafted in the 2nd round in 2001. He spent many seasons of unrealized potential with the team. For the last three seasons, Ferguson missed significant playing time with injury. All told during his Packer career, Ferguson missed 36 of a total 96 potential games played. His career statistics are an unflattering 116 rec for 1577 yards and 12 touchdowns. His poor performance aside, I will always remember Ferguson as the player that was severely injured in December 2004 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the fourth quarter of that game, he caught a 31-yard pass near midfield, and held onto the ball despite a forearm clothesline hit by Jaguars safety Donovin Darius (who later was fined $75,000 by the NFL for the illegal play).
This latest development indicates the depth of youth at wide receiver the Packers have managed to accumulate. It looks like the top three wide receivers in camp are wily veteran Donald Driver, second year player Greg Jennings and James Jones, the rookie from San Jose State. In addition, second year receiver Carlyle Holiday is developing into quite the special teamer. The Packers may not have a marquee wide receiver as star Driver is 32 years old, but they do have enough young talent to make Ferguson expendable and allow him to test his worth on the market.
Update: According to Brian Overstreet, Ferguson's agent, none of the three teams Green Bay was negotiating with wanted to assume Ferguson's $1.8M contract. It looks like Ferguson's release is imminent.
Update: Trade attempts were unsuccessful and Robert Ferguson has been released
