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FRIDAY, Aug. 17, 2007, 11:19 a.m.
By Tom Silverstein
Packers release Ferguson
Green Bay - Unable to work out a trade, the Green Bay Packers released wide receiver Robert Ferguson Friday morning.
Ferguson's agent, Brian Overstreet, said that he was informed that the Packers had cut Ferguson after conducting talks with at least three teams. The Packers have not announced the move, but on Thursday evening coach Mike McCarthy said that releasing Ferguson was an option if they couldn't trade him.
Overstreet said he was hopeful Ferguson would find a team where he would fit in and have a shot at winning a regular-season roster spot. Because he is a vested veteran, Ferguson was not subject to waivers and automatically becomes a free agent.
Were he subject to waivers, the team that claimed him and was granted his rights would have been responsible for his $1.8 million base salary. Now he'll be able to pick a spot where he feels most comfortable.
"I guess as far as making the best of a bad situation, this is it," Overstreet said. "Obviously, he wanted to retire as a Packer. I'm hoping there are (teams interested)."
Overstreet said that he was told the Packers had discussions with the Houston Texans, Washington Redskins and Buffalo Bills about a trade. However, all of the three knew that Ferguson probably would be released and they would be able to negotiate a new deal with him as a free agent, thus being free of his $1.8 million salary.
Overstreet said he had not heard from any teams, but he had just been informed Ferguson had been cut.
The Packers parted ways with Ferguson because they felt younger receivers Ruvell Martin and Carlyle Holiday were better options. Ferguson, a six-year veteran, missed most of last season with a serious foot injury and had been outperformed by Martin and Holiday on special teams during training camp.
Overstreet said that Ferguson was saddened by the Packers' decision to let him go, but he was not bitter.
"I think he kind of had mixed feelings," Overstreet said. "He was disappointed from the standpoint that he was accustomed to being there and loved his teammates. He had taken up roots there and owned a home. He's disappointed.
"But he feels like he disappointed them. He thinks about 'I didn't succeed with this or that.' He'll always point the finger at himself first regardless of the circumstances. He feels like 'I didn't get it done.' He's a different guy. He won't point the finger at anybody but himself."
There's a strong possibility Ferguson will wind up with the Texans, where former Packers coach and general manager Mike Sherman is assistant head coach. Sherman was influential in drafting Ferguson in the second round in 2001 and held a fondness for his toughness and no-nonsense approach.
Ferguson was born and raised in Houston and would be playing at home with the Texans. Overstreet said it would be important for him to find a team where he was given a good shot at earning a roster spot.
By Tom Silverstein
Packers release Ferguson
Green Bay - Unable to work out a trade, the Green Bay Packers released wide receiver Robert Ferguson Friday morning.
Ferguson's agent, Brian Overstreet, said that he was informed that the Packers had cut Ferguson after conducting talks with at least three teams. The Packers have not announced the move, but on Thursday evening coach Mike McCarthy said that releasing Ferguson was an option if they couldn't trade him.
Overstreet said he was hopeful Ferguson would find a team where he would fit in and have a shot at winning a regular-season roster spot. Because he is a vested veteran, Ferguson was not subject to waivers and automatically becomes a free agent.
Were he subject to waivers, the team that claimed him and was granted his rights would have been responsible for his $1.8 million base salary. Now he'll be able to pick a spot where he feels most comfortable.
"I guess as far as making the best of a bad situation, this is it," Overstreet said. "Obviously, he wanted to retire as a Packer. I'm hoping there are (teams interested)."
Overstreet said that he was told the Packers had discussions with the Houston Texans, Washington Redskins and Buffalo Bills about a trade. However, all of the three knew that Ferguson probably would be released and they would be able to negotiate a new deal with him as a free agent, thus being free of his $1.8 million salary.
Overstreet said he had not heard from any teams, but he had just been informed Ferguson had been cut.
The Packers parted ways with Ferguson because they felt younger receivers Ruvell Martin and Carlyle Holiday were better options. Ferguson, a six-year veteran, missed most of last season with a serious foot injury and had been outperformed by Martin and Holiday on special teams during training camp.
Overstreet said that Ferguson was saddened by the Packers' decision to let him go, but he was not bitter.
"I think he kind of had mixed feelings," Overstreet said. "He was disappointed from the standpoint that he was accustomed to being there and loved his teammates. He had taken up roots there and owned a home. He's disappointed.
"But he feels like he disappointed them. He thinks about 'I didn't succeed with this or that.' He'll always point the finger at himself first regardless of the circumstances. He feels like 'I didn't get it done.' He's a different guy. He won't point the finger at anybody but himself."
There's a strong possibility Ferguson will wind up with the Texans, where former Packers coach and general manager Mike Sherman is assistant head coach. Sherman was influential in drafting Ferguson in the second round in 2001 and held a fondness for his toughness and no-nonsense approach.
Ferguson was born and raised in Houston and would be playing at home with the Texans. Overstreet said it would be important for him to find a team where he was given a good shot at earning a roster spot.
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