Tweet
Paper Trail Gives Ferguson Motivation
By JASON WILDE
GREEN BAY — It hangs in Robert Ferguson's locker, a daily reminder of how his time with the Green Bay Packers ended this summer.
He put it there the moment he arrived at the Minnesota Vikings' Winter Park training facility following his release.
"That's fuel, man," he says of his termination paper from Green Bay, where he'd spent the first six years of his NFL career. "As soon as I got here I put it up. (I look at it) every day, whether it's a walkthrough or (a) practice. That's why I don't slack out there. That's why. I'll never get another one of those again in my career."
Above the official document, signed by Packers vice president of player finance Andrew Brandt — not general manager Ted Thompson — is another piece of paper.
On this one, scrawled in Ferguson's handwriting, are the words "Prove It" and "Every day, every snap."
"Prove It" is written in green.
"The green represents Green Bay," Ferguson said.
So while Ferguson harbors no ill will toward his former teammates — he still text messages and calls many of them, including wide receivers Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Koren Robinson and tight ends Bubba Franks and Donald Lee — Ferguson will return to Lambeau Field Sunday for the first time as a visitor with more than a little motivation.
"Obviously this is unknown territory," said Ferguson, who was released by the Packers on Aug. 17. "I've never been going back there and playing against them. It would be very special, especially with them being where they are right now (at) 7-1, (to) play very well."
So far, Ferguson hasn't gotten many chances to do that. He's caught just nine passes for 102 yards this season for the Vikings, who use him more as a blocker.
"That's a good question," he replied when asked when his opportunity will come. "Hopefully it will come soon."
By JASON WILDE
GREEN BAY — It hangs in Robert Ferguson's locker, a daily reminder of how his time with the Green Bay Packers ended this summer.
He put it there the moment he arrived at the Minnesota Vikings' Winter Park training facility following his release.
"That's fuel, man," he says of his termination paper from Green Bay, where he'd spent the first six years of his NFL career. "As soon as I got here I put it up. (I look at it) every day, whether it's a walkthrough or (a) practice. That's why I don't slack out there. That's why. I'll never get another one of those again in my career."
Above the official document, signed by Packers vice president of player finance Andrew Brandt — not general manager Ted Thompson — is another piece of paper.
On this one, scrawled in Ferguson's handwriting, are the words "Prove It" and "Every day, every snap."
"Prove It" is written in green.
"The green represents Green Bay," Ferguson said.
So while Ferguson harbors no ill will toward his former teammates — he still text messages and calls many of them, including wide receivers Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Koren Robinson and tight ends Bubba Franks and Donald Lee — Ferguson will return to Lambeau Field Sunday for the first time as a visitor with more than a little motivation.
"Obviously this is unknown territory," said Ferguson, who was released by the Packers on Aug. 17. "I've never been going back there and playing against them. It would be very special, especially with them being where they are right now (at) 7-1, (to) play very well."
So far, Ferguson hasn't gotten many chances to do that. He's caught just nine passes for 102 yards this season for the Vikings, who use him more as a blocker.
"That's a good question," he replied when asked when his opportunity will come. "Hopefully it will come soon."
Comment