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Robert Ferguson's revenge? Former Packer hopes for big week for Vikings
By DAVE CAMPBELL, AP Sports Writer
September 28, 2007
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- Robert Ferguson is so recently removed from the Green Bay Packers that he's still in regular contact with about 25 of their players.
He hopes to be the one bragging next week, after his new team takes on his old one. If the Vikings lose at home on Sunday to the Packers, boy, would that be a lot of trash talk to take.
"They brought him in, but at one point they said he's not good enough anymore," Minnesota offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "So now he's with us. Guys play well in those types of situations, and we hope that he does that this week."
With Donald Driver established as Brett Favre's favorite target and young Greg Jennings and James Jones emerging behind Driver on the depth chart, Ferguson fell out of favor in Green Bay and was released in the middle of training camp.
But the rival Vikings have been sorely lacking accomplished and reliable receivers since Randy Moss was traded before the 2005 season, so Ferguson was a natural fit.
"I'm in a great situation," he said. "I'm thankful that it went down the way that it did to where I can really help this team and really, really do some things in this sport right now."
Drafted in the second round in 2001 out of Texas A&M, Ferguson had his best year in 2003 when he caught 38 passes for 520 yards and four touchdowns. But 2004 was a bad season for him. Driver and Javon Walker each had career years, diminishing his opportunities. Then came the game against Jacksonville in December, when Jaguars safety Donovin Darius hit him in the neck so hard with an extended arm that he lost his helmet, was temporarily paralyzed below the waist and still had problems with headaches the next spring.
The clothesline drew Darius a 15-yard penalty, an immediate ejection and a $75,000 fine from the NFL.
"Ferg was one of the guys that never, ever even questioned going over the middle," said Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell, who played for the Packers for nine years. "He'd go over the middle day in and day out, and when he took that shot ... it changes your attitude. We were all concerned for his health and well-being, but at the same time as a player you totally understand that you just don't bounce back from that and go run routes across the middle. So it's going to take some time."
Longwell said he sees "the old Ferg" now, but it has taken a lot of time. A knee injury in 2005 and a badly sprained foot in 2006 were further setbacks. The latter came on Oct. 2, and Ferguson said this week he wasn't 100 percent healthy until he signed with Minnesota on Aug. 21.
"You just have to give it time to let it heal," Ferguson said.
He only has three receptions for 29 yards through three games, but those are average numbers on the pass-deficient Vikings. Ferguson started last week against the Kansas City Chiefs when Troy Williamson was inactive because of a strained hamstring, and coach Brad Childress said Ferguson has a "full understanding" of the offense after absorbing it for the past five weeks.
With the obvious extra incentive against the Packers, he might be due for a breakout. He hasn't had more than four catches in a game since Dec. 7, 2003. Oh, and Minnesota hasn't had a 100-yard receiver since Williamson last Sept. 17 -- a span of 17 games.
"Hopefully I can get into the offense and get a few more balls my way," Ferguson said.
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How many times have we heard this? Something tells me he won't deliver this week either.
By DAVE CAMPBELL, AP Sports Writer
September 28, 2007
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -- Robert Ferguson is so recently removed from the Green Bay Packers that he's still in regular contact with about 25 of their players.
He hopes to be the one bragging next week, after his new team takes on his old one. If the Vikings lose at home on Sunday to the Packers, boy, would that be a lot of trash talk to take.
"They brought him in, but at one point they said he's not good enough anymore," Minnesota offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. "So now he's with us. Guys play well in those types of situations, and we hope that he does that this week."
With Donald Driver established as Brett Favre's favorite target and young Greg Jennings and James Jones emerging behind Driver on the depth chart, Ferguson fell out of favor in Green Bay and was released in the middle of training camp.
But the rival Vikings have been sorely lacking accomplished and reliable receivers since Randy Moss was traded before the 2005 season, so Ferguson was a natural fit.
"I'm in a great situation," he said. "I'm thankful that it went down the way that it did to where I can really help this team and really, really do some things in this sport right now."
Drafted in the second round in 2001 out of Texas A&M, Ferguson had his best year in 2003 when he caught 38 passes for 520 yards and four touchdowns. But 2004 was a bad season for him. Driver and Javon Walker each had career years, diminishing his opportunities. Then came the game against Jacksonville in December, when Jaguars safety Donovin Darius hit him in the neck so hard with an extended arm that he lost his helmet, was temporarily paralyzed below the waist and still had problems with headaches the next spring.
The clothesline drew Darius a 15-yard penalty, an immediate ejection and a $75,000 fine from the NFL.
"Ferg was one of the guys that never, ever even questioned going over the middle," said Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell, who played for the Packers for nine years. "He'd go over the middle day in and day out, and when he took that shot ... it changes your attitude. We were all concerned for his health and well-being, but at the same time as a player you totally understand that you just don't bounce back from that and go run routes across the middle. So it's going to take some time."
Longwell said he sees "the old Ferg" now, but it has taken a lot of time. A knee injury in 2005 and a badly sprained foot in 2006 were further setbacks. The latter came on Oct. 2, and Ferguson said this week he wasn't 100 percent healthy until he signed with Minnesota on Aug. 21.
"You just have to give it time to let it heal," Ferguson said.
He only has three receptions for 29 yards through three games, but those are average numbers on the pass-deficient Vikings. Ferguson started last week against the Kansas City Chiefs when Troy Williamson was inactive because of a strained hamstring, and coach Brad Childress said Ferguson has a "full understanding" of the offense after absorbing it for the past five weeks.
With the obvious extra incentive against the Packers, he might be due for a breakout. He hasn't had more than four catches in a game since Dec. 7, 2003. Oh, and Minnesota hasn't had a 100-yard receiver since Williamson last Sept. 17 -- a span of 17 games.
"Hopefully I can get into the offense and get a few more balls my way," Ferguson said.
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How many times have we heard this? Something tells me he won't deliver this week either.