LaTunaNostra
He Made the Difference
- Messages
- 14,985
- Reaction score
- 4
Ferguson could be of interest to Eagles
Philly in need of receivers
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 12, 2005
Green Bay - The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly are looking to acquire a wide receiver by trade and there's little doubt that Robert Ferguson of the Green Bay Packers is someone they would be considering.
The Trenton (N.J.) Times reported Thursday that the Eagles are looking into which wide receivers could be available and what it would take to acquire one.
Obstinate wide receiver Terrell Owens might have played his final game in Philadelphia and the other starter, Todd Pinkston, is out for the season with a torn Achilles' tendon.
Coach Andy Reid's top three wide receivers are Greg Lewis, a thin-framed free agent with 23 receptions in two seasons; rookie Reggie Brown, a second-round draft choice; and Billy McMullen, who has four catches in two seasons.
It's likely that the Eagles will take their time. Their answer at wide receiver might be on their roster.
Then again, the Eagles are shooting for a return trip to the Super Bowl and aren't about to let one position undermine their season.
Among the players listed by The Times as possibilities for the Eagles were Ferguson and two other former second-round picks, Cleveland's Andre' Davis and Atlanta's Peerless Price. Both Davis and Price are regarded as disappointments by their teams.
Philadelphia has a pair of extra fourth-round selections in the 2006 draft and leads the National Football League in available cap room at $10.916 million.
Ferguson made the list for two reasons: he knows the West Coast offense and the Packers have a surplus at wide receiver. Plus, he destroyed Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown for two touchdown passes in an '03 playoff game and made three catches for 68 yards against them in December.
If Ferguson were traded, the Packers still would have Javon Walker, Donald Driver, rookie Terrence Murphy, Antonio Chatman, Andrae Thurman and rookie Craig Bragg.
On Thursday night, offensive coordinator Tom Rossley indicated that the Packers couldn't afford to trade Ferguson, saying, "He's a big piece of our chemistry." But those decisions will be made by general manager Ted Thompson, and it’s no secret that he relishes extra draft picks.
If the Packers dealt Ferguson, they would take an immediate hit of $1.555 million against their salary cap. At present, they are $3.369 million under the cap.
Although the 25-year-old Ferguson is five years younger than Driver, the Eagles surely would consider Driver as well. Trading Driver would mean less of a cap hit for the Packers at $533,000 but also would bring higher compensation.
In addition to draft choices, the Eagles have a surplus of players on defense that might interest the Packers.
Roderick Hood, their No. 3 cornerback, probably was as effective a nickel back in '04 as Al Harris had been earlier in his career and is the team's top kickoff returner. No. 4 cornerback Matt Ware was a third-round pick in '04 and has good ability.
Linebacker Mark Simoneau, a two-year starter on the weak side, is scheduled to split time with Keith Adams and has the speed that coordinator Jim Bates values.
The Eagles have seven solid defensive tackles. Nose tackle Hollis Thomas, who would fall to No. 3 if Corey Simon reports, is a rugged wide body and would fit Bates' profile at the position. Sam Rayburn, who is No. 4, had six sacks and plays tenaciously.
Even Quintin Mikell, their No. 3 safety, might start for some teams if he weren't behind Pro Bowl starters Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis.
The Eagles and Packers have collaborated on seven trades since Reid left Green Bay in 1999.
Philadelphia also might be looking for a big running back because Correll Buckhalter's career is threatened by a chronic knee problem and both Brian Westbrook and rookie Ryan Moats are scatbacks. Green Bay's Najeh Davenport could be extremely difficult to re-sign in March when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
From the Aug. 13, 2005, editions
http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/aug05/348185.asp
Philly in need of receivers
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 12, 2005
Green Bay - The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly are looking to acquire a wide receiver by trade and there's little doubt that Robert Ferguson of the Green Bay Packers is someone they would be considering.
The Trenton (N.J.) Times reported Thursday that the Eagles are looking into which wide receivers could be available and what it would take to acquire one.
Obstinate wide receiver Terrell Owens might have played his final game in Philadelphia and the other starter, Todd Pinkston, is out for the season with a torn Achilles' tendon.
Coach Andy Reid's top three wide receivers are Greg Lewis, a thin-framed free agent with 23 receptions in two seasons; rookie Reggie Brown, a second-round draft choice; and Billy McMullen, who has four catches in two seasons.
It's likely that the Eagles will take their time. Their answer at wide receiver might be on their roster.
Then again, the Eagles are shooting for a return trip to the Super Bowl and aren't about to let one position undermine their season.
Among the players listed by The Times as possibilities for the Eagles were Ferguson and two other former second-round picks, Cleveland's Andre' Davis and Atlanta's Peerless Price. Both Davis and Price are regarded as disappointments by their teams.
Philadelphia has a pair of extra fourth-round selections in the 2006 draft and leads the National Football League in available cap room at $10.916 million.
Ferguson made the list for two reasons: he knows the West Coast offense and the Packers have a surplus at wide receiver. Plus, he destroyed Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown for two touchdown passes in an '03 playoff game and made three catches for 68 yards against them in December.
If Ferguson were traded, the Packers still would have Javon Walker, Donald Driver, rookie Terrence Murphy, Antonio Chatman, Andrae Thurman and rookie Craig Bragg.
On Thursday night, offensive coordinator Tom Rossley indicated that the Packers couldn't afford to trade Ferguson, saying, "He's a big piece of our chemistry." But those decisions will be made by general manager Ted Thompson, and it’s no secret that he relishes extra draft picks.
If the Packers dealt Ferguson, they would take an immediate hit of $1.555 million against their salary cap. At present, they are $3.369 million under the cap.
Although the 25-year-old Ferguson is five years younger than Driver, the Eagles surely would consider Driver as well. Trading Driver would mean less of a cap hit for the Packers at $533,000 but also would bring higher compensation.
In addition to draft choices, the Eagles have a surplus of players on defense that might interest the Packers.
Roderick Hood, their No. 3 cornerback, probably was as effective a nickel back in '04 as Al Harris had been earlier in his career and is the team's top kickoff returner. No. 4 cornerback Matt Ware was a third-round pick in '04 and has good ability.
Linebacker Mark Simoneau, a two-year starter on the weak side, is scheduled to split time with Keith Adams and has the speed that coordinator Jim Bates values.
The Eagles have seven solid defensive tackles. Nose tackle Hollis Thomas, who would fall to No. 3 if Corey Simon reports, is a rugged wide body and would fit Bates' profile at the position. Sam Rayburn, who is No. 4, had six sacks and plays tenaciously.
Even Quintin Mikell, their No. 3 safety, might start for some teams if he weren't behind Pro Bowl starters Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis.
The Eagles and Packers have collaborated on seven trades since Reid left Green Bay in 1999.
Philadelphia also might be looking for a big running back because Correll Buckhalter's career is threatened by a chronic knee problem and both Brian Westbrook and rookie Ryan Moats are scatbacks. Green Bay's Najeh Davenport could be extremely difficult to re-sign in March when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
From the Aug. 13, 2005, editions
http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/aug05/348185.asp