Robert Ferguson, AP Photo/Andy King
Thomas Dimitroff, the Atlanta Falcons General Manager, set out on a course in 2007, his first with the Falcons, to build a team around a young core of talent, with shrewdly selected veterans sprinkled in.
That plan was never more present in the 2009 offseason when, two days before the draft--a draft in which many experts had the Falcons selecting a tight end--, Dimitroff added ten-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez.
Heading into training camp the Falcons offense appeared loaded at the skill positions, but things quickly changed.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White was a holdout for the first week of camp.
Then on Wednesday of last week, promising young receiver Harry Douglas injured his knee and word came out first thing Thursday morning that he would miss the entire 2009 season.
As can happen in training camp, what was once a strength suddenly was a glaring weakness.
The Falcons found themselves thin on players, talent, and experience, with veterans Michael Jenkins and Brian Finneran as the only wide receivers with significant game action under their belt.
Enter Robert Ferguson.
Having not signed with a team since being released by the Minnesota Vikings in December last season, Ferguson was working out in his hometown of Houston, Texas when he got the call from the Falcons. He was on the practice field that afternoon.
"It was definitely a whirlwind day for me," Ferguson said on Wednesday about his first day as an Atlanta Falcon.
If necessity is the mother of invention, Atlanta's need for a productive receiver out of the slot may serve as the reinvention of a once-promising career for the Green Bay Packers 2001 second-round draft choice.
Douglas was expected to be a big part of the offense from the slot receiver position in 2009. With defenses focused on stopping the Pro Bowl talent of Gonzalez, White, and running back Michael Turner, the quick and athletic receiver, who in the first week of training camp impressed the team, would have found himself in position to make plays.
Ferguson's career hasn't gone quite as he anticipated. After playing only on special teams his rookie year, the following three seasons he emerged as a reliable option for Brett Favre and the Packers, averaging 28 receptions for 393 yards.
He was on pace in 2005 to have a career year, but injuries in the second half of the season slowed him down. In 11 games he totaled 27 receptions for 366 yards and three touchdowns.
Entering his ninth season in the NFL, the 6'1", 219 pound receiver is healthy and glad to be in Atlanta with another chance.
Atlanta's Head Coach, Mike Smith, likes what Ferguson adds to his team's receiving unit.
"Robert is a guy that's got experience in the NFL. He's big and we like his skill set," Smith said last Thursday. "He's going to get an opportunity to catch up real quick."
Ferguson wasted little time impressing his new coaching staff. In the Thursday afternoon practice, his first with the team, he caught a long touchdown pass, running in stride down the right sideline.
Smith believes he could fit in well as the team's new slot receiver.
'He’s a big, big target. A big, big receiver that has, I think, deceiving speed,” said Smith. "He’s a guy that can run extremely well."
Smith also noted Ferguson's past on special teams, a role that, in a pinch, the 29-year-old could help fill. His 25 yards per kickoff return average in 2004 was good for fifth best in the NFC.
After eight days with the team, the coaching staff is very impressed with what Ferguson is contributing and before camp is over many believe he will emerge as the new slot receiver. He's playing with confidence and seems grateful to be in a camp again after being inactive for so long.
"Things are going good. I'm definitely progressing," said Ferguson. "I'm out there making plays. It's strange; it's one of my best camps that I've had in a long time. I'm really focused in on what's going on."
Three days after Ferguson joined the team, White agreed on a new six-year. $50 million contract extension. The same day that Ferguson was added, the Falcons also signed 2002-Pro Bowl receiver Marty Booker.
In the span of a few days the Falcons receiver team went from young and raw to deep and experienced and Ferguson believes nothing but good things can come from that.
"I think it gives all of us a certain amount of confidence," Ferguson said. "It definitely brings out some competition and competition at any position is good when you're trying to build a team. It's great for the team and it's great for our locker room and the meeting room."
After spending six seasons with future Hall of Famer Brett Favre in Green Bay, Ferguson knows something about being a leader, a role he intends to assume with the Falcons.
He also knows a good offense when he sees one and this one in Atlanta, he thinks, can be pretty special, and he intends to be a part of it.
Additional Training Camp coverage
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Comments
Michael Vick to the Eagles! Not where I thought he would end up. He signs a 2 year contract. Also, McNabb has 2 years remaining on his contract. If Donovan get injured, he may have some trouble getting his job back. Not likely, though. So, Vick will be in his old house, the Ga. Dome, on Sunday, Dec. 6. Looking forward to that one.
Don't know why he'd be an unknown commodity for a team that has scouts, but I gave you input on him when you wrote your article after he was signed. He hustles, he's got good hands and speed, and he runs okay routes, but has fear over the middle and shies away from hits after the vicious one he took from Donovan Darius. He'll be fine as the fourth guy, might be able to handle the third, and might help on special teams.
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