From what it sounds like, Robert Ferguson is going to be okay after receiving the WWE Smackdown! Clothesline from Donovin Darius. Man that was a vicious hit! One I expect will be a highlight of NFL films for a long, long time. You have to admire Fergie's courage. He gave the crowd the "thumbs up" while being carted off the field even though he couldn't feel his legs. Wow... The Pack is extremely thin at receiver now, though, and Ferguson will be sorely missed on special teams, where he's pretty much the best guy out there. I guess it's time to start scouring the waiver wire. I don't think there's much potential with any of the practice squad guys right now. Good luck with the recovery! I hope things continue to improve... I will also say that I think a fine is probably warranted, but I don't think Darius should be suspended. It didn't look like he was trying to kill Ferguson. It looked more like an accident that got out of hand. Any thoughts on that?
Darius's postgame reaction to the hit was pretty bad, but I don't think it should warrant a suspension either. He has always been a stand-up guy without any previous history of hits like that. For all we know he was trying to hit Ferguson in the chest (I don't think so, but you never know). I'm glad to hear the Ferguson is doing better...that was a scary moment.
Darius says that he was trying to uppercut the ball to punch it out of Ferguson's arms and that he ended up clotheslining him instead. I can buy that... Now, if this was a Rodney Harrison hit... Well... That would be a different story.
$75,000 fine and no suspension. I think it's fair... I know it's all part of the game, but in a case like this you have to do SOMETHING. $75,000 is a chunk of change, even for a guy making $4 million a year (like Darius). None of this $5000 "your shirt isn't tucked in" crap this time... Bravo!
