Mike Furrey Will Be Released

by Sean Yuille on Jan 28, 2009 1:29 PM EST in Roster Comment 8 comments

Apparently the Lions have started to evaluate the roster to determine who should and who shouldn't be back with the team next season. One of those players that won't be back is wide receiver Mike Furrey, who was informed yesterday that he will be released.

"(Mayhew) just called to say they were calling the guys they were releasing, and that was the gist of the conversation," Furrey said. "I said, 'Thanks' and that was it.

"The conversation was real brief. But I wasn't surprised at all. We butted heads toward the end of the season. And it's because I wanted to win. I was sick of losing, sick of going out on Sundays without a chance to win. And it had nothing to do with (coach Rod) Marinelli. I believe in him 100 percent. But I believe things just funneled down from the top, and I wanted to win as much as anybody else."

"I'm happy," he said. "I got the call right before we were boarding the plane yesterday to come to Tampa. And it's a burden off my back. I'm relaxed and I'm happy and I'm ready to go start a new career somewhere and help another team win a Super Bowl."

As you can tell by Furrey's statement on being released, he isn't the only one. It isn't known who the other players that will be released are just yet, but I'm sure we'll find out shortly. Players can't actually be released until February 9, but my guess is the players that will be released will alert the media in order to get their name out there for other teams to see.

As far as this move goes, I'm not entirely surprised since a new coaching staff is going to get rid of a lot of players, but Mike Furrey is a good guy both on and off the field. Remember, just a couple seasons ago he actually led the Lions in catches. Obviously playing in Mike Martz's system was part of why he had so much success, but he is a good backup wide receiver. Depth was needed at that position before this news came out, and now it especially is with Furrey gone.

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I liked Mike.

Sad to see a good guy like that leave.

Whether it be this year, next year, or 50 years from now. The Detroit Lions will eventually win a Super Bowl............I f'n hope.

by BoscoHB on Jan 28, 2009 4:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agree

He has done so much charity work with the Lions. And now there is no more Halloween party to talk about.

Check out Pride of Detroit, SB Nation's Lions Blog

by Sean Yuille on Jan 28, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think most of us liked Furrey...

but I love the fact that they are making roster decisions this early in the year. Remember, he only had 18 catches last year on a team that begged for playmakers. He’s no longer part of the solution. He’s too old to be a part of the youth movement and makes too much in comparison to his contributions . I like Furrey, but I like the move as well. Can’t wait til Feb. 9th to see who else gets the axe. It will be very telling as to the direction they are going to go with this roster.

by DrewsLions on Jan 28, 2009 7:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Dumb Move

Mike Furrey was a productive WR, a good special teamer and a great citizen off the field. This is a very dumb move by Mayhew in my opinion. Furrey is one of those rare NFL players who will do whatever the team needs him to. For example: last year he returned punts, played WR and gunner on coverage teams. How many of the other “prima donna” / finesse WRs in the league would’ve done that and not cried to the media about. Not many in my opinion. This is about Furrey speaking his mind when he was put on I.R. without being told about it. He tracked Mayhew down and called him out on it in the cafeteria at Allen Park. From what I rember his salary was between 1 and 2 mil for 2009 which isn’t that outta line with all he brings to the table. Maybe he comes back at a lesser salray if he can’t catch on some where else.

by Wellvis on Jan 28, 2009 9:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Furrey might have been great for the community...

…but he was not, for the last 2 years, for the team. The object is to win. Furry didn’t help with that the last 2 seasons.

He’s due 2.9 mil under the cap for ’09. Do these stats from the past 2 seasons warrant keeping him on the roster?

2008 18 for 181 0 TD’s
2007 61 for 664 1 TD

I don’t think so. This was a good move for the team. I really liked Furrey but I’d rather see the team win and win now.

I has a blog

"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~Groucho Marx

by Jettero2112 on Jan 28, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As much as I liked Furrey

I’d have to agree with Jettero. We need to win and we can’t cry because a fan favorite that wasn’t producing and had somewhat of an injury bug got cut. Furrey was great for Detroit and it was a great story while it happened and I wish him nothing but the best, but we need to win.

by LVLionfan on Jan 29, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I Like Mike

The one thing i really liked about Furrey was if he touched the ball he caught it. no super speed, no great moves, no serious YAC, no great leaping abilitys, but if you could get the ball to him he will catch it. I personally will miss him on our team i dont think he was properly utilized at all. Then again our QB NEVER had the time to look for a 3rd receiver. If you check his stats during our 6-2 run before falling apart he was a great asset to our offensive scheme and as we slid into our black hole of worthlessness he was thrown to considerably less. I’ll miss Mike and hopefully this is not some personal issue that upper management has with him that will cost us one more opportunity to win.

by chainsaw on Jan 28, 2009 10:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

OK we all like Mike...

But let’s get real, Furrey was a charity doin’, Bible study attendin’, Kitna road roomie, Marrinelli NICE GUY!! We need more Jaw Smackin Hardcore Football Players! I hope Schwartz can bring in Haynseworth and we draft a solid LB with the #20 pick.

(I did find it odd that the freep reported today that Mayhew called Furrey’s wife’s cell phone with the news. Why’s he got Mike’s wife’s number, huh? Mayhew, PLAYYYYYA!)

by j16941 on Jan 29, 2009 5:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs