SEATTLE, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Bob Ferguson, fired recently by Arizona, Monday was hired as general manager of the Seattle Seahawks.
At Seattle, he has been asked to ease the burden on Mike Holmgren, who had been handling the dual role of coach-general manager with the Seahawks. Holmren was forced to relinquish his front office duties after a 7-9 finish this past season.
Ferguson, 51, had worked the last seven years with Arizona. He had been general manager there since 1999. The Cardinals missed the playoffs each of the last four seasons with a combined 21-43 record, including a 5-11 mark in 2002, and fired Ferguson on Jan. 6.
Ferguson's first draft pick as general manager was wide receiver David Boston, who made the Pro Bowl in 2001. However, in 2000, he selected running back Thomas Jones, who has been a major disappointment, in the first round.
Over the past two drafts, Ferguson has selected tackle Leonard Davis, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, safety Adrian Wilson, placekicker Bill Gramatica, defensive tackle Wendell Bryant, and linebacker Levar Fisher.
Seattle will be relying on Ferguson to help build a defense after the Seahawks allowed 369 points this past season.
As GM, Holmgren acquired quarterback Matt Hasselbeck from Green Bay to run the offense, and drafted talented skill position players such as Shaun Alexander, Koren Robinson, and Darrell Jackson.
Despite that, Holmgren has been criticized for failing to help the defense. His first pick as general manager was end Lamar King, a first-rounder in 1999, who has been a major disappointment.
He spent a second-round pick on Ike Charlton in 2000, then traded him last season.
Ferguson, a native of Federal Way, Wash., served as Director of Sales and Special Events for the Seahawks from 1975-79. He spent 11 years with the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos before joining the Cardinals in February 1996.
Ferguson held a variety of personnel positions before being promoted to assistant general manager in 1989. His decisions contributed to the drafting of players such as running back Thurman Thomas and linebacker Cornelius Bennett.
After his time in Buffalo, Ferguson was Director of Player Personnel for the Broncos from 1993-95. While in Denver, he was instrumental in drafting players like running back Terrell Davis, placekicker Jason Elam, and center Tom Nalen.
