Packers claim Crouch off waivers

Eric Crouch won the Heisman Trophy in his senior season at Nebraska in 2001, but was out of football last year. Brian Bahr/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- The Green Bay Packers claimed Eric Crouch off waivers from the St. Louis Rams and said Wednesday they planned to give him a shot at quarterback.

Crouch won the 2001 Heisman Trophy as a quarterback at Nebraska, but he sat out of football last season after the Rams drafted him in the third round and tried to convert him into a wide receiver.

Crouch forfeited his signing bonus after training camp last year, saying he'd rather retire if he couldn't be an NFL quarterback.

He remains on the reserve/retired list and must submit a letter to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue requesting to have his name removed from it.

Crouch is one of three players in NCAA Division-I history to rush for more than 3,000 yards and throw for more than 4,000 yards in his career.

If he makes the roster, Crouch would be the sixth Heisman Trophy winner to play for the Packers, joining Bruce Smith (1941), Paul Hornung (1956), Ty Detmer (1990), Desmond Howard (1991) and Danny Wuerffel (1996).

 

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