June 29, 2010

Two football players with local ties are in search of new NFL teams after being released on Tuesday. Marques Hagans was cut by the Washington Redskins and R.J. Archer was waived by the Minnesota Vikings.

Hagans was in his second stint in Washington as a member of the practice team. After being released by the Redskins in early 2010, he was signed to the practice squad again in April. Hagans was drafted by the Rams in the 2006 and, after being a quarterback at Virginia, switched to wide receiver and special teams for the professional ranks. In two seasons, Hagans pulled down nine receptions for 108 yards with the Rams and the Chiefs.

Archer was signed in late April by the Vikings as an undrafted rookie free agent. He was Minnesota's fifth quarterback and was waived Tuesday. The Albemarle High School graduate put together a solid senior season at William and Mary in 2009, completing more than 60 percent of his passes and throwing for 16 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. Archer led the Tribe to an 11-3 record in 2009, including an upset win over Virginia on September 5 to open the season.