Jets take peek at an OT 'beast' Friday, February 24, 2006 BY MIKE GARAFOLO Star-Ledger Staff INDIANAPOLIS -- Oh, yeah. The Jets also have some scouting to do this week at the combine. In between meetings with agents in an attempt to get under the salary cap, coach Eric Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum have taken a look at a few prospects who will likely be available when they select at No. 4 overall in April's draft. One of them -- 6-6, 312-pound offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson -- stepped to the podium for a brief press conference yesterday and immediately won over a crowd of reporters with a couple doses of humor. "My fellow Americans," Ferguson said with a President-like gesture. Then, shortly before he responded to a question about a growth spurt early in his college career at Virginia by simply saying, "Ensure," (a nod to the nutritional supplement drink) Ferguson displayed a healthy confidence about his ability. "I'm a beast," he said. "I see myself as a bodyguard. I'm personally responsible for the health and welfare of my quarterback, and I'll do anything in my means to protect him." But will that quarterback be Chad Pennington (or whoever lines up for the Jets on opening day)? Ferguson wasn't sure. "I haven't spoken to many teams, but will have the chance to as the days progress," he said. "It's still open. I'm still waiting and listening." If Ferguson was at Mangini's press conference, he didn't hear much. The coach refused to speak about Ferguson or any other specific player. And if Ferguson, a Long Island native, is headed home, he probably won't know until draft day. But it is something he said he would like to experience. "Definitely. Going back home is something I think every kid dreams of," Ferguson said. Giants QB Eli Manning was asked yesterday during an interview on Sirius Radio about his plans for training this off-season with TE Jeremy Shockey and WR Plaxico Burress. Both players spent much of last off-season in Miami instead of East Rutherford, starting a mild controversy when Manning suggested Shockey should have been at Giants Stadium. During Super Bowl week, Peyton Manning said he told Eli to go down to Miami if that's what it would take to find a rhythm with his top two targets. The younger Manning is obviously considering his brother's advice. "We've got to figure out a way to get some throwing down," Eli said. "For a week, I'd go down to Miami and get with those two guys, see if we can throw three times that week, throw some routes, get a groove and then have them come up to New York." In a slight show of defiance, Rutgers QB Ryan Hart walked in the lobby outside the media room at the combine even though he wasn't invited by the selection committee. Hart and his agent, Andrew Bondarowicz, spoke to coaches and scouts to remind them Hart plans to wow them at Rutgers' Pro Day on March 22. "It's disappointing," Hart said of not being invited to the combine. "I wish I could put my finger on it because I've been (ticked) off for weeks. I'm just looking forward to proving people wrong."
sounds good but can jones play the rihgt side and if so we have two good tackles for a long time. guards can allways be found later in the draft
When Mike Williams was drafted 4 years ago out of Texas with the 4th overall pick he was a can't miss LT for years to come. Yesterday he was released by the Bills. The draft is such a crap shoot that if we get a chance to get a potential franchise QB, I think you have to do it. Now, I'm not a professional personnel guy, so if the Jets staff believes the QBs available to them at that point are not sure things, and they believe that Brick is, they have to go that route. I've come to the conclusion at this point that I'm going to trust them (for now....)
I couldn't believe he weighed in at 311. I was watching on NFL network and his wingspan is rediculous. I have been all about drafting a QB but if we do not D'Brick is the way to go with this pick.
I still think Houston may pass on Reggie and possibly snag DBrick in a trade down. They do not need to whip out 20 million plus for a RB when they already have a pretty good one. Just a feeling.
Yeah but who would trade up to that spot.. not the Titans or Saints I see the #3 pick as the only spot that the D'Brick could go before the Jets get him at 4. Like the friggin Jills trading up and taking him right before the jets do. dammit i hope that doesn't happen.
We certainly wouldn't give up the farm for Bush at 1. We've got to many other pressing needs, and can't afford it.
The Chargers drafted Ryan Leaf in 1998 at #2 and he was a complete mess. What makes you so sure that Cutler is anymore of a sure-thing than Ferguson is? :wink:
Is Bush really a lock to go to the Texans? They resigned Davis to a new deal in '05 and he's a decent back. They've chronically had o-line problems, why not fix it this draft? Could they shake up the draft and opt out on Bush?
There are too many holes on this team. We already have a LT, so I do not see us taking Brick at #4 overall. If you are a rebuilding team, you would have to be completely stupid to take a LT at #4 overall if you already have a LT. This draft is very deep in OL, so there is absolutely no need to start filling the OL holes with our first rounder. Rebuilding teams without a solid option at QB must draft for a potential franchise QB with their first pick.
I never said Cutler/Leinart/Young were sure things, I guess I wasn't clear in my post. What I'm saying is that you don't get to draft this high too often (hopefully), and because we are in dire need of a franchise QB, you have to take one at that point if one is available. The important thing is I am not truly qualified to tell you which of the 3 QBs are sure things (I have my opinions just like everyone else), but if the Jets personnel department grades one of them high, and they are available at #4, I think you take the chance. O-Line are easier to come by later or in FA than a franchise QB....
Apparently the argument for taking D'Brick is he is a sure thing but Young, Cutler and Leinart are much more likely to be busts. I'm not sure most NFL GM's are capable of properly rating the draft, I'm 100% sure that nobody on this board is. Scott Poili used to post here as Jets 1-8-7 but I think he was permanetly banned?
Well, if you don't believe any franchise QBs are there at the spot, then the only real option left is to trade down and try to fill multiple holes, and then pray to god that you get a franchise QB somehow. This is the NFL, you don't win without a good QB.
I'm scared too BUT..... Ferguson has the right attitude and Mike Williams was somewhat of a lazy bad attitude Bum..... He's also real slow for his size and has problems against the faster, smaller DE's which is where Ferguson excells.... Different players.
