07-31-2007, 06:23 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Both of them
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,225
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Ferguson bulks up, builds edge
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/inde...490.xml&coll=1
Quote:
Jets second-year left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson is finally looking like, well, a brick house.
Ferguson, who was the incredible shrinking man last season, dropping from a generously listed 312 pounds to the low 290s, has bulked up to 305 pounds and has added muscle to his lanky, 6-6 frame. The results are clearly evident in one-on-one passing drills.
"I think his technique, the width of his base, hand placement, his leverage, all of those things have gotten better with experience and focus," Jets coach Eric Mangini said yesterday.
Ferguson, selected fourth overall in the 2006 Draft, had an up-and-down rookie season. He played well against some of the league's top defensive ends (i.e. Jason Taylor and Dwight Freeney) but he also had his troubles, giving up three sacks to the Bills' Aaron Schobel in one game. Center Nick Mangold, taken 29th overall, had a better season.
Ferguson, however, has had a strong off-season and the Jets brought in former NFL left tackle Lomas Brown to help him. Brown, who played 18 seasons and went to seven Pro Bowls, arrived in camp yesterday after working with Ferguson during minicamp last month. Both players are lean (Brown was 6-4, 280 pounds) and rely heavily on technique.
"(Brown) was an individual that used great technique to achieve his goals and whenever you can learn from an individual like that it's very beneficial," Ferguson said. "Watching him on tape and (seeing) how fluid he is and the types of techniques he uses is great. As a young player, you look at that and say, 'This is a guy who's done it, let me try to pattern myself after him.'"
Cornerback Darrelle Revis' holdout stretched into day four yesterday with no end in sight. Revis, taken 14th overall, wants a five-year deal and the Jets want a six-year deal. All the players drafted between seven and 16 have signed five-year deals. In fact, only one first-round pick in the draft has signed a six-year deal.
"We're working really hard," Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum said yesterday. "My experience has taught me that the only part of negotiations you can control is preparation. I'm happy with that part. The lines of communications are open and that's where we are right now."
Reaching a deal doesn't appear to be that difficult because of the slotting technique used in the NFL, and during minicamp last month, Tannenbaum himself said Revis would get paid "less than 13 and more than 15."
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Ferguson bulks up, builds edge
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