He is NOT a bad run blocker. Your reaching to try and and prove your point. He is a better pass protector then run blocker, but he's not bad at it. And with the added weight, I'd be very surprised if he struggled with any phase of the game after a couple of years. He's very smart, quick, strong, and athletic, and should have no problems at all. In other words, he's as franchise-capable as any of the other top OT names you mentioned. I can accept you thinking that the Jets would be better served going some other direction based upon need, but saying Ferguson sucks at run blocking is ridiculous.
Well then we'll have to agree to disagree. Every time I've seen Ferguson, I saw a great pass blocker who, on run plays, was constantly getting pushed around, and had no idea how to set himself up. He's going to have to add more weight to his frame during the season, the weight he added leading up to the combine is a result of not playing any football. Once the season starts, he will be right back down to 295-300. He needs to add to that DURING the season, just so he isn't manhandled by certain defensive ends.
You're exactly right in this case. If Brick has a weakness, it is power at the point of attack, and that goes for defending the bull rush in the passing game as well. What makes him an elite prospect is his pass protecting ability is out of this world. He can hang w/ virtually any speed rusher and come out on top due to his athleticism and technique. In today's NFL,you can't put a price on that kind of asset. Teams are banking on him continuing to grow into his frame while adding some strength to his legs for drive blocking, and upper body for leverage in the running game. Will he do that? Most likely. And at the end of the day, he should be one of the best LT's in the NFL. W/ that said, he's not exactly our top need on the OL. We have plenty of athletic technician types w/ Kendall, Moore and Jones(I'll even throw Snell on that list as I think he may turn some heads come training camp). What we need is a big time drive blocker who can anchor our running game, and hold up in pass protection. A guy like Winston Justice or Marcus McNeill would go alot further than Ferguson would in improving this line. Many people on this board feel that b/c Ferguson is the best OT available, and is the most hyped, drafting him is the answer to all our problems up front. Not the case. We dont just need help in terms of pass protection, we also need a big time drive blocker as previously stated. In the end, if D'brick is who's left of the "Big 4", we should have no regrets in drafting him. W/ the number of picks we have, we can afford to take the BPA at every single spot, and taking the best OT prospect since Gallery is far from a bad thing. But don't think us drafting him is the end of any or all of our OL woes, he will still have alot of developing to do, and we will still need some help in terms of run blocking.
I completely agree. I don't think Brick is the end all and be all of our O-Line woes. BUT, I do think it is a need. Jones is not the answer, people try to prop him up because they want to draft someone other than Brick, but he is nothing other than an average OT and career back-up, IMO. I see the Jets coming out of the draft with 3-4 O-Lineman. Brick (if NO does not take him), a Center (hopefully Mangold), a RT, and probably a Guard to learn behind Kendall. And with the vets the FO signed to teach the youngins, it will grow into a strenghth for the team for years. I know we have some projects like Snell, Morley, Missant, and Katnick, but remember those are from the last regime and I see most getting cut, maybe 2 or 3, there are too many projects in the OL depth.
In many ways, Jones is similar to Brick. He is very athletic and can hang w/ just about any speed rusher. What he needs to do is continue getting bigger and stronger and improve his technique against inside pass rushing moves. W/ that said, the things he needs to work on, typically begin to take shape within an OL's 3rd to 4th year of development. Which is exactly where Jones lies at this stage. If that is the case, we are looking at a good LT and certainly an upgrade compared to Fabini from the last 3 years at that position. I look at him and see a fixture for our line if he does indeed continue to develop like I think he will. This is why I believe we should focus more on finding a drive blocking RT to compliment him. As I stated previously, we have plenty of athletic technician types for this line in order to be able to handle speed rushers as well as pulling linemen in the running game. But what we really lack is a presence of size and strength especially on the right side of our line to dominate at the point of attack. If Ferguson is the BPA at 4, and we take him, that is fine. He's certainly an upgrade over Jones in terms of upside, and he def. presents value. But I don't think it is essential by any stretch of the imagination and I truly believe Jones can be a very good LT in this league. Find him a big physical tackle to pair, and he'll be even better.
I've already explained my case enough. If you're not convinced, then nothing will change whatever opinion you currently have.
Banking on "projects" and 4th round draft picks - i.e. ignoring the needs that have existed on the OL for years - is what got the Jets into their current situation - injured franchise QB, no running game, gaping holes in the OL. If Jet fans want to continue that and pass on a potential elite LT just to draft someone "sexy" with the 4th pick, then we can go on expecting injured QBs, no running game and mediocrity from the offense for the next few years.
We need to focus on the OL, but it isn't the only hole, and we can fill another hole with the #4 pick. C, RT, and a guard are definitely areas of need. I just don't believe that LT is one of those areas of need.
I don't see that in Jones, sorry but I just don't see what you see. Yes he is coming into his thrid year, but there has not been any significant improvement in his play that would lead me to think he is finally going to break out this year. Last year, at RT he played poorly and at LT he was below average to average. I don't remember watching any games, and I try to focus on the lines, and saying to myself "Wow, he is going to be a great LT." He showed no "flashes" of greatness, only mediocrity. Maybe I am wrong and he will turn out well, but I don't think so, I just see a career back-up, so at least IMO, LT is a need.
No way is D'Brick overated. Consistently being the top Tackle during his Junior and Senior year at Virginia. A guy with Athleticism and the ability to crush opposing teams passrush. A guy with great feet and long arms to keep a DE away from out quarterback. We need that, and to be in a position to draft the potential of a Walter Jones would be great for the Jets. Maybe we could actually see Chad throw the ball instead of being out for the season.
I think a lot of you are overlooking the fact that our coach's mentors, big bill and little bill, don't generally believe in using 1st round picks on O-Linemen (I know the Pats did pick Mankins @ number 29 last year, but that is the 1st time either coach has selected o-line in the 1st round ) I just don't see us using the #4 pick on D'Brick.....
bill has selected bledsoe #1 ovr in the 1993 draft took WR kevin lee in rd 2 in the 1994 draft he also took Terry glenn #7ovr in 96 William Roberts G in the 1st 1984 butthat was there 2nd 1st rd pick that year at #27. took RB George Adams in the 1st rd #19 in 1985 for the giants took WR Mark Ingram in the 1st rd #28 in 1987 for the giants took G Eric Moore in the 1st rd #10 ovr in 1988 took C Brian Williams in the 1st rd #18 in the 1989 took RB Rodney Hampton in the 1st rd #24 in the 1990 the rest of the picks where Defense. as for little bill since taking over the patriots he has drafted oline on the 1st day 3 times took Matt Light in the 2nd rd #48 ovr in 2001 took Logan Mankins in the 1st rd #32 in 2005 took Nick Kaczur in the 3rd rd #100 in 2005 took Deion Branch Rd 2 #65 in 2002 took Bethal Johnson in Rd 2 #45 in 2003 but for these guys defense dominates there drafts. He hasnt took one RB on the 1st day of the draft.
Really a bad analogy. Parcells took over a Giant team with a 1st round pick and QB of the future on the team and he won a SB with him. When Parcells had the first pick in the draft he took Bledsoe imediately. Bellicheck took over a Cleveland team which had a Bernie Kozar who was effectively a No. 1 pick QB (Supplemental draft) running the show and Testeverde was aquired in 93. NE allready had Bledsoe when Bellicheck arrived and he drafted Brady. Chad and Ramsey while both first round picks are both busts at this point. Chad has proven he can't stay on the field and Ramsey is a backup QB.
What it really proves is, that this year (as opposed to the Bradway era, uh, error) none of us have any real idea which way the Jets are leaning with that first pick.......
The guy is a monster. He has all the measurements to be a premier LT. Plus, he still has room to add more weight. He has a gigantic wind span and awesome technique. The guy is not overrated.
