A couple of good stories the last two days from one of our news reporters, Michelle Trauring, on D'Brickashaw Ferguson distributing a total of $30,000 in scholarships this spring to financially struggling students across five Long Island school districts. Last night Ferguson was on hand at Freeport High School, his alma mater, to give out a combined $10,000 in scholarships to four students. Trauring covered last night's event, with that story appearing today, and on Saturday she wrote an excellent background piece on the first-year scholarship program, which is part of the D'Brickashaw Ferguson Foundation (dbrickashawfergusonfoundation.org),established by the tackle in 2007.
I talked to Ferguson on Thursday about his foundation - its slogan is "Building Communities One Brick At a Time" - and it was clear he is as passionate about that as anything in his life. And, he made clear, it's important for him to be as involved as possible, lending not only his name but his time.
I talked to Ferguson about his off-the-field activities Thursday but also collected some things that I'll be writing about during training camp. I have said here that I thought Ferguson, during the OTAs, looked stronger in his upper body than he did last season - not to mention very motivated - and he confirmed it.
"I've been working out for a while and it's really paying off," Ferguson said. "Yeah, I'm bigger. I've made some strides in the weight room, set some personal records for myself. I'm really trying to do my part."
Comments (14)
C'omon Brick, we need you BIG TIME this year. Step up big and help the team get some respect !!!! The team needs you, the fans need you and we all need you to make your mark in the league. It's time !
I'm glad D'Brick is bigger and stronger, that we have Faneca, but i think B. Callahan is the one who stirs the drink. Maybe the Jets players will sponsor a Scholarship for those unfortunate souls who cannot afford the PSL's."The New York Jets Players Club Building Our Fanbase: One PSL at a time!"
He definitely could use the size and strength for LT. Projected as someone able to handle speed rushers because of his exceptional footwork, he has been giving up sacks and QB hits at an alarming rate for a 2 year #4 overall pick. dditionally he gets bull rushed into the backfield so even if he never is capable of dealing with the speed rushers without a RB chipping, then hopefully he can handle his own and be a positive in the running game instead of a liability. I'm really curious to see if Callahan can help him from being a bust.
Brick will be fine . You are gauging a young player by a total nightmare of an offensive line last season with no leadership. He is still learning. It takes a LT a few years to get it all together. It is one of the toughest positions on the line to play.
With his bulking up and coaching ,he will be above average this year and 09 show why he was #4 !
Faneca will be a great help to Brick and Mangold. I thought they both had off years last year. Now with Faneca between them and Callahan the new o-line coach they will both bounce back very nicely this year. I really believe that Callahan will be a tremendous difference with his blocking schemes. He had very good results while with the Raiders. They were always one of the top running teams in the league. GO JETS!!!!
Ira in the house - Boland you should feel privledged!!!!
I had a comment to make but Scott P beat me to it
Ganggreen31,
Thanks but it really the other way around and glad to join in with you guys.GO JETS!!!!
I have to go with Ganggreen31 on this one. Ira is a legend...
Erik,
Talk about legends have you or anybody else been to the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Is it worth the trip?
Everybody's raving about Callahan, but I remember what a psycho he turned into his last year at Oakland.
Now, obviously, Oakland's a psycho environment to begin with, but I plan on keeping a wary eye on this guy. A psycho doesn't change his spots!
That being said, the offensive and defensive lines were the biggest problem for the Jets last year, and are the areas with the biggest chance for improvement this year. I'm cautiously optomistic.
I agree scott, the o-line was a nightmare, and having the team hire a Callahan is a smart move. They ignored the line last season and we know the results. That said, I and alot of others are very dissapointed in Brick's development or lack of. He has done nothing to show he was worthy of the high draft position. Hopefully he develops into a decent lineman.
Ira, definitely worth the trip and I'm not just saying that because I grew up about 45 minutes from the place. Anyone that appreciates the history of the sport and what it has grown into would enjoy the HOF. And when I talked to some members of the Jets rookie class a couple weeks ago about their visit to the HOF, the guys I spoke to went on and on about what a great trip it was. You could tell they weren't just giving lip service.
John Z., Callahan definitely had his moments in Oakland, none more so than when he made his "dumbest team in America" comment after a bad loss. But hey, that year it was true and that shoe, as you hinted at, typically fits out there regardless of who is coaching. But the bottom line with Callahan is both as a coordinator and then head coach in Oakland, the Raiders almost always had good O-line play. Same for just about everywhere he has coached, whether in college or the pros.
All well and good, D'Brick, but how about a new slogan.."Protecting the Quarterback, One Brick At A Time".