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Let’s continue out look at the CBS Sports piece on some of the most underpaid and overpaid players in the NFL.
Today, we look at a player who we think was unfairly labeled.
La Canfora included D’Brickashaw Ferguson on the list of overpaid players.
I don’t agree.
First, let’s look at what La Canfora wrote about Brick.
“The Jets extended Ferguson expecting he would be the best player on an elite offensive line, but he and the unit have sagged since and Ferguson is the third-highest paid left tackle in the league at $10 million per year after his renegotiation in April,” wrote La Canfora. “He received $6.4 million in a signing bonus, lowering his cap figure, but is still making considerably more per year than, say, cross-town tackle Will Beatty of the Giants.”
First of all he’s better than Beatty, so he deserves to make more.
I think Arizona coach Bruce Arians, who is fast becoming my favorite quote from the coaching world, said recently, “The priority, quarterback and left tackle, is now the vogue. You can find anybody to run and catch. You can find guys who play in the middle. Left tackle and quarterback, God makes them.”
While it’s hard to get biblical about the Jets’ quarterback situation right now, the Jets do have one of those special, rare athletes at left tackle.
Good left tackles are hard to find.
You need to find guys generally in the neighborhood of 6-5, 320, with the athletic ability of a much smaller player, with arms like vines, and the feet of a dancing bear.
They don’t grow on trees.
The Jets have one of those guys.
Is Ferguson on the level of some of the recently retired great left tackles like Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace? No.
But he’s on a tier right below that. The bottom line – Ferguson is a damn good player.
He struggled at first in his career, but really blossomed when Bill Callahan took over the offensive line. Those two really clicked, and Brick’s game went to the next level.
Yes, he gives up sacks from time-to-time. He’s not a lock-down left tackle like some of the all-time greats, but for the most part, you have little to worry about on the left side with Brick manning the position.
Also remember, the Jets have had a lot of indecisive play at quarterback the last couple of years, and that often contributes to sacks. There are good reasons why Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are sacked infrequently – they make quick smart decisions, which can be an offensive lineman’s best friend.
On top of being a very solid player, Ferguson is very durable. He’s never missed a game.
Also, he’s a class act, who helps the Jets a great deal in the community.
I have zero issues with his salary.
Left tackle is one of the few positions on the Jets’ roster, at this point, you have very little to worry about.
And remember one other thing.
When Brick signed his current deal in the summer of 2010, the Revis’ camp ripped it for being a low-ball contract (not a classy thing to do).
But honestly, you have to give the Ferguson camp credit for working with the team at the time, and signing a deal that was good for both sides (a concept the Revis’s camp had issues with).
If the Jets sweetened the pot a little, recently, that isn’t a huge deal.
When looking at Ferguson overall, the money in this deal isn’t out of whack considering the man’s job – one of the toughest in the NFL, and a one he does very well.
June 9, 2013
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