Unheralded Ferguson the centerpiece of emerging Dolphins ‘D’

By Hugo Guzman  |   Sunday, August 24, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

Miami Dolphins
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A lot of Miami Dolphins defenders were the subject of adulation after Saturday’s impressive preseason performance against the Kansas City Chiefs. In fact, names like Matt Roth, Channing Crowder, Joey Porter, Vonnie Holliday, Phillip Merling and Jason Allen, among others, earned praised from fans and media.

Interestingly enough, defensive tackle Jason Ferguson wasn’t one of those guys.

Despite an 11-year career filled with solid and consistent play, Ferguson has been little more than an afterthought since the Dolphins acquired him from the Cowboys in the offseason. The main reasons for the lack of excitement are his age (33) and the fact that he was on injured reserve for virtually all of 2007 after suffering a torn biceps tendon.

However, it seems that Ferguson has quietly returned to the form that made him an upper-echelon defensive tackle in the past. The former Georgia standout has never earned a Pro Bowl selection but has anchored several defenses that have ranked among the league’s best overall. He has a particular penchant for occupying blockers and creating a push up the middle, which results in stout run stopping as well as the occasional sack.

Ferguson’s box score -- three total tackles, two assists -- was fairly innocuous against the Chiefs. However, it was his penetration and ability to hold up at the point of attack that freed up the linebackers to wreak havoc on Brodie Croyle and hold Larry Johnson to under 3.0 yards per carry. Actually, Ferguson’s unheralded contributions are reminiscent of those from a past unsung hero -- Tim Bowens.

Bowens, like Ferguson, toiled in relative anonymity; nevertheless, he provided a foundation for nearly a decade’s worth of defensive stability. The aging Ferguson won’t be able to supply that much longevity because he’s nearing the twilight of his career, but if the grizzled veteran can stay healthy and continue to perform the way he has in the preseason, he can at least serve as a key piece for what is looking like a vastly improved Dolphins defense.

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About Hugo Guzman

Co-founder of RealFootball365.com. Born in Argentina, of Dominican descent, living in Hoboken, but from Miami through and ...
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