Another D’Brick in the wall?

By Darrell Laurant  |   Tuesday, January 31, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Virginia Cavaliers
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

He has probably the best name in the upcoming NFL draft, but is University of Virginia offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson the best player overall?

At least one blogger on the Fox Sports Network site seems to think so, projecting the 6-5, 295-pounder as the No. 1 pick in the draft by the Houston Texans.

“Yes, everyone loves Reggie Bush," the keeper of the “Dirty South" blog writes, “but Dominick Davis is a darn good RB and Houston, you have a problem and it
is called the offensive line."

A more likely scenario has Ferguson going to the New York Jets (at No. 4) as the blind side protector for the fragile Chad Pennington.

Various recruiting sites have compared Ferguson to everyone from Anthony Munoz to Jonathan Ogden to “a great big dancing bear."

The Website “Football's Future" was already rhapsodizing about him in his junior year at Virginia:

“There hasn't been a left tackle in recent memory with as much natural athleticism as Ferguson. He is an awesome athlete, displaying tremendous lateral agility and ability to adjust on the move. He is a superb pass blocker, and is a force on the run besides."

“Adjusting on the move" became a necessity for Ferguson while trying to keep defenders off the Cavaliers' stubby quarterback, Marques Hagans. More often than not, when Hagans would take off on a scramble, Ferguson would take off with him.

A product of Freeport, NY (on Long Island) Ferguson showed up at UVA weighing just over 250 pounds, looking more like a small forward than an offensive tackle. Yet he became the first-string left tackle from his first workout and wound up starting every game his first three seasons (that streak was broken this past season, although he remains a paragon of durability).

The current emphasis on “character" among NFL management types makes Ferguson look even better – he's a church-going religious studies major. He's also a passable saxophone player and a black belt in karate, which he credits as one of the sources of his “quick feet."

Of course, no prospect is perfect – and although Ferguson has bulked up to 295, that's still light for an NFL O lineman. That, plus his height, may make him vulnerable to a “bull-rushing" style defensive opponent. On the other hand, he may have more success than most against the Dwight Freeneys of the NFL world.

With the draft looming on the horizon, Ferguson vows to munch his way over the 300pound mark.

“You just have to make sure you're eating on a regular schedule and that you're getting your calories," he told the Cavalier Daily.

Pretty soon, he'll be getting his due – in dollars.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

About Darrell Laurant

...Sorry, Darrell Laurant's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report