New Jersey Star Ledger - Parcells May Be Eying Ferguson - Dallas Cowboys Forum

TruBlueCowboy · 02-28-2005

Hey HH, maybe this is the deal Sexton was wrapping up with Jerry Jones in Indy!

(unofficially of course.

)

http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index....1031252200.xml

Jets: Parcells' Cowboys may be eyeing Ferguson
Monday, February 28, 2005
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff

The Jets are saying publicly they're confident they'll be able to re-sign veteran nose tackle Jason Ferguson, perhaps before free agency begins on Wednesday.

Privately, however, there's growing concern in the organization that Ferguson will hit the free-agency market and be swooped up by the Cowboys and coach Bill Parcells, who drafted Ferguson in 1997 and shares the same agent with the player, Jimmy Sexton.

"The Jets aren't getting anywhere with that agent (Sexton)," someone with knowledge of the situation said yesterday. "They think (Sexton) might have something lined up with Parcells. They're getting a little nervous."

Ferguson, 30, is coming off a career year and figures to be in demand as several teams are planning to employ a 3-4 defense either full-time or part-time next season. In addition to Dallas, the Browns, Broncos and 49ers are among the teams considering a switch to the alignment, and new Browns coach Romeo Crennel coached Ferguson for three seasons with the Jets.

Sexton hasn't returned several phone messages.

Although at 6-3, 305 pounds, Ferguson isn't the immovable object many nose tackles tend to be, he's solid and knows how to two-gap, defending two running lanes. Last season, he had 59 tackles and 3.5 sacks and spearheaded a run defense that ranked fifth in the NFL, yielding 97.9 yards per game. The Jets played multiple fronts, including the 3-4.

Re-signing Ferguson is a top priority for the Jets because they desperately want to keep their defensive line intact. Defensive end Shaun Ellis and defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson are locked into long-term deals and Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham has been hit with the franchise tag.

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Cajuncowboy · 02-28-2005

THis might be the third time this article was posted today. Hey, when it's good it can be here a few times.

TruBlueCowboy · 02-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajuncowboy

THis might be the third time this article was posted today. Hey, when it's good it can be here a few times.

Oops. My bad, I saw something with an AP snippet but I didn't this article. Say it loud and clear, "We're going to the 3-4!!!"

Eskimo · 02-28-2005

I don't know about Ferguson - his name didn't come up much when talking about elite DTs until this season. I'd rather go with Pat Williams who has been pretty productive for many seasons and has shown he can play NT in the 3-4.

Fan Since 77 · 02-28-2005

Why do we have to only get players with Parcells connections? This is getting ridiculous.

Hostile · 02-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fan Since 77

Why do we have to only get players with Parcells connections? This is getting ridiculous.

I don't think it plays well in the locker room if you want to know the truth.

Cajuncowboy · 02-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

I don't think it plays well in the locker room if you want to know the truth.

Well, eventually it will, if you get my drift.

Jimz31 · 02-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajuncowboy

Well, eventually it will, if you get my drift.

Exactly.

Perhaps "our" FA list should be just the players that have a connection to BP....as those may be the ONLY ones that have a chance on coming here.

Hostile · 02-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimz31

Exactly.

Perhaps "our" FA list should be just the players that have a connection to BP....as those may be the ONLY ones that have a chance on coming here.

I find that trend to completely undermine much of what he says about every position is an open competition. Let's be honest, no it isn't. If you are one of his former players you have a huge advantage.

Jimz31 · 02-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

I find that trend to completely undermine much of what he says about every position is an open competition. Let's be honest, no it isn't. If you are one of his former players you have a huge advantage.

Agree entirely and said as much last year.

If you ain't "his boy" you might want to re-think your starting position if he brings one of "his boys" in.

We saw that with KJ.....he began the pre-season saying everybody has to prove to him all over again...including LA. But when KJ was brought in, he had already placed him as a starter.

AB had legitimate beefs with him. I would imagine that other players agree with him. It doesn't excuse the EXTENT that AB took it....but still understandable from my point of view.

Hostile · 02-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimz31

Agree entirely and said as much last year.

If you ain't "his boy" you might want to re-think your starting position if he brings one of "his boys" in.

We saw that with KJ.....he began the pre-season saying everybody has to prove to him all over again...including LA. But when KJ was brought in, he had already placed him as a starter.

AB had legitimate beefs with him. I would imagine that other players agree with him. It doesn't excuse the EXTENT that AB took it....but still understandable from my point of view.

Bledsoe is already our starter. Testavede was and no matter how bad he played or where the game was, he never came out.

I think that undermines the whole team.

Fan Since 77 · 03-01-2005

and top that off with the fact that most of his "boys" just plain suck right now.

yeah Bill, they were great ten years ago.

Hostile · 03-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fan Since 77

and top that off with the fact that most of his "boys" just plain suck right now.

yeah Bill, they were great ten years ago.

I disagree with that.

I'll eat crow on Key. He was a tremendous asset.

Glenn has been nothing short of great. Our season went down the loo when he went down. Not that we were headed anywhere, but we got seriously worse.

Richie Anderson may infuriate me as a FB, but e has been a solid addition.

Hollywood Henderson · 03-01-2005

I agree Hos...Throw in the Campbell injury with J.Jones and we couldn't over come them...

Hey I am for bringing in Fergy, lets get better where we need to...

The only signing that Parcells has made that I wasn't for has been George...

Well, I also preffered Martin to Block no-one Barnes...

Aikmaniac · 03-01-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

I disagree with that.

I'll eat crow on Key. He was a tremendous asset.

Glenn has been nothing short of great. Our season went down the loo when he went down. Not that we were headed anywhere, but we got seriously worse.

Richie Anderson may infuriate me as a FB, but e has been a solid addition.

I concur. Keyshawn still made plays while being double-teamed the last part of the season. A healthy Glenn and Keyshawn, along with Jason Witten and a top notch FA WR and all of the sudden the passing attack doesn't look too shabby. Couple Julius in the backfield and both the running and passing games garner equal attention.