Scouts’ views: Jets’ Ferguson quietly becomes NFL’s No. 1 blocker
Article By viyer.tsn on 29th July, 2010
When evaluating the men who excel at doing the dirty work of keeping quarterbacks clean and steering running backs through traffic, there are no statistics on which to rely. Instead, identifying the best requires a sight test, to see how their combination of power and quickness allow their teams to tame an attacking front seven.
Jets left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season.
For help with this task, Sporting News enlisted former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger, now an astute personnel analyst for the NFL Network. Here's a look at Baldinger's top offensive linemen in the NFL: Tackles 1. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, LT, Jets. He doesn't do his job with much flash, but he steadily has improved, equally skilled in pass protection and run blocking. QB Mark Sanchez should be thrilled the team locked up his blindside tackle for the long term. 2. Joe Thomas, LT, Browns. Cleveland can't blame him for some of its offensive inconsistency, especially in the passing game. He is as smooth as they come. Could well start for 12 years and few notice. 3. Marcus McNeill, LT, Chargers. He's the blindside protector for Philip Rivers, who holds the ball longer than anybody. A long-term holdout could be quite detrimental to San Diego's prolific offense. 4. Ryan Clady, LT, Broncos. He is the prototype for the new era of offensive tackles in a pass-happy league. He is just a terrific athlete who must recover from the spring basketball injury. 5. Jon Stinchcomb, RT, Saints. Teaming with up All-Pro G Jahri Evans as, Stinchcomb gives New Orleans the best right side in the NFL. 6. Andrew Whitworth, LT, Bengals. Cincinnati could afford to close the book early on Levi Jones with Whitworth ready to solidify Carson Palmer's blind side. 7. Michael Roos, LT, Titans. Roos shuts down opponents' best pass rushers, be it in front of the statuesque Kerry Collins or mobile Vince Young. Considering ...
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For help with this task, Sporting News enlisted former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger, now an astute personnel analyst for the NFL Network. Here's a look at Baldinger's top offensive linemen in the NFL: Tackles 1. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, LT, Jets. He doesn't do his job with much flash, but he steadily has improved, equally skilled in pass protection and run blocking. QB Mark Sanchez should be thrilled the team locked up his blindside tackle for the long term. 2. Joe Thomas, LT, Browns. Cleveland can't blame him for some of its offensive inconsistency, especially in the passing game. He is as smooth as they come. Could well start for 12 years and few notice. 3. Marcus McNeill, LT, Chargers. He's the blindside protector for Philip Rivers, who holds the ball longer than anybody. A long-term holdout could be quite detrimental to San Diego's prolific offense. 4. Ryan Clady, LT, Broncos. He is the prototype for the new era of offensive tackles in a pass-happy league. He is just a terrific athlete who must recover from the spring basketball injury. 5. Jon Stinchcomb, RT, Saints. Teaming with up All-Pro G Jahri Evans as, Stinchcomb gives New Orleans the best right side in the NFL. 6. Andrew Whitworth, LT, Bengals. Cincinnati could afford to close the book early on Levi Jones with Whitworth ready to solidify Carson Palmer's blind side. 7. Michael Roos, LT, Titans. Roos shuts down opponents' best pass rushers, be it in front of the statuesque Kerry Collins or mobile Vince Young. Considering ...
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