Cowboys Jason Ferguson set for McAllen appearance
May 19,2006
Jason McDaniel
Monitor Staff Writer
He’s going to be very important with La’Roi Glover gone," said C.J. Cavazos, a local liaison to the Cowboys who, along with Palm Valley Health Care, has now brought 14 Cowboys to the RGV. "He is the nose tackle, and the nose tackle in the 3-4 is the most important position because you have to take on two offensive linemen every down."
The Cowboys signed the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Ferguson as a free agent last season, the team’s first using a 3-4 defensive scheme. Not only is Ferguson a 3-4 veteran, he previously played under Dallas coach Bill Parcells with the New York Jets.
"I think with us just coming in, we did pretty good last year. We were in the top 10 as far as defense," Ferguson said. "So for a first-year team, doing that was a good job. But now everybody knows what’s expected (in the 3-4), and I was pretty much raised in that system with Bill in New York."
While adjusting to his new home last year, Ferguson recorded 27 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery playing alongside Glover. But with Glover’s offseason signing with St. Louis, Ferguson will be the leader on the defensive front in 2006.
"I think the best thing a leader can do is show it on the field," the nine-year veteran said. "If you’re out there making plays, getting everybody together, that comes with it. If you’re not making plays, nobody wants to listen to you. But I’ve been playing that role almost my whole career."
Ferguson said his biggest adjustment last season was acclimating to the hotter weather in Texas. He spent all eight of his previous seasons in the cooler environs of New York. The biggest surprise, he said, was how fanatic Cowboys fans can be.
"I’m always excited to meet the fans, and one thing I’ve learned about being a Dallas Cowboy, you have fans around the nation," Ferguson said. "Everywhere we play, we can match the visiting stadium with our fans. That was a big shock to me."
Jason McDaniel
Monitor Staff Writer
He’s going to be very important with La’Roi Glover gone," said C.J. Cavazos, a local liaison to the Cowboys who, along with Palm Valley Health Care, has now brought 14 Cowboys to the RGV. "He is the nose tackle, and the nose tackle in the 3-4 is the most important position because you have to take on two offensive linemen every down."
The Cowboys signed the 6-foot-3, 305-pound Ferguson as a free agent last season, the team’s first using a 3-4 defensive scheme. Not only is Ferguson a 3-4 veteran, he previously played under Dallas coach Bill Parcells with the New York Jets.
"I think with us just coming in, we did pretty good last year. We were in the top 10 as far as defense," Ferguson said. "So for a first-year team, doing that was a good job. But now everybody knows what’s expected (in the 3-4), and I was pretty much raised in that system with Bill in New York."
While adjusting to his new home last year, Ferguson recorded 27 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery playing alongside Glover. But with Glover’s offseason signing with St. Louis, Ferguson will be the leader on the defensive front in 2006.
"I think the best thing a leader can do is show it on the field," the nine-year veteran said. "If you’re out there making plays, getting everybody together, that comes with it. If you’re not making plays, nobody wants to listen to you. But I’ve been playing that role almost my whole career."
Ferguson said his biggest adjustment last season was acclimating to the hotter weather in Texas. He spent all eight of his previous seasons in the cooler environs of New York. The biggest surprise, he said, was how fanatic Cowboys fans can be.
"I’m always excited to meet the fans, and one thing I’ve learned about being a Dallas Cowboy, you have fans around the nation," Ferguson said. "Everywhere we play, we can match the visiting stadium with our fans. That was a big shock to me."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:59 AM
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