Ferg did a great job for us but, it's over. Any of the top five FA NT's would be better right now, and we better sign one.

 

Not sure how the writer takes away "moving on" from Sparano's statement. Seemed like generic coach-speak to me.

 

It sounds like the topic was Young NTs in the Senior Bowl, and he brought up Soliai as a parallel. I don't think him not mentioning a 35 year old NT in regards to "Young NT's" means we've given up on him.

That being said, I do think we'll be without Ferg this year, but that's not due to what I read in the article.

Thanks for posting it though no less, I just think the writer is reaching a bit.

 

Pssst...Sparano, you're coaching our future NT this week.

 

Tend to agree here. Also, he mentions "on our team". Well, Ferguson's contract expires this year. So he essentially is not on our team.

My feeling is that they'll try and get a NT via free agency. But if that falls through, I think they'll try and resign Ferguson and also address the issue in the draft. So, I wouldn't expect us to resign Ferguson any time soon and I doubt that Ferguson will go anywhere else in the meantime. That'll give us some time to find the replacement and if it doesn't happen, try and bring him back.

 

I know you love that guy (and I'm partial to him because we went to the same HS), but unless we get great value in the 2nd or 3rd round for him I don't see it.

He needs to prove he can stay in shape.

 

Thanks for the link, writer is stretching a bit if you ask me. We obviously have to be looking at picking up a NT in FA or drafting one. If we draft one, I expect Ferguson back in a mentoring role where he splits snaps with Soliai.

 

If Fergi wants to play again next year, my guess is Sparano welcomes him if they draft his replacment.

 

My guess is that with Solai being so young that they will go with a more veteran player through FA or trade. Having said that there is no reason that Cody or other players especially around the 3rd/4th round shouldn't be considered IMO

 

Sparano says, "Of course, Jason Ferguson was a guy that was with us." That is past tense guys. Slip of the tongue or has the coaching staff moved on?

 

I'd rather have Picket or Franklin instead of Ferguson. But, if he decides to stray for one more year, we should bring him back. Eliminates a need for us.

 

old news:
been referring to the impending crisis @ NT for over a year
we need two starting quality NT's to run an aggressive 3/4

in the draft or free agency
Parcells will shore up the defensive side of the trenches
starting @ NT, then moving on to ILB :yes:

 

Yes we've been talking about it for a while, but we've also had many holes to fill. And we still do. I think this year though NT is more of a priority than years prior, but not sure I'd take one before ILB.

 

I think if Brace was still on the board when we selected White we would have grabbed him last year. Although I'm not so sure how hes working out in NE with wilfork in front of him he really has yet to do anything.

 

He hardly saw the field, despite the fact Wilfork was injured at one point and they didn't have enough DEs to field a true 3-4.

 

Coming out of college I really thought the guy had a ton of potential. If it wasn't for the small matter that he signed with NE I would actually root for his success.