Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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Different NFL seasons for Ferguson, Smith By FRED STURRUP ~ NG Associate Editor ~ frederick@nasguard.com: For two deeply-rooted Bahamians, the 2009/10 National Football League season has been decidedly different. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, the talented offensive tackle with a strong connection through his father to the Fox Hill community, became a Pro Bowl selection with the New York Jets, having replaced the injured Jake Long of the Miami Dolphins. His birth place is listed as Freeport, New York on December 10, 1983. Alex Smith, the fifth-year tight end out of Stanford University, was a starter for four years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before moving to the New England Patriots and then on to the Philadelphia Eagles this season. For Smith, this season has been a departure in a huge way from his first four years in the NFL. He was used rarely, an indication being his zero receptions in Week 17 and just one during Saturday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football Conference wildcard game. Smith, Donovan McNabb and the rest of the Eagles had their season ended by Tony Romo and the Cowboys by the score of 34-14. (It was the third consecutive victory by Dallas over Philadelphia). Smith's birthplace is listed as Nassau, Bahamas, May 22, 1982. What's next for him? He did not play enough to put up bargaining numbers. As the Philadelphia brass seek to build upon an 11-5 season which ended frustratingly without a playoff win, Smith's solid seasons with the Bucs, his history of staying healthy, and his willingness to do whatever called upon to provide for the team, will be the big factors. Just heading for his 28th birthday, Smith is certainly a prime NFL item. He has to hope to catch on in a system that can appreciate his blocking ability and his outstanding talent for catching the ball in traffic and for adding yardage after the reception. For him, it will be an interesting offseason. Ferguson and the Jets meanwhile, go on in the playoffs as a result of a very efficient 24-14 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Jets' offensive line with Ferguson as a key component has done wonders for rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. On the Pro Bowl team for the American Football Conference along with Ferguson, are teammates Nick Mangold the center, guard Alan Faneca and cornerback Darrelle Revis. Ferguson is in great company and is poised in his fourth season with the Jets to put up a Hall of Fame career. He has gotten the attention of the league with his offensive sweeps that protect Sanchez and enable running backs to gain additional yards. This has indeed been a pivotal season for Ferguson and his teammates. Their season might close with the next game, but it has been a breakthrough one for the Jets. In the thick of the mix is the huge 6'6", 310-pound Ferguson. Their (Ferguson's and Smith's) seasons have been different kinds, but their presence at the highest level of the game is yet another element of pride for Bahamians. Tuesday, January 12, 2010