We caught up with tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson this week inside the locker room. The three-time Pro Bowl selection talked with us about the Green & White's first seven games, his recently published children's book, and the team's first meeting against the Miami Dolphins this season.
The Jets are now seven games into the season. What areas do you feel you've seen improvement in the last few weeks?
I think we've really been trying to focus on the execution of the run game. We've had some successes there, but it's something we've got to keep focusing on. Ultimately, we're not really where we want to be, you know, 3-4, so it's kind of hard and there's still stuff we need to improve.
Is it cool to have some more ACC guys in the locker room now? You went to Virginia, Quinton went to UNC, Josh was at Wake Forest and Stephen at Georgia Tech?
Yeah, I think so. I think it shows that our conference does work and we're a force to be reckoned with.
I heard you wrote a children's book in the offseason. How did that come about?
I'm involved with my foundation heavily, and part of the foundation is that we do mentorship. So one of the things that I wanted to do was to put out a book that would aid that idea of mentorship, not only on the high school level but also on the elementary level. We sat down and put some thoughts together and came up with a great book called "Brick's Way, Go Green!" and we're really happy with the product we were able to produce.
How long did it take to write?
Probably about a year and a half or two years, just to get it from start to finish.
Did you have the idea of writing a children's book for a while?
It was one thing that kind of snowballed. Once the idea came, I tossed it around and then that's when we kind of sat down and really started putting some ideas together and rolling with the process.
Have you been able to go to any schools and read the book to the kids?
Yes. I went back to Giblyn [Leo F. Giblyn Elementary in his hometown of Freeport, N.Y.]. Giblyn is mentioned in the book. We read the book there and gave away some copies of the books to the school as well.
How's it feel to be an author, man? That's got to be a cool feeling, right?
Yeah I think it's good. I think it was an experience. It's something that I hope in the future I might have an opportunity to do again.
Have you been getting some positive reviews from the book?
Oh, yes! I think people have gone out there, supported the book, purchased the book and I think it's been a good experience.
Obviously you love football and you recently wrote this book. But what are some other hobbies that you have away from the field?
I like to read. I like to go into the city. I like to experience new things.
When you look back on that first game you guys had against the Dolphins on Sept. 23, what do you remember most? There were some injuries and a wild finish, but what stands out to you?
It was a very competitive game. It went all the way to the end. It was something we really had to fight for. But the win was very rewarding.
After Sunday's game you guys will enter your bye week. Is there a routine you do every year during the bye week?
Every bye week is different for me. I just talk with the wife and see what we want to do. But definitely, it's a good time to just recharge and get ready for the second half.
Not planning a trip back down to Charlottesville to see Virginia play?
No, not this time. We went down to Charlottesville earlier in the year.
