Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the career of D’Brickashaw Ferguson, the Jets left tackle who has decided to retire, is this: In 10 seasons, he missed only one offensive play. And that one comes with an asterisk.
That one play was the last play of the Jets’ 2008 season. Down 24-17 with seven seconds left and the ball at their own 7-yard line, the Jets decided to take their offensive line off the field for a desperation, multiple-lateral play. It was Darrelle Revis, of all people, who lined up at left tackle on the play.
The play, which is on YouTube, started with Brad Smith (who replaced Brett Favre on the play) taking the snap at quarterback and throwing to Leon Washington, who threw it across the field to Laveranues Coles, who pitched it back to Smith, who pitched it back to Revis, who pitched it to Hank Poteat, who fumbled while attempting to lateral it to Jerricho Cotchery. The Dolphins recovered the fumble, securing the win and clinching the AFC East in a season when Tom Brady was injured and the division was actually competitive for a change.
Other than that bizarre play, Ferguson never missed a play. He also never missed a practice and never appeared on an injury report. A 2006 first-round pick of the Jets whom many fans wanted the Jets to pass up on and draft Matt Leinart instead, Ferguson may be remembered as the most consistent player of his generation.