Safety Nick Ferguson re-signed with the Texans during free agency and is looking forward to playing for new defensive back coach David Gibbs, who coached him in Denver. Ferguson also spoke with Texans TV's Brooke Bentley about the team's offseason moves and new workout program.
Brooke Bentley (Texans TV): Nick, you don't have much time left before your offseason workouts begin, but you are using your free time to help out in the community. Talk about what you are doing today with kids from the YMCA.
Nick Ferguson: I know what it's like growing up as a kid in the inner city and not having too much to do during spring break or the summer. I want to show these kids a different side of life and show them things outside of their community so that they say, "You know what, if I see this guy doing something great, maybe that will inspire me to do something outside of my community." Because right now in most of these kids' communities, there are drugs and crime. If you say as players, "You look just like me and if I can do it, you can too." I'm going to a pastime that I love, going to the movies, so I'm just taking the kids as well and showing them a good time.
{QUOTE}Brooke Bentley: You are taking a group of about 45 kids to the movies today, but before the movie you told them, "I'll help you, if you help me." Talk about the rewards program you were giving them.
Nick Ferguson: Parents have a rewards system with their kids. You get paid an allowance if you do chores of make good grades. The reward is if they perform well in school and behave, then I am going to bring them to a game. Maybe we can get a couple of the guys on board and have just one section for these kids and show them that Nick Ferguson and the secondary for the Houston Texans care.
Brooke Bentley: You re-signed with the team this offseason. Talk about how free agency went for you.
Nick Ferguson: Free agency is always a crazy thing. You sit at home and wait for people to call, and sometimes people have preconceived notions about who you are as a player. But fortunately, I was able to sign back with the Texans. I'm happy about that. At the end of the season, we showed everyone here in Houston where we can get to as a team. We are just trying to build off that and go into the '09 season and try to make that push for the playoffs. It's great, and I love what they're doing, bringing guys in. It gives us a great chance to get to the playoffs. Ultimately, I don't want to just be happy with getting to the playoffs. I want that Lombardi Trophy.
Brooke Bentley: The Texans brought in new defensive back coach David Gibbs. Have you gotten to talk to him much?
Nick Ferguson: I talked to coach Gibbs; we have a past. Coach Gibbs was my secondary coach in Denver, so I know his coaching style and he knows me as a player. So I think the relationship is still there. It's fun playing for him. His style may be a little different, but he brings out the best in the players, so the guys in the secondary, they're going to love him.
Brooke Bentley: How would you describe his coaching style?
Nick Ferguson: A couple of tones down from his father. If anyone knows how Alex Gibbs coaches, his son is somewhat the same. It's just that the tone is just a little lower than his father's.
Brooke Bentley: The defense also has a new player in defensive end Antonio Smith. What do you think of that signing?
Nick Ferguson: I think it's great. I know that was one of the points of emphasis of going into this offseason, trying to get Mario Williams some help. And I think it helps the overall team. It's going to force quarterbacks to actually step up in the pocket and hopefully give us more interceptions in the back end and then get (Matt) Schaub and Andre Johnson more opportunities to score touchdowns. If that's able to happen, we win more games, and that's the overall picture.
Brooke Bentley: What do you think about the way Dominique Barber developed last season? Have you talked to him this offseason?
Nick Ferguson: Well, no, I haven't had a chance to talk to him thus far. But when he comes back, I will. Last season, I tried to help him as much as I can as far as the running game and certain things in the passing game and just over the years things that I've learned. I just tried to tell him how to fine-tune his game so that at some point he'll become a great safety in this league.
Brooke Bentley: The Texans' offseason program begins on April 6. Are you ready to jump into Ray Wright's new strength program?
Nick Ferguson: Well, actually, since I've been doing rehab, I've been a part of his – if you want to say – weird science, because me and a couple of other guys, we've been his initial guinea pigs as far as trying to bring out this new system and fine tuning it. Today, I worked out with Ray; it was me, (Xavier) Adibi and Owen Daniels. We're just trying to get ahead and get a jumpstart on things just so when everyone comes back, we're not tilling over, grabbing our knees or whatever. But I have a lot of confidence in Ray. He's going to do some great things, and the guys are going to love it.
