The New York Jets received 47 regular-season starts from their 2006 draft class, and 32 came courtesy of their two highly touted offensive linemen. Both left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, the No. 4 overall selection last April, and center Nick Mangold, also selected in the first round at No. 29, gave the Green & White an infusion of youth up front and a foundation for years to come.

Ferguson, a Freeport, N.Y., native, returned to Long Island from the University of Virginia and grabbed the starting spot upon arrival at Weeb Ewbank Hall. He was given the responsibility of protecting quarterback Chad Pennington’s blind side and backside.

“He played the hardest position in a tough division. There were some inconsistencies that I'm sure he hopes to improve on that we hope he improves on,” general manager Mike Tannenbaum said at the club’s predraft news conference. But, he added, “There are a lot of things to be really encouraged by.”

Mangold, following an illustrious career at Ohio State, was expected to battle veteran Trey Teague at center during training camp. But Teague got injured and never took the field for the Jets. Mangold played well throughout the year and became an anchor.

“We're really happy with Nick. He's here also working hard trying to get better, learning from his experiences from last year,” said Tannenbaum.

Continuity along the offensive line should help the entire unit in its second season under position coach Tony Wise. All five starters return as right tackle Anthony Clement re-signed in March and right guard Brandon Moore and left guard Pete Kendall are under contract and will assist again on the interior next to Mangold.

“It didn't take me long to figure out that Nick was fairly well up the learning curve,” said the 33-year-old Kendall. “Sometimes people come in and play center and it's more because their skill set is such that they're not really a tackle and maybe they're too athletic to be a guard or something like that. Mentally you can usually tell that they're a few years away from understanding schemes and concepts.

"But with Nick, physically he's a good center and mentally he understands offensive football immensely.”

“Most importantly, he's done an excellent job of preparation,” Pennington said of Mangold. “Second to that is that he's never rattled. Nothing ever overwhelms him, whether it's preparation, whether it's game time. Whatever it is, a new look, he just takes it all in stride. It's pretty amazing as a rookie to be able to do that. A lot of times there are many things that can get rookies rattled.”

Both Ferguson and Mangold were named to the NFL All-Rookie team as selected by Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America. The 6’6”, 312-pound Ferguson, a fantastically gifted athlete, quickly received his introduction to the pro game while lining up against many of the NFL’s top pass rushers.

“I don’t know if I could put a grade on the year, but I did learn a lot. I had the opportunity to play against a lot of the top defenders in the league,” Ferguson said. “It built more confidence in myself, and I know the things I need to improve upon. I’ve gained experience and that’s so valuable. I just hope I can use this for the betterment of the team next year.”

Despite using a committee approach at running back, the Jets rushed for 1,738 yards in ’06. It would be safe to assume that total will increase as the line will have the pleasure of blocking for Thomas Jones, a back who is coming off a 1,210-yard ground campaign for Chicago, the NFC's Super Bowl representative.

The wall built to protect Chad Pennington helped the veteran signalcaller to start all 16 regular-season games for the first time in his career. Although he was sacked 30 times, the AP Comeback Player of the Year praised the work of the men in the trenches and specifically the two youngsters.

“Our offensive line as a whole has done a tremendous job of jelling together, just learning how to play together and communicate," Pennington said in November. "They are doing a great job in the running game and they are doing a great job in the passing game, and they just keep getting better and better.

"That also speaks for individual performances, too, when you look at D'Brickashaw and Nick. Those two young guys just keep getting better and better each week. They take the coaching, they put it to use, and they have done a good job with it.”