Yardbarker: Marques Douglas

Starting with Pats, Jets have no margin for error

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:00:29 -0500

When the teams hooked up two months ago, it was Marques Douglas' initial foray into the bubbling cauldron of intensity that accompanies a typical matchup between the Jets and Patriots.

Defensive Line Practices Well

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:54:32 -0500

More photos » by Ben Margot - AP Rex isn't happy with what he's seen from the defensive line. Browse more photos » The defensive line looked good yesterday under its new coach. Wednesday was the first day of practice without defensive line coach Kerry Locklin, let go Monday in what Ryan termed a "mutual decision" and replaced by Jeff Weeks and Chuck Smith. "I think today was our ...

Coach Ryan Finally Gets Mad

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:43:52 -0500

From Sporting News/Yahoo Sports. Just had to post this. Been waiting for something like this for the past few weeks: New York Jets coach Rex Ryan hasn’t been happy with his team on game day lately, and he excoriated the team at the end of Thursday’s practice, the Star Ledger reports. When the offense faltered in one of the day’s last drills, Ryan told the team he’s tired of excuses. ‘‘The biggest thing is we’re at a point now th...

Woody Johnson & Marques Douglas Encouraged

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:01:00 -0500

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP Browse more photos » There is a terrible atmosphere around the Jets at the moment, it can be expected after going 1-4 over the past 5 weeks, but lets keep some things in perspective. We have had a day to moan, gripe, feel sorry for ourselves, but now it's time to move on from all of that. Put the first half of the season in the rear view mirror and focus on the final 8 games of th...

Link: Douglas Ready to Lead and Contribute on Big Stage

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:36:07 -0500

There’s been a lot of press about the players that the Jets acquired this offseason, but little or nothing was made of the arrival of Marques Douglas, even after he was made the de facto starter once the team traded Kenyon Coleman. Roderick Boone of Newsday talked to Douglas and got a sense of what he’s looking forward to this coming season. “I am looking forward to [being a leader], man,” Douglas said. “So many years, I’ve had what I look at as Pro Bowl nu...

The Final Countdown: Marques Douglas

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:30:00 -0500

Position: Defensive EndPlayer: Marques DouglasSummary:The unknown commodity on the defensive line. Douglas has started in the past, but it’s a fair question to ask as to whether or not he can still start and play two or three downs for the Jets for the course of the entire season. Ryan had Douglas play for him [...]

I Didn't Forget

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:18:50 -0500

I was often told during my rookie season that I should cherish the relationships and the memories the NFL would bring. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to work with some great people. I have played with future Hall of Famers and been taught by legendary coaches as well. But it’s not necessarily those individuals who I have bonded with the most. I came into the league as an undrafted free agent. I was one of the many who sat on their couch during the 1999 April draft hoping to hear their name called. It was never called. But 11 years later, I still use that experience to fuel my fire.

During the first day of free agency this year, the Baltimore Ravens released me. Surprised, yes, but life goes on. Shortly after I received that call by the General Manger, I also got word of a missing boat off the coast of Florida. I heard about the boat over the weekend, but never realized one of my friends was a passenger on board. Corey Smith was a humble, God-fearing, reserved young man. When I signed with the 49ers back in 2005, Corey and I would often hang out together, and rode with one another to the hotel the night before the game, as many players do. We regularly talked about life, music, and other things. He was as close to me during that time, as any one else on the team. We would go to mall after workouts, and try to find the latest gear, or watch practice film together. He would often talk about returning to Florida and I would talk about retreating to North Carolina. He was also excited about his recent purchase of a condo. I frequently asked him during our games for tips on how the D-Line could play better, and he would give me pointers on my game. Many of us used to stand in amazement watching him beat O-linemen, during drills. As I look back, I can still see him sitting at his locker, laughing and joking. That’s what makes it even harder to realize sometimes that he’s gone. Do I understand death,…yes. As a Christian I understand that to be absent from the body, is to be present with the father. But when someone so young falls victim to an untimely death, it hurts. This man inspired many, but his voice, and life was only worth about 7 days of coverage on the news. I wish sometimes as athletes we would stand as close as soldiers. They never leave anyone behind. Instead it feels like, we left them. I never forgot the feeling from seeing the lights down below crossing over international waters, after returning from seeing the troops over seas. I also felt as if I left them, when the pilot announced we were over U.S. One of my last encounters with the troops was with a squad from Fort Bragg. A young sergeant wanted to take a picture with me and the solider holding the camera couldn’t stop shaking. He was only about 19, but clearly afraid. So the Sergeant told him that he would be all right. So much is written about the bad apples in the NFL, and not enough is spread about those guys who play by the rules. Many guys who embody the blue collar work ethic, who are just as talented as those players who break the law, are never given the credit they deserve and often times go unnoticed for doing things the right way. Some think most elite players are either on drugs or are violent offenders. While some use their platforms wisely others talk about meaningless events and fail recognize the world around them. When will we take time to acknowledge the “GOOD GUYS’ instead of the knuckle heads? Corey Smith was one the most dynamic players in the NFL. Grant it, he did not have league-leading statistics, but he did more with his natural ability than 98% of active players.

Three Hours on Sunday

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:52:57 -0500

Many people only see the end results. To wear nice suits and live in nice homes comes with a price. Many see us on Sunday, and figure that our lives as NFL players are easy. Well, I have news for them. The price we pay is great, but so is the reward. We have been working hard since, March 16, perfecting our craft. To look into the eyes of young rookies who come into the league not knowing what to expect, gives them a reality check that leads their agents to be psychologists or late night preachers. We practice almost everyday of the week, meet, and lift weights all for those three hours on Sunday to dominate. Everyone who crosses those white lines on Sunday, can not look into the stands for Superman. For three hours on Sunday, I am Superman, I, wholeheartedly believe, for that short period of time, no one can stop me, or my team. It's a mindset that you have to have. Do we get hurt on Sunday? Yes. But the sideline is my booth, where for a short period of time I can think about the next call, or how I can attack my opponent better. Because, at the end of the day you don't want to hear about my sore ankle, or my headache. At 4 p.m. on Sunday when I talk with my family and friends, who couldn't watch the game, they only want to hear one thing, or ask me the most important question. Did We Win? And. How did I Play? These expectations are High. But so are our goals. To whom much is given, much is required. My football career has cost me 2 ACL's, a dislocated elbow, and a host of other things. But, it has given me the faith to be a better Christian, Husband, Father, Brother,and Player. And if I had not gone through those injuries, I wouldn't be the player I am today. Everybody has to pay some kind of price on their road to "Greatness". Where has your road taken you? And ask yourself, are you stronger now, than you were?

Jets Agree on a Deal w/ Raven Free Agent DE Marques Douglas

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:02:33 -0500

Another former Raven is joining the Jets, as the team has come to terms with Ravens unrestricted free agent DE Marques Douglas. The Newark Star-Ledger broke the story, and said that details of the deal are not yet available. The ninth-year pro is the third ex-Raven to join the Jets, as the team [...]

An Interview with Free Agent DL Marques Douglas

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:06:31 -0500

The other morning I had the privilege of interviewing free agent defensive lineman Marques Douglas over the phone to discuss a few questions regarding a myriad of topics. Douglas played under Mike Nolan for both the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, and could be on Denver?s radar. He ...

Ex-Ravens DE Marques Douglas Drawing Interest

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:24:06 -0500

After being cut by the Baltimore Ravens at the outset of free agency, veteran defensive end Marques Douglas is drawing preliminary interest from the...

Bucs Trade Douglas Back To Ravens

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 12:25:02 -0500

Just hours after trimming their 80-man roster down to 75 players, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers parted ways with another player on Tuesday night.The Bucs have traded defensive end Marques Douglas to the Baltimore Ravens, PewterReport.com is reprting.According to NFL Network, the Bucs receive a 2009 late-round draft pick and a conditional pick in 2010 that is contingent upon Douglas passing his physical with the Ravens on Wednesday morning.More (http://pewterreport.com/articles/view/4545)

Bucs Trade Douglas Back To Ravens

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:10:06 -0500

Marques Douglas signs with Buccaneers; what do the Niners do now?

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:44:57 -0500

Marques Douglas has left the 49ers for the Buccaneers. Where do the Niners go from here?

The 49ers are Coming?

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:48:50 -0500

We are built for the last two months of the season. If you look at our roster we have about 10 guys who have either made the Pro Bowl, or are going to make it, and we have Super Bowl Experience. We have the fastest LB in the game Patrick Willis, the hardest working DB in the Business Nate Clements, the Hardest hitting safety in the Game, Mike Lewis, and a D-line who can match up with anybodys numbers (tackles, sacks). The strongest O-lineman in Larry Allen, and the Best RB in the NFC, the strongest FullBack in the NFL, Two 1,000 yard WR. This is why I know we are coming, we have taken everyone's best shot, and know it's payback time. We are all professionals and we know how to win. Our next opponents that we are coming to face are going to be some good games, they have speed, and the ability to make some really big plays. But when I sit and think about what we have, I like our odds. I'm not a betting man but I have a feeling it's time for some old school football. I can see us playing lights out on Defense, we just have to do it, one play at a time and one game at a time. I give up 3 to 8 inches in height, and 30 to 60 pounds in weight to my opposition every time. On the other hand, they get me, a 6'2 290 pound man who has studied their every move and will play his position like God intended him to.