FERGUSON SUSPENDED FOR STEROIDS

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Just when the Jets' defense appeared to be getting
healthy, the team lost nose tackle Jason Ferguson for four games Wednesday
when he was suspended by the National Football League for testing positive
for steroids.

Ferguson is the first Jet to be suspended for violating the league's policy
on performance-enhancing drugs. He tested positive for marijuana at the
1997 combine, which dropped him to the seventh round.

Ferguson was contrite at the time, saying he was sorry that he had
embarrassed his mother. The Jets made no statement Wednesday, and
Ferguson's agent, Jimmy Sexton, did not return calls.

Ferguson sprained a knee in the season opener and he missed the next three
games. The Jets lost two of those games; since his return, the team is 3-3,
surrendering more than 20 points just once.

His backups are the rookie Jason Wiltz and the eight-year veteran Ernie
Logan. Logan started the three games Ferguson missed, but Wiltz has
appeared in all 10 games and will be the likely replacement Sunday at
Indianapolis.

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