FLORHAM PARK -- D'Brickashaw Ferguson was revered in the Jets' locker room -- still is, really -- so his left tackle replacement, Ryan Clady, certainly doesn't expect Ferguson's presence to immediately disappear at One Jets Drive.

But it does feel strange for Clady, acquired in a trade with the Broncos, to replace Ferguson, who started all 167 games of his 10-year career with the Jets.

"It's a little awkward," Clady said Wednesday, after an organized team activities practice. "A lot of guys still talk about him, which they should. He was a great player and a great ambassador for the Jets."

Clady has experienced his fair share of awkwardness lately. Earlier this week, he visited the White House with his former Broncos teammates, as part of the Super Bowl winner's traditional trip to meet the president.

"It was a little awkward, but it was good seeing some of them," Clady said of his former teammates. "But yeah, it was a little awkward. It was cool. I said what's up to some of my guys there and shook hands with Obama. Can't beat that."

While the Broncos won the Super Bowl last season, Clady didn't participate in any games, because he tore his ACL last spring.

"It's a little bittersweet, not being out there with the guys, but I was still proud of my teammates," Clady said.

The Broncos didn't need Clady after they signed Russell Okung this offseason. Denver would've cut Clady if it didn't find a trade partner. Clady figured after last season that he might play elsewhere in 2016, but he didn't initially think it would be with the Jets.

"From afar, I didn't think D'Brickashaw was retiring," he said. "It was one of those things where they popped up, and I feel it was a good fit."

Clady said the Jets expressed interest in him when Ferguson's retirement became a possibility.

"I knew they were interested before Brick retired, but it was a matter of if he was retiring or not," Clady said.

Once Ferguson called it quits, the Jets pulled off the trade for Clady.

Clady is back to full health, but the Jets are gradually working him in during team periods in spring practices, so he'll be all set for training camp. Clady admitted he still must overcome the mental uncertainties that are natural after ACL surgery.

"There's a little mental [hurdle] there, just feeling more comfortable playing on it, and cutting off of it," Clady said. "But it's feeling good. I've been able to do everything. I'm moving well. A little rust here and there. I feel like I'm doing pretty well, though, overall."

Clady said he expects to fully participate in practices when training camp begins in late July. He looked a bit rusty last week during OTAs, and coach Todd Bowles acknowledged as much. Bowles said Clady has looked better since then.

Ferguson missed one snap in his entire career -- and it wasn't due to an injury -- so he set a lofty standard for durability. Clady not only missed all of last season with the ACL tear, but he was limited to two games in 2013 by a foot fracture.

So Clady knows there are questions about whether he can still be a healthy and productive left tackle. In his six fully healthy NFL seasons, he has made the Pro Bowl four times. Yet those questions still linger.

"I've just got to answer them by getting out on the field and playing, and I think I can do that," Clady said. "I feel good right now. I feel like I can stay healthy."

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.