http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/f...jets_firstrounder_vernon_gholston_cant_g.html Two of the NFL's highest-drafted rookies will face each other Sunday in Oakland - Jets outside linebacker Vernon Gholston and Raiders running back Darren McFadden. Watch your TV closely; it might be hard to find Gholston - unless the camera slow-pans the sideline. The former Ohio State standout is discovering that life in the NFL is a lot tougher than carefree Saturdays in the Big Ten. Five games into his pro career, Gholston still is looking for his first sack. The Jets held a sack party in Sunday's victory over the Bengals, as six different players combined for five sacks, but Gholston never got close to the quarterback. PHOTO GALLERY: JONES POWERS JETS PAST BENGALS He was lucky to get in the game. Removed from the sub packages - his role in the previous games - Gholston didn't play until the third quarter, when he spelled the banged-up Bryan Thomas (calf). As soon as Thomas was able to return, it was back to the bench for Gholston, who registered zero tackles in 13 plays. The Jets expected growing pains from Gholston, who is learning a new position, but they probably never imagined this: Only one tackle. Obviously, they'd never admit it. "When I'm going to be concerned is when we're not making progress, and when we're not seeing him get better, week-in, week-out," Eric Mangini said. "That, to me, is a concern." Gholston was drafted sixth, two picks after McFadden, who was rated one spot ahead of Gholston on the Jets' draft board, a person familiar with the team's thinking said at the time. If the Raiders hadn't selected McFadden, who has rushed for 302 yards and a 5.1 average, he'd be taking handoffs from Brett Favre. "If I were the Jets, I would've done everything I could to get McFadden or (Jonathan) Stewart," an opposing personnel director said this week, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Stewart, picked 13th by the Panthers, was downgraded by many teams, including the Jets, because of a toe injury. So far, it hasn't been a factor, as Stewart has rushed for 284 yards and four touchdowns. The Jets could use some explosiveness in their backfield; they still don't have a run longer than 17 yards. They recognized that shortcoming, but they felt Gholston was the best value at No.6 even though they had big money already invested in two outside linebackers, Thomas and Calvin Pace. Thomas, who leads the team with 4-1/2 sacks, has rebounded from a disappointing season, raising the question of whether the Jets panicked by drafting his would-be replacement only one year after signing Thomas to a long-term extension. Few teams can afford to make the sixth pick of the draft a part-time player, but the Jets have created that situation. Gholston, who received a five-year, $33 million deal, is the only top-10 pick who hasn't started a game. Of the 31 players chosen in the first round, 19 are listed as starters or have started at least one game. Eight are making key contributions off the bench and two are out for the season. Gholston and 49ers defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer (29th pick) are the only players who would fall into the minimal impact category. The Jets will be patient with Gholston because they know it takes time to make the transition from a 4-3 defensive end, his college position, to a 3-4 outside linebacker. One rival scout compared him to the venerable Willie McGinest, a high pick who needed time before he felt comfortable as an outside linebacker in the 3-4. Others are alarmed that Gholston hasn't generated any pass rush as a down lineman, his position in the sub package. "I really don't view his job as just rushing the quarterback," said Mangini, who believes Gholston's progress can't be measured by stats alone. "His job is to be a good defensive football player." The proof is in the playing time - or lack thereof.
I did a masters at SC and watched McGinest for two years from the student section, which at that time were the best seats in the house, I think they changed that since then. About once a season McGinest would look like he was going to make that LT guy look like nothing, a couple games he would be good, a couple games he would be okay and he would be invisible for the rest. I was surprised at how high he was drafted and how well he did in the pros. Maybe Gholston will be the same, who knows. But McGinest was both bigger and faster than Gholston. He moved better, and was larger. I once stood on line behind McGinest at the campus convenience store, if he wore a white shirt you could show a movie on his back.
It's easy to second-guess the draft now and say that we shouldn't have picked Gholston because Pace and Thomas have taken off. However, up until the beginning of this season the team wasn't expecting much from Thomas and they were looking for his heir apparent. Given the team's progress today and our needs as we now see them (S, CB, RB for starters) there were certainly better options on the board for the Jets. The draft is a crapshoot and for every 1st round bust there is a late round gem.
For his complaint about the Jets already having big money tied up in Thomas and Pace to have any credibility he should have written this shortly after the draft, not after Thomas and Pace were playing at a very high level. Way to go Cimini - your hindsight is clear as day. I'll bet he would tell us how brilliant the move was if Thomas or Pace were to go down and Gholston lights it up.
Can we just wait another year until full judgment is passed. Its what the scouts and coaches do - not the writers and fans.
That's because Cimini is a two-bit hack who seems to hate his job with each passing day. He takes shots at the Jets and the players in every single article he writes. He's probably still pissed off he has to commute to NJ to cover a team he hates. Boland is the best beat writer. Easily and by far the best. The guy is honest about being a Browns fan, but he just reports what he sees. He doesn't come across as having an agenda like Cimini does.
Hey if drafting Gholston makes Thomas a great player, then who cares? We didn't have 2 stud OLB last season, and now we do. We can afford to wait for him to improve. Hopefully he does, but his lack of play isn't affecting us at the moment.
I bet he improved off his field time Sunday--if we can get a nice lead and get him another quarter or two, we may see some production. Once he starts moving up, it will be a quick acceleration. Still need a DE though--I don't know why fats is so big on training this kid to OLB.
At least that answers the question we must have asked at least 10 times Sunday.... "Anyone see Gholston?"
What has been wrong with our DE play this season? We're 3rd in the league in stopping the run and tied for second in sacking the QB. A lot of those sacks have come from 3 and 4 man rushes. When OLB's get a sack the DE's play a role in that by occupying a blocker and/or collapsing the pocket. I'd like to see us get a big young DE in next years draft but I don't think it's been an issue this year. If we did that they'd probably end up as a part time player behind the guys we have. Cimini wouldn't like that ... Our front 7 has been very good.
Yeah I'd like to see us get a promising DE in R3 or R4, just to groom him behind Ellis and Coleman. With Ellis getting older, you never know when he might get bit by the injury bug. I think we already have backups with Moseley and DeVito, but it'd be nice to get a guy somewhat early in the draft who will eventually start.
^^I'm not saying anythings "wrong" but its a place we can improve. I'm not a big Kenyon fan--and I like Ellis but we can improve there. I guess I'm thinking that it would be awesome to have a killer DE and maybe VG could be it. ^ I believe Mosely is much more comfortable at tackle and honestly can't recall ever seeing him at DE--could just be my memory. And I like DeVito's heart but I am not sure he's nfl material for a playoff contender--my opinion.
For Gholston to move to a 3-4 DE, he would have to put on about 30lbs to get up towards 300lbs. That's not happening. He's an OLB in a 3-4, and a DE in a 4-3.
Patience. My only fear about Gholston NOT playing is that he MAY lose his hunger for the game and in turn not learn what he should be.
With the current regime, I have no patience with first round picks. If Gholston doesn't do something significant in the next week or two, I will be very down on him. He had 'skills' before he was drafted by the Jets and he needs to display them.
What is wrong with the first round selections thus far with this regime? Was this sarcasm? Ferguson - Mangold - Revis - Ghoston - Keller The first three have panned out fairly well to exceptional for this team. The "rookies" are still proving where they stand in this league and on this team. Granted, I have a very bad feeling about Gholston, I still think it is way to premature to expect all of this greatness out of him already. I was against drafting Gholston before he was drafted and I still think he was a wasted pick. Only time will tell.
Exactly, they've spoiled me with players like Mangold and Revis and Harris (should have been 1st round) and to some extent Brick - players who contributed early and often. Every year I will probably expect the 1st rounder to bust loose instead of the 'waiting period to adjust'.
