Gholston Is Confident the Wait Is Finally Over By GREG BISHOP Published: August 28, 2010 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — At the beginning of his third N.F.L. season, Vernon Gholston has never felt so comfortable, aggressive, primed. When he acknowledged that late Friday, though, he leaned forward, eyes on his locker. He spoke firmly, but also sheepishly, as if he wanted to knock on wood. This is not Gholston’s first trip down the avenue of expectations so far unfilled. He was the sixth overall pick in the 2008 N.F.L. draft, a nonfactor through two seasons, a college defensive end turned outside linebacker turned back into a defensive lineman in the spring. Each year, the Jets predicted Gholston would break out — including this one. He has rewarded the franchise with 30 tackles — in two seasons. Still, all parties think (again) that this year will be different, that the beast that seems so obvious in Gholston’s frame, with biceps that look like swollen grapefruit and a torso that resembles an oversize V, will finally emerge. “I’ve got momentum,” Gholston said. “Now, it’s about putting it all together.” The Jets had just lost, 16-11, to visiting Washington in their third preseason game when Gholston exited the showers behind most of his teammates. Earlier Friday, he recorded a quarterback hit and recovered a muffed punt, and added two tackles for good measure. All preseason, HBO had featured Gholston as a story line on “Hard Knocks,” and this performance surely provided more fodder for next week’s episode. But it also came with a disclaimer in that the Jets, Coach Rex Ryan and Gholston have all claimed progress in seasons past. Yet here they are again, perhaps for the final time. Gholston calmly traced the problems in his first two seasons. In his rookie year, he struggled adapting to the N.F.L. At Ohio State, he had dominated rushing quarterbacks from the end position, but the Jets preferred to work Gholston as a pass-rush specialist from outside linebacker. In his second season, Ryan made Gholston his pet project, but even with Ryan’s defensive acumen, Gholston had little impact. Gholston said the new system and the new coaching staff delayed his progress. In the spring, Ryan moved Gholston back to defensive end, which made sense for both parties. The Jets’ depth at that position remains thin, and Gholston seems to be more comfortable there. “This year, I’m familiar with the system,” he said. “I know what’s going on. I’m playing with more confidence.” Gholston said that started with a change in mind-set. He felt that he was still learning in previous seasons, which prohibited him from playing at full speed. This year, he decided to attack, no matter what. Shaun Ellis, the longest-tenured Jet and the player Gholston sits behind on the depth chart, provided advice on different types of blocks by offensive tackles. Jason Taylor mentored Gholston on pass-rushing techniques, which is like getting a computer lesson from Paul Allen. Coaches helped, too, Ryan in particular. The better Gholston played, the more people he heard from. They called him after “Hard Knocks” revealed that Ryan had engineered the fight between him and offensive lineman Rob Turner, the resident hockey goon. In that practice, the mild-mannered Gholston threw Turner to the ground like a paperweight. Gholston guessed Friday that his “super strength” had kicked in. He remains an intriguing figure. Because of the bulging biceps. Because of the signs of progress. Because of Ryan’s influence. Because of the possibilities, as always. Gholston approached the Jets this off-season and volunteered to take a pay cut. Now, with linebacker Calvin Pace expected to miss what Ryan predicted would be a few weeks with a foot injury, Gholston could see time at his old position and his new one. Regardless, he does not plan to back down. Not to Turner, not to increased expectations, not to anyone. Again.
Gholston has gotten better each season, but now enough is enough. I thought in the last game he was ok, yeah he got a fumble recovery and a pressure or two. He's had a good preseason. Is he going to take the next step? Its time to get sacks and end plays, pressures are good, but sacks are what end drives. I have been a gholston supporter for the last two years and haven't given up, but my patience is running thin. Right now gholston's biggest problem to me is he lacks an array of pass rush moves (yes its been a problem for some). Yes his bull rush works, the problem is it can take a bit longer to beat a tackle with the bull rush then with a rip or swim. If he can improve this he could really take that next step.
I'm rootin' for the kid. Maybe Mangini should have let him play with his hand in the dirt at DE, instead of moving him to OLB. VG needs some time with the first teamers to really see how he's improved. Thanks for article.
The only thing stopping Gholston from being an absolute beast is....Gholston. I've heard the argument that he's a tweener, and that would matter if did not have a freakish combo of strength and speed. The talent has always been there, I think Rex is starting to figure out how to dig it out of VG. If you've been watching Hard Knocks, you may notice a similar theme with Gholston and Cromartie...too laid back, not playing angry...but loads of talent. If Rex can get these 2 guys to play with half the heart of Leonard, they could both go to the pro bowl.
Sorry, I just don't see the talent to convince me he was ever worth the pick - I've stated this before - drafting an athlete/physical specimen doesn't equate to drafting a football player. I still see him 5 yards away from the point of the play, looking down and with his hands on his hips. He has zero instincts - imo.
If he has grown a pair, then I'm behind him 100%. He was my third choice of draft pick behind Matt Ryan and Chris Long. Go get em Vern.
Will he ever live up to his draft slot? Probably not. Water under the bridge, it really doesn't matter anymore. I'd like to mention another Vernon, one that was an early first round draft pick and was just as ridiculed as Gholston has been. This Vernon was critisized for many of the Same things the Ghost has been. This Vernon is also an incredible physical specimen. Vernon Davis, now an elite NFL TE. Do I think Gholston will have an equally surprising emergence? No. Do I think there is some small chance of it? Yes. Playing DE in Ryan's D is a whole lot simpler than playing OLB. It just might be that this Vernon was miscast as a 3-4 OLB. Like Vernon Davis, Gholston got by in college on his pure athletisism. Davis found out that that is not enough in the NFL. I am hopeful that Gholston may have learned the same lesson. We shall see, but so far, he looks much better at DE. I remain hopeful.
Gholston taking a paycut really impressed me. I'm rooting for the kid, anyone who makes their living off of athletics that decides they arent worth a certain amount of $$ shows extreme morality...go get em Vernon:jets:
Gholston is all strength and straight line speed. When he changes direction, he might as well be making a K turn out there. W/o that agility, I can't see how he can ever become a good pass rusher. I'm rooting for him though.
His part saying hes more comfortable being DE instead of LB and being able to attack has to show u he's rdy to play up to his potential. he has the physical skills and coaching/mentoring to do damage this year. I'm really Rooting for this kid
I don't think Gholston actually took a 'pay cut'. What he did was get a large part of his 'salary' as an upfront 'bonus'. At least that's what is said on nyjetscap.com. I don't think he's loosing a dime. It's all just accounting tricks. edit: BTW I'm hoping Gholston does well, especially since it looks like we're playing a bunch of four man fronts with him in the line-up.
Well Rex did say something like hes been great the guy agreed to a paycut and everything. Im sure he did some accounting tricks to benefit the team, but he also did take less guaranteed money (so that he could remain on the team) which could result in him getting more cash if he performs.
Rex says a lot. I take most of it with a grain of salt. Gholston got a 4 mill bonus for 'renegotiating' his contract. Actually he moved up his salery in future years into a bonus; again according to nyjetscap.com. That is not less guaranteed money, in fact, it's more. It's the second time he's done it and it's just a way to move the cap figures around. Basically it sets it up that is he sucks this year, he'll get cut next year, with slightly less of a cap hit then he would of, had we not redone his contract. Gholston however is not losing a dime (I accidentally did a double negative in my previous post, now corrected).
I'm sure the Jets would be happy if Gholston could create some pressure and get some sacks. The problem that I have seen so far is that once he engages with an OL, it's pretty much over. There has been a little progress, but not much. He needs to "outquick" the blocker, maybe take some martial arts to keep the lineman from getting hold of him. In theory, at his size, he should be much quicker than the lineman who is blocking him.
Article looks like a classic plant by the team. "Oh, Gholston is terrific, we love him" and then they trade him for a sixth round pick.
I feel like they are going to move him around alot this year which might end up hurting him. Who knows though we're all hoping he'll break out.
My recollection is that Gholston lost some playing time-related bonuses/escalators, suggesting that he wants to be on the field and expected he wouldn't get the chance under his original deal.
he's starting to make an impact and gain some confidence...in himself and from the coaching staff. i think he'll improve as the season goes on. forget sacks. i'd be happy to see him open up lanes and just create pressure or have QB hits.
I don't know how it looked on tv this week but watching from the stands Gholston was either involved with, or right near, the play every time he was in on Friday. Now I admit I'm a big Gholston supporter but the guy is getting there. He looks like he finally "gets it."
