This thought just popped in there.... Do you start Gholston on the strong side against Jake Long week 1 in Miami?? Minus the highlights, I have read that Gholston does extremely well against him. Do you sit/move Thomas/Pace and put him in that spot for that game only- and then let his development happen as the season goes on?
No, rarely in the NFL do you change starters because of the opponent. Also, Gholston had one sack against Long, doesn't mean he does extremely well.
I see them matching up many times throughout their career. Jake Long is going to have to prove he can stop Gholston before he stops seeing him... who knows maybe Pace will give him a hard time too.
If you watched the game tape, Gholston beat Long a number of times last season. Gholston was all over the place. He forced Henne to throw a lot of incompletions off his back foot, and stuffed Hart a number of times. He DID dominate Long.
I watched the '07 Ohio State/Michigan game. The interesting thing is that Gholston was lined up against the RT the majority of the time. He completely dominated him. During the times when he lined up against Long, he beat him a couple times but also got taken out of some running plays by solid blocking from Long. That said, I think it will be a very interesting match up in the NFL for years to come.
I certainly hope that the NYJ CS doesn't do what you suggest. The primary strategy of this 3-4 / 4-3 hybrid defense that Mangini and Sutton are running is to destroy the offense's confidence they know what the defense is going to do. The D strives to take away the OL's initiative, and beat them to the punch in every way. Who is coming from where is a central mystery that should bugger the OL into frustration. We have been trying like hell to get better players who are bigger and faster that can actually play together in this hybrid attack. Gholston should be just as unpredictable (and therefore scary) as all the other D players.
The fact that it's going to be a rookie LT's 1st game in the NFL I shouldn't matter who he is lined up against as the speed will be something he just won't be used to.
Well the problem he's known for having is not being able to handle speed rushers... so why not put a guy who's known for getting off the snap a step and a half earlier on Long's side, attacking QBs blindside, and getting pressure. It's a great mismatch to have and we don't really have anyone else that can generate that kind of pressure. Thomas can't do it, Pace is a maybe.
Its not the sack, its the consistent pressure he got on Henne from that side. I did say that "minus the highlights" he did well against Long, so why not continue the matchup that seems to be in our favor?
I think rotating Pace, Gholston, and Thomas at both OLB spots will screw with Long's head. It will be his first game, and he'll have A LOT of pressure on his shoulders - 1. He's the #1 pick. and 2. Miami's quarterback, whoever it may be, needs blindside protection from Long
Gholston should be a day 1 starter on the strong side, with Pace playing inside to his left. Let him loose on Long. Make a statement.
Exactly. If Gholston constantly beats, and outperforms Long in their first meaningful NFL game, it will be HUGE.
I wasnt very hyped on Gholston, but the guy was picked #6 overall, and through vids and interviews I have warmed a bit. He has to play from game 1. Here's to hoping he's worth it. :beer:
How about letting the team and Gholston go through training camp and the preseason before worrying about match ups in the first game???
jake long will ride the pine for the first year learning the offense. haha yeah right. let's hope he suffers the dbrick syndrome.
