My one clear memory of Gholston on Sunday was the play where the Saints shifted on both sides late in the count and the Jets shifted along with them, moving the linebackers from side to side. Gholston wound up on the left side of the defense with nobody inside of him behind Ellis. The run went right through the gap there as Gholston maintained his lane, which I'm pretty sure was his responsibility on the play - to contain the runner and keep him from going outside. I realized at that point that he was just completely mechanical on the play, as he is so often. Yes, he maintained his lane and that was probably his responsibility, but any JAG linebacker in the NFL could have made that contribution to the play and more than a few of them could have adjusted to the fact that there was no interior linebacker on that side and at least made an attempt to keep the runner from going through untouched. Gholston's contribution to that play was to football as a bad porn actress's scenes are to sex. The Jets are going to have to deal with this sooner rather than later. On the bright side having Calvin Pace back gives them an easy out.
Unfortunately Gholston has been relegated to the defensive line in a 3-4. Which means that he won't be making too many flashy plays. I agree that he should be making more impact plays considering where he was drafted and the position he was drafted to play, but for now he's still making an impact by taking up lanes and containing. It is far too early to give up on him. Especially considering he's been getting pressure on obvious pass-rushing situations. He's still confused on plays where it could be a run or a pass. I'm dissapointed that Jet fans continue to single him out when almost every other defender is making their share of mistakes. The defense is playing great together, and it is ridiculous to continually single him out.
