http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TepERoD_BjY Watch the beginning of this pre-draft interview, VG says "I'm a DE and some people think an OLB." He just doesn't seem enthusiastic when he says OLB. I think even Vernon knew he was really a 4-3 DE.
I can't believe people are actually saying he did good on that "pressure" of Cutler on Sunday. Watching the play I couldnt believe he didnt sack him. I was like you gotta be kidding me Gholston! Seriously though, he was sprinting full speed AT Cutler(right in front of him, mind you), who was shuffling side to side. Shaun Ellis is slow as shit and he would have had an easy sack on that play!! For that matter any capable pass rusher would have had a sack! What was Gholston's 40 time? Maybe its beginners syndrome? He hasnt recorded his first NFL sack and he was so close it seemed like he didnt know what to do. Maybe once he breaks through and gets one things will change. But does the quarterback have to take a knee for that to happen?
Ghoston had bust written all over him during the draft. My worst case scenario had the Jets taking Gholston. How they didn't learn from the Robertson mistake continues to amaze me. As far as him playing DE he might be able to do that, just not in the 3-4. He's not big enough.
Gholston worried me more than anybody else at the top of the draft. I would rather have reached for just about anybody than take gholston. I was praying he would go top 5, and I was praying once we got on the clock we would trade down with NO so they could take ellis, and we could take just about whoever we wanted. Then when we took gholston, and then Baltimore dropped back with the Jags I was furious. I would gladly have taken the exact same deal and let the Jags have taken Gholston, and then we could have taken Keller at 24, as well as picking up 3 extra picks, plus keeping our original 2nd rounder. I also doubt he will live up to the potential of a 3rd round pick, much less his own draft status. but regardless, we have Vernon, so no matter how much people are worried about him, or hate him, or call him a bust, he is a jet, for at least the life of his rookie contract, whether we like it or not. So we might as well try and root him on, because booing him constantly will only make him more timid and afraid of screwing up. So maybe cheering him on will give him some confidence and he might actually make a memorable play (in a good way). Like it or lump it, Vernon you are a Jet so go out there and make us proud!
When we drafted VG, I was hoping he'd develop like Abe did. Abe was a pretty damn good 3-4 OLB his rookie season but its pretty clear that VG, if he develops, is going to take a longer time to reach that level. Mangini is giving him a shot to be on the field. His lack of closing speed on the QB is what worries me the most- pass rush specialists should not be slowly meandering toward the QB.
You still use for man fronts on nickle and dime formations, no? You could use him at DE in nickle packages? Not exactly what you want out of your #6 overall pick... but at least its something...
