I've been wondering what Sutton and Mangini are really thinking regarding Gholston. They drafted him with the sixth overall pick to be a pass rusher in the 3-4. However, i personally haven't seen him once at OLB. I understand Pace and Thomas are playing well, but what's their plan with Gholston then? To be drafted at sixth overall to be a 3rd down pass rusher who doesn't play very many 3rd downs? Or to develop into an OLB while standing on the sideline? I'm very curious as to how the CS is going to deal with this.
I think the plan is to gradually prepare him to be the water boy. You can't just throw someone into the fire right away - the players need there water when timeouts are called and someone without experience could deprive a thristy player of water. No doubt this will turn into the weekly shit on Gholston thread.
id go with develop into a better all around lb during the course of this season, and next off season. than we can have a nice roatation of olbs next year. we will have 3 starting caliber olbs hopefully next year. it will be nice to give everyone a breather and keep the pass rush going.
But my question is? Will that mean he'll actually see some time at LB? So far he hasn't which doesn't bode well for the whole, develop into a better LB strategy. I'm not shitting on Gholston as much as I'm shitting on the CS. We all knew he needed to develop skills. We knew this coming out of the draft. I'm sure Mangini and Sutton knew it as well unless they really are complete shitheads. But it doesn't seem like he has an opportunity to develop any of these skills.
I think they want him to be like Pace. If they can mold him into that type of player it would be phenomenal. He has seen a decent amount of time at OLB from what I've seen. I know you're not, I just think this thread will turn into that.
Pace and Thomas have been doing a really good job at OLB's in applying pressure and stuffing run plays. I'm not about to throw him in there just because he was picked 6th. We'll revisit what he can contribute to the team with a year under his belt next year. Until then, I'm quite happy seeing him making ST tackles.
i doubt you see him very much this year. guys develop in this league through practice, watching film, and then when they are ready to be on the field further develop there. just throwing him out on the field at this point would not be the best bet. are we willing to take a player who at this point is better at that position off the field just to get a draft pick some extra playing time? in the nfl you dont need to be on the field immediately to develop into a good player. a lot of growing pains can be worked out during practice. he missed much of the off season because he was not allowed to join the team until he graduated so he is behind on learning a brand new position. he can be developed without seeing the field very often this year. and he has been on the field a good amount this year as well. not a lot but i believe has gotten into every game for at least a handful of defensive snaps.
A perfect example is Woodley with the Steelers. He's exploded pretty well in his second season after not really doing much last year.
Even with Pace and Thomas playing well, I am surprised Gholston hasn't seen more action. He's the highest draft pick not starting or getting significant playing time. With his athleticism I thought Gholston could get in the game a lot more. But I am still expecting him to eventually turn into an excellent OLB for the Jets.
in any other year he is not the highest draft pick not starting though, a team that drafts a qb at 3 like the falcons would not normally force him into action. the jets drafted what they thought was BPA at the time. it just happens to be that the two starting spots are occupied by two veterans playing very well. i dont see why this is such a bad thing that gholston is not playing right now. in 2 years if he is still on the bench we have a problem, but rookie year and switching positions? give him some time.
All of the other top players were drafted to fill an open roster spot. So maybe it's no surprise that these guys are starting. Jets went BPA and took a super athletic LB with great productivity from a top program. That's not something to complain about. Teams that pick BPA consistently over a few years generally turn out to be very good.
right, so every player that sat on the bench then when given the chance after a few years of development was actually that good all along? i cant really think of anyone around the league this year besides aaron rodgers. your telling me he didnt get better by practicing and watching film and learning from the veterans? everyone can yell and scream about gholston all they want but until the jets are out of the playoff hunt or pace or thomas get hurt he will not be seeing significant action. i cant believe everyone is so mad about this when we are getting excellent production from the two players in front of him at the moment. now if by next year we aren't seeing gholston get regular playing time i will start to buy into him just being bad, but this year i just dont see it.
Actual game experience is more advantageous to him than practice reps...put Thomas at end in some passing situations and let him play a little....
