[Buckskin86]

Gholston must earn his chance with Jets
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
NorthJersey.com

Rex Ryan praised Vernon Gholston several times during the spring. Jet fans hope he'll have as many kind words for the second-year linebacker in the weeks and months to come.

The Jets' need for the sixth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft to finally begin demonstrating his vast potential increased significantly last week when starting outside linebacker Calvin Pace was banished for the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Pace finished second on the team in sacks in 2008 with seven, and was a fast starter with 2 1/2 in the first four games last year.

Of course, that was supposed to be Gholston's specialty, after he racked up 22 1/2 quarterback takedowns in his final two seasons at Ohio State. But he got a late start in '08 because of an arcane NCAA and NFL rule that prevents rookies from participating fully in spring practices until their school's semester is over, and he rarely saw the field on defense.

Late in the spring, Ryan noted that Gholston "gets better every day," yet, truth be told, two other young linebackers stood out more often during practices observed by the media. Marques Murrell and Jason Trusnik, both third-year players, had eye-opening springs, and Ryan even cited Murrell for his good play on the final day of mandatory mini-camp. And Trusnik has something neither Murrell nor Gholston can boast of, an actual NFL sack, recorded during the 2008 season finale against Miami.

Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine believe they can unlock Gholston's potential. But maybe the best idea for using Gholston right now is to make him a situational pass-rusher, and take advantage of his obvious college strength.

NorthJersey.com: Gholston must earn his chance

What can we expect from Vernon Gholston in 2009?

Well, it's tough to have a "sophomore slump" season when your rookie season pretty much ceased to exist.


The Jets could get some great work out of Vernon Gholston this season. (Nick Laham / Getty Images)

Though most AFC East fans have used Gholston as the kicker in their punchlines about the Jets' ineptitude down the stretch last season, there's actually some quiet buzz about the progress the second-year man out of Ohio State has made over the past six months.

Jets fans were confused and distraught to see Gholston on the field in only rare instances last season, lining up for rare packages and barely getting in on special teams. Whereas fellow 2008 first-round picks Jerod Mayo and Keith Rivers excelled at linebacker in their rookie seasons, Gholston struggled. Immensely.

After a sackless first year in the league, Gholston has immersed himself into the film room, learning, living and breathing Rex Ryan's complex 3-4 defense. With the recent four-game suspension of Jets linebacker Calvin Pace, Gholston will be forced to step in and deliver right away. Based on his performance this spring, there's confidence in New York that he can.

They'll need him, too. The Jets face a tougher four-game slate to start the season than any other team in the league. Up against Houston, New England, Tennessee and New Orleans — four dynamo offenses — in the first quarter of the season, Gholston's production will be necessary.

As a rookie, DeMarcus Ware struggled in Dallas. Mario Williams had growing pains in his rookie campaign in Houston. Both players emerged during their second years in the league. Perhaps the same will go for Gholston.

And if not? Well, Pace returns in Week 5. Hopefully by then, the Jets aren't already 0-4.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9...East,-NFC-West