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August 2, 2009
Questioning Vernon Gholston?s Passion
By Greg Bishop

CORTLAND, N.Y. ? The biggest question mark that has followed Vernon Gholston, the sixth overall pick in the 2007 draft who recorded 13 tackles in his rookie season with the Jets, has long been his desire, or passion, to play football.

Coach Rex Ryan addressed that in his Sunday news conference here at SUNY-Cortland, but while his answer was long and detailed, it was not exactly convincing. Ryan favorably ? and maybe mistakenly ? compared Gholston to Otis Wilson, a mainstay on the Chicago Bears famous 1985 defense.


Ryan gave two examples about Gholston that were meant to illustrate his passion. First, Ryan said that when punter Reggie Hodges boomed a 95-yarder on Saturday, Gholston sprinted all the way down field. Second, Ryan said Gholston ran through Nick Mangold, a Pro Bowl center, during practice.

Granted, Ryan?s time with Gholston has been limited. But those examples do not exactly scream passion, not for a sixth overall draft pick.

?We?ll see if Vernon can turn the corner in that way, in the perception of the general public? Ryan said. ?I?ve been challenging him every day to just run through things. He is a big, strong guy. He is a rock.?

Gholston spoke to reporters Saturday and said he felt no more pressure this season than he did last season.

?Obviously, there were drawbacks,? Gholston said. ?Did I do all I wanted to do? Probably not. But the biggest thing for me, I never look back on the past. I always look forward.?

He added: ?I know I can play. The coaches know I can play. It?s just all about like I said, getting in the defense, knowing what I?m in, knowing what I play, what I got going on and stepping up and doing it.?

Questioning Vernon Gholston’s Passion - The Fifth Down Blog - NYTimes.com