DE Vernon Gholston (New York Jets)

[Buckskin86]

JETS' GHOLSTON LOOKS TO END BUST WHISPERS
By MARK CANNIZZARO


SOMETHIN' TO PROVE: Jets linebacker Vernon Gholston, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 draft who had just four tackles last season, said he expects better results this season under new coach Rex Ryan.

CORTLAND -- Vernon Gholston knows all about the numbers. Most of them he would prefer to forget.

Start with being the No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 draft, playing 15 games and managing just four tackles on defense, one of which was solo.

Those are not good numbers.

This season, his second in the NFL, Gholston has changed his number -- from No. 56 to No. 50, which previously was worn by the departed Eric Barton.

Hopefully for Gholston and the Jets, who invested so much in him, his performance will change, too.

JETS' GHOLSTON LOOKS TO END BUST WHISPERS - New York Post

[Buckskin86]

But Rex, when it comes to your effusive praise of linebacker Vernon Gholston, I don't see it. Once again, Gholston was a no-show on Thursday evening, and even you didn't try to sell the media a bill of goods on that one.

Gholston was in the area on a "sack" by linebacker Jamaal Westerman, who is practically a lock to make the team, but other than that he was invisible. What's more, third-year linebacker Marques Murrell is "flashing" more than Gholston.


Thanks to his $21-million guarantee, Gholston will be on the roster again this season, and perhaps in the starting lineup on opening day in Houston, as Ryan first told our guy, M.A. Mehta.

But sooner or later, Gholston is going to have to earn his playing time. Ryan is about production, not public relations, and I think if Gholston doesn't show up soon, Ryan will cut the cord.

NY Jets QB Mark Sanchez makes a statement; LB Vernon Gholston does not - NJ.com

[Buckskin86]

STUCKEY, GHOLSTON EARN REX'S PRAISE

CORTLAND -- Rex Ryan raved about two particular players based on their performances in yesterday's morning practice -- receiver Chansi Stuckey and linebacker Vernon Gholston.

The coach, in fact, declared Stuckey as the leader for the No. 2 receiver spot, alongside incumbent starter Jerricho Cotchery.

"He's there (No. 2) right now," Ryan said.

Stuckey made several nice catches -- particularly on a Kellen Clemens pass deep over the middle on which he was covered tightly by Dwight Lowery.

"Stuckey is the guy who really stood out," Ryan said. "He made some great catches, got open a lot and has been having a great camp."

As for Gholston, Ryan raved: "Is it me or is Vernon Gholston looking better? The guy is getting better and he's more confident. He's playing more physical, more productive in the pass rush, setting up games, communicating with his teammates."

STUCKEY, GHOLSTON EARN REX'S PRAISE - New York Post

LB Vernon Gholston (two sacks in three days) is beginning to flash and Ryan made sure to point it out to the media unsolicited.

"Is it me, but is Vernon Gholston looking better to anybody in this room?" Ryan said.

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/200...ning_back.html

* LB Vernon Gholston drew effusive (and unsolicited) praise from Ryan. Actually, Gholston is making plays in practice. Hey, maybe the light bulb has gone on. "I'm really, really encouraged," Ryan said.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jet...s-and-qbs.html

[Buckskin86]

Linebacker Vernon Gholston unimpressive in NY Jets' preseason opener
by Dave Hutchinson/The Star-Ledger
Saturday August 15, 2009


Bill Kostroun/Associated Press
Rams running back Samkon Gado breaks a tackle by Jets safety Eric Smith as Vernon Gholston (50) and Ty Steinkuhler (61) look on in the third quarter. Gado ran for a touchdown.NOTEBOOK

After Jets coach Rex Ryan spent the first two weeks of training camp making noise about linebacker Vernon Gholston, the former first-round pick was awfully quiet against the Rams.

Gholston, drafted sixth overall in 2008, had just two tackles in the Jets' 23-20 loss to the Rams on Friday night at Giants Stadium and was on the field for a pair of big runs by St. Louis.

The former Ohio State star did have one stellar moment when he flushed Rams quarterback Kyle Boller out of the pocket and forced an incompletion. Ryan already has anointed him the starter for the first four games, replacing Calvin Pace, who'll be suspended for taking a banned performance-enhancing substance.

''That's tough to say,'' said Gholston when asked if he's ready to contribute as a starter. ''You never say you're completely ready. To me, that'd be the day that I feel that I'm the best player in the league. It's all about continuing that growth. When the day comes, you got to roll with what you got.''

Gholston, who played faster than he did last season, lost containment on a 20-yard run by Rams running back Antonio Pittman and he was on the field when Rams running back Samko Gado ripped off a 77-yard touchdown run that Ryan said was ''embarrassing.''

Gholston said he wasn't sure what happened on the Gado run but ''I remember I was in the right spot.''

Linebacker Vernon Gholston unimpressive in NY Jets' preseason opener - NJ.com

[Buckskin86]

THINGS I HEARD AROUND THE NFL LAST WEEK...

1. I was telling someone in the league on Saturday how bad Jets linebacker Vernon Gholston looked in the team?s first preseason game Friday night. My friend said he talked to a Jets executive who claimed that Gholston had looked that bad all camp. I can?t imagine he looks good when he plays football. He has no instincts.

Sunday at the Post | National Football Post

[FrancisSawyer]

Man, I feel for Vern. I really hope he gets it turned around, but, it sounds just as bad as last year. I wonder if they'll at least try him at DE since that's where he excelled in college.

[ethel merman]

"After Jets coach Rex Ryan spent the first two weeks of training camp making noise about linebacker Vernon Gholston, the former first-round pick was awfully quiet against the Rams.

Gholston, drafted sixth overall in 2008, had just two tackles in the Jets' 23-20 loss to the Rams on Friday night at Giants Stadium and was on the field for a pair of big runs by St. Louis."


Maybe the fact that he was being held? Look at your own frickin' photo, you hack of a reporter.

[TJnTN]

I hate to say it but I watched the game and Vern looked confused out there. He took some terrible angles on the ball and really just didn't look comfortable at all on the field.

[matcar]

Originally Posted by ethel merman

"After Jets coach Rex Ryan spent the first two weeks of training camp making noise about linebacker Vernon Gholston, the former first-round pick was awfully quiet against the Rams.

Gholston, drafted sixth overall in 2008, had just two tackles in the Jets' 23-20 loss to the Rams on Friday night at Giants Stadium and was on the field for a pair of big runs by St. Louis."


Maybe the fact that he was being held? Look at your own frickin' photo, you hack of a reporter.

You can pretty much call holding on 75% of the plays out there. Vern needs to be disruptive as he was at tOSU, or I can see why fans and coaches will be disappointed and want more.

[Jaxbuck]

I just don't get how you can be that athletically gifted, whip Jake Longs ass on several occasions in college and then look like you never played football when you get to the NFL.

It just doesn't make sense. Can they not just put his hand back down on the ground and tell him to go get the QB?

[jwinslow]

He played DE on the few preseason snaps I watched, but 3-4 DE is quite different.

[TheIronColonel]

Another good example of why you can't just take any old athletically gifted DE and stand him up. I'm convinced that if he were just allowed to rush the passer - hell, even as a 3rd down only guy - he'd be a solid starter if not a pro bowler. Here's hoping he can get the hell out of New York and play for a sane team that knows how to use a rush end.

[Bucklion]

Too bad the Browns didn't get him, since we got almost every other Jet...given the deficiencies here, he would be a perfect niche fit who could make his mark doing what he does best. I fear he has no real chance in NY...once you go a couple of seasons in a place that made you that high of a draft pick and they aren't happy with your production, it seems like you are always climbing uphill just to avoid the bust label, instead of excelling. I hope he gets a fresh start somewhere else...it's done wonders for a myriad of players before him.

[buckeyebri]

Vernon looked so-so from what I saw of him tonight. It looked like he knew where the play was but just wasn't there in time to make it. Flacco out ran him on a scramble...

Looks like he is back in there chasing after Troy now....

[3074326]

Originally Posted by Bucklion

Too bad the Browns didn't get him, since we got almost every other Jet...given the deficiencies here, he would be a perfect niche fit who could make his mark doing what he does best. I fear he has no real chance in NY...once you go a couple of seasons in a place that made you that high of a draft pick and they aren't happy with your production, it seems like you are always climbing uphill just to avoid the bust label, instead of excelling. I hope he gets a fresh start somewhere else...it's done wonders for a myriad of players before him.

I don't think scenery is the problem.. the Browns would probably use him at OLB too, and I just don't think that's what he is.

I'm no coach though.