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DE Vernon Gholston (Official Thread)

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Rex Ryan revisits Vernon Gholston failure
April, 8, 2011
By Tim Graham

When Rex Ryan took over as New York Jets head coach, his general attitude toward pass-rusher Vernon Gholston was bullish.

Ryan thought if he couldn't develop Gholston, then nobody could.

After three NFL seasons and two under Ryan, the Jets released Gholston in March. The sixth overall draft choice in 2008 never got it. He started five games, was a healthy scratch three times and recorded zero sacks.

nfl_u_gholston_ps_200.jpg

Sam Sharpe/US Presswire
Vernon Gholston was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft.

At the NFL owners meeting in New Orleans a couple weeks ago, I had a chance to speak to Ryan for the first time since the Jets cut Gholston.

Ryan was little defensive about not being able to mold Gholston into an effective player.

Ryan claimed circumstances got in the way. Gholston went from 4-3 defensive end at Ohio State to 3-4 outside linebacker with the Jets under previous head coach Eric Mangini to 3-4 defensive end last year under Ryan.

The Jets also added Trevor Pryce during the season, an acquisition Ryan said hurt Gholston's snap count.

"I think Vernon improved," Ryan said. "Last year, I thought he gained strides. Unfortunately, I never knew this when we picked up Trevor and he played well for us, but that took a little away from Vernon. We had Shaun Ellis, so it was kind of hard to get [Gholston] more reps.

"But the guy is an excellent teammate. He did what was asked and he got better."

Cont..
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http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/39162/rex-ryan-revisits-vernon-gholston-failure
 
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http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=6432554
Ryan also manages to tweak Vernon Gholston, the draft bust who was released after three disappointing seasons. Ryan was a Baltimore Ravens assistant when the Jets drafted Gholtson, but he says he warned then-coach Eric Mangini not to pick him.

"Truth be told, I didn't like the kid coming out of college," says Ryan, claiming he did his best to coach Gholston once he came to the Jets in 2009. "He's a good athlete and a smart guy, but I thought he was a phony."
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Assuming Vernon and his agent do a good job scouting teams I still have hope for him as a 4-3 DE...He could still be very good in a system like the Colts, Lions, Bucs, etc...

He could resurrect his career if he went to Detroit and put his hand on the ground next to Suh....
 
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Q: Hey, Tony: Assuming this labor dispute gets settled (and I, certainly, do not want to see the draft system abolished; which helps bring competitive parity to the NFL), do you think the Browns might bring in Vernon Gholston to try out? You have maybe already answered this, but I still think with the right coaching, Gholston can be good again. If we can get him to camp for a minimal investment, I think we should. -- Erol Altug, Stony Brook, N.Y.

A: Hey, Erol: If Rex Ryan can't make a player on defense out of an athlete, I doubt that anyone could. My hunch right now is that Gholston will go down as one of the great draft busts of recent times.
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http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/05/is_mike_holmgren_or_tom_hecker.html
 
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Bears believe Gholston has plenty of upside
Disappointing high pick will return to roots at defensive end
By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter
July 29, 2011

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Vernon Gholston is yet to record a sack in his NFL career. (Nick Laham/ Getty)

Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli beamed as he talked about the team's addition of former first-round pick Vernon Gholston.

The 25-year-old who the Jets selected sixth-overall in the 2008 NFL draft, spent three seasons and 45 games in New York without recording a sack. His struggles as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the Jets' scheme deemed him a "bust'' in the eyes of many.

But Marinelli begs to differ.

"I had a chance to watch him a lot in the offseason and study him, and I just go back to him coming out of Ohio State as a tremendous athlete with speed,'' Marinelli said. "I just want to get his hand back on the ground and start doing one or two things with him to really see the explosion and speed.

"You take a swing at a guy like that. In our system, it's about fundamentals and techniques over and over. It will be a nice fit for him.''

The Bears entered the offseason with thoughts of securing another pass-rusher alongside Julius Peppers. It was not an indictment of Israel Idonije's defensive end play, as Idonije tied Peppers for the team lead last season with a career-high eight sacks. But with a defensive scheme so dependent on an effective pass rush, the Bears were determined to add another body. Last season, they finished 21st in the league in sacks per pass play and recorded 34 total.

The Raiders' Kamerion Wimbley would have been the Bears' top pass-rushing target if he hadn't signed a franchise tender to stay in Oakland. The Bears were in the mix for Jason Babin, who signed with the Eagles this week.

The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Gholston, with a one-year deal, was a low-cost option after the Jets cut him. He signed a five-year rookie contract that included $21 million guaranteed.

"There's a reason he was drafted as high as he was,'' coach Lovie Smith said of Gholston, who like all veteran free agents can begin formal practice Thursday.

And Marinelli certainly doesn't view Gholston as just another camp body.

"I want work with the guy, develop the guy,'' Marinelli said. "This is more than just a look. He has some 'go' in him. This is going to be similar to what he did in college.''

Idonije, who plans to remain at defensive end, had no issue with the Bears' decision. And the veteran even offered a little advice to Gholston.

"Whatever happened in the past, put it in the past,'' Idonije said. "Don't carry that baggage.

"When he gets on the field, the system will put him in position to make plays.''
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/site/...-side-bears-chicago--20110730,0,7550223.story
 
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