Not sure if this posted or not...couldn't see it anywhere on the front page of the NYJ JETS threads. http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast Ryan says Gholston will be 'major contributor' May 21, 2009 8:10 PM Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham Gholston Perhaps Rex Ryan has resorted to a bit of coaching psyops to bolster his pupil's confidence. Ryan offered some encouraging words Thursday about beleaguered defensive end Vernon Gholston. It's possible Ryan was telegraphing a rah-rah message through the press, but maybe the Jets finally are seeing evidence last year's sixth overall draft pick can start living up to his immense promise. "I think he'll have to earn his role no matter what it is," Ryan told reporters at the Jets' facility in Florham Park, N.J. "Whether he is a starter? Is he this? Is he that? "I know one thing: He is going to be a major contributor for us." Gholston was insignificant last year. The pass-rushing specialist opted to leave Ohio State a year early and tore up the NFL scouting combine. The Jets gave him a five-year contract with $21 million in guarantees. But Gholston couldn't crack the starting lineup. He was a healthy scratch in a critical Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills. He finished the year with one solo tackle, dead last among the 23 Jets who recorded any stops. Jets fans hope Ryan, the coordinator of some great Baltimore Ravens defenses, can find a way to unleash Gholston. Ryan has compared Gholston's potential to that of Terrell Suggs, a 10th overall pick who started one game as a rookie in 2003 and made the Pro Bowl his next year. "I am really excited about Vernon," Ryan said. "I think he is where I thought he would be right now in this stage. He is working and getting better every day." Ryan mentioned Gholston got off to a late start because NFL rules prohibit draftees from reporting anything other than rookie camp until after their school holds final exams. Ohio State's quarter system takes them into June, routinely forcing their alumni to wait. "The thing we have to remember is he never had any of this time last year," Ryan said. "When he came in, everybody was so far further ahead than he was where it was sometimes tough to make up ground. "I think we are seeing a guy now that is confident. He's right there. He knows what he is doing, and you're seeing that natural talent that he has." New York Jets, Vernon Gholston, Rex Ryan, Terrell Suggs
He's a defensive end now? Seriously though, I hope Ryan isn't just saying the right things to try to get Gholston to play. I hope he really is seeing signs in him. He certainly can't be as much of a non-factor as he was last year, can he?
Do you think VG's gross overpayment grinds on guys like TJ? Do you think it ever manifests in the locker room, or is there an unwritten rule about other guys money?
I think it only becomes an issue if a player in VG's position (high draft pick, big money) has a long, tenuous holdout or tries to be bigger than the team. From all accounts, Gholston is a very good teammate and a humble guy off the field. So I don't think guys like TJ would have any beef with him whatsoever.
Dude every first round pick makes vets squirm a little. But it's part of the system. They take care of that by hounding F.O.'s about getting new contracts when old ones haven't been fulfilled yet. Agents make sure of that. The whole system is lopsided but somehow balanced. Youth supersedes a vets accomplishments. But the body does tend to break down quickly in the NFL. I don't think it manifests because it is a business. But if your a bust the media cleans you up in a hurry. I think the reaction from vet players comes when the guy is the real deal. Then they get nervous and start holdin out and what not.
Aside from all the silly "Gholston is a bust" and high expectations nonsense...Gholston's development is KEY for this defense and this team. If he begins to play like the same player he was in college...he takes our defense to a completely different and frankly dominant level. Alll that physical ability to go along w/ being the single season sack leader at THE ohio state university has eventually got to translate onto the field. And what it does...look out AFC east and NFL.
I hope this isn't hype. If Gholston can kick in 10+ sacks, what an impact that wold make on a D that already figures to be the Wild Bunch
If Gholston can get ten sacks this year I think our D will be top five in the game. I am already booking Pace for ten as a matter a fact lock it up. Yea I said it Pace ten sacks next year.
Even if Ryan only finds a role for him like a situational pass rusher and he excels in this role I will be extremely happy
Exactly. This is what Mangini should've been spending time doing last year. I think most fans would've been ok with some pressure and a few sacks (5) in situations best suited to his abilities. The way i look at it is one year less wear-n-tear on his body...
Bust... lol actually anybody that watched him play at OSU knows that he was a non-factor in most games...he racked up the majority of his sacks in like 2 games where he had high sack numbers...
if this if that maybe this maybe that. ill hold my judgement until he can make 10 TACKLES in a season. oh wait he had 13 last year. this type of rah rah bullshit is the stuff that annoys me. i want this guy to live up to expectations but lets not put him anywhere past where he is at this point. which is absolutely nowhere.
That's tru, Rex should have just come out and said "the kid's fucked, I have no idea what the old staff saw in this kid"
not talking about rex and what he said. i am talking about what some people in this thread are saying. rex has to say that at this point. i wont hold it against him if gholston continues to be a big wart on the jets ass. i hope the guy improves, i dont wanna hear about how great we will be when he gets 10 sacks.
