DE Vernon Gholston (Official Thread)

[Buckskin86]

Gholston in study hall at Jets camp
BY ERIK BOLAND | [email protected]
June 7, 2008

Eric Mangini wasn't entirely ready to cut Vernon Gholston slack after he finally reported to the Jets on Friday.

"It's not his fault he couldn't be here, but it's not like he was getting his masters," Mangini said with a smile Friday afternoon. "Right in between 'Judge Judy' or 'Days of Our Lives' or whatever's on during the daytime, you can study."

The draft's No. 6 overall pick has done nothing but that since arriving at Hofstra on Friday morning. Gholston had missed 11 OTA practices, including Thursday's first day of minicamp, because of an NFL/NCAA rule that prohibits rookies from attending more than one team activity before their school year is over. Because Ohio State is on tri-mesters, Gholston, even though he came out after his junior season and hasn't been in a classroom since January, was delayed in reporting.

Gholston attended the team's minicamp in early May, but that was all in terms of practices. Mangini and other defensive coaches have been sending Gholston information to study, but it's not the same as being on the field.

Gholston said at times Friday he "felt overwhelmed with it," but he also understands it's part of the transition any rookie has to make to the NFL, regardless of when he gets on the field.

"I have a lot of catching up to do," Gholston said. "I am just trying to get adjusted to the guys and know what is going on. It's a big learning curve, but that is what comes with the job."

The job the Jets have planned for Gholston is, first, a transition to outside linebacker - Gholston was a defensive end at Ohio State - and after that, the Jets hope, a constant presence in opposing backfields. The Jets drafted Gholston to help fix what last year was one of the league's worst pass rushes.

Gholston lined up Friday as an outside linebacker with the second team and twice dropped into pass coverage, once against a fellow first-rounder, tight end Dustin Keller (Keller caught a short pass on the sideline). He looked hesitant at times, though his head no doubt was swirling after he spent the day trying to cram what his teammates had absorbed over three weeks.

"I will probably be studying every minute to get caught up," Gholston said.

Gholston in study hall at Jets camp -- Newsday.com

Gholston tested from the start
Jets' top pick finally gets to practice
Saturday, June 07, 2008
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y -- Linebacker Vernon Gholston, the Jets' first-round pick, had his toughest assignment of the day before practice yesterday.

Gholston, who worked out with the team for the first time since rookie minicamp, had to name all 85 players on the roster during a pop quiz in the locker room by coach Eric Mangini.

The Ohio State product, selected sixth overall, wasn't allowed to report until yesterday because of an NCAA/NFL rule which prohibits players from reporting until their class semester is over.

"I did okay, but Coach said I could've done better," said a smiling Gholston after the morning practice at Hofstra.

Gholston, who withdrew from school in January to prepare for the draft, said he spent his time in Columbus, Ohio, working out and studying the Jets' playbook. He also took care of several off-the-field issues, including finding a home in New Jersey.

"I have a lot of catching up to do," said Gholston, adding that he had no problem with the rule on the reporting date. "It's a big learning curve, but that's what comes with the job."

The Jets expect the 6-4, 264-pound Gholston, whose bulging biceps rival those of running back Thomas Jones, to help jump-start their sluggish pass rush. He has more than 50 defensive alignments to learn.

"I'm sure his head is spinning," said Mangini. "He looked a couple of times like he needed some direction."

Gholston, who escaped any rookie hazing yesterday during the second day of the team's mandatory minicamp, said the veterans were very welcoming.

Gholston tested from the start - NJ.com

 

[osugrad21]

Link

NEW LB'S 'GHOL': PLAYING CATCH-UP WITH THE JETS


By BRIAN COSTELLO


NEW KID IN TOWN:The Jets New York Jets

' first-round draft pick, linebacker Vernon Gholston, stretches during the team's mini-camp on Friday in Hempstead.



June 9, 2008 -- Vernon Gholston arrived at Jets mini-camp Friday morning and coach Eric Mangini gave him his first test immediately - name all 84 of his teammates that were sitting with him in the team's auditorium.
"The biggest part of being a team is knowing your teammates and with me it's really just my first time meeting a lot of these guys," Gholston said. "I really haven't worked the names with faces. Coach put me to the test and I had to name the guys. I did OK on it. Some guys you haven't seen so you have to grunt through it."
It was the first test of many for Gholston, whom the Jets selected with the No. 6 pick of the NFL Draft in April. He is behind the rest of the rookies because of an NCAA/NFL rule that prevents rookies from participating in pro camps before their class has graduated from college. Gholston went to Ohio State, which operates on a trimester system, making its graduation date later than most schools.

 

[Buckskin86]

Jets in no rush to throw rookie Gholston into starting lineup
June 27, 2008

Vernon Gholston

There?s little argument that Jets rookie OLB Vernon Gholston has incredible physical skills. But the way we hear it, you should look elsewhere when trying to find the preseason favorite to walk away with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Word out of New York is that the Jets are planning on easing Gholston onto the field ? starting him out as a pass-rushing specialist ? rather than thrusting him into the starting lineup immediately. Eric Mangini, like former mentor Bill Belichick, ideally wants his young linebackers to learn the system before becoming an every-down fixture. He had to break from that philosophy last year with ILB David Harris, but Harris? insertion into the starting lineup was more out of necessity. With free-agent acquisition Calvin Pace and holdover Bryan Thomas occupying the starting OLB spots, Mangini can afford to take it slowly with Gholston.

NY Jets - Pro Football Weekly

 

[Dryden]

From the linked article grad posted:

Gholston went to Ohio State, which operates on a trimester system, making its graduation date later than most schools.

Thought OSU was still on quarters ...

 

[mross34]

From the linked article grad posted:





Thought OSU was still on quarters ...

If you don't count summer session, OSU is on trimesters. Most other schools offer summer classes to go along with Spring and Fall, but they still refer to themselves as semesters, not trimesters.

When I had to explain to friends how our classes worked, I always referred to them as trimesters just to make things easier.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

If you don't count summer session, OSU is on trimesters. Most other schools offer summer classes to go along with Spring and Fall, but they still refer to themselves as semesters, not trimesters.

When I had to explain to friends how our classes worked, I always referred to them as trimesters just to make things easier.

on the east coast sometimes it is referred to as trimesters. seeing as typically a student would take three-hince tri...

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Interview.

NFL Video Galleries

 

[buckeyefool]

He is going to be at the grand opening of the circuit city on rome-hilliard road tonight.

 

[IronBuckI]

That's one late ass grand opening. That store has been open for several months now.

Thanks for the heads up on the visit though. I might see if I can scrounge something up to get signed.

 

[buckeyefool]

That's one late ass grand opening. That store has been open for several months now.

Thanks for the heads up on the visit though. I might see if I can scrounge something up to get signed.

Yeah when I saw the ad for the grand opening I thought it was a misprint, since I knew the store had been open at least a month. Evidently they are giving away a bunch of door prizes and shopping sprees also.

 

[Buckskin86]

N.Y. Jets, Gholston are close to contract
by Dave Hutchinson/The Star-Ledger
Wednesday July 23, 2008

The Jets and representatives for their first-round pick, pass-rushing linebacker Vernon Gholston, are close to a deal that could put Gholston on the practice field as early as Thursday or Friday.

Gholston, who is in New York, is said to be eager to report, especially after he missed nearly all of the offseason program because he had to wait until his class at Ohio State finished out the semester. He was the No. 6 pick in April's draft.

The stumbling block in contract talks is that Gholston's camp wants a five-year deal and the Jets want six, according to someone with knowledge of the negotiations. That person spoke on condition of anonymity because he's not authorized to speak publicly on behalf of the Jets or Gholston.

If Gholston doesn't report Thursday, it'll be the second consecutive year the Jets opened training camp without their top pick. Last year, cornerback Darrelle Revis staged a 20-day holdout, also over the length of the contract. The Revis camp wanted four and the Jets six. Revis ended up with a six-year deal but has the option to buy back the final two years and get out of the contract.

Thus far, four of the top six first-round picks have signed: Miami's Jake Long at No. 1 (five years, $57 million), St. Louis' Chris Long at No. 2 (six years, $56.5 million), Atlanta's Matt Ryan at No. 3 (six years, $72 million) and Oakland's Darren McFadden at No. 4 (six years, $60 million).

Kansas City's Glenn Dorsey at No. 5 and New Orleans' Sedrick Ellis at No. 7 have yet to sign.

N.Y. Jets, Gholston are close to contract - New York Jets Football - NJ.com

 

[muffler dragon]

Thus far, four of the top six first-round picks have signed: Miami's Jake Long at No. 1 (five years, $57 million), St. Louis' Chris Long at No. 2 (six years, $56.5 million), Atlanta's Matt Ryan at No. 3 (six years, $72 million) and Oakland's Darren McFadden at No. 4 (six years, $60 million).

Anyone ran the figures on rookie contracts to see when inflation takes them over $100 million (for not even stepping on the field)?

 

[Buckskin86]

Vernon Gholston, Jets trying to hammer out contract
By RICH CIMINI
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Wednesday, July 23rd 2008

Antonelli/News

Vernon Gholston and the Jets are trying to hammer out a contract.

Come to the start of the Jets' training camp Thursday at Hofstra and you will see a two-headed quarterback and a 1,270-pound monster. There also could be an invisible man and a giant elephant in the room.

The public will get its first glimpse of the Chad Pennington-Kellen Clemens competition and the team's four big newcomers (emphasis on " big"), but the key question is whether prized rookie Vernon Gholston will show.

As of Wednesday night, Gholston, the Jets' top draft pick (No. 6 overall), still was unsigned. However, the two sides made late progress, according to two NFL sources, and were expected to have a marathon negotiating session with the hope of producing an agreement by Thursday.

If the former Ohio State pass rusher isn't on the field for the 8:45 a.m. practice, it would mean a rookie holdout for the second straight year. Cornerback Darrelle Revis missed 21 days last summer in an acrimonious contract dispute. Previously, it was a virtual gimme that the Jets would sign their draft picks on time, producing a streak of nine straight years.

That Gholston wasn't signed by Wednesday's reporting date was somewhat surprising, considering the top four picks in the draft are under contract. But recent changes in the collective bargaining agreement complicated matters, especially with regard to contract length. By rule, Gholston can sign for up to sixyears, but it could end up being a five-year deal with about $24 million in guarantees.

Gholston probably will be paid in the neighborhood of $8 million to $9 million per year, making it one of the richest in team history. Because his school semester didn't end until early June, Gholston wasn't permitted by league rule to participate in many of the Jets' offseason activities, putting him behind the other rookies. Neither he nor the team can afford a lengthy holdout.

Vernon Gholston, Jets trying to hammer out contract

July 23, 2008
Gholtson, Jets talking deal

This is what I?m hearing on the Vernon Gholston negotiations: The two sides have been talking all day and they?re prepared to go well into the night, with the hope of getting an agreement hammered out by tomorrow. Gholston may miss the first practice (8:45 a.m.), maybe even the second session (5:45 p.m.), but it sure sounds like they?re within striking distance of a deal. It?ll take some time for the league to study and approve the deal, so you may not see the former Ohio State standout on the field until Friday.

Why the holdup? Even though the top four picks have signed (Miami?s Jake Long, St. Louis? Chris Long, Atlanta?s Matt Ryan and Oakland?s Darren McFadden), the recent changes in the collective bargaining agreement have muddied the waters a bit. I won?t bore you with the technicalities, but the CBA changes will have an impact on the length of contracts. Instead of a six-year deal, what most top-10 picks get, Gholston (No. 6 overall) could wind up signing for five years.

Let me take an educated guess: Five years, $45 million, including $24 million in guarantees. I bet I?m not too far off.

The Jets Stream - NY Daily News

 

[BuckeyePride]

Anyone ran the figures on rookie contracts to see when inflation takes them over $100 million (for not even stepping on the field)?

off the subject but rookie salary cap may put that day far far away.

 

[Buckskin86]

Sports BlogBlogs Home
News
July 24, 2008
Camp notes: Time to end Favre-to-Jets rumors
Day 1 of training camp is half over and here?s a quick summation of the news events: Vernon is on his way. Brett isn?t. Baker isn?t whining anymore. The quarterback competition isn?t much of a competition - so far.

Let?s get to the news:

? The Jets have agreed in principle with Vernon Gholston, their top draft pick. No surprise there, as the two sides worked through the night in an effort to hammer out the deal. The NFL must approve the deal, but that should happen by the end of the day. The next practice doesn?t start until 5:45, so there?s a chance Gholston (No. 6 overall pick) could be on the field.

The Jets Stream - NY Daily News