Chill the bust talk, Ryan has big plans for Gholston
June 4, 2009
By Clark Judge
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- This is the time of year when, as New York Jets' coach Rex Ryan put it, "we expect big things out of everyone." Only the expectations for some players are higher, and, yes, I'm talking about linebacker Vernon Gholston.
A year ago he was the sixth player chosen in the draft, and a year ago he did virtually nothing for the Jets. He seldom played. He made few tackles. He produced no sacks. In short, he had no impact.
Gholston got a late rookie start and never made an impact in Eric Mangini's system. (US Presswire)
But one year later the Jets -- OK, Ryan -- are talking him up, saying Gholston will be a factor, and potentially a major factor, in an improved defense. Ryan is reluctant to define what role he envisions for Gholston, but he is straightforward about his future.
"Vernon definitely will be able to help us this year," he said. "We're expecting him to."
Well, hear, hear. That is welcome news for owner Woody Johnson, who sank millions in Gholston, and the legions of Jets' fans who cheered Gholston's selection at last year's draft.
The former Ohio State star was supposed to be the perfect fit for then-coach Eric Mangini's 3-4 defense -- with Gholston himself predicting that "I'm going to make things happen." Only, he didn't. His 13 tackles barely made a blip on the Jets' radar, with critics slapping a "bust" label on the poor guy.
But they were premature, and they may be wrong because Gholston is on the right team at the right time to make something of himself. Not only has Ryan taken him on as something of a pet project -- once declaring that, "We hope he can be a great player" and that "if he can't do it for me and this team he's not going to do it" -- but his defense is ideally suited for Gholston's considerable talents.
"Certain players have different skills," said linebacker Bart Scott, "and it allows them to do those things. No matter what occupation you're in you want the freedom to be yourself. Nobody wants to be a robot. If that's the case, go play Madden."
But a robot is what Gholston felt like last season, trying to get his steps and the discipline of Mangini's defense down after missing early workouts because of school commitments. It wasn't easy. It never is for rookies. So Gholston struggled, and the more he fell behind the steeper the learning curve became -- with the Jets not suiting him up for their 14th game.
"The biggest difference is just being here," Gholston said after Wednesday's workout. "Last year [at this time] I was at Ohio State sitting on my couch and eating chips. Now you're actually going through the install and working with the team, getting the calls and signals and learning the ins and outs of the defense.
"Overall, I would say that this defense is more suited to me because I can just play rather than think. That makes a difference because that's how I like to play."
But I'll tell you what else makes a difference: Having Scott around to serve as Gholston's mentor. Scott excelled in Ryan's defense in Baltimore and was the Jets' most notable free-agent acquisition. Without Ryan, Scott would not have considered joining the Jets. But he's here, and he's here to help Gholston who, it just so happens, comes from Scott's hometown, Detroit, and played in the same high-school league.
"The guy works hard, he's coachable and he listens," Scott said of his teammate. "Plus, he's a genetic freak. He's fast. He's athletic. And he's strong.
"But he has to decide that he wants to be great. It's not only to put the work in physically; you have to put the work in mentally. The more you know and actually mature in this game, the more it slows down for you and allows you to take advantage so you're not reacting.
"I don't know what the situation was here last year, but I know it was a different attitude, a different vibe and a different energy that was going around. Now it's a different vibe, a different energy and he can embrace it. He can make football more enjoyable again. And he can really be the player we know he's capable of being."
