DE Vernon Gholston (Official Thread)

[3074326]

I think he was drafted in the top 6 based on having the potential to play OLB based on his combine performance and size. Its not like converting college DEs into OLBs is a new fad. Whoever grabbed Gholston in the first round was going to do the same thing.

I'm aware of all this. Now I'm just trying to figure out why you said this:

I am not sure he would have sniffed the first round as a DE.

Because he wasn't going to be drafted as a DE. I was just responding to your comment by saying if we were in some world in which teams didn't convert DEs to LBers, he'd still be a first-rounder. His athleticism is why he was drafted where he was. He skyrocketed after the combine for that reason alone. I know he was going to be converted to LBer by any 3-4 team that drafted him. And I know teams like to convert DEs.

 

[BengalsAndBucks]

You guys don't think he and his agent marketed himself as an OLB? That is why he was a high draft pick. I am not sure he would have sniffed the first round as a DE.

Derrick Harvey was drafted number 8 by the Jaguars to play a 4-3 DE. Maybe they still take Harvey if Gholston is on the board, maybe not. The Seahawks most certainly would have taken him at 28 over Lawrence Jackson. To say he wouldn't have sniffed the first round as a DE is absurd.

 

[Colvinnl]

I'm aware of all this. Now I'm just trying to figure out why you said this:

Because he wasn't going to be drafted as a DE. I was just responding to your comment by saying if we were in some world in which teams didn't convert DEs to LBers, he'd still be a first-rounder. His athleticism is why he was drafted where he was. He skyrocketed after the combine for that reason alone. I know he was going to be converted to LBer by any 3-4 team that drafted him. And I know teams like to convert DEs.

At 260 or even 270 he is not a prototypical NFL DE. Also, he did not particularly excel at playing against the run in college, which is sort of important. His combine numbers and size are enough to make anyone drool at the thought of him as a 3-4 OLB. Not sure they would have done the same as a 4-3 DE.

Either way, I guess we'll see how he does this year!

 

[Buckeneye]

At 260 or even 270 he is not a prototypical NFL DE. Also, he did not particularly excel at playing against the run in college, which is sort of important. His combine numbers and size are enough to make anyone drool at the thought of him as a 3-4 OLB. Not sure they would have done the same as a 4-3 DE.

Either way, I guess we'll see how he does this year!

At that size he would have been getting Trent Cole comparison's as a 4-3 rush end. On top of the fact his strength would have been enough to 'whoo' GM's and coaches alike into thinking that his short-comings against the run could very well be coachable.

Big Vern was a 1st rounder either way you slice it.

 

[scott91575]

At 260 or even 270 he is not a prototypical NFL DE.

I don't know where you guys are getting this from. That is typical or even a little big for a weakside DE in the 4-3. There are also plenty of guys playing strong side around 270. I think the only team that runs a base 4-3 and has two players at 280 or more starting at both ends is the Texans, and that is because Mario Williams is a freak.

A typical 4-3 DE in the NFL is probably right around 270-275, and on the weakside it's more like 265.

edit: for the DE weights, the Bengals start 2 guys 280+ (Odom and Geathers are right at 280). Yet Michael Johnson, who got plenty of playing time, is 260. Hence the reason I didn't think about them initially.

 

[Meyer]

in the 3-4 DE's are usually substantially bigger...I think we all know that.

 

[scott91575]

in the 3-4 DE's are usually substantially bigger...I think we all know that.

Yet the discussion was his value as a DE in the draft which includes 4-3 teams (sepcifically the statement "Not sure they would have done the same as a 4-3 DE"). Therefore his size would not have been an issue for his draft value since 1/2 the teams are 4-3 teams, and would have picked picked high by a team looking at him as a DE in the 4-3.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

in the 3-4 DE's are usually substantially bigger...I think we all know that.

And not every NFL team runs a 3-4...I think we all know that.

 

[Buckskin86]

Updated: June 1, 2010
Move to DE is fresh start for Gholston
Former first-rounder aims to be 'reckless' after Jets abandon linebacker experiment
By Rich Cimini
ESPNNewYork.com

Some might call it a Hail Mary, a last-ditch, desperation move to hold off an embarrassing defeat. Vernon Gholston calls it the right opportunity at the right time.

The New York Jets' former first-round pick is learning to play defensive end after two washout seasons at outside linebacker. No one in the organization can say with certainty if the position change will transform Gholston into the player he was supposed to be, but it seems to have made a positive impact on his attitude.

Always known for his laid-back demeanor, which some teammates perceived as disinterest, Gholston finally is showing some bravado. He's still not in the Rex Ryan category -- is anybody? -- but at least he's revealing a fiery side. OK, maybe not fiery, but there's something smoldering inside him.

Brett Davis/US Presswire
Gholston always seemed to be running behind as an outside linebacker.

"Personally, I'm going to take more ownership and play more reckless," Gholston said during a break at the Jets' offseason practices. "My first two years, at 'backer, I was worried about doing the right thing. This year, it's going to be about making plays. I'll play within the defense, but I want to be a playmaker.

"They brought me in here to be a playmaker ... and that's what I need to do."

New York Jets' Vernon Gholston believes move to DE will help his career - ESPN New York

 

[Buckskin86]

Gholston Comes Home For Football Camp Event | Ohio State Buckeyes College Football Recruiting, OSU Big Ten Football, OSU Basketball – Bucknuts.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Jets' Gholston wants chance to prove he isn't a bust
Jets Blog
By TIM BONTEMPS
Posted: August 4, 2010

CORTLAND ? It?s put up or shut up time for Vernon Gholston.

?He?s got to step up and show what he can do,? coach Rex Ryan said. ?It?s that Year 3 . . . That?s when you?re gonna do it.?

After making a combined 30 tackles and no sacks in his first two seasons, the only way to describe Gholston, the sixth overall draft pick in 2008, is as a high-priced bust. In an attempt to change that, the Jets have moved the former Ohio State star from outside linebacker to defensive end.

?If I?m on the field playing, that [bust label] will shed itself,? he said after yesterday?s practice at SUNY Cortland. ?People haven?t really seen me out there making a lot of plays, so when you don?t see nothing from a guy, it?s like, ?He can?t be good.? You know what I mean?

?One thing I know is everybody?s got their opinion. Obviously I could never blame nobody for their opinion, their views. . . . For me, it?s all about what I do, what I think. I?m the one who can change people?s opinions, but it?s all about going out there and making something happen.?

Read more: Jets' Gholston wants chance to prove he isn't a bust - NYPOST.com

 

[Buckskin86]

AUGUST 6, 2010
Jets' Gholston Knows His Time Is Now
The Team's First Draft Pick in 2008 Returns to Defensive End After a Disastrous Stint at Linebacker; 'He Is a Load Now'
By KEVIN CLARK

Vernon Gholston (No. 50) scoring a touchdown after a fumble recovery for Ohio State in 2007.

CORTLAND, N.Y.?Vernon Gholston has never sacked a quarterback or made a substantial play during an NFL game. Yet on an early morning in August at the Jets training camp, an unsuspecting lineman in practice made a slight error in footwork while he was trying to lunge toward Mr. Gholston.

By the time this offensive lineman could figure out what was happening and recover, Mr. Gholston was gone?completely behind him and laying down quarterback Mark Brunell.

Scenes like these have played out on practice fields and in gyms for two seasons?and have generated enough frustration to make several NFL coaches want to eat their playbooks.

Jets coach Rex Ryan, in one recent session with the media, both called Mr. Gholston the fastest player in the NFL at his position and subtly warned that he might be released.

Mr. Gholston was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. High picks like him are expected to develop into superstars and are paid accordingly: Mr. Gholston received $21 million guaranteed in his contract. But after two seasons of no sacks and 17 career tackles in 29 games, Mr. Ryan said this season is a make-or-break situation for Mr. Gholston.

What could help is that Mr. Gholston is switching back to defensive end, the position he played at Ohio State, from linebacker. In his first full week on the defensive line with the Jets, reviews have been positive. But Mr. Gholston said this week that he "definitely" understands why some people say he's a bust. "When you see a high draft pick with no sacks, who was a big sack guy in college, and he's not doing that in the NFL, I understand it."

While teams make these decisions absed on body size, strength, speed, game films and combine performance, they never know what will happen when someone like Mr. Gholston, who played with his hand in the dirt in college, tries to make such a big transition.

"If you take a cornerback and make him a quarterback it's not going to be the same," Mr. Gholston said. "Even though defensive end and linebacker are similar, they are still very different, especially when you add in the dynamic of dropping in coverage and reading the quarterback."

He added: "It doesn't mean you aren't a smart guy, it just means it takes time."

Mr. Carrier said Mr. Gholston's improvement from the spring until now has been impressive. He's working with the second team right now but figures to get more playing time than in previous seasons.

"He is a load now. He is strong. He might be as strong as anybody we've got," Mr. Ryan said. "He's got to work on that technique, staying low and being able to move. With that kind of athleticism and speed that he has, he should be a real asset out there."

Jets' Vernon Gholston Tries to Prove He's Not a Bust - WSJ.com

 

[Holy Buckeye!]

Finally he back where belongs. Seen plenty of success moving a Linebacker to DE but never a DE to Linebaker.....about fricking time....Be afraid QB's be very afraid!


HB

 

[billmac91]

Finally he back where belongs. Seen plenty of success moving a Linebacker to DE but never a DE to Linebaker.....about fricking time....Be afraid QB's be very afraid!


HB

Ehh...I think he's going to have another pedestrian season with the Jets. He isn't a 3-4 DE either. At 270 lbs he's going to get swallowed attacking gaps. The ridiculous thing will be naysayers then making comments "see, he can't play DE or OLB in the NFL!!!!11!!!". Which is a stupid statemnt. Until he gets put into s position where he can use his skill-set (Tampa 2, Colts, Eagles, etc.) he's going to struggle to make plays.

The 3-4 isn't a good fit. The good news is, another average/below average year, and he's a free agent and can pick the best situation for him. How about the Lions playing next to Suh?? Someone is going to get a steal once he hits the market.

 

[Buckskin86]

Defensive End Vernon Gholston is guaranteed a roster spot, Ryan said. Gholston, however, will not be a part of the first four-man rotation along the defensive line. Kris Jenkins, Shaun Ellis, Sione Pouha and Mike DeVito will be the core with Gholston and Ropati Pitoitua rotating in for them. ?.

Read more: Rex Ryan sees Super Bowl win for Jets in 'my crystal ball'


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1351v0jQt0]YouTube - ‪Cityballer's Correspondent Jaque Jones with NY Jets Vernon Gholston‬‎[/ame]