News: Vernon Gholston Vs. Expectations
Tim Graham was talking Gholston this morning on ESPN’s AFC East blog and got us some pretty intriguing quotes from Rex Ryan and the physical freak himself. How the words and actions come together in 2009 is all that really matters, though.
After a subpar rookie year, the Jets are expecting to get contributions from Vernon Gholston this season.
“I don’t know why people think my rookie year was upsetting or whatever,” Gholston said recently at teammate David Clowney’s youth football camp in Delray Beach, Fla.
“For me, my expectations are high, but at the same time I know coming to the NFL is going to be a challenge. You can’t expect anything to be given to you.“…
…Ryan intends to incorporate Gholston more into a team concept rather than count on him to be a star — something sixth overall picks are supposed to be. Getting Gholston regularly on the field would be a significant step over last year…
…”The tough thing is, I know where Vernon was drafted,” Ryan said. “There’s expectations for him individually. We’re wrong by doing that.
“We just need to place our expectations on that unit. If we do that, sometimes in the stats, he may not show up individually or this player might not show up, but he might play a great game.
“Again, I know you guys are going to be, ‘Well, he only had three tackles or one sack,’ whatever it is. That’s fine, but let’s see how this group does. Let’s see how we perform collectively. I know we’ll be happy with Vernon.”
The portions in bold are for my personal points of emphasis.
We all know the excuses/reasons: “He got to camp late,” “He was making a complex transition,” and “The Jets were crowded at his position.”
But how about some accountability? How much of a learning curve are we supposed to give him?
Everyone says that this game is a business, too—so how comfortable are fans supposed to feel with an expensive player who “may not show up.” I absolutely adore the vibe Ryan is bringing to this team, but when it comes to Gholston, how expensive he is, and what the expectations are, I can’t help but feel like we’re being patronized.
We know it’s not always about stats, so all we have to go on are his performances—and his performances to date have left plenty to be desired. We all know Ryan has the gift of gab at this point, but when it comes to Gholston, talk really is cheap.
“My personal goal right now is just to learn the system in and out, learn the calls. That’s the hardest thing,” (continued Gholston). “Once you grasp all that, the football part’s pretty easy.”
I hope so.
24 Responses to News: Vernon Gholston Vs. Expectations
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JustAGreenGuy says:
I’m sick of the Sugg’s comparisons. VG had 4 tackles all year. A bum like me might get a tackle (and either die or go to the emergency room). Talk is cheap. Lets see it on the field. Let’s see a sack in the preseason.
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Jets-Fan-4-Life says:
This kid makes me nervous.
The last few times he was interviewed, his comments left the impression on me that he really wasn’t into playing football. I did not feel any eagerness to get on the field, or any fire to stick it to the fans or opposing teams. He is too melow.As for Coach Ryan, does anyone else feel like he has given up on VG? I hope I’m wrong……
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Angel Navedo says:
@Jets-Fan-4-Life:
I do feel that way. With comments about seeing how this defense performs as a collective before judging VG, I get the vibe that he’s trying to alleviate the pressure from his shoulders and shift the focus away from how average he really may be. I don’t like it all.
@JAGG:
Absolutely agree.
@Harlan:
I felt that was awkward too. If we’re not to judge him by his stats, is it supposed to be on how well he seals off the edge for the players behind him to make plays? VG wasn’t drafted to be Kenyon Coleman 2.0 — no matter how much they try to sugarcoat it.
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I think Ryan has a few schemes for him, but if his plan is to use him as an end in nickel packages he might be advertising him for a trade to a 4-3 team. He doesn’t seem to have the passion at all. The man is a monster and he doesn’t let it out.
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spentmiles says:
I feel like Mangini soured on Gholston pretty quickly last year, then he never gave him a proper shot. I hope Rex accepts the guy and helps him to achieve by giving him plenty of playing opportunities. At least his rookie year is out of the way. He can only go up from here.
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I agree spentmiles. I think Mangini and the coaching staff just threw in the towel with him. Hopefully, Rex can get the best out of him, and maybe be a little more patient.
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Bent says: JAGG – trading VG is very difficult, if not impossible, financially. If he really doesn’t have an impact they might be better off just letting him rot on the bench so that at least the guaranteed money doesn’t all hit the cap at once. (That’s assuming the Jets down have get-out clauses in the contract if he fails to meet a certain standard). Jason from nyjetscap has told me it’s more difficult to get information on VG’s contract than anyone elses, but he was hopeful, albeit uncertain, that there might be such a provision.
Re: not getting judged on stats, VG was never a productive tackler against the run in college, so if he isn’t getting sacks, he isn’t doing much at all. This would have been even more appropriate if they had used him as a situational pass rusher and nothing more last season, but as we know they didn’t.
I posted this comment before, which supports the “don’t judge him on stats” philosophy:
“Although he didn’t make any impact plays while pass rushing, he wasn’t a total non-entity, as according to Pro Footbal Focus, he recorded 6 pressures and 1 QB hit (including 4 pressures in the first 5 games). To put that into perspective, only 6 Jets had more pressures last season and only four were into double figures (Ellis had 29).”
This also lends support to the “Mangini gave up on him early” theory. (Yes, I realize these are stats too, but they aren’t the stats that everyone is aware of, like the tackle and sack numbers or lack thereof).
Despite this, he’s an OLB now, so he does need to be more productive (unless this is a sign they’ll use him as a situational rusher next season).
I don’t think anyone should make excuses for or give special treatment to Gholston, but it is important that they get something out of him because he’s going to tie up a lot of money for a few years to come. With his job on the line, Mangini wouldn’t have seen that as a top priority, whereas Ryan, although he shouldn’t give the guy preferential treatment (and might be less inclined to, because if he’s a bust it wasn’t his pick anyway) should certainly do everything he can to get some semblence of value for money.
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The Ed(itor) says:
Gholston is a bust and I doubt that the miracle worker, Rex Ryan, can do much to change that. However, time will tell, but unlike many on the JETS Blog, I was never for the JETS drafting Gholston.
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The Iron Marshal says:
Fan-4-Life: What REX doesn’t say carries weight, often just as much as what he does say. Re: Gholston, REX chirped early on during OTA’s about how well he was doing. Then the past two weeks all I heard was…
silence.
I’ve seen VG twice on the tube during interviews. My humble take on him?> He’s got no fire in his belly.
I think we might be looking at the football version of Buster Douglas – pumped up enough to get picked high up there and ca$h in… but no desire to move forward from that.
The nasty little guy on my left shoulder, furthermore, thinks he’s just along for the gravy train ride… but I don’t listen to that little guy – well, at least not all the time.
I don’t know where VG grew up, but this “california cool” BS doesn’t sit well at all. I’d rather see a guy kickin and screamin’ even if he fails, because at least then I know he CARES. I don’t get that from Gholston – I really don’t think he gives a hoot.
T I M
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david i says:
Jets-Fan-4-Life
I agree 100%. As much of a physical specimen this kid is, I just don’t get the feeling he is or really has the desire to be a football player. Remember, he did not play since he was a little kid. He’s been playing because he w as a gym freak that could line up and go get the QB.
All the tempered talk about him now worries me even more.
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TheRealRK says:
Angel what exactly do you want Rex to say? VG is a player on his team with a huge contract and he’s got to try and get something out of him? Do we want the Jets to start calling him a bust and talk about how bad he was last year and how he”s probably not going to be a star? What good is that considering he’s still on the team and they are trying to get some plays out of the guy? If they release him, fine say all those things but they can’t throw the guy under the bus especially since he hasn’t exactly shown a desire and a toughness needed. Maybe he’s got it deep down but until then they just gotta try and pump the guy up and try and make him a player somehow
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vinnywasthebest says:
GUYS:
This guy, much like others on the team were not MOTIVATED to play hard and tough by the last coach. If VG doesnt play hard for Ryan , THEN he’s a bust. I feel strongly that Ryan will put his stamp on this kid, and with the physique and talent he has, he will be an average defender/rusher at WORST. He has to show SOMETHING this season to be traded, and why would we trade him before we know how good he can be?
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DaveTN says:
There’s absolutely no way for anyone to know if this guy can contribute until he steps on the field again in the fall. What are the Jets supposed to say? I hate waiting too, but that’s life.
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neterka says:
I have a bet against a Redskin fan.. GHOLSTON -VS ORAPKO (Who will finish the season with more sacks?)
I have $50 on Gholston! LETS-GO-JETS!
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Johnny Hector says:
In one of last weeks press conferences Rex made mention that last year Gholston was learning a new position and came to camp late. He said this contributed to his slow development. But this year Westerman (DE) is also learning a new position(s) both OLB and ILB. Several times this off season Rex has gone out off his way to say good things about Westerman. To me it seems that he is picking this defense up a lot faster then Gholston.
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Bent- I figured he would be hard to move. Hoped it wasn’t impossible. Thanks for the let down
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SackDance99 says:
I just don’t think VG has the talent. No doubt he’s a great physical specimen, but if that were all it took to be great in the NFL, let’s start recruiting at muscle beach. I’ve seen a definite lack of natural football ability. He should’ve had a number of sacks last season. But, since he has no pass rush moves, he just over-ran the QB. You can’t play LT in the NFL if you can’t handle edge-rushers. The Bricks and Clady’s of the world are fast and athletic. They’re built to stop edge rushers. So, where’s the other moves? Club, rip, bull rush, spin, etc. Plus, it’s not like Gholston has the first step of Gastineau. He’s not that fast. I know he hasn’t played much and Rex should get more out of him, but let’s see if in pre-season he has one pass-rushing move besides trying to get the edge on an LT.
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Harlan Lachman says:
Bent, one thing you wrote jarred me: “With his job on the line, Mangini wouldn’t have seen that as a top priority…”
I know I was shocked when Tanny let (or was forced to let) Eric go. So, apparently were the NY Sportswriters.
Do you really think Eric knew his job was on the line. He sure did not act like it…
h
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Bent says:
Harlan -
I, like you, did not think Mangini’s job would be on the line in 2008 no matter what happened and I didn’t see many credible reports suggesting it was a possibility until they started to collapse. At the end of the season I more or less accepted that only a collapse the likes of which actually happened would cost him his job. (And to be 100% honest, I fell on the side of giving him another year, although I am hopeful for Rex Ryan).
However, when Mangini lost his job, it was reported in the press that he had been told that his job was in jeopardy if they didn’t make the playoffs (and I think the assumption was that he was told this at the start of the year).
Now – who’s to say that the Jets didn’t just report that to enable them to not look like heartless and desperate (or maybe even as a favor to the outgoing Mangini – to suggest their ambitious goal was not achieved so they had to sack him but not that they were entirely dissatisfied with him)…but that IS what was reported, IF that’s true, then yes, he knew his job was on the line.
I thought it showed to an extent, as he seemed not to trust the young players and was prepared to bench them in favor of veterans to the potential detriment of their development…but if he developed a lot of his players and still missed the playoffs, that wouldn’t have saved his job. Also, his refusal to gamble on fourth and one in Seattle seemed like a play-not-to-lose move. On the other hand, Devito and Trusnik got a chance at the end of the year, so maybe he just tried every possible combination and still fell short.
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EastSide says:
The DeMarcus Ware and Terrell Suggs comparisons are inappropriate. Those guys showed the ability to play early on in the rookie seasons. Obviously Ryan doesn’t want to shatter the guy’s confidence but at the same time you hope the coaching staff is lighting a fire under him. Gholston has to realize that he can’t allow Murrell and Westerman to outperform him this year if he wants to be on this team for very long.
There is hope though- look at Timmons of the Steelers. High draft pick who was a non-factor in his first year but showed flashes of playmaking and pass rushing ability in his second.
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Max says:
VG is a product of the OU football team philosophy meaning he is a system player. One of the reasons not many OU football players make it big in the NFL. To me VG will prove to be a bust. He just doesn’t have the “fire” to play a very violent game. He is just cashing in (a.k.a. Mr. Curry from the Knicks). Your coach can’t create “wanting to play your best” even Vince Lambordi could not do that. The coach will give you the best shot but I really don’t see it in VG. I hope against all hope I am wrong. Of course I thought I was wrong but……
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Eddie DiGio says:
Sack,
I def saw that last year too it bothered the hell out of me. The tackles would just ride his inside shoulder and the quarterback would just step up. Never once did he use his left arm to club and then swim over with his right arm. This is all when he rushed from the right side.As for his play this year, if he can make one PLAY a game I guess I’d be happy. If he gets either a sack or a tackle behind the LOS a game his stats would kind of set themselves up. I’m not looking for the guy to take over a game like Reggie White, LT or Strahan but just be a solid contributor. If he cant do it for Rex though, he is gonna live in infamy with Johnny L Jones and Blair Thomas
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Pdubbs says:
I think Ryan is dong the right thing. We are all in the same boat here, hoping that VG will produce. Sooo Rex has only one option and that is to alleviate the pressure and try to get this kid in situational D that can play on his talents.
I just can’t wrap my head around one guy being so big fast good in college but HORRIBLE here. Not even to be on the field !!!! this is scary.
Thanks Angel. I thought the BS emanating from the Jets camp stank. A good article highlighting why.
We can always hope that the tackles and sacks come. First time I heard that an OLB doesn’t get judged by his stats though or though it would not be obvious if he consistently sealed the edge on running plays.
harlan