Link: Who’s It Gonna Be?
Calvin Pace’s suspenion for violating league rules on banned substances has left a vacuum, and many writers are trying to read the tea leaves and figure out how the team will respond. JP Pelzman writes for NorthJersey.com that the Jets need to really weigh their options when it comes to the new starter at OLB.
Late in the spring, Ryan noted that Gholston “gets better every day,” yet, truth be told, two other young linebackers stood out more often during practices observed by the media. Marques Murrell and Jason Trusnik, both third-year players, had eye-opening springs, and Ryan even cited Murrell for his good play on the final day of mandatory mini-camp. And Trusnik has something neither Murrell nor Gholston can boast of, an actual NFL sack, recorded during the 2008 season finale against Miami.
Ryan and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine believe they can unlock Gholston’s potential. But maybe the best idea for using Gholston right now is to make him a situational pass-rusher, and take advantage of his obvious college strength.
Pelzman isn’t the only one asking similiar questions, writes Dan Leberfeld of Jets Confidential.
I think the player who would likely get the call is third year linebacker Marques Murrell, who looked very good in the spring. Another possiblity is Jason Trusnik, another third year player.
Gholston’s head was spinning last year learning the system and how to be a 3-4 OLB. Now he has another whole new playbook to absorb. I think throwing him in there for Pace would be a disaster. He needs to be a third down pass rusher right now … I would go with Murrell as the starter. He has made great strides and has a terrific motor. It’s really hard to find good pass rushers on the street right now.
While Adam Schefter had some hard words for Gholston on Twitter recently, it’s hard to take his assessment all that seriously. From talking to some beat writers, by all accounts Gholston did have a better camp, but I do think that Leberfeld’s assessment of not starting him is right. Better to work him in as a situational pass rusher. Let him do what he does best first, then coax other responsibilities out of him … sad, but true.
As far as who plays? I think it’s question of the front the team uses while Pace is out. To me, it makes more sense to use a four man front and let someone like Murell, Trusnik or Gholston play WLB on a 4-3.
20 Responses to Link: Who’s It Gonna Be?
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Head_coach says:
How can goulston have a better camp wen its his 1st
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Bent says: cabras – maybe Gholston will prove to be a bust, but he wasn’t drafted 6th to make an impact in his rookie year, he was drafted – with the knowledge that he is raw technically and needs developing – because his measurables, and therefore raw athletic potential are off the charts. He may never realize that, but if he does, he will prove to be more valuable than the guy drafted 7th, 8th, 9th and so on.
If he develops into a great player, nobody is going to care that he wasn’t on an all-rookie team, or would you prefer to have Brian Bosworth – all-rookie and out of the league in 3 years or Marcus McNeil – a Pro Bowler as a rookie and now one of the most overrated linemen in the NFL and probably set to earn a contract for far more money than he is worth.
You don’t draft for the rookie season, you draft for how good a guy will be over the course of their career – and if they turn out to be a good one, you hope you can hang onto them.
If a 6th pick should make an impact in their rookie year and if they don’t they’re a bust, then I could have told you over a year ago that he was a bust. I would add that there’s a high probability that Mark Sanchez will be a bust too, going by your criteria.
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kane says:
I hope the Jets learn their lesson from Gholston, is that you draft players that played the position. Not to try and create linemen into linebackers, and QB’s into WR’s. Just draft the player for the position he played in college. Especially when he is a No 1 pick. I just hope Gholston is not a bust
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Bent says:
I agree with the columnists’ and Bassett’s take, but Gholston as a 4-3 LB? I can’t see it, even if he would be used primarily as a pass rusher like Kiwanuka or like Bobby Carpenter was at OSU. Trusnik or Murrell could maybe do it, especially Trusnik who played ILB last year. Maybe even Cummings is worth a look (and I’m sure guys like Renkart and Izzo, maybe even Westerman will earn reps in preseason).
If they’re going down the 4-3 route (as their base) while Pace is out, then I wouldn’t rule out the pick-a-vet-off-the-scrapheap possibility either, because there may be plenty of 4-3 LBs that are talented but don’t have teams because so many are going to the Pats-style 4-3 which requires bigger LBs.
I’m sure they’ll mix up the fronts anyway. I’d put DeVito, Jenkins and Douglas across the front and drop Ellis to OLB against some teams and the same personnel could probably run the 46.
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the jets break my heart says:
we shud get willie mcginnest, point blank. it wont b a big risk cuz its jus 4 games. tanny, go get em
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BigKatFan says:
Bassett, you wrote that Trusnik had a sack in the season finale. If my memory is correct, Bryan Thomas had the sack. Trusnik merely recovered the fumbled ball.
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Bent says:
kane – I agree to an extent, although I do think that if Gholston had been drafted to a 4-3 team and played DE as a rookie, he still would have struggled.
I do, however, strongly feel that they set back his development by not focusing their rotations on getting him pass rushing assignments. Trying to get him to play like a complete OLB from day one was always going to overwhelm him (although, with any luck, it might stand him in good stead this year if the Jets do the smart thing and start him off as a situational pass rusher and bring him along over the course of the season).
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I suggest we move Shaun Ellis into Pace’s OLB spot. Then we can just rotate the defensive ends. It will be like he never left
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Bent says:
BKF – you’re absolutely right, but Pelzman wrote that, not Bassett.
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Bent, thank you for correcting me. My apologies for the confusion.
Also, thanks for backing me up. Dont get me wrong, i want to see trusnik succeed, but credit must be given where it is due. And B-Tom got that sack. -
JetOrange says:
I’m a big Murrell guy, IMO he can do the Job. I think Rex will bring in a third safety (Eric Smith) playing in the box as a change of pace (lol).
It has been alleged that Gholston was a Mangini pick, the scouts were apparently on the other side. Does anyone have any inkling of who the Jets would have picked if they passed on Vernon ? -
Harvlis says:
Gholston has not been coached yet. He is raw talent that is waiting to be molded into a dangerous weapon. How about we wait for training camp to end, before we decide on starting positions.
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Bent says:
Boland said they were choosing between Gholston and McKelvin, Orange.
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Lj says:
its going to take a collaborative effort to replace a guy like pace. I definately think we will be able to let murrell rush the quarterback, but hes not an every down linebacker yet. It wont just be one guy. Trusnik also looked promising in the finale last year. We can incorporate all these guys into our sets and play to their stregnths
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Dave says:
Cabras, that logic is awful. Not all draft picks are the same, some come out of college as polished players and others are raw but have the potential to be big time players down the road. Gholston clearly is the latter, and the previous staff’s handling of him as a rookie didn’t help at all. Players aren’t judged by how they contribute as rookies, period.
I know everyone wants Gholston to start and feels that if he doesn’t it’s a disappointment, but the truth is that Gholston already has the opportunity to be a big contributor because even if he doesn’t start he’s still slated to be the guy that fills the defense’s biggest need – a quality third down pass rusher. Did you know that Pace and Ellis are the only two players in the Jets’ front seven to get sacks last year on third down? That’s pathetic, and that makes it even more head scratching why Thomas and Bowens were out there at end last year on third downs and Gholston was on the bench. People kept shouting at the TV to blitz, but the lack of pressure brought last year is greatly exaggerated. Most third downs, the Jets wouldn’t rush less than four.
I’m one of Gholston’s biggest supporters, and even I don’t expect him to be rounded enuogh to be a full time starter until 2010 – but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a big time contributor this year.
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MrJetGreen says:
It’s real simple……..The Jets must start Gholston and let him play the majority of snaps. There are two kinds of players, guy’s that hit and guy’s who get hit…..what kind of player are you, Vernon?
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How could i forget to suggest Jamaal Westerman? I have a good feeling about him.
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SackDance99 says:
I’m not sure that the 4-3 makes sense with Pace out. The 4-3 is a defense designed to stop the rush. Pace was the WILL, and BT was the SAM. The SAM plays over the TE and is the run support guy. The WILL is involved in run support from the backside, but really doesn’t earn his pay against the run. The WILL should be a pass rusher. Now, if Murrell, Trusnick or Gholston are at the WILL, there’s a chance that teams might run more to the weak side, but with Scott likely at the MIKE, I doubt it. 4-3 OLBs have to be nimble because they cover more territory. Seems to me that too many guys would have to play out of position to make the 4-3 work, while staying in the 3-4 means that only one guy (Murrell, Trusnick or VG) has to step up. Also, Murrell, Trusnick and VG have all had to adjust to playing 3-4 LB. Why further complicate their development by throwing in 4-3 OLB? Plus, I think it would be devastating to VG’s development to have him play DE…his NFL future is at OLB and the only time he should even think about putting his hand back down is to surprise the offense in passing situations. Imagine if he got benched as a DE? Already the bust tag is on him, but if he can’t play his college position in the pros, then that tag will become an anchor.
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gholston = bust, a 6th pick should make an impact in his 1st year.