SH: Gholston Takes Cues from Pace, Harris
Published: Mon, August 25, 2008 - 2:41pm EDT
By Stephen Haynes
File Under: Giants, David Harris, Vernon Gholston, Calvin Pace
08/25 — Vernon Gholston did not partake in the Jets' sack soiree Saturday night against the Giants, but the rookie pass rusher, making the switch from defensive end to linebacker, said he will treat Calvin Pace's and David Harris’ performances as a tutorial.
“I’m definitely looking at them,” Gholston said. “Not only will I look at the film, but I’ll ask them. They’re here with me, so I can’t talk to them enough about what worked for them and how they went about it. I need to take all the feedback I can.”
Gholston, who set the Ohio State record with 14 sacks last year, admits his transition has been difficult and that the progress has been made in small increments. Still, he and the coaches remain confident that a breakthrough is imminent.
“When you’re doing it for the first time," Mangini said, "it's all new, it's just a lot of stuff to process. But you keep chipping away at it, eventually the fog clears and things look better.”
Gholston was in on three tackles vs. the Giants. The first came after a 1-yard gain, the second after a 7-yard run and the last on a stop of Ahmad Bradshaw for a loss of 2.
“I think I did OK,” he said of his performance. “I definitely need to get better. There are a lot of things I need to shore up.”
He said that he is working to improve all aspects of his game, but there is an emphasis on his alignments before the snap and his keying in on the tendencies of offensive linemen.
“Watching the guys play like they did tonight is great,” he said, “but I have to go out there and do it myself."
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (58)Ira Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 3:15pm EDT"SH, If Gholston can gives us half of what Pace and Harris did this past game the Jets will be in great shape and a force to deal with. He has to learn to stay in his gap. He reminds me a lot like the way John Abraham was early on. Abraham though was more agile and covered space faster then Gholston has so far."
Anonymous Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 3:25pm EDT"gholston will be a good player give him some time"
mike Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 3:27pm EDT"lets face it, a wrong draft choice"
Drew Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 3:30pm EDT"I will say this for the last time. Gholsten will be fine!! For fans to already start using words like dissapointed or possible bust labels already are ridiculous. I hated Gholsten when he was is college. He killed my Michigan squad for 2 years. He played as a DE not a OLB. It will come. Remember with Pace & BT he only has to rucs the QB on 3rd down. They are overloading him in "preseason" games"
jake Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 3:33pm EDT"are these practices outside or in the bubble?"
Randy Lange Said:
"Practices have been outside, jake."
Pranit Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 3:35pm EDT"To me looks like Gholston is disinterested. He is not even making an effort to make something happen. I also think the Jets coaches throw too much information -- take Favre or Gholston. In my opinion, bring all that stuff, but just to see what Gholston has, tell him to pass rush. Every play, tell him to go, full speed. Lets see if he really has it...."
BIG AL Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 3:52pm EDT"Hey Drew i hope you are right i like the big guy myself but you have to admit it does look a little scary out there with him. but how bout them JETS looked real tight against the champs cant wait to see the JETS - FINS game live down in south florida so allota trash talking going on already there pumped up about CP cant blame them he was good to us but we are going to blow them out SEPT 7 BOYS"
BIG AL Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 4:03pm EDT"gang green looked real good saturday night so glad for us JETS fans its been a while since we had something real to look foward too down here in south florida the fans are all band wagoneers running to whoever is winning but not me every game wear my JET colors and raise cain win or lose but this year there will be alot more celebrating. we need to beat new england and get the monkey off our back"
Howard Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 4:16pm EDT"v.g. will be fine once he gets down his assignments and just starts playing football,i think some where in the 5th to 7th week of the season this guy will start to tear it up and you will be hearing teams doubling him.take it easy folks"
Ira Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 4:21pm EDT"Gholston should get plenty of time vs the Eagles. It will be a good learning experience and he should be able to have an impact in that game. Lets just hold back and see what happens."
Row Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 4:32pm EDT"From what I've seen, I'd have rather picked Desean Jackson in the FIRST round! I doubt Belechick would let a DE in college who is lining up down get blocked by a RB! At least we would have more points on the board with Jackson. Pranit makes some sense, but I think we are already doing it. Who is starting at CB aside Revis? One more game w/o Coles and I say release him! Coles is the Bust!"
S.C. Lark Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 4:38pm EDT"Gholston will be fine. The NFL is a different pace and look. ONce he can just react instead trying to figure where he is supposed to be on the defense that was called he will be fine,. Hopefully it won''t take a year like it did for Ratliff at QB. BTW, 'Pranit' you just can't tell a player 'just pass rush every play'. if an off. knows you are rushing every play it's useless "
Kelejets Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 4:41pm EDT"Dear Radar Radicals, Do any of you out there actually like Jim Rome ? Randy, please give this guy a course on proper journalism as well as professionalism. He is turning sports into the national enquirer. Too bad Jim Everett held back. Randy, keep up doing it and doing it right !"
Randy Lange Said:
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Kelejets, although some might think Lange is doing it wrong and Rome is right. That's what makes a great horserace."
Wayne Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 4:48pm EDT"Stephen, Westoff is without question the best special team coach in the biz. Mangini has got to get him back if he's available. He makes the team much better. The Jets have excelled under his guidance & I hope there is no dropoff now that he's gone. Get him back. He wil make the team better. If Mangenius is truly a genius, he won't let him get away. Go Jets!!!!!!!!!"
Rich Sandau Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 4:54pm EDT"I live in Sacramento California, I was a Dallas fan during Vietnam, I have been a 49er fan before the catch, and I was in the end zone 10 rows up when Clark caught the pass. I went to SB 16. I followed Montana with Kansas City, I love Joe, I have always like Brett Farve and am a Jets fan for as long as Farve plays for the Jets. I think it will be one of the most spectacular seasons since Broadway Joe. The Jets are in for some real attention that they have not had in years I wish them a very good season."
Zartan Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 5:27pm EDT"I want to know whos the LB coach. the guys look good but their still letting guys run the ball.i want to see snot bubbles from ball carriers. Ghoulston looks like hes not going to figure things out till next year(seriuosly)with that said and the fact that he's a 6th pick, who's working with him to make sure he gets it. in a 3-4 D the one thing you should have is a great LB coach."
joe Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 5:35pm EDT"Gholston is the next Johnny Mitchell - Remember him? 1992 draft - 15th pick in the first round - Tight End - he had more speed and natural ability than any other nfl player - yet he had no heart - lasted 5 years - watching the giant - jet game Gholston plays with no passion - thats something you either have or don't have - you can't learn that - he be around for about 4-5 years - then out "
Ira Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 5:39pm EDT"One thing i failed to mention about the Jets overall defense vs the Giants was giving Sutton some credit. Most fans here were calling for his head after last year. Sutton has been around a long time and he is a very good coach. For whatever reason Eric's 1st 2 seasons they don't make aggressive adjustments until after the bye. Well this year they will come out like we saw them this past game."
wayne Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 6:25pm EDT"I'm begining to worry about Gholston. We expect him not to know much yet. What we should be seeing is a guy flying around. See the ball hit the ball. Even if you don't know what you're doing, do it at 100mph, with reckless abandon as George Allen would say. Instead he's tiptoeing around the pile. He was a man against boys in college, but he's men now, He needs to step it up. HIT SOMETHING."
wayne Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 6:29pm EDT"Everytime John Abraham stepped on the field, you felt his presence and the other team had to account for him. Did he make mistakes? Yes, but they better game plan him or he'd blow everything up. Gholston aint no John Abraham."
BigEd Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 6:42pm EDT"You guys are so pessimistic about rookies who start slow. Chill out. The guy HAD to miss most of OTA's. He's got the talent, but he's got a LOT to digest. Then he needs experience. Be patient. With Pace on the other side, we'll pile up the sacks."
MikeMc Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 7:17pm EDT"Wayne,Abraham was made of glass. Row lets keep some perspective, we need Coles, your a little out there with your posts the last few days.Drew your protecting Gholston like he's your brother, let him take the critcism & prove eveyone wrong, this is N.Y. there are no free passes, you cash the check you need to perform, still learning? thats O.K. but hit someone& show your a tough guy, be feared."
Drew Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 7:18pm EDT"Funny part is Wayne is it was impossible to get John Abraham on the field. It's not fair to compare J-Abe to Gholsten. Abe was a absolute speed rusher not a 265 lb power rusher with speed. Plus do you remember what J Abe looked like in his first 3 weeks with the Jets?? He was lost just like Gholsten has been. I will just sit back and watch this guy develop and smile. Nice job Jet fans"
Michael Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 8:36pm EDT"Going over the stats for every linebacker or defensive lineman chosen in the first round: none of them have a sac. Gholston's 7 solo tackles trumps any other defensive linemen, and only comes up short behind Rivers and Mayo(12 and 13), both of whom I might add played the position in college. I couldn't even find Chris Long on the list, which should mean he has somewhere under two solo tackles. "
Jimmy Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 9:00pm EDT"I am more worried about B.T. We really need to see his impact this Season!"
Dan Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 9:45pm EDT"The pass rush was great the other night. Run D a big concern...hoping it will translate. How bout dat Ratliff?"
Tom Spicer Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 10:28pm EDT"Someone in the last article said the problem is that Gholston is thinking & not playing you are right he needs to stop thinking so much & JUST PLAY BALL RUN AROUND & HIT GUYS & HAVE FUN the rest of the stuff will come to him but for now just play football & stop over thinking things HIT GUYS & everything else will come. "
Frank Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 10:53pm EDT"Hey Guys I'm back...watched the game on my DVR today. The trend continues "TJ" Barlow is awful and has been all pre-season. Can't run and worse runs backwards after the catch losing first down. Team average of 2.2 is atrocious. We can't stop the run 2 big runs of 19 and 17 yards, Blue averages 5.1. I can't figure why they kept trying to throw when they could run at will at least we can sack the QB"
Frank Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 10:59pm EDT"This is all looking like last summer so this is giving me heartburn at the moment. Thank god Farve is on the team we will have to pass for 300 yards a game to have a chance to win. I will withhold further judgement until the season starts but somehow things better improve or we will be in for a long season. Hope the Westcoff rumors are true we need him badly. Our special teams are not so special."
Frank Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 11:03pm EDT"Agree with my boy Drew on Gohlston I said a few weeks ago I don't expect him to make a serious contribution until mid-season. He missed all the pre- camp work the others got and it takes time to learn the system and make the adjustment to the pro game he will be fine."
CEDRIC Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 11:23pm EDT"MikeMc, youre right in what your saying about taking the criticism, but some of the stuff ppl are saying is kinda harsh especially after 3 preseason games. We gonna have this guy for about 5yrs, it really makes no sense to give that kind of reception after 3 games, if thats all it takes then 40 years without a superbowl we should have an angry mob at the organizations door daily. Time Fellas, time"
CEDRIC Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 11:37pm EDT"I'm the first to say here and now, watch out for CHAD PENNINGTON, he is a man on a Mission, he's looking really good with them fins. Lets not take week 1 for granted. PS...Ricky Williams is looks like he stop hitting the peace pipe & read up is RB 101 book. We're still better, but u the phrase "ANY GIVEN SUNDAY""
JetsWin1 Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 1:29am EDT"D-day has arrived! Their PSL plans will be announced today and I cannot wait to see how this organization, which has won nothing in 40 years, is going to repay my loyalty to them. What a shame! I got my three season tix with the thought of eventually sharing Sundays at the stadium and tailgating with my 6 and 2-year old sons when they came of age. Thanks for repaying the loyalty. Bad taste."
Anonymous Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 1:49am EDT"is it me, or does it look like Thomas Jones still can't run the ball with the new o-line. Leon Washington and Jesse Chatman looked better than him.. again"
Anthony S Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 2:10am EDT"SHAUN ALEXANDER !!!!! We NEED a Big Back ! This GUY was an MVP. He is not done ! Lets finis what we started here and get Brett Some help in the Backfield. Right now these lightweights arent cutting it ! Alexander is HUNGRY and wants to prove everyone wrong ! Let him do it here and help Brett take us to the Super Bowl !!"
Ray Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 3:56am EDT"Your right Frank, the run on both sides of the ball is stinking the joint up. I am hoping it is just a case of both lines needing to gel. They got two weeks to get it together. And your right too Cedric, CP has the fins playing well. If we don't get the run D shored up we're going to make Williams look like the Ricky of old. Same Row, different planet."
Skibba Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 7:19am EDT"IRA now I know you are a fan of sutton and he called a good game on Sat, but I hope not to remind you that regardless of experience we dont need a passive DC. No risk, No reward. I am not bothered whether we let up the least points or what not, we need game changing plays which dont exist in a "bend but dont break" phil. If we play like on Sat. in the reg. season, you wont hear from me again but. "
Ira Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 7:48am EDT"Randy, Glad Fireman Ed will be back this year. The stadium just wasn't the same without him. GO JETS!!!!"
uncle joe Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 8:09am EDT"FIREMAN ED IS BACK!!!!! Like I said yesterday its got the feeling of a special season,every few weeks it just seems like we get awesom news"
Wayne Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 8:45am EDT"I agree w/ you Cedric. CP is looking great with the Fins. He's is completing over 70% of his passes and he even ran for over 30 yards on 3 carries. Jets better watch out in week 1 & put CP on his back. Ricky looks like he's off the wacky weed & running like a bull. Don't take this game for granted Jets or we'll be 0-1 w/ the Pats coming to town after week one & this is a division game. Go Jets!!!"
Bucks County Jeff Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 9:19am EDT"Vernon needs to watch a video of LT from his rookie year. LT was quoted as saying that on most plays he did not know his assignment, so he said "If you don't know what to do, just rush the Quarterback. See what happens." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idhScNpaTnk (2 minutes into video)"
uncle joe Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 10:08am EDT"Did anybody see Bubba Franks on Cotchery's catch across the middle?He blocked no one,and while Cotchery was fighting for extra yards(which he got like another 6 or 7 by himself) Franks just watched.Baker is our guy and I dont want to loose this Posiack guy who catches everything and works well with Ratliff(our FUTURE)so I think Franks is odd man out.Give Baker his money!Plus Franks Drops alot."
uncle joe's WHY COME Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 10:24am EDT"Why Come nobody said anything about Ratliff & Clemens going series for series in that Giants game?That seemed a little fishy,No?You never see that kind of rotation.This #2 spot might still be up for grabs.Clemens has the experiece and I do think he is a good QB but,this Ratliff guy is something to watch.They should store him away 1 more year to get polished and let him compete for the starter."
Drew Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 11:06am EDT"I actually thought our 1st team run d was pretty stout ( other than the 2 big run that Gholsten got caught on) Jenkins, Barton, Harris and Pace played the run well. The O running game has got to step up. I can't believe Frank compared this run D to last years team. "
Drew Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 11:10am EDT"I will start by saying that I am not a big Fireman Ed fan. I think he is way overrated and if we would have won some games last year the absence of Ed would have gone unoticed. I respect that he is a fireman but it does seem a little fishy that the return of Ed turns up the day the PSL announcements are coming??? I hope he is getting his PSL's paid for with this stunt."
Damone Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 11:43am EDT"Come on now Drew,you must be having problems in the home or something.First you bash my OPINION,now you bash Ed Anzalone??? "
BIG AL Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 11:54am EDT"and drew why should he get his psl for free (because he is an overrated cheerleader) pay like everyone else or give the pom poms to any JET FAN and see how they would lead the chant like he is the only one. fact is the jets pay him to cheer the J-E-T-S chant makes me sick i love the chant i chant it myself but the promoting of this guy is crazy. i said my peace glad he is feeling better GO JETS"
Eric Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 12:51pm EDT"I think that perhaps if the jets are converting to a 4-3 scheme that the best thing to do with Gholston is just let him go to DE and do what he does best... (assuming his development is comming along as slowly as some people are saying) but the jets coaching brass probally sees something in him if they are trying to convert him to LB "
CEDRIC Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 1:18pm EDT"Drew, u need help u got some nerve disrespecting Jets culture like that, thats not cool, overrated or not that man is appreciated around here n league wide...u sound like a hater, crazy"
Drew Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 2:34pm EDT"Big Al I was kidding about Ed's PSL's being paid for....read my post. To Damone and Cedric. I understand my opinion of Ed is not a popular one but I have heard some stories about our "mascot" Ed. Stories like he did not come back to the stadium last year because he was mad at the Jets for not giving him certain "perks". Fans like us are Jets culture not Fireman Ed. "
Drew Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 2:37pm EDT"Plus. I do not need a guy who is more worried about getting on TV than being a true fan being the poster boy for Jet fans. You guys are more than welcomed to love Ed. Again he does add some excitement to the stadium. I am just not a fan."
scotty Said:
Tue, August 26, 2008 - 8:08pm EDT"Some people amaze me. Vernon's last name is spelled gholston. I went to ohio state, but grew up on Long Island. This guy has talent, and needs time to grow. How can anyone say after 3 weeks of training camp, in a complicated defense, he has to be spectacular. You forget revis was not very good until the second half of the season. Just wait and watch, Gholston will be knocking heads off soon enough"
JR Said:
Wed, August 27, 2008 - 12:08pm EDT"Hey Randy... more of an observation than anything else. Can someone explain why Mangini will not wear our team colors? This really bothers me. Why is it that he is still wearing New England colors? I am starting to not like him much...not just about colors...more attitude or a separation from the rest of the guys. "
Pedro Perrone Said:
Thu, August 28, 2008 - 10:41am EDT"This switch from DE to OLB its complicated, yes. Yet, he can do it because i saw is in trainning camp, just on the Jets website. Why, cause i am Brazilian and live in Brazil. Onething i know. He will conquest what he can, he will te best players on D#!!! I know. Everybody knows that. Simple question, simple answer. Gohlston, i belive in you, to you best and the fans will give your congratulations."
Bob Saget Said:
Thu, August 28, 2008 - 1:08pm EDT"Vernon Gholston, in my opinion, will someday be the greatest bust ever to play football. Yeah, the guy is probably the most physically imposing player the jets have, but can he play football? The answer to that is no. He should start training for UFC or something. Hey, I wonder who would win between him and Kimbo Slice? (My money's on Gholston)"
BobbyD Said:
Thu, August 28, 2008 - 8:35pm EDT"Who cares what color Mangenius wears. He's the coach, not a player. Judge a person by his character, consistency, results, wins .....not his color!!!!!!! I recall some Giants wearing black last year...I wonder what happened to them?"
mike Said:
Wed, October 1, 2008 - 12:31am EDT"well the jets never let him play at least put him in there and let the kid learn"
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Damone Said:
Mon, August 25, 2008 - 2:58pm EDT"I am starting to get a little dissapointed in V.Gholston.I just think it looks like he could be trying harder sometimes.I definetely wanted to draft him and i know he can perform better than what he's doing.I should also watch my words because i know he plays his hardest when it counts the most.J-E-T-S!!!"
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