HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Vernon Gholston's first big test of minicamp came before he even stepped on the field Friday for the New York Jets. "I've got a lot of catching up to do," the sixth overall draft pick said with a smile. "The first time I walked in there, I barely knew any guys and I had to name them all." That's hardly an easy task when there are 85 players on the minicamp roster. It's even tougher when you've missed the last three weeks of organized team activities and the first day of minicamp because of an NFL and NCAA rule that prohibits rookies from participating in more than one camp before their college class is finished with the semester. Associated Press First-round pick (sixth overall) Vernon Gholston made his first appearance at Jets camp Friday. "I really haven't worked the names with the faces," the hulking linebacker said. "Coach put me to the test and I had to name the guys. I did OK on it. Some guys you haven't seen, so you have to grunt through it." Coach Eric Mangini poked a little fun at Gholston, saying: "Vernon made his appearance today." "I asked him a couple questions during the meeting this morning and one was OK -- OK, with an asterisk -- and one wasn't bad, a little bit better," he said. Gholston participated in rookie minicamp, but hadn't been back at the Jets' facility because Ohio State hadn't finished classes. The rule still applied despite Gholston not being enrolled in any classes this semester. "Once the quarter ended back in January, I just prepared for the draft because this is what's important to me and I wanted to prepare as hard as I could," he said. "With that being said, the rule is the rule and you have to abide by that. I was just pretty much back there (in Columbus) working out, studying as much as I can." Mangini kept Gholston posted on team matters during his absence, but wasn't necessarily going to cut him much slack while the rookie tries to catch up. "Well, it's not his fault that he couldn't be here, but it's not like he was getting his master's," Mangini said jokingly. "In between 'Judge Judy' and 'Days of Our Lives' or whatever's on during the daytime, you can study. There's some hours in the day, regardless of how many curls you're going to do." Apparently, Gholston has kept up on those. At 6-foot-3 and a ripped 264 pounds, he's clearly one of the most physically imposing players on the team. "He's a big dude," safety Kerry Rhodes said. "It's my first time seeing him in person and he's living up to that Goliath look they said." :metal: The players practice without pads during minicamp, but you might not know it watching Gholston line up on the field. "It's good to have someone on defense with comparable arms to Thomas Jones," Mangini cracked, referring to the beefy biceps of the team's running back. "When they go head-to-head in the weight room, we'll see what that looks like. He's going to have to roll up his sleeves like Thomas does." Gholston worked mostly with the second-team defense at outside linebacker in the morning and afternoon practices. During one stretch in the early session, he stood on the sideline in silence with his helmet in his left hand, watching intently as the first-team defense worked against the first-team offense. "Those guys came up to me and said if I had any problems or any questions to just come and ask them," he said. "That's big for me, coming in here for the first time and not really knowing where to line up in certain situations. I'm just trying to lean on them a lot and they helped me out a lot through this practice." He worked some on special teams, and showed off his speed in drills when he closed quickly on fellow first-rounder Dustin Keller after the tight end took a pass from Chad Pennington and turned up the sideline for a short gain. "I'm sure his head's spinning," Mangini said. "It looked a couple of times like he needed direction out there on the practice field. That's what you have and it's just the situation he was in with school, but he's back in the building and he's working with the coaches, the players and other rookies and we'll work to get him up to speed as quickly as we can." General manager Mike Tannenbaum said the team has started initial negotiations on a deal, but doesn't anticipate anything being done soon. Regardless, Gholston is only focused now on fitting in with his new teammates. "I'm just trying to get adjusted to the guys and to what's going on," he said. "It's a big learning curve, but that's what comes with the job."
Man, I am so pumped to see the defense take the field this season. BTW, mick, kelly might sue you for tilde infringement.
This better not be a bad omen. I understand that Gholston prolly won't get a deal until Dorsey signs in KC, and maybe not until Long signs. I just hope they get a deal done before training camp and hopefully well before. This guy needs to get signed and put that intimidating physique to use against Brady.
Just want to say their wasn't a bigger supporter of v gholston than me. You know how my predictions turn out. Hope the Raiderjeaux curse doesn't get Gholston. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jets | Gholston works with second-string D Sat, 7 Jun 2008 11:52:31 -0700 Rich Cimini, of the New York Daily News, reports New York Jets rookie LB Vernon Gholston worked with the second-string defense Friday, June 6. He looked slow and tentative during pass coverage. NOw what was raiderjeaux biggest concern with the Jets 3-4. Do they have enough lBs that can cover. IF your LBs can't handle coverage, this 3-4 defense will collapse like a house of cards.(Go look that prediction up)
The question is we know Ghgolston was very effectice playing De in 4-3. Does he have the skills to play OLb in the 3-4. That is the question. What happens if struggles at OLB in 3-4. Is this another J vilma and D robertson situation all over again.
^ It was his first day on the job dude. If that's what's being reported after 2 pre season games, I'll start to worry.
Does anyone know how gholston did in the LB drills .(before he was drafted) We know Gholston can play De in 4-3. Can he play outsidfe Lb in 3-4 is my question.
he was amazing. and he played the LEO spot in OSU's Defense, which is a position that has mixed DE / LB responsibilities................
Didn't know that, but you will admit its alot diffrent playing LB on the collegiate level and the NFL level. Your facing a diffrent type of athlethe. Where once in a while you saw a guy that had NFL ability, but majority were players that of course couldn't hang with Gholston athlethic ability. See Sam Williams 6'5 260 4.5 something . When he was at Fresno , they used him exclusively in coverage. Because he was such a great athlethe. IN the pros his coverage ability hasn't been as good, as it was in college. Lets see Gholston stay with a MCfadden or alot of players he will see in the NFL. Its a whole diffrent game in the Pro's. No longer is he the most gifted player on the field. Until we see Gholston doing it on profesional level, it will be a question mark.
The same could be said for any college player coming into the NFL. Lets see McFadden consistently hit the sideline in the NFL. Its a whole different game in the Pro's. No longer is he the fastest player on the field. Until we see McFadden doing it on professional level, it will be a question mark. Granted, RB is supposed to be the easiest position to translate to the pro level. McFadden will still experience similar challenges. I expect him to be more ready week 1 than a rookie OLB though.
Raiders Have alot of very fast players on their team. You know Mcfadden has some serious wheels, if the players know the diffrence between his speed and raiders other running backs.(fargas speed no joke) Its just not speed but instincts and Vison , that make a hugh diffrence with Mcfadden. Hes coming tio a system that can run block with ther best of them. Gholston has never faced guys week in and week out , that he will see in the pros in coverage.
Gholston won?t play a lot of Coverage. Why let him drop back, when disrupt the play rushing the passer? When he?s dropping back, he?ll be covering TEs and RBs most of the time. This is probably the most anyoing thing about you, Jeaux. Every player who wears a Raiders-Jersey is a Stud, nomather how many ??? he has (Walker, Harris, Russell). Every player who wears another Jersey is a probable bust signing/draftpick.
thats the most retarded thing ever. as a DE he took on lineman in the trenches. Standing up he'll get even more burst and momentum before making engagement. and as an OLB he wont even have to engage OT's sometimes he will be going up against TE's and FB's which i dont care how good you think Gholston is but he will shit on backs. im not worried about gholston, only knock I really have on him is he needs to develop more hand placement and pass rushing techniques other than the bull rush. if theres anything to question his transition to the 3-4 it would be putting a question mark by his coverage skills. but he will be a rushbacker who will be eased into his roll. plain and simple. keep up with the mcfaddens? theyre already writing articles about your LB's chasing him down. why dont YOU hold onto the whol "the speed of the game is different" before you use McFadden as a reference of people whove proven themselves at the next level.
Vilma and Robertson struggled mostly because they had physical limitations. Terrible example. But now I know you are just trolling, because you were drooling over this guy. Enjoy his early struggles, jeaux. Like in his first week of professional practice with his new team.
Just my guess/take: Gholston >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sam Williams Plus our coaching staff >>>>>>>>>> Raiders coaching staff.
He's got the size, he has the potential and from what i hear he has the work ethic. I cant wait to see the big man on the field.
Its laughable. First Sam Williams and Gholston don't play the same position. So what your point. Now you want to compare a Gholston ,to Raiders Derrick Burgess. Lets see Burgess one of the top pass rushers the last three years, versus a guy that hopes to get to his level. Jets coaching staff is not better than Raiders, not even close. Tell me why Jets tried to get Raiders DC Rob Ryan for their DC job. Why there big offensive hire was former raider cxoach Bill callahan. The same Bill Callahan who didn't have the smarts to change J Gruden terminology/plays. Tampabay defensive players knew where Raiders were going with the football every time. Want to go coach by coach and honestly sere who has the better staff.
