I think it's very fortunate to have draft gurus like WW, Mr.E, and Hurricane who have extensive knowledge about football prospects that goes above and beyond many paid professionals. I remember when I first signed up and came to the draft board it was pretty easy to tell who knew what they were talking about and who was trolling. I don't write much in the Draft forum, because I know that I know jack shit about football prospects. After reading those two old threads, I think a lot of other people should do the same thing. I also did has some respect for Dware's post at the beginning of my tenure. But as I read more and more of his posts it really did become obvious he thrived on the being the center of attention and couldn't handle someone disagreeing with him any better than a 6 year old. Ever notice that when he did agree with you he reply with sarcastic questions? Not just 1, but usually several? And his ban for "fake news" a few years ago was blatantly intentional. Those old threads are also funny because people were bitching out WW for saying Gholston was not going to reach his value as the 6th pick, and then turning around with the same knowledge (well less probably) and saying he was going to be extremely successful. Those threads are one big double standard. I wanted VG in that draft because I wanted a pass rushing OLB with that pick, and I was high on myself because I really wanted Revis the year before.
I was definitely on the DMAC bandwagon..and still feel if he were in a better situation team wise...he'd be a beast. W/ that said...the way the board fell, I thought Gholston was the right choice w/o being able to execute a trade down. Although there were many concerns about him as a prospect..there was also alot of things to like. He had/has freakish physical ability and held some impressive sack records at a prestigious college program. Unfortunately it just hasn't worked out thus far.
i wanted him. after seeing him at the combine and after watching him blow through long, i thought this guy has to be able to contribute. i mean he is a physical freak. unfortunately he is a physical freak, because he might be the most ripped and large human to possess a vagina. dude is so soft its creepy.
I appreciate your comments. First, let me say I'm a NY Jet Fan and secondly have a burning passion for the NFL draft and College football. Each year, the NFL Draft is something I look forward to immensely. In fact, this year I took a vacation week...you guessed it....the last week of April. I enjoy running the mock draft, I just kind of took it over about 4/5 years ago...since other's were too busy with school/work issues. I take a sense of pride...ALL of US...get the drafted completed. Many message board sites start a mock and never complete it. I give most of the credit of TGG's Mock drafts, to Jabba the Jet...he helped me in setting up the format and I ran with it. I don't consider myself an expert, just someone who loves this entire process. I wish I loved my Job as much as I love studying/scouting College players for the draft, it's my passion. Regarding D-Ware, I really enjoyed some of his posts, his knowledge was pretty decent. His delivery and antics needed to be toned down. The multiple (8-10) quotes every post dissecting everyone's POV was beyond crazy. I'm not saying I'm perfect, I'm not. I'm not a mod, even though I have put my name in the ring, I don't like to tolerate nonsense in this forum. IMO, this draftboard at TGG is the most sensible well run part of this community. I could be wrong, but a few of us.."self-police" the draftboard to prevent trolls. I'm not afraid to report a problem poster....and the mods usually reply quickly to my request. Mr E, GH and I all have the same thing in common...we love this stuff and can't get enough. Without MR E and GH on this board it would be intolerable. We don't give enough credit to other's on this site....everyone has given good insight and I learn something new all the time. Anyone who devotes as much time to any topic/subject would be just as proficient.
This is how I felt. I knew there were red flags, and WW's criticisms in particular made me wary, but I thought if we weren't going to trade down, it would be hard to pass up VG. People called him a workout warrior, yet he was super productive in college getting to the quarterback. Guess they were right.
Yeah as you can tell from my avatar, I thought Gholston would be a beast in the NFL and was ecstatic when we drafted him, but then I rarely watch college football. Youtube highlight videos can be really deceiving... I don't think anyone would disagree that he has the physical skills to be great in the NFL though, he just doesn't want it enough. You'd think that some of our other players (Revis???) would rub off on him, but I guess he really doesn't give a shit. What a waste of his god given ability.
The general opinion of this board was that Gholston was going to be a tremendous player for the Jets. The only three loud anti-Gholston people were myself, Beamen, and WW85. There were a couple other haters but they were quiet (as in only one or two posts on the issue and/or didn't get into any heated battles on the matter).
I'm pretty upset that I just saw a post where I said I was starting to like the idea of drafting Gholston. But that's okay, for that one post, I had about a thousand more ripping the pick in an argument with DWare. Asked who I would have taken there, apparently I wanted Jonathan Stewart, Leodis McKelvin, or Kenny Phillips (preferably Phillips). I stand by any of those picks (even though Phillips might have an unforeseen career-ending injury).
The Jets were in a tough position at # 6.......the value of players after the top 5 went off the board.. dropped significantly. I would have loved to have traded back...but I'm sure there weren't many offers. This whole Gholston debate was mostly D-Ware's insistence that Gholston was the next great NFL defensive player. Even up to the bitter end, 2 weeks ago, he couldn't admit he was wrong. The Jet's and Tanny made the mistake to let Mangini make the call on Gholston.....when quite a few Jet's scouts were totally against the pick. The Jet's have done well when listening to their Scouts....Sanchez and Greene are 2 examples. What pissed me off about this Gholston debate...a few people had no respect for my POV....even though I live in Columbus and watched Gholston's entire College career.
That's up for debate!! Remember, the Jets drafted Revis the prior year and McKelvin was a small school player. I'm not knocking McKelvin, but it wasn't a lock he would be drafted that early and the Jets would spend another top pick on a CB.
Nothing was a lock at that point. I just thought that McKelvin would have been the best player available at that point... ...and apparently I was not the only one. Officially on record: I did not want Vernon Gholston anywhere near this team. If you can prove me wrong with anything I said prior between the Combine and Draft in 2008, I will gladly eat my own words.
Yeah hindsight is definitely 20/20. The consensus big board wise was that Gholston was indeed the best player available. Both Mckelvin and DRC both had alot of question marks.... One thing I will say is that many recognized that Gholston was going to be a project. I realize he's shown absolutely nothing thus far and that's likely what he'll amount to...but he still has a high ceiling and if there is ever going to be a light to go off..this is the year.
Here was my mock from 2008 ( which many experts here took a giant shit on) 1) CB- Leodis McElvin- We get our biggest need, a starting corner. He is also a great ST returner. 2)S- Tyrell Johnson- O.K.- I know, I know. A reach right? Word is the Jets LOVE him(shh. no one is supposed to know) and he is ready to play. How about that Sunbelt.Versatility my friends, the key to the 3-4. We will have the best D in football in 2010. 3)WR- Dexter Jackson- Its about time we improved speed on the O and this is the slot guy I think we need. Imagine him and Leon on the field at the same time. Yikes.(Jordy Nelson will be long gone) 4)TE-Jermichael Finley- Terrific pass catcher, Buh-bye Baker. 6) LB-Ali Highsmith- I think he can play ILB in a 3-4. Football player. 7)DT Ogdemi Nwgbuo- I'd like to buy a vowel Pat... and a guy who could back up all three line positions. BTW Leotis would have been there with our pick, Johnson would have been there, Jackson was gone, but we would have taken Finley in the 3rd. I'd take those 3 over Gholston and Keller any day.( Nwagbuo is now a starter for the Chargers, he is the guy who took over and played well for Jamal Williams))
No doubt...he can't be any lower. I just don't know if he will get an opportunity...Rex may have given up on VG. He might be some other team's project in 2010.
