FanPost

Vernon Gholston and other cheap backups to pickup


The Jets will likely release a "failed" Vernon Gholston from their DE/LB experiment.  By all rights he has been a bust.  But the man has talent and is a physical specimen who just didn't make the jump to the NFL.  But in college, he was a QB eating machine.  A sixth pick out of Ohio State, he was on our radar, and many fans radar in 2008.   You would think with defensive minded Rex Ryan taking the young man under his wing, the athlete would have flourished.  Rather, the blip has faded.  And now seems more like watching a blip on a heart monitor marking the loss of life.  But I wonder if the Haley approach can revive the young, once touted college star.  Why would we even want to try to give him a second chance.  Because he has the right mentality of the right 53 and that is refreshing.  HE approached the Jets this last offseason and offered to take a pay cut to extend out his career.  The bad, even though the incentive laden contract would extend him into the next two years if things worked out, they did not.  Something is just not clicking for the young man.  But he has some flashes, and just makes me wonder if he can be reworked in the fashion of Derrick Johnson.

The Jets had converted Gholston from his defensive end position into a OLB to make him a pass rushing specialist, ala Hali.  That was not working his rookie year and they switched him back to defensive end where he seemed to improve, but still has not met up to expecations.  He would be an adequate backup and given he can play both defensive end and linebacker, he could provide some depth at both positions if needed which frees up some roster space for more youth and free agents.  I think he is a project worth trying to rebuild.  Are there any other projects out there?  What's your take?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.