"You've heard this before, but Vernon Gholston is coming on strong in training camp.

If you prefer to not hold your breath for the 2008 No. 1 draft pick who has played two years in the NFL and still doesn't have a sack, so be it. But coach Rex Ryan and even some of Gholston's defensive teammates were gushing about his progress yesterday.

"That's the best day he's had since I've been here," Ryan said of yesterday's practice. "I want to see him string some together. This is the most excited I've ever been about Vernon Gholston. Whatever he had for breakfast [yesterday], he needs to eat [more]. That was big time.

"I thought it would happen last year," Ryan said. "But it was a coaching mistake. We put him now in a role where he can be more successful quicker. This is more of a natural role for him."

Ryan, indicating that he should have moved Gholston from linebacker to defensive end last season, called keeping Gholston at linebacker last year "a coach's mistake.""