"At the beginning of his third N.F.L. season, Vernon Gholston has never felt so comfortable, aggressive, primed. When he acknowledged that late Friday, though, he leaned forward, eyes on his locker. He spoke firmly, but also sheepishly, as if he wanted to knock on wood.

This is not Gholston's first trip down the avenue of expectations so far unfilled. He was the sixth overall pick in the 2008 N.F.L. draft, a nonfactor through two seasons, a college defensive end turned outside linebacker turned back into a defensive lineman in the spring.

Each year, the Jets predicted Gholston would break out - including this one. He has rewarded the franchise with 30 tackles - in two seasons."