Vernon Gholston News: Pro Sports Daily

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September 5

New York Post

"For Vernon Gholston, it didn't matter that Thursday night's game was preseason. He needed to experience the feeling. Gholston recorded his first NFL sack, taking the Eagles' Kevin Kolb down in the third quarter. "That was like getting a monkey off his back," Jets linebacker Bart Scott said. "I'm sure he's well aware he hadn't had a sack, and I'm sure he's been reminded by you [reporters]. Now you hope this will free him up and allow him to get a lot more." Scott said he felt it was really Gholston's second sack, saying the penalty called on Gholston for a helmet-to-helmet hit on the Giants' David Carr should not have been called. Gholston said the first sack "felt good," adding, "It was ..."

Jets' Gholston Looks to End Bust Whispers

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August 7

New York Post

"Vernon Gholston knows all about the numbers. Most of them he would prefer to forget. Start with being the No. 6 overall pick in the 2008 draft, playing 15 games and managing just four tackles on defense, one of which was solo. Those are not good numbers. This season, his second in the NFL, Gholston has changed his number -- from No. 56 to No. 50, which previously was worn by the departed Eric Barton. Hopefully for Gholston and the Jets, who invested so much in him, his performance will change, too. With starting linebacker Calvin Pace suspended for the first four games of the regular season, Rex Ryan quickly named Gholston the starter, so there will be a bright spotlight on how much better ..."

Jets' 2008 first-round pick Vernon Gholston has scouts cautious at NFL combine

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February 23

New York Daily News

"One year later, Vernon Gholston still is creating a buzz at the NFL scouting combine - but not all positive. Gholston, coming off a washout rookie season with the Jets, is the new cautionary tale for pro scouts: The workout wonder who raised his draft stock with a monster combine, then flopped on the field. After leaving Ohio State as a junior, the 6-3, 265-pound Gholston sprinted like a running back (4.65 seconds in the 40) and pumped iron like an offensive lineman (37 reps on the 225-pound bench press) in Indianapolis, numbers that still awe scouts. Then-coach Eric Mangini was smitten with the sculpted defensive end-turned-linebacker, and the Jets chose him with the No.6 pick. You know ..."

Gholston Feeling Mangini's Heat

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December 2

New York Post

"Rookie linebacker Vernon Gholston nearly had the first sack of his career Sunday but couldn't quite get to Jay Cutler. When asked if Gholston might help a sagging pass rush, coach Eric Mangini did not give a glowing review of the first-round pick. "He had a significant shot [Sunday]," Mangini said tersely. "You know, there were plays to be made. You know, his opportunities were based on his ability to make those plays." Mangini was asked how Gholston did with his shot. "I think he needs to continue to improve," he said. Gholston's season has to be labeled a disappointment at this point. The No. 6 pick in April's draft, he has 12 tackles, with most of those coming on special teams, and no ..."

New York Jets LB Vernon Gholston struggling to adjust

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August 15

Newark Star-Ledger

"Early in training camp, Jets coach Eric Mangini recalled when he first started to watch tape of linebacker Vernon Gholston prior to April's draft. He marveled at how the Ohio State product "popped" off the screen. Mangini said Gholston seemed to make eye-catching plays every time he turned on the film. Soon, Gholston became the player the Jets had to have to ignite their pass rush, an area they feel they desperately need to improve if they are to dethrone Tom Brady and the Patriots (see Giants, Super Bowl XLII). But through three weeks of training camp, Gholston, selected sixth overall, is still swimming up stream as he tries to learn a new system -- or "drowning" as Gholston says -- ..."

Gholston Feeling Jet Rookie Pains

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July 30

New York Post

"Vernon Gholston is being realistic, even if his goals for the time being probably won't excite Jets fans. "I always have high expectations for myself," Gholston said. "Maybe it comes a little slower than others expect, but one day I hope to be a good player." So, he doesn't consider himself one already? "Definitely not," said Gholston after practice yesterday at Hofstra. The former Ohio State defensive lineman isn't being modest, just accepting the realities of making the transition to the NFL and to a new position. When told Eric Mangini had said it looked as if Gholston was "swimming" during training camp, the linebacker-in-training responded, "Swimming? Closer to drowning." That's what ..."