Vernon Gholston Still Trying to Shake That Bust Label

By RYAN WILSON

Updated 1:24 PM EST, Sat, Dec 20, 2008

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Way back in September, before Vernon Gholston had even played a down of professional football, NFL Films' Greg Cosell, writing for Sporting News, labeled the Jets 2008 first-round pick a bust. Usually such preseason prognostications are taken with all the seriousness of a Skip Bayless rant on Cold Pizza 2.0.

But unlike Bayless, Cosell doesn't make his living in front of the camera; he's the guy behind the guy at NFL Films, working closely with Ron Jaworski analyzing game tape. So when he states that Gholston is a bust, he's given it some thought.

Here's what Cosell wrote four months ago: "A number of things struck me as I watched six Ohio State games on tape, and I did this after I witnessed his athletic feats at the NFL Combine. First, Gholston's athleticism on the field, during games, did not match his off-field measurable skills. He did not play anywhere near as fast as he timed in the 40-yard dash."

And here we are, heading into the final two weeks of the season, and Gholston, by all accounts, has been a non-factor. The fifth-overall pick has managed just 12 tackles and no sacks and was inactive during last week's game. But maybe some time on the bench to "become introspective," as head coach Eric Mangini put it, could benefit Gholston in the long run.

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"I think Vernon had one of the best weeks, if not the best week of practice, since he's been here," Mangini said. "I really liked the one-on-one pass rush drill he had yesterday against the tight ends. I saw a lot of explosiveness."

It's probably asking too much for Gholston to help steady a Jets defense that has been inconsistent in recent weeks. But if he could find his way on the field and contribute, well, that would be a good start.