Should Vernon Gholston Have Been Active?

by John B on Nov 4, 2009 8:08 AM EST

Linebacker Marques Murrell, one of the Jets’ best special-teams players, was a healthy scratch Sunday, while Vernon Gholston was again active. Gholston has 12 tackles on defense this year, and one tackle on special teams, while Murrell has eight special-teams tackles. Gholston has only four tackles since Calvin Pace returned from suspension.

When asked why Gholston was up instead of Murrell, special-teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said, "That’s a good question. You’d have to ask the defense that, to tell you the truth."

It’s understandable that the Jets would want to get a return on their $21 million investment of guaranteed money in Gholston, the sixth overall draft pick in 2008, but they also must think about the bottom line of winning down the stretch, now that they are in a playoff battle. And if Murrell or someone else gives them a better chance to win that day than Gholston, then that decision must be made — no matter how it looks publicly or how it hurts in the wallet.

Nobody is more disappointed that Gholston has not developed into a defensive force as I am, but I don't think I agree with this thinking. Vernon has been solid against the run this season, and the biggest focus heading into Sunday was on stopping the run. We're not having this conversation if special teams standouts like Jay Feely don't kick a line drive, Wallace Wright takes a better angle, or Larry Izzo doesn't totally whiff on a tackle.

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Agreed

It’s always nice to look at a situation after it has happened. Ginn has taken one kick back for a TD before, you can’t really predict that. Like you say Izzo makes the tackle, Woodhead keeps his outside containment and nobody even makes this argument.

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by David_Wyatt on Nov 4, 2009 10:09 AM EST reply actions

crickets

Man, 2 hours later and the only comment is from Chemical Ali. Come on Mr. Hussein, where are the loyal followers?

Thought you fine gentleman might want to weigh in on the post over on Pats Pulpit about the Fins and Pats similar feelngs on the Jets.

Its hard to unite two division rivals who are playing each other this week but leave it to the Jets.

Good post Saddam but your dwelling in the past.

Gotta go fill Sanchez’s mother’s water bowl…Go Yanks, its ends tonight!

by special agent wildcat on Nov 4, 2009 10:40 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

saw a good point made today

that your ST play lacked last week because you most likely neglcted ST prep time in order to shut down the run. Made sense to me.

by special agent wildcat on Nov 4, 2009 10:54 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Everything looks clear in hindsight

However who could have predicted that Ginn, who 10 minutes before the game on a South Florida sports station is the subject of “just drop him from the team” discussions, would hit us for 2 length-of-the-field td’s.

On a tangent I have never had a problem with Pats fan (the real ones, every championship team always has the bandwaggoners), it is sad to think they would lower themselves to the same pathetic level of dol-fans (the worst).

by Togaman7 on Nov 4, 2009 11:19 AM EST reply actions

come on...

Take it easy pussycat. Mr. Hussein and Chemical Ali won’t be happy if you drive away the entertainment. At the rate I’ve been welcomed here I think I might have them ban you for your mean words.

Excuse me, I have throw Mrs. Sanchez a treat, she’s a good girl.

by special agent wildcat on Nov 4, 2009 11:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

At least you don't have to worry about bandwagon fans on your end

cup is always half full pussycat. In my mind I think, “hey, he could be a Red Sox fan” so things could always be worse.

Make my head explode and tell me your a Jets/Sox fan.

by special agent wildcat on Nov 4, 2009 11:59 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Gholston

I knew this kid was going to be a bust from the second we picked him. God dam Al Davis drafting Darren McFadden before we could get him.

The guy who shows up to the combine and has a huge day that you’ve never heard of usually is horrible. Look at Heywood Bey, he ended up being the fastest receiver and he’s doing nothing in Oakland.

by Mark D on Nov 4, 2009 3:54 PM EST reply actions

he should always be active.If I recall the Jets werre three and O with him as the starter!

by dreaux on Nov 4, 2009 4:36 PM EST reply actions

He was good in those games

Didn’t show up much on the stat sheet, but he held his assignments well and that allowed other people to do their jobs. We actually commented on here that he was doing a nice job while he was in. Not as productive as you would expect from a pick that high but still, definite improvement.

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Gang Green Nation
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by David_Wyatt on Nov 4, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions