Jets' Gholston to replace Pace during 4-game ban
Photo credit: Newsday/Photo By Patrick E. McCarthy | New Jersey- June 10, 2009. Jets Mini Camp held at new training facility in Florham Park, NJ. Jets Vernon Gholston #50 at practice. (Photo by Patrick E. McCarthy )
Vernon Gholston's rookie season wasn't very good, making many wonder if the Jets' 2008 first-round pick was a bust and not worthy of being drafted sixth overall.
From the day he was introduced as the Jets' coach in January, Rex Ryan expressed confidence that he would be able to get something out of the Ohio State product. Ryan continually lauded Gholston's progress during offseason training activities, saying he'll play a big role in the Jets' success in 2009.
All eyes were going to be on Gholston anyway, but now he's really going to be in the spotlight. Ryan said Wednesday that Gholston will be inserted into Calvin Pace's starting spot at outside linebacker for the first four games of the season.
Speaking at the Jets' training facility in Florham Park, N.J., Ryan said Gholston will start during Pace's suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
"Guys have got to step up, and we talked about Vernon Gholston," Ryan told The Associated Press. "Hey, here it is. We said he's going to be a big part of what we do. Now, he's in the starting rotation."
Ryan also said he expects running backs Thomas Jones and Leon Washington to be there when veterans are due to report next Thursday. Both are unhappy with their contracts.
Washington, due a base salary of $535,000 in the final year of his original four-year deal, boycotted three weeks of voluntary OTAs to voice his displeasure with the way contract talks were progressing. Believed to be seeking about $6 million per season, Washington hasn't ruled out not showing up on time for training camp. However, a lengthy absence would be extremely costly - a fine of $17,000 per day.
Jones will earn $900,000 in base salary this season and was hoping the Jets would rework his deal, especially after he led the AFC with 1,312 rushing yards and ran for a team-record 13 touchdowns. But the team balked about restructuring his frontloaded four-year, $20-million contract that calls for a roster bonus of $3 million in 2010.
