Ex-Jet Gholston plays blame game on Ryan
Vernon Gholston #94 of the Chicago Bears works out during a summer training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University. (Aug. 6, 2011) Credit: Getty Images
FLORHAM PARK, N.J.
As if we needed any further reminders of Vernon Gholston's empty career with the Jets, Gholston himself served up a few more unfortunate recollections after his most recent game in a new uniform.
Among other things, Gholston said he didn't think Rex Ryan gave him a fair chance with the Jets the past two seasons, and that the coaching change from Eric Mangini to Ryan, accompanied by position changes along the way, were at the heart of his failed run with the team.
"Being a first-round pick, you would have hoped for more [of a chance]," Gholston, now with the Bears, told two reporters after the Giants-Bears game Monday night. "Teams are always looking for talent, and to say I don't have talent is a far stretch. It's all about getting a fair shot and time in the system. With the Jets, it was constant position change and coaching change. There was no stability. I never really had that with the Jets."
Gholston is now trying to win a spot with Chicago after three sackless seasons with the Jets, and there's no guarantee he'll make it to the regular season. As was the case with the Jets, Gholston certainly looks the part; he just doesn't play it. After three seasons, the sixth overall pick from the 2008 draft has yet to prove he belongs in the NFL.
His stats after three seasons: five starts, 42 tackles, no sacks, no interceptions, no forced fumbles, no passes defensed.
And now a case of rationalization that has Ryan baffled.
"I mean, I'm confused because I think I'm fair," Ryan said yesterday. "I think I'm more than fair. I think I give plenty of opportunities. But if it wasn't viewed that way, then that's it."
So any suggestion on Gholston's part that he didn't get enough of a chance rings hollow, because he got plenty of chances. Certainly more than another player of his caliber who didn't have his draft-day price tag. Bottom line: Gholston simply wasn't good enough to make it in a Ryan-coached defense that gives the pass rusher every opportunity to make plays. Nor could he make it with Mangini, another defensive-minded coach who gave Gholston every opportunity to succeed.
The Bears now appear to be discovering much the same thing about the former Ohio State star, who may not even make it to the opening-day roster after signing a one-year, $1-million deal. This after running out of chances with the Jets, who inked him to a five-year, $40-million contract in 2008.
But credit Ryan for taking the high road when asked about any suggestions from Gholston that the deck was stacked against him in New York. Though Ryan has been only too willing to take shots at those who question him, he reacted differently this time. If anything, Ryan's turn-the-other-cheek comments about Gholston make the 25-year-old lineman's complaints appear even weaker.
"When he came out of college, I wasn't as high on him as others were," Ryan said. "But when I got here, we were all in. I think he's a good kid. I don't care what he said about me. He's a fine young man, and I wish him well."
Three years is plenty of time to prove yourself, but Gholston never did win over Ryan. Even so, Ryan said he still wanted Gholston back in 2011, although he knew he couldn't justify keeping him under terms of his rookie deal.
"I would have liked to have Vernon back, because I thought he was getting better. I really did," Ryan said. "Do I think he's ever going to be Deacon Jones? No. Nobody likes to hear negative comments, but if that's how he feels, then that's how he feels. I'm not going to please everybody."
No need. Especially a player who couldn't convince a coach who gave him plenty of chances.
