Is Coples a Gholston 2.0? No way, says Rex

With Vernon Gholston (pictured above) still fresh on their minds, some Jets fans can't help but wonder -- "Why Coples?"

Mike Tannenbaum & Co. drafted the North Carolina defensive end 16th overall in Thursday night's first round of the NFL draft, ahead of South Carolina's Melvin Ingram and Syracuse Chandler Jones. Coples' upside is through the roof -- but coupled with that potential are questions about his drive and his motor.

Could Quinton Coples be the next -- GASP! -- Vernon Gholston?

...Not a chance, said Rex Ryan.

Despite the fact that Coples is a pure 4-3 defensive end, the Jets head coach doesn't think there's any comparison between Gholston's (unsuccessful) transition to an outside linebacker and Coples' acclimation to a 3-4 defensive front.

"First off, it’s two totally different situations -- Vernon having to go from his hand in the dirt to standing up, a total different position," said Ryan. "This young man, what he does, which is put his hand in the dirt and rush the passer. He’s very athletic for a big man. He’s 6-6 prototypical pass rush size. He's athletic, he can run, he ran a 4.7 at the combine. It’s unusual to get a guy that is this athletic and he has production.

"It’s not just Vernon Gholston that failed at that if you want to say that. But I thought Vernon was improving and I’m actually on record as saying that. But not having the numbers that people expected, that’s a longer transition and it takes a while. But we don’t have that issue here. This young man is staying with his hand in the dirt."  

Coples has been heralded for his strength and quickness off the ball. But he's got "boom or bust" written all over him.

As NFL Network's Mike Mayock put it: "He could be an All-Pro but has bust potential written all over him.”

During ESPN's draft show, Mel Kiper , Jr. posed this question in regards to Coples: "Why isn’t a kid with this type of athletic ability a top-10 pick? The bottom line with Coples is the talent’s there. Is the passion for football there? There were games where he did not play to the level of that talent. If Coples plays like he did mid- to late season (in 2011), they have something. If he doesn’t, it’s a bust. It’s really up to Coples. He can be as good as he wants to be.”

That's not the type of thing you want people to be saying about your first round draft pick. But one thing's for sure: the Jets have a pair of great defensive minds in Rex Ryan and Mike Pettine. So if anyone's going to push this kid to the limit of his potential, it likely will be them.

Coples got a taste of what he was in for during his pro day at UNC. Ryan showed up and put Coples through extra linebacker drills just to test him.

"He went through all the defensive-line drills and he wasn't winded, so I wanted to push him," the head coach said.

Even with the extra work, Coples didn't get tired -- and that prompted Ryan to turn to someone and say: "I think I just made this young man a lot of money."