Jets guard Moore has tough assignment in Lions' Suh

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The Jets will face one of the NFL's most promising young defensive players Sunday when right guard Brandon Moore gets up close and personal with Ndamukong Suh.

Suh has become a brute force barely halfway through his rookie season. He is pacing the Lions' defense with 61/2 sacks - tops among all first-year players - and had a pair in Detroit's win over the Redskins last Sunday.

He's also recorded a 17-yard fumble return for a touchdown and even showed great hands by collecting an interception, leading the Jets to rave about the 6-4, 307-pound behemoth from Nebraska.

"He's a great athlete," Moore said. "His ability to finish plays and use his strength and power and athleticism against you is what stands out. I guess he's unique in that way."

Jets coach Rex Ryan, though, thinks Moore is the NFL's best guard and can neutralize Suh. The even-keeled Moore, an undrafted free agent in his eighth season, is relishing his chance to go up against a rookie who's leaving quite an impression.

"You want to play well against guys that people consider to be great players in this league," he said. "I've played against guys my whole career and it's no different going against him. Of course, you want to have a great game and you prepare probably a little bit better than you have against a lot of other opponents because that's the type of player he is. But I'm not going to approach it much different than that."

A little more than two years ago, of course, the Jets thought they were picking up their own defensive stud, drafting him among the top 10 just as the Lions did with their prized defensive tackle. But Vernon Gholston returns to his hometown of Detroit on Sunday still looking for his first career sack, still trying to shed the bust label that's sticking to him tighter than a piece of athletic tape.

Gholston, a defensive end at Ohio State whom the Jets initially converted to a linebacker and now back to a defensive lineman, already is 35 games into his career. However, Gholston - plucked by the Jets with the sixth overall pick in 2008 - has yet to prove he's worthy of his lofty draft status.

"You know what? No, I wouldn't have taken him that high," Ryan said Friday. " . . . I don't know if he'd be the sixth overall. It depends on what else is there. But right now, I like the way Vernon Gholston plays, I really do. I think when he came out, I thought there probably needed to be some sort of development there. But right now? I'm absolutely happy with Vernon Gholston. The sixth overall pick? I don't know about that.''

That's when Ryan inquired, "Who was that this year? Wasn't that Suh?"

Informed that Suh was the second overall pick, Ryan cracked: "I would've taken Suh. Just kiddin'. But I really like Vernon."

Notes & quotes: S Brodney Pool (head) practiced in full Friday, is listed as probable and said he expects to play Sunday.