Neither Eric Mangini nor Rex Ryan could get him right for the New York Jets.
Lovie Smith and Rod Marinelli gave up on him after a month with the Chicago Bears last year.
The Detroit Lions' Jim Schwartz and Houston Texans' Wade Phillips, two pretty good defensive minds themselves, opted not to sign him after viewing workouts in 2011.
The player in question is Vernon Gholston, who was drafted sixth overall by the Jets in 2008 to be a pass rushing force but has yet to register an NFL sack in 45 games (all with New York).
But he's been presented another chance after signing with the St. Louis Rams on Wednesday.
The Jets tried to utilize Gholston as an outside linebacker in their 3-4 defensive scheme before shifting him to the defensive line, but he failed to flourish in either spot. During his training camp stint with the Bears last year, Gholston played defensive end on a four-man line, the same spot where he excelled for Ohio State. But that didn't work, either.
He may be getting his last shot under Jeff Fisher, who also favors four-man base fronts. Chris Long and Robert Quinn are the Rams' top ends, so Gholston will probably have to make it as a sub package pass rusher -- assuming he can still flash the ability that once made him such a coveted NFL commodity.
No comments:
Post a Comment