Report Says Jets Not Ready to Rush Gholston into Lineup

From: Pro Football Weekly

There’s little argument that Jets rookie OLB Vernon Gholston has incredible physical skills. But the way we hear it, you should look elsewhere when trying to find the preseason favorite to walk away with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Word out of New York is that the Jets are planning on easing Gholston onto the field — starting him out as a pass-rushing specialist — rather than thrusting him into the starting lineup immediately. Eric Mangini, like former mentor Bill Belichick, ideally wants his young linebackers to learn the system before becoming an every-down fixture. He had to break from that philosophy last year with ILB David Harris, but Harris’ insertion into the starting lineup was more out of necessity. With free-agent acquisition Calvin Pace and holdover Bryan Thomas occupying the starting OLB spots, Mangini can afford to take it slowly with Gholston.