According to WFAN: Gholston Hiring LT to Tutor Him in Offseason

[SMC]

Happy Holidays Everyone,

Just heard on Mike Francesca's show today that Gholston his hiring Lawrence Taylor to teach him the OLB position this offseason. Gholston is paying him out of his own pocket and will have LT set up with a place to live near where Gholston is living the offseason to work with him 3 days a week.

Francesca was also critical of how Mangini has treated Gholston, calling it a misuse of a player.

According to Francesca, Mangini decided not to have Gholston eased into the position by being a 3rd down pass rushing specialist. Instead, Mangini insisted that Gholston learn the entire position before he could get playing time. That is, they wanted Gholston to know the position like Thomas and Pace did in order to play.

Mangini got frustrated with Gholston for his slow development and that's why he was deactivated for a game.

Gholston is "lost" and down on himself and that's why he has hired LT.

[Greenseed3]

I don't see any "bad" coming from that.

Expecting your #6 pick to play ball at a high level isn't too high of an expectation.

[SoFlaJets]

I am so ready to have Mangini gone-especially after hearing how he's treating the younger players-like Gholston and Keller

[madmike1]

It just shows what a mess this FO is.

[Jet Moses]

I guess they were both too busy during the summer.

[SMC]

I don't see any "bad" coming from that.

Expecting your #6 pick to play ball at a high level isn't too high of an expectation.

I guess. Having your #6 pick play ball at a high level in a position he had never played before in pee-wee, high school, or college isn't too high of an expectation.

[Boynton Beach Jets]

LT will teach him in lesson #1

[GodWearsAGrayHoodie]

It is a very smart move by Gholston. And should not by itself be reason to consider the Jets FO a mess.

Fact is the while the Jets will have an off season work out program, they do not have the resources to work with one player one on one starting at the end of the season thru camp. Once the season is over the Jets primary concern is getting ready for the draft and after the draft they can start focusing on players, but once again that will be enmass not 1 on 1.

Gholston is very smart and clearly dedicated to want to start working on improving his skills as soon as this season is over instead of waiting until camp.

And the hiring of private coaching is not unheard even in well run organizations. Matt Cassel hired an independent QB coach to assist him, knowing that he was not going to be the Patriots primary concern, they were more concerned with Tom. The initiative worked out well for Matt.

[Boynton Beach Jets]

It is a very smart move by Gholston. And should not by itself be reason to consider the Jets FO a mess.

Fact is the while the Jets will have an off season work out program, they do not have the resources to work with one player one on one starting at the end of the season thru camp. Once the season is over the Jets primary concern is getting ready for the draft and after the draft they can start focusing on players, but once again that will be enmass not 1 on 1.

Gholston is very smart and clearly dedicated to want to start working on improving his skills as soon as this season is over instead of waiting until camp.

And the hiring of private coaching is not unheard even in well run organizations. Matt Cassel hired an independent QB coach to assist him, knowing that he was not going to be the Patriots primary concern, they were more concerned with Tom. The initiative worked out well for Matt.

Nice post

[Green DNA]

The fact that the kid is this serious about earning the position is encouraging

[SoFlaJets]

Nice post

yea I'm surprised too BB

[4HCrew]

how much time did he miss due to the late graduation at Ohio State? I still do not understand with his speed why he cannot just rush the passer... but then again I do not kick field goals from inside the 5 either

[#27TheDominator]

I don't see why this has anything to do with the FO. Gholston and LT have been talking about this for months. Since well before the game he was inactive. Gholston hasn't shown anything other than a fair bull rush, so I don't see why Mangini should be using him as a "specialist". Shouldn't you be good at something before you specialize in it? Good news that the kid is taking it seriously though.

[Jetscode1]

Gholston is taking the right steps to improve although I'm not sure LT is the right teacher...I never understood why Mangini did not at least use him on obvious passing downs to rush the passer. Without playing time its hard to learn any aspects of the position...if he used him in the right spots Gholston would have earned some confidence. VG had a reputation as smart, high character player but he needs playing time.

[GodWearsAGrayHoodie]

yea I'm surprised too BB

I root against the Jets (most of the time). And I think your coach is an idiot and your QB is an overrated crybaby. And Gholston was a bad pick.

But I will give credit where credit is due.

And what Gholston is doing is a smart and says a lot of positive things about him.

I hope his off season program is for naught and next year he continues to be dead weight on your team.

But the fact is he is doing what gives him the best chance to be successful.

I don't know if LT can coach/teach. But if he can coach half as well as he can play and you combine that with Gholstons's effort and physical skills he should arrive at camp in much better shape than he would otherwise.

Gholston doesn't need to spend to the off-season in the weight room. (obviously he needs to stay in shape) but working with someone one on one on technique and decision making. If he depends on the Jets for that odds are his rookie contract will be the most money he ever makes. This investment could pay back hugely.

[Sperm Edwards]

Props to Gholston. At least he's making an effort & not just sitting back on his guaranteed mega-millions.

[ECURB]

Props to Gholston. At least he's making an effort & not just sitting back on his guaranteed mega-millions.

Hopefully he can turn it on when the new coach shows up this off season and uses him properly...

[ZachEY]

Can someone explain to me why in the last 7 years or so there are very few players who've worn Jets green that have played above their talent level?

Certainly see a lot playing below... Have we had an 'overachiever' since Wayne Chrebet?

[LionelRichie]

funny thing is he could be playing DE in the 4-3 next year if mangini gets the boot.

[StillerPaul]

Props to Gholston. At least he's making an effort & not just sitting back on his guaranteed mega-millions.

Agreed. And what does it say about the DC when a player is hiring a former player to tutor him?

[Gainzo]

Can someone explain to me why in the last 7 years or so there are very few players who've worn Jets green that have played above their talent level?

Certainly see a lot playing below... Have we had an 'overachiever' since Wayne Chrebet?

Not to burst your bubble mate but the Jets had the most Pro Bowlers this season of any team in the NFL.

Back on Topic. Good for Gholston but did he really need to announce that Lawrence "cocaine" Taylor was going to train him in the offseason?

He should just slink away and come back in the Fall of 2009 and kick arse. IMHO he has put much more pressure on himself for next season with this move.

[SMC]

Not to burst your bubble mate but the Jets had the most Pro Bowlers this season of any team in the NFL.

Back on Topic. Good for Gholston but did he really need to announce that Lawrence "cocaine" Taylor was going to train him in the offseason?

He should just slink away and come back in the Fall of 2009 and kick arse. IMHO he has put much more pressure on himself for next season with this move.

FYI, he didn't "announce" it. Mike Francesca has inside info and he spoke about it on his radio show today.

[ECURB]

FYI, he didn't "announce" it. Mike Francesca has inside info and he spoke about it on his radio show today.

Garb always does the same thing... must be a Pats fan thing...

[Spudicus]

Agreed. And what does it say about the DC when a player is hiring a former player to tutor him?

Especially when that DC was the linebackers coach.

[Boynton Beach Jets]

Especially when that DC was the linebackers coach.

At least VG is smart enough to realize the DC will not be here this off season.

[Sperm Edwards]

Can someone explain to me why in the last 7 years or so there are very few players who've worn Jets green that have played above their talent level?

Certainly see a lot playing below... Have we had an 'overachiever' since Wayne Chrebet?

Brandon Moore I would say is an overachiever. He went from a zero of a DT into a good OG. Plus he hasn't missed a game in years.

Kareem McKenzie also, though we let him hit FA.

I would even include Victor Hobson in there. No one even wanted him as a backup all season, but until 2007, he was at least a legit starting LB for us.

Kerry Rhodes was a day-two pick (in a pretty weak-ass draft to boot). I'd say he's outplayed his draft position, even with a down-year this season. If he came out a year later, he might have still been there in round 6.

[Gainzo]

FYI, he didn't "announce" it. Mike Francesca has inside info and he spoke about it on his radio show today.

My apologies.

[Borgoguy]

It just shows what a mess this FO is.

I don't think it's the front office. Rather, this ineptitude lies squarely on the shoulders of Mangini and the incompetent, rigid, coaches he hired and continued to support even after last year's abysmal season. This report is just more proof of what a colossal cluster f**k Mangini has created on his watch.

[Klecko73isGod]

I'm not so sure this move tells us anything other than a young guy who is seriously dedicated to improving at his position.

Lets examine why Mangini would want the kid to learn the whole position before giving him playing time. Could it be that the Jets already had two highly paid players ahead of Gholston on the depth chart and Gholston beating one of them out during the season would be incredibly hard but Mangini wanted him to do it so they could easily cut Thomas loose in the offseason?

There is more to this than a coach ****ing up and a player not getting it.

One of my biggest concerns about Mangini is this seeming need he has for a player to be perfect to give him a shot if he has the luxury but allowing others to play if he doesn't have that luxury.

Examples of the former include Gholston not getting playing time because he wasn't out practicing Thomas or Pace and the move to get Favre because Clemens wasn't looking good in training camp, making it difficult to start him over Pennington, also his BS dogging of Keller due to one drop and not calling his number and giving Franks more playing time the last few weeks even though it is obvious the guy's got nothing left.

Examples of the latter include putting Lowery out there because he didn't have any real talent opposite Revis at CB, despite the fact that Lowery doesn't fully grasp the position yet.

There is a lack of consistency with the messages he is sending to certain guys.

[GodWearsAGrayHoodie]

Lets examine why Mangini would want the kid to learn the whole position before giving him playing time. Could it be that the Jets already had two highly paid players ahead of Gholston on the depth chart and Gholston beating one of them out during the season would be incredibly hard but Mangini wanted him to do it so they could easily cut Thomas loose in the offseason?

Here is another reason. This doesn't apply to red zone defense, but definitely to using him only in 3rd down packages or only using him in passing plays or only using him on running plays....the no huddle offense.

Lets say he know the position for 3rd down defense, but not 1st down defense....and the offense converts, and doesn't huddle.

Now you have 11 men vs 10 men. Or you need to call a TO to get him off the field.

[Pragmatic Bus]

Brandon Moore I would say is an overachiever. He went from a zero of a DT into a good OG. Plus he hasn't missed a game in years.

Kareem McKenzie also, though we let him hit FA.

I would even include Victor Hobson in there. No one even wanted him as a backup all season, but until 2007, he was at least a legit starting LB for us.

Kerry Rhodes was a day-two pick (in a pretty weak-ass draft to boot). I'd say he's outplayed his draft position, even with a down-year this season. If he came out a year later, he might have still been there in round 6.

lets see

leon washington 4th round

even though darrelle revis was a 1st rounder but i didn't expect him to this dominant so quick

[Jetscode1]

Here is another reason. This doesn't apply to red zone defense, but definitely to using him only in 3rd down packages or only using him in passing plays or only using him on running plays....the no huddle offense.

Lets say he know the position for 3rd down defense, but not 1st down defense....and the offense converts, and doesn't huddle.

Now you have 11 men vs 10 men. Or you need to call a TO to get him off the field.

I'm not so sure this move tells us anything other than a young guy who is seriously dedicated to improving at his position.

Lets examine why Mangini would want the kid to learn the whole position before giving him playing time. Could it be that the Jets already had two highly paid players ahead of Gholston on the depth chart and Gholston beating one of them out during the season would be incredibly hard but Mangini wanted him to do it so they could easily cut Thomas loose in the offseason?

There is more to this than a coach ****ing up and a player not getting it.

One of my biggest concerns about Mangini is this seeming need he has for a player to be perfect to give him a shot if he has the luxury but allowing others to play if he doesn't have that luxury.

Examples of the former include Gholston not getting playing time because he wasn't out practicing Thomas or Pace and the move to get Favre because Clemens wasn't looking good in training camp, making it difficult to start him over Pennington, also his BS dogging of Keller due to one drop and not calling his number and giving Franks more playing time the last few weeks even though it is obvious the guy's got nothing left.

Examples of the latter include putting Lowery out there because he didn't have any real talent opposite Revis at CB, despite the fact that Lowery doesn't fully grasp the position yet.

There is a lack of consistency with the messages he is sending to certain guys.

Excellent point about consistency of messages to this year's rookies. IMO...VG confidence is shot because of the minimal reps. Without the reps he does learn from his mistakes. He just gets more confused because all they are doing as far as coaching is explaining it to him. With Lowery he starts him right away (ready or not)until both the coach and the player lose confidence.

[Jetscode1]

Here is another reason. This doesn't apply to red zone defense, but definitely to using him only in 3rd down packages or only using him in passing plays or only using him on running plays....the no huddle offense.

Lets say he know the position for 3rd down defense, but not 1st down defense....and the offense converts, and doesn't huddle.

Now you have 11 men vs 10 men. Or you need to call a TO to get him off the field.

I see your point...but he hasn't even gotten significant reps during garbage time. The Rams game comes to mind and their were probably more...

[Sperm Edwards]

lets see

leon washington 4th round

even though darrelle revis was a 1st rounder but i didn't expect him to this dominant so quick

I thought about adding those two as well. Leon is tough to add because he just doesn't see the field enough.

Revis should have been added. Yeah he was a first round pick, but he was taken in the middle of the round. He's paid off like he was a top-5 pick, particularly when you consider the speed in which he adapted to the pro game. Don't gloss over missing the summer of his rookie year. He may have been this good a year ago if not for contract negotiations dragging out.

[ZachEY]

Not to burst your bubble mate but the Jets had the most Pro Bowlers this season of any team in the NFL.

Back on Topic. Good for Gholston but did he really need to announce that Lawrence "cocaine" Taylor was going to train him in the offseason?

He should just slink away and come back in the Fall of 2009 and kick arse. IMHO he has put much more pressure on himself for next season with this move.

How many of those pro-bowlers weren't future hall of famers or former first round picks?