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Rex Ryan names Gholston starting OLB for Weeks 1-4 - StarLedger


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http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/07/confident_brash_tellitlikeitis.html

NY Jets coach Rex Ryan names Vernon Gholston starter in place of suspended Calvin Pace

by M.A. Mehta/The Star-Ledger

Wednesday July 22, 2009, 11:34 AM

Confident, brash, tell-it-like-it-is Jets coach Rex Ryan delivered one final salvo to the rest of the NFL before his new team opens training camp.

"We have chips on our shoulders," the rookie coach told The Star-Ledger. "So we're going to find out. We want to prove it. And the great thing is that we get to prove it. Come September, it's on. "

Ryan, promoting the NFL's partnership with Gatorade to raise hydration awareness at the Jets' Florham Park facility, touched on myriad topics before rookies report to camp July 27. Veterans are due to report July 30 at SUNY-Cortland to officially kick off the Ryan era.

* * *

Ryan, whose entertaining and energetic style has injected life into the organization, admitted that linebacker Vernon Gholston, the 2008 first-rounder who disappointed as a rookie last season, will start for Calvin Pace, who was suspended four games earlier this month for violating the league's performance-enhancing substances policy.

Ryan's take on losing Pace and throwing Gholston into the fire:

"Calvin's a rare guy ... He's a great football player. It is unfortunate that he's suspended for the four games. We certainly look forward to him coming back that fifth week and moving forward. He accepted responsibility for what happened. I know he thinks he's letting the teammates down ... We know the kind of person he is and the kind of player he is. We'll be excited to get him back. With that, we talked about Vernon and how he's going to have to step up and how we expect him to make great strides this year and how he was going to be a big reason in our successes moving forward. He's just got a roll with it now where he's going to be a starter. We'll see how he does. ...

"The plan is that we're going to play the best 11 and if that means a guy is going to change a position then he'll change a position. This is a deep football team so we're going to play all of our guys. Some guys will have maybe more of a role on first down or maybe more of a role on third down. But we're going to use everything that we got. We're building a football team. And we don't have to play the same 11 guys. This is all about what's best for our football team, putting our guys in situations to be successful. Again, we look forward to getting Calvin back. But that's certainly not going to be an excuse for us."

* * *

Ryan fully expects that disgruntled running backs Leon Washington and Thomas Jones will be in camp when the veterans report next week. Washington, who is due to earn $535,000 in the final year of a rookie four-year contract, wants a new deal believed to be in the $6 million per year range. Jones, who led the AFC in rushing (1,312 yards and career-high 13 rushing TDs), is also unhappy with his contract. Jones, who will be 31 by the start of the regular season, will earn $900,000 this season in the third year of a four-year, $20 million deal.

"Our whole football team's under contract," Ryan said. "This is mandatory. It's not a voluntary camp, so I would anticipate everybody being there. I can understand what everybody's thinking. This guy's unhappy, happy, whatever. As a coach, you want your players to get as much money as they possibly can ... But this is a football team. Everybody fits in a structure. There's got to be some kinds of policies and different things that you have to adhere to for the betterment of your football team. ... I got great respect for Thomas and Leon. These are great, competitive guys that you want on your football team. There's no question about that. ... I anticipate those guys being here along with the rest of their teammates."

Players under contract that don't report to camp are subject to approximately a $17,000 fine per day under the rules of the collective bargaining agreement.

* * *

Ryan admitted that he won't hesitate to make rookie Mark Sanchez the Opening Day starter if warranted. Then again, he won't hesitate to start Kellen Clemens either. Translation: The 2009 Jets will be a meritocracy.

"I got to do what's best for this football team," Ryan said. "That's the easy thing. I feel confident that the guy that wins that job -- and comes out of there and is our Opening Day starter -- he'll have earned it. It won't be just because he's had experience or just because he was a first-round pick. The guy's going to have to earn the job. Competition brings out the best in everybody. You're going to get the best that Kellen Clemens has. You're going to get the best that Mark Sanchez has. And that's a good thing."

* * *

The players are certainly drinking Ryan's energy-flavored Kool-Aid. The coach relayed his excitement to his players earlier this week in an e-mail that prompted wide receiver David Clowney to post this on his twitter page: "I swear Rex Ryan is the Realest Coach alive. Teammates, if you haven't already check your email NOW."

The essence of Ryan's e-mail was simple:

"I just told them the way it was," Ryan said of the note. "I've never been looked upon as part of the problem. I've always been the solution. And I'll be the solution as the head coach as well. I'm a first-time head coach ... and people want to look at that as a negative ...Will I be as good a head coach this year as I will be 10 years from now? No, probably not. But I'll be good enough. And I've always been good enough. And I'm going to prove it. I'm going to give them everything I've got and I expect that our players will do the same. I want tough, passionate guys. I'm looking forward to guys that have that same passion and same feeling that I have."

As far as joining the social networking fray, Ryan conceded, "I'm not big into tweeting. I think I need to be, though."

***

Familiar names like Marvin Harrison, Amani Toomer, and, yes, Plaxico Burress headline the list of out-of-work veteran wide receivers, but Ryan reiterated his belief in the Jets group of pass catchers that includes Jerricho Cotchery and relatively unproven players like Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, Brad Smith and Wallace Wright.

"We'll always keep our eyes open for any position," Ryan said of possibly signing a veteran wideout during the preseason. "I have more confidence in that group than the general opinion out there. Everybody to a man ought to feel slighted. Every one of those guys. They all have abilities. David Clowney - he's about as fast as there is in the league. Chansi Stuckey's a great slot receiver. You've got Brad Smith, who's as multi-talented as any of the guys in the league. ... And all the things like we need to pick up this guy or that guy. We're going to find out. We'll see who's right and who's wrong."

***

The prototypical Rex Ryan player? That's easy.

"I want to keep passionate, tough-type guys and great teammates," the coach said. "That's what I'm looking to get. We will not keep a soft guy that only cares about himself. I don't care how talented that person is. He won't be on this football team."

***

So, what does Ryan tell his wife, Michelle, every year at the start of training camp?

Goodbye my dear. Football is here.

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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

All is lost. Gholston is the biggest non-titty bust in the whole history of the whole world. He as no fire, energy, passion, and clue. The only one who thought he did was an idiot who has the same characteristics, so he drafted him.

Vernon Gholston is a burden on humanity, but specifically the Rex Ryan Jets. The guy is just a waste and a half.

We should sign Simeon Rice.

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Gholston is the biggest non-titty bust in the whole history of the whole world.

lulz

Seriously, though, we're doomed. I watched Gholston play on TV, and so I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the worst human being ever to plague this planet.

Also, he has no charisma. You can't rush the passer without charisma.

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lulz

Seriously, though, we're doomed. I watched Gholston play on TV, and so I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the worst human being ever to plague this planet.

Also, he has no charisma. You can't rush the passer without charisma.

Charisma? What about blood lust and a father that slapped you instead of hugged ya.

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Cool.

I for one am hoping Jason Trusnik out plays him in Training Camp. I want to see what Trusnik has.

So you're rooting for VG to be a complete bust? Why wouldn't you wanna see him earn the starter role and -- god forbid -- play well? I think it's bad news if Gholston can't beat out Trusnik by week 1.

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So you're rooting for VG to be a complete bust? Why wouldn't you wanna see him earn the starter role and -- god forbid -- play well? I think it's bad news if Gholston can't beat out Trusnik by week 1.

Jason Trusnik has shown more than Vernon Gholston.

I am a bigger fan of Trusnik than I am Gholston. I hope both play and both play well. I root for the team, not the player. But in this situation, I'd rather Trusnik start.

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Jason Trusnik has shown more than Vernon Gholston.

I am a bigger fan of Trusnik than I am Gholston. I hope both play and both play well. I root for the team, not the player. But in this situation, I'd rather Trusnik start.

Fair enough. May the best man win. Hopefully it's Gholston. lol

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So you're rooting for VG to be a complete bust? Why wouldn't you wanna see him earn the starter role and -- god forbid -- play well? I think it's bad news if Gholston can't beat out Trusnik by week 1.

But then he'd be wrong.

And what's more significant, Gholston not busting or 124 being incorrect?

HINT: It's not Gholston not busting.

Not that it matters. There is no hope for Gholston.

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Cool.

I for one am hoping Jason Trusnik out plays him in Training Camp. I want to see what Trusnik has.

Isn't Trusnik working on the inside? I thought he started a few games at ILB when Harris was down and he and Izzo are all we have behind Harris and Scott at ILB. I'd lean towards Marques Murrell as a pass rushing alternative at OLB.

They could also try Trusnik with Scott sliding outside. He's supposed to be versatile.

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this is not a move rex had to make... my guess is he feels naming VG a temporary starter will help his confidence. It can't hurt.

Exactly...he is trying to help the kid out with the mental aspect of things. There is no way you name someone like Ghoston a starter before TC. You never know who is going to emerge...hopefully its Ghoston, but you got to play it out.

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this is not a move rex had to make... my guess is he feels naming VG a temporary starter will help his confidence. It can't hurt.

Yeah, lord forbid he actually try to make the kid a player unlike Mangini, who thought the best way to motivate Gholston was to **** with his head. :rolleyes:

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"We have chips on our shoulders," the rookie coach told The Star-Ledger. "So we're going to find out. We want to prove it. And the great thing is that we get to prove it. Come September, it's on."

LOL!! So, do they have chips on their shoulders or not? Stay tuned! LOL!! Your coach is a dumbass. Sorry.

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"We have chips on our shoulders," the rookie coach told The Star-Ledger. "So we're going to find out. We want to prove it. And the great thing is that we get to prove it. Come September, it's on."

LOL!! So, do they have chips on their shoulders or not? Stay tuned! LOL!! Your coach is a dumbass. Sorry.

No offense, but that statement is clear as day...calling him a dumbass for that comment only make you look like one.

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