OT: Vernon Gholston - Boom, Bust and the Pats

[PaulThePat]

Looks like the ride is over for the much heralded No 6 pick in the 2008 draft. So many questions, but are there any decent answers. Would be good to get some opinions on the following:

1. Is Gholston one of the biggest busts ever ? Can't be too many top 6 picks who do absolutely nothing.

2. Do you think if he'd been there at 7 the Pats would have pulled the trigger ? Like to think we were always trading down a couple of spots and taking Mayo but you never know.

3. Why has he been such a monumental bust ? Was he just another combine warrior who didn't have the tools for the NFL ? Still find it hard to believe he was hyped so much and delivered so little. There must be talent in there somewhere.

4. Any chance the Pats bring him into training camp ? Could BB turn the kid around and getting him producing ?

 

[supafly]

I believe that we were taking Jerod Mayo the whole time, but I don't know if we'll ever really find out the answer to that question. When you consider that a lot of draftniks had Mayo as a late 1st--early 2nd rounder, I think if BB took him he was planning on it the whole time.

Good questions about Gholston. I personally do not think we'd ever give him a look here, but I would bet a lot of money that there is some team out there that will at least bring him in for camp. If Belichick thought he wanted to kick the tires, I would not be opposed. Maybe there's something he knows that we do not, but I am guessing it will not happen.

I watched him for yrs at Ohio State, and he was truly a beast. It's hard to say why exactly he has failed so miserably, but that's the gamble with a lot of NCAA players. They excel at the collegiate level, but are busts at the pro level.

I too am curious to see if he can ever do something, and wonder what his defensive snap percentages were + in what instances. Something is wrong somewhere, but there's also a decent chance that Gholston just isn't that good. It's also possible that some coach somewhere could utilize 'something' that the kid has.

 

[DarrylS]

Ryan Leaf, Jamarcus Russell may be greater draft busts....

 

[ausbacker]

I believe that we were taking Jerod Mayo the whole time, but I don't know if we'll ever really find out the answer to that question. When you consider that a lot of draftniks had Mayo as a late 1st--early 2nd rounder, I think if BB took him he was planning on it the whole time.

Good questions about Gholston. I personally do not think we'd ever give him a look here, but I would bet a lot of money that there is some team out there that will at least bring him in for camp. If Belichick thought he wanted to kick the tires, I would not be opposed. Maybe there's something he knows that we do not, but I am guessing it will not happen.

I watched him for yrs at Ohio State, and he was truly a beast. It's hard to say why exactly he has failed so miserably, but that's the gamble with a lot of NCAA players. They excel at the collegiate level, but are busts at the pro level.

I too am curious to see if he can ever do something, and wonder what his defensive snap percentages were + in what instances. Something is wrong somewhere, but there's also a decent chance that Gholston just isn't that good. It's also possible that some coach somewhere could utilize 'something' that the kid has.

Bill Belichick just made Danny Woodhead a star. The least he could go with Vernon is turn him into a reliable starter.

 

[DonBlackmon55]

Ryan Leaf, Jamarcus Russell may be greater draft busts....

Tim Couch, Akili Smith, David Klingler, Lawrence Phillps, Heath Shuler, Charles Rogers......


The draft busts road is littered with plenty, and this Buckeye is just another one who did not have fire and desire after he got his payday.

 

[PaulThePat]

this Buckeye is just another one who did not have fire and desire after he got his payday.

Interesting if true. Don't really understand how someone who had clearly worked his ass off to get in the NFL just gives up when he is drafted. Yes, he's got his pay cheque but not many players would settle for that. Got to think there is more to this guy than meets the eye.

 

[Joker]

any team that picks him up will need a long lonely path leading to a pond so he, Vernot Goatston, can lose himself in contemplation....this is always the mark of a solid team player...I wonder, any dirt paths out there in Oakland?

 

[DonBlackmon55]

Interesting if true. Don't really understand how someone who had clearly worked his ass off to get in the NFL just gives up when he is drafted. Yes, he's got his pay cheque but not many players would settle for that. Got to think there is more to this guy than meets the eye.

Vast majority of the players are not drafted in top 10 and get paid millions before they've even played a down in the NFL. With this guy is was quite simple - the talent was there but the desire just was/is not - nothing more or less.

Talent wise Leaf and Manning were pretty close when both were coming out of college. Talent wise JeMarcus had eye popping workouts

 

[Mike the Brit]

Another No 6: Johnathan Sullivan. Not even the Patriots could motivate him.

 

[stinkypete]

I don't see Gholston in a Pats uni. He's had three years to show something, he doesn't even have special teams value.

Maybe a team like Houston, who is switching to the 3-4, will give him a look, but I'd be surprised if he plays another NFL game.

 

[Triumph]

Vernon is one of the poster children for the rookie salary cap.

 

[mcsully]

here was a discussion with Gholston on Sirius this a.m.

Couple of key points

1. Rex Ryan system is not complicated and is more player friendly (regarding stats) and the notion of VG going to another team and doing better is highly unlikely
2. He won't be considered as big of a bust as Leaf and Russell because they got in trouble with the law
3. Maybe Gholstons problem isn't his effort but his talent level

 

[sbpatfan]

Atleast JaWalrus played a bit, Vernon seemed to only take the field out of pity.

 

[RobertWeathers]

here was a discussion with Gholston on Sirius this a.m.

Couple of key points

1. Rex Ryan system is not complicated and is more player friendly (regarding stats) and the notion of VG going to another team and doing better is highly unlikely
2. He won't be considered as big of a bust as Leaf and Russell because they got in trouble with the law
3. Maybe Gholstons problem isn't his effort but his talent level

Thats a silly conversation. Leaf was a huge bust because of his poor play. His legal issues came along afterwards.

Gholston's problem was that he stunk. He had talent. He demonstrated that at OSU. He has the physical tools. He just didn't develop pro-level technique and fundamentals that is takes to be successful in the pros.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

A draft analyst was talking about OLBs the other day and mentioned Gholston as one of these guys that has incredible burst and athleticism but is unable to turn the corner. He can get behind the offensive line and quarterback, but he doesn't have the body control to shift directions.

That being said, Gholston was not really a great player at OSU. He was good, but he was nowhere near a top 10 draft pick. Many, many analysts said that he would either be another Julius Peppers, or he would be a bust, since most of his potential was based on raw athletic skills and not technique, and he hadn't really shown the ability to dominate the game of football.

 

[sieglo]

Bill Belichick just made Danny Woodhead a star. The least he could go with Vernon is turn him into a reliable starter.

David Terrell says hi.

 

[RobertWeathers]

That being said, Gholston was not really a great player at OSU. He was good, but he was nowhere near a top 10 draft pick. Many, many analysts said that he would either be another Julius Peppers, or he would be a bust, since most of his potential was based on raw athletic skills and not technique, and he hadn't really shown the ability to dominate the game of football.

Gholston was an All-America and 1st team Big Ten and put up the numbers to justify it. For a variety of reasons, sometimes great college players do not transition to becoming great pros and good college players become great pros- technique and film-study being prime reasons.

 

[GostkowSKI]

I think Adam Schefter's tweet about Gholston this morning says a lot...

"Vernon Gholston had a $9 million escalator clause in his contract for one sack or forced fumble or fumble recovery. Never got it."

 

[ctpatsfan77]

2. Do you think if he'd been there at 7 the Pats would have pulled the trigger ? Like to think we were always trading down a couple of spots and taking Mayo but you never know.

The Pats had made the basic arrangements of the trade with the Saints the night before the draft, so it seems likely that yes, the Pats wanted Mayo all along.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think Adam Schefter's tweet about Gholston this morning says a lot...

"Vernon Gholston had a $9 million escalator clause in his contract for one sack or forced fumble or fumble recovery. Never got it."

Just for the record, that's not news.