ZoisKing
Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2010
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Personally, I'm hoping that DE won't be a priority for us in 2013. And I also think it's too early to be doing pass/fail evaluations on any player. But for now, I'll play, and I'll play devil's advocate about Gholston: I did state that I wanted to stay away from the prospects that we'd attempt to target this coming draft.
1. Gholston's measurables are right in the current BB bailiwick for DE's. 6'7", great wingspan, 280# or so. Perfect.
2. Gholston has great movement skills for his size, and can play in space. He came to Michigan St. as a LB. Perfect.
3. Gholston "plays rough": well, we don't want pansies out there. We've had enough "soft" players who got pushed around by the other team. And before the infamous "punch" Taylor Lewan grabbed Gholston's helmet and facemask while he was on the ground, putting him in a position to get injured: His playing rough wasn't a detriment, it was merely an illustration of what type of player he is.
William Gholston has his head pinned to the ground by U-M's Taylor Lewan no penalty 2011 - YouTube
Sh*t happens. It's not ballet out there. Richard Seymour punched Ben Rothlisberger in the face, albeit when he was playing for the Raiders. Thank God the Pats dumped him first - we don't want "rough" guys like that on the team. Ndamukong Suh threw a punch at Logan Mankins last year, and called Mankins a "dirty bastard". So what? Both are tough, physical, nasty guys who I'd take on my team any day. Apparently you're offended by a player's makeup. I merely mentioned what type of player he was.
4. Gholston's "stats don't leap out at you". Neither did Chandler Jones' stats. Since when has BB ever give a damn about that? You've clearly taken offense at his mediocre stats. I'm displaying him for what he is. Relax, its just a statement of the truth.
5. Gholston "doesn't posess suddenness". Again, neither Jones nor Bequette is a quick-twitch marvel. BB values much more than how quick a prospect's first step is. Gholston has the length to clog the passing lanes, the size and strength to set the edge, and the power to bulldoze his way through offensive tackles.
6. Gholston's "technique doesn't look great". He was a sophomore, for Crissakes, and the film is limited. I'll leave it to BB and company to evaluate his junior film more thorough and figure out whether he can be coached up. JPP's technique sucked coming out of college. Apparently I've offended your binky. You're jumping to his aid rather quickly wouldn't you say?
7. Gholston "seems to the left of center as far as personalities go". Why? Because he's wearing a sombrero? Because he's a little giddy after a bowl game? He seems reasonably articulate, certainly compared to the likes of Courtney Upshaw and Quinton Coples. Here's an interview with Gholston after the infamous Michigan game: Who, in a mature state of mind wants to wear a sombrero to a post game interview? What image does that present? What story are you trying to tell us?
Michigan State's William Gholston Post Game vs Michigan - YouTube
He doesn't seem too far out there to me. And if he is a little goofy, so what? Matt Light left dead animals in people's lockers and electrically shocked BB with a fake mouse, and he worked out OK. (Of course, OTG would point out that you want your left tackle to be "left of center".)
My biggest questions with Gholston are not his personality or his "playing rough" but whether he is consistent enough, whether his motor is on enough, whether he cares enough about football to work hard enough, and whether his processing speed is adequate. All of those are open questions going into his junior year. I'd be hesitant to grade him as a "fail" this early. Its an early grade, I did mention the season is far away. Your opinion is a bit too strong for an early diagnosis. I merely meant to present a player and his ability to be a Pats player at this stage. He's got an entire season to prove me wrong.
INCOMPLETE
Apparently you don't like these type of early grades. That's fine. Don't expect me to care at this point. His previous season isn't top ten draft worthy as many sites have portrayed. He could gain ground, but I'd say he's a bit unconventional to be so highly rated.
Don't be so aggressive in your retort from now on. You've been a great poster for me till this point, but I don't care to read such a harsh reaction. I'm merely trying to present a calm and reasonable point of view at an extremely early stage.
It isn't an exact indicator of what will come. Show restraint, and reason if you want to make this thread and this board welcome to others.