Jets select Gholston with 6th pick in draft

In Philadelphia a few years ago, the football fans booed Santa during a half time show. There is only one crowd tougher that that — the fanatics that attend the NFL draft in New York. But when Commissioner Roger Goodell called Vernon Gholston's name as the #6 overall selection to the New York Jets, the fans erupted with cheers and clapping.

Gholston fits well with the 3-4 defense of the Jets. The Jets' management saw what a good pass rush did to disrupt the offense of their hated rival the New England Patriots. As a result, the entire linebacking group of the Jets is getting overhauled. Starting outside backer Victor Hobson was allowed to leave as a free agent and the other starter, David Bowens, won his spot by default when former starter Bryan Thomas was benched part way through the 2007 season. Bowens played “okay” according to one Jets executive.

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To address the situation, the Jets signed Calvin Pace from Arizona where he was a starter for part of a single season replacing an injured starter. While Pace played well, he is far from a sure thing. Bowens and Thomas are still on the roster, but when a team spends 42 million dollars over 6 years for a free agent and then selects another player in the 6th pick over all in the draft, it is time to begin interviewing real estate agents.

Pace and Gholston will be the starters going into camp.

by Bill Smith
BigTen-fans.com Staff Writer

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi - pro teams and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://BrutusReport.com and has published several novels on http://ebooks - library.com/index.cfm

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