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[SteveRobWhatever]

Film reviews hurt DE Gholston

There has been great media buzz about the value of Ohio State defensive end/outside linebacker Vernon Gholston shooting up draft boards after his great individual workout, but when it comes to teams meeting and settling on their final rankings, he is not as high as many would expect.

The NFL teams focused primarily on game film evaluation have become disappointed with Gholston's inconsistent production in college. He doesn't show the necessary first-step explosiveness to consistently come hard on the edge pass rush, shows little variety with his moves and has clearly shown up as neither competing nor playing his hardest on every snap.



So while Gholston's stock is tapering off a bit, another pass-rushing defensive end, Clemson's Phillip Merling, is benefiting by teams closely studying film, on which Merling shows up as a more complete player.

Merling also is short on first-step explosiveness to get around the corner, but unlike Gholston, he has an expansive repertoire of pass-rush moves, which he combines well with his hands, strength and leverage to consistently beat offensive tackles and pressure quarterbacks. In addition, there is no question that Merling plays with real passion and intensity on every snap.

It's still likely that Gholston gets drafted ahead of Merling in the first round, it's no longer a sure thing. When the discussion gets to Gholston, it has brought up memories of Mike Mamula -- as a workout star who has been greatly overvalued as a football player.

[Crowned]

Yea I seen something sort of like this on ESPN's draft special.

[nastynate184]

interesting, well i still want the raiders to take him

[86WARD]

Hmmmm...I'd love to see New England take him and have his career mirror that of Mike Mamula. Including the scene where Mamula pulls his pants down in the middle of the bar. I wonder what that guy is doing now...

[Jammin Jaguar]

He'll still be one of the top 10 picks without a doubt. I think there is even a possibility he goes top 5, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if he went #1 overall to the Dolphins. He is an electric DE/OLB.

On the other hand, I really wish Phillip Merling's stock wasn't rising as a result!

[K Train]

no doubt hes a workout champion, the man is an athletic speciman and powerful as fuck. I think hes gonna be awesome because his game can be tweaked but hes got all the tools to be a monster. I think hes a mediocre DE in a 43 but i think hes an allstar OLB in the 34...he'll be a star if drafted into the right system

[TDJets72027]

He's gonna be a star, stocks are overrrated

[BengalStripes]

He made Jake Long look like a fool. Just toasted him off the line.

[TDJets72027]

Originally Posted by BengalStripes

He made Jake Long look like a fool. Just toasted him off the line.

Yep, if he keeps it up, he an HOFer

[ketbuckfan]

If he had that solid of a college career with only having one move, imagine a NFL d-line coach working with him. He will be fine, he has the strength, speed, and size just a little teaching from coaches and willingness to learn from Vern and he will make some plays at the next level.