JETS’ GHOLSTON: “OBVIOUSLY, IN COLLEGE, I WAS A GOOD PLAYER”

New York Jets outside linebacker Vernon Gholston is determined to rebound from an unproductive rookie season, telling the New York Daily News that he’s extremely motivated to prove himself. A first-round draft pick from Ohio State who excelled as a pass rusher in college, Gholston didn’t record a sack last season. Despite not being injured, he was deactivated late in the season against the Buffalo Bills, which hurt his pride. “It did a lot, I can’t say it didn’t,” Gholston told Rich Cimini of the Daily News. “But I don’t think there’s any doubt around here on whether I can play the game or not. Obviously, in college, I was a good player. It’s about getting back to what makes me a good player.” Gholston is hoping to break out of his rookie struggles after being compared by new Jets coach Rex Ryan to Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, who improved markedly after a poor minicamp when he was a rookie. Suggs wound up being named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and registered a dozen sacks in his first season. "[Ryan] told me about that,” Gholston said. “I guess everybody kind of points it toward me . . . Terrell Suggs is a great player. He was a great player in college, but it’s two different situations. “To say the same thing is going to happen in this case, I don’t know. It’s a different team and there probably will be different tweaks in the defense. I’m not even sure where I’ll be at. We have to wait and see, really.” According to NFL.com, Gholston recorded just 13 tackles in 15 games with no starts last season.