When Vernon Gholston burst through the Giants’ offensive line and leveled backup quarterback David Carr, eyes popped on the Jets’ sideline.
Gholston, who hadn’t recorded an NFL sack — regular or preseason — not only sacked Carr, but he forced a fumble, which was recovered by the Jets.
It was a signature moment for the Jets’ 2008 No. 1 draft pick, who has otherwise been underwhelming.
In step with Gholston’s disappointing career, though, he was flagged for a 15-yard personal foul penalty for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Carr, so the sack and forced fumble were nullified and Gholston remains sackless.
“It was like (the referee) just had to call a penalty because it was too good of a hit,” Gholston said yesterday. “It was a good, clean hit. Instead, it was a 15-yard penalty and a first down for them. It cost us. Not only that, but it cost me a little bit, too (in fine money from the league). But there was no intent at all.”
But the play — minus the penalty — provided a glimpse of what the Jets are looking for from Gholston, who’s slated to start the first four regular-season games at outside linebacker in Calvin Pace’s absence due to suspension.
Despite the fact that it didn’t count, Gholston’s play excited his teammates and coaches.
“Me and (NT Kris) Jenkins were jumping around on the sideline like we made the play,” safety Kerry Rhodes said. “We saw him hit the quarterback real hard and get a sack — even though they called it back — and we were definitely happy for him, happy to see that happen.”
Rhodes said he believes Gholston, who has taken his fair share of criticism for his lack of productivity as a highly-touted draft pick, needs positive reinforcement to counteract the negativity that has come with his struggles to adjust to the NFL.
“That’s why we reacted like that, because we knew it would boost his confidence and him getting some positive thoughts from other people it has a calming effect on you,” Rhodes said. “Whenever you’re in the spotlight for not being as productive as you want to be or you should be, getting a positive thing like that is going to help.”
Rhodes acknowledged that players not living up to expectations and hearing about it “can weigh on you — especially if you’re not used to it — and I’m sure (Gholston) wasn’t used to that at Ohio State.”
Cornerback Darrelle Revis, the Jets’ first-round draft pick in 2007, understands the pressures of expectation very well.
“There are high expectations for anyone getting drafted high,” Revis said. “For some guys it takes time. Vernon has made tremendous strides from last year to this year. It’s good for him to keep on improving, because we need a big year out of him.”
Gholston, who made his first NFL start of any kind against the Giants Saturday and who’ll start in Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Eagles at Giants Stadium, said simply starting was a big boost to his confidence.
“It does a lot for your psyche in terms of getting into the game,” he said. “From the start you know what you’re doing and you really get into the feel of game and into the flow.”
Gholston said he felt like he was thinking too much about assignments early in the game, but he got more comfortable in the second quarter and “by the third quarter I was going pretty good.”
That, of course, is when he laid that hit on Carr.
“It was a good shot,” Rex Ryan said. “He grazed (Carr’s) facemask, but it was good to see him put the quarterback on the deck.”
Ryan has been talking Gholston up since the spring. Yesterday, he was a little more tempered than he has been.
“He’s improving,” Ryan said. “He’s still not where I think he’s capable of playing at. I think you’re going to see that steady climb.
“I’m encouraged by the way he performed. I know he can get better. He’s got a lot of potential.”
Potential, of course, is something Gholston needs to live up to.