Really appreciate your kind words, and thoughtful response. I always love hearing feedback on stories, whether it’s positive or negative. As for the comparisons to Gholston, I was referring to Heyward only. Maybe I could have been more clear there. I understand his lineage, as mentioned in the article, but his collegiate stats do not blow me away. I’m not sure if he can say he had one breakout year. You could argue his Junior season, but nothing that wows me. I credit him for playing in the rough and tumble Big 10, but the Ohio State uniform just scares me too much. Where he played mostly on the line — inside and on the edge — I think it’s more of a project to transform him to a 5-techinique/OLB player, thus the Gholston comparison.

As for Houston, however, I also love him. Like you said, a relentless motor and can rundown RB. The OLB/DE position is pretty loaded in this year’s draft, but, in my eyes, he’s the cream of the crop (yes, ahead of Von Miller). He’s proven that he can dominate in the 4-3 and can be downright scary in the 3-4, as Georgia switched schemes from his sophomore and junior season. And he did it in the rougher and tumble-er SEC. I try to be objective in my writing, but my man-crush for Houston shows through. Jets should try to get him, even if it means trading up. But if he lands with my favorite team (which shall remain nameless), I won’t be mad either.

As for Houston; Another guy who is nothing like Gholston. He’s instinctive. He has a motor. He is not a one year wonder and as you stated in your article above, he worked off a nice 2009 campaign and had a monster 2010 junior year. His only likeness to Gholston is his build and his speed. Only Houston has both stopwatch speed and game speed! Unlike Gholston, Justin Houston is not a mystery or an unknown in terms of what he projects to as an outside backer in a 34, because he played it extensively at Georgia. Although he may be a little stiff in his hips, he can drop back into coverage and plays the run really well. He is my pick for the Jets. I pray hes there or close enough for Trader Mike can jump up to get him. If New England goes DE/5 technique or offense with their 17th pick in round 1, he will not get past them at 28. I’ll say this; If he is the Jets pick, he not only plays extensively next year but Ill wager he plays opposite Pace, and Pace becomes a double digit sack guy. (As long as Pace plays 16 games.) Whats more, that duo will get north of 17 sacks in Houston’s rookie year in Ryans defense. Vernon Gholston is dead and buried in terms of his haunting Jets fans. he’s sleeping his Jets soul with the likes of Blair Thomas, Reggie Rembert and Johnny Mitchell! No reason to be gun shy because of Gholston. Besides, Mr T’s draft record has been really solid. And word is the Mangidiot fought him tooth and nail for Gholston in the draft room, where Tannenbaum lobbied hard for Mckelvin or Mayo. Mangidiot felt that Mayo does nothing for the Jets as an inside linebacker, especially that high in the draft. What a Jerk! I am a big Bart Scott guy, but could you imagine Mayo and the hitman together??