Vernon Gholston signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract a year ago after the former Ohio State star was drafted in the first round by the New York Jets.

With all of his straightahead speed and sculpted build, though, Gholston has registered a grand total of 24 tackles in two NFL seasons.

Paid the big money to rush the passer, Gholston has never recorded a sack in 23 career games.

Wow.

Athletic and mobile at 6-foot-3, 264 pounds, Gholston has yet to put it all together.

And the question remains if he ever will.

Since Calvin Pace returned from his suspension, Gholston has only four tackles.

And his active presence on gameday kept special-teams contributor Marques Murrell from being up for the Jets' loss to the Miami Dolphins where Ted Ginn Jr. ran back two kickoffs for touchdowns.

The Jets aren't getting a proper return on their hefty investment in Gholston.

And if fiery defensive guru Rex Ryan can't get Gholston going, then it's highly questionable whether anyone can.

The clock is ticking on this one.

It's time for Gholston to justify his draft status.

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