Ali G Bomaye

January 3rd, 2013 at 4:06 PM ^

Even if he never signs a deal after his rookie contract, the majority of the lifetime earnings of a guy like Gholston are going to come from the NFL.  I could be wrong, but a guy like him doesn't strike me as a mental powerhouse.  For most people a college degree is a sign of accomplishment, but for a guy who puts just enough into their school to stay eligible for football, getting that piece of paper won't turn you from Goofus into Gallant.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 17648

go16blue

January 3rd, 2013 at 1:10 PM ^

Can't say it's going to be a massive loss for them production wise but every bit helps. I get the feeling we're going to have to run it well, early, and often when we play them in EL next year so any less talent on the DL will help us there. The biggest benefit here for me though, is that we get to stop hearing about how much of a "beast" he is.

Joined: 04/28/2010

MGoPoints: 6755

WolvinLA2

January 3rd, 2013 at 1:54 PM ^

Gholston didn't do a ton against us, but that's because we had the best LT in the country lined up across from him. Next year, Gholston likely would have been better, and Schofield isn't Lewan. Now, their starter will be Joel Heath, and his back up will be some noob. MSUs worst position recruiting-wise over the lt few years has been the DL, so every guy they lose there is a big hit for them. They will be young, small and thin on the DL for the next couple years.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

tbeindit

January 3rd, 2013 at 1:12 PM ^

Originally, I cared the least about his NFL status out of pretty much anyone on MSU"s roster.  However, in hindsight, this could actually be a pretty important development.  Yes, he was highly overrated and wasn't much of a factor this season, but look at their defensive line.  They now lose 3/4 starters.  Yes, we know they have built some decent depth on the defensive side, but that is certainly going to be a challenge to replace, especially for a positional group that certainly took a step back this season.

I won't say this is going to wreck their defense or anything, but I definitely think this could be important for hurting their d-line and defensive production.  When you add in that they play on a team with a struggling offense that just lost its best two players, MSU could be in for another rough year next season, even with a forgiving schedule.

Joined: 01/27/2011

MGoPoints: 2039

Hannibal.

January 3rd, 2013 at 1:13 PM ^

Even though he has major upside, this is still a big mistake.  You don't leave school early to be picked in the middle to late rounds.  Economically, he would be way better off taking another year to work on technique.  Plus, it sure is nice to have a college degree that you can use for the 25-35 years that you need to earn a paycheck outside of professional football. 

Joined: 09/09/2008

MGoPoints: 9051

Bigscotto68

January 3rd, 2013 at 1:15 PM ^

Along with the trifecta, the also lose Norman and Addams as well as their starting NT and DT. Also lose 2 of their best 3 OL. Intergalactic recruiting better step it up. I still stand by my statement that Narduzzi will bolt this offseason, as life without Tom will be unbearable....lol #spartytears

Joined: 01/28/2012

MGoPoints: 1071

ThWard

January 3rd, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^

Mgoblog readers' perceptions of Gholston seem largely (if not exclusively) based on his "more bark than bite" performances against UM.  

But in most MSU games I've seen, WG was a pretty disruptive presence off the end; and against UM, he was usually lined up against a top 15 NFL draft pick in Lewan (even without that bone-jarring hit on Vincent Smith, I doubt any of us would think Clowney wasn't that great simply because Lewan held him at bay -- not comparing the two ends, just saying our Lewan-UM glasses might shade our evals of Gholston).

Also, as a multi-year starter with a year of eligibility left, Gholston could have taken a leap next year, too.  All in all: big loss for MSU.

 

Edit: Obvious conclusion is obvious -- a big loss for MSU makes me happy.

Joined: 07/10/2008

MGoPoints: 5169

Section 1

January 3rd, 2013 at 1:33 PM ^

Courtesy of Casablanca; Mark Dantonio's final words to Tom Gholston:

Coach D: "Hey, Will; Will -- is that your name?  Because Lynn Henning and Drew Sharp were telling me something about Tom-- oh never mind, it doesn't matter anymore.  Anyway, last night, we said a great many things. You said I was to do the thinking for both of us. Well, I've done a lot of it since then and it all adds up to one thing. You're getting on that plane to the combine where you belong."


Tom G: "But Coach, no, I've..."
 

Coach D: "Now, you've got to listen to me. Do you have any idea what you've have to look forward to if you stayed here? Nine chances out of ten, we'd both wind up in an NCAA concentration camp, or the Ingham County Jail. Isn't that true, Louis?"
 

Captain Louis Renault (played brilliantly by a holographic image of deceased actor Claude Rains): "I'm afraid the NCAA would insist."
 

Tom: "You're saying this only to make me go."
 

Coach D: "I'm saying it because it's true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with the Ravens, or the Raiders. You're part of their ethos; one of the thugs that sell tickets in Baltimore or Oakland; the thing that keeps them going. If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with an agent, you'll regret it. Maybe not today, and maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life.
 

Tom G: "What about us?"
 

Coach D: "We'll always have East Lansing, and those bronze age uniforms. We didn't have - we'd - we'd lost it until you came to East Lansing. We got it back last week, in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl."
 

Tom G: "When I said I would never leave you.."
 

Coach D: "And you never will. I've got a job to do too. Where I'm going -- to the middle tier of the Legends Division -- you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Tom, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little personal fouls doesn't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that. Now, now. Here's looking at you, kid." ""

 

 

 

 

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 16535

jmblue

January 3rd, 2013 at 1:39 PM ^

I'm glad he's leaving.  He didn't reach his potential, but (like Sims) might have in 2013 if he'd stayed.  The guy who replaces him probably won't be as talented.

Joined: 11/07/2008

MGoPoints: 102800

Sac Fly

January 3rd, 2013 at 1:46 PM ^

From what I read, he has a young child. The opportunity to make good money now and provide for his family is probably what's on his mind. He can get drafted in the 5th round and make a half million a year. I would do it.

Joined: 04/03/2010

MGoPoints: 5981

jericho

January 3rd, 2013 at 2:40 PM ^

Interesting decision.  I don't see him being drafted before the fourth round. He might have come up with this when he got the wind knocked out of his head.

Joined: 07/04/2009

MGoPoints: 2632

cadillacjack333

January 3rd, 2013 at 5:00 PM ^

Are they Spartrats abandoning the ship because their captain is interviewing for other jobs where it will be easier to recruit and win?  No one can accuse Dantonio of being dumb and it does not help  that the greatest coach in Spartan history is playing for yet another national championship down in Alabama.

Joined: 10/27/2010

MGoPoints: 284

Caesar

January 3rd, 2013 at 5:41 PM ^

Lewan ends up on top, Gholston a footnote.

This is going to be awesome for everyone except for, possibly, Michigan. Blue loses a great LT and an incompetant opponent. 

Joined: 03/25/2009

MGoPoints: 7708

Mgodiscgolfer

January 3rd, 2013 at 9:08 PM ^

 I bet he didn't want to compete for his job next year. I mean really what did this guy accomplish this past season? Did he lead the team in sacks, TFL's maybe team leader in tackles, or was he just leading in Personal Fouls. He will get his chance in the NFL for sure but I personally look for him to bust.

Joined: 01/13/2011

MGoPoints: 5322