REX RYAN was not around when the Jets selected Vernon Gholston with the No. 6 overall pick of the 2008 draft, but he said yesterday that he would not have chosen him that high at that time.

"I thought there probably needed to be some development there," Ryan said. "Now? I would. Right now I like the way how he plays."

Gholston, a standout linebacker at Ohio State, switched to defensive end as a rookie under coach Eric Mangini, but has yet to record a sack in 35 career games. Ryan reasoned that Gholston has taken a longer time to develop than the franchise expected, but he has been diligent in improving and accepting his role in dealing with the dirty work. He has collected five tackles in seven games as a reserve this season, his third.

"He's going to be an excellent player, I really think that," Ryan said.

Ryan added that heightened expectations came with the number attached to the pick did not help Gholston.

"You're thinking, hey he's the sixth overall pick and you're going to get Lawrence Taylor," Ryan said of fans' mentality. "There has only been one Lawrence Taylor."

When asked whether he believed Gholston had a future with the team, Ryan said, "Absolutely."

"Eventually, he's going to make those numbers that people think," Ryan said.Ryan is aware of the homecoming feeling that several of his players with Detroit-area ties are experiencing. "Anytime you go back home, you want to do something special," Ryan said.

MOTOR CITY MOTIVATION
LBs Calvin Pace, Bart Scott and David Harris were all born in Detroit, as were Gholston and WR Braylon Edwards. OL Damien Woody played four seasons for the Lions, and S Eric Smith played at Michigan State.

COOL POOL
S Brodney Pool, who was taken out of practice Thursday following a collision with cornerback Darrelle Revis, practiced Friday. Pool, who has a history of migraines and concussions, expects to play.

"I'm fine," said Pool, who did not suffer a concussion. "I just didn't look up in time and ran into his chest."

OFF THE MARK
Edwards insisted that his comments Thursday critical of Mark Sanchez were taken out of context. Edwards and a Jets spokesman maintained he was speaking of quarterbacks in general, not Sanchez specifically, when he said, "Once a quarterback gets to a certain point, where his mistakes are far and few between ... it's hard to be that (critical) when your mistakes are at a substantial level." ... Backup quarterback Mark Brunell said his body language fine policy for Sanchez was meant to be fun in nature. "Can I say 'no comment' and not be fined?" Brunell said with a laugh. ... Pool (head), Revis (hamstring), Pace (foot) and Harris (back) are all probable for Sunday.