Welcome to the Jets, Mr. Holmes...
So, Santonio Holmes is coming to New York... So many random thoughts rattled in my head since this trade announcement came late last night, and the list is somewhat growing as more news about Mr. Holmes trickles across the radio, internet and twitter.
First, the trade stunned me and still does. Why did the Steelers want to unload a talented wide receiver, a super bowl MVP two years ago? And for just a FIFTH ROUND draft pick? If that's not a "don't let the door hit you on the way out" message, what is? Second, why were the Jets so willing to jump at the offer?
Now, to paraphrase the late Paul Harvey, we're starting to get the rest of the story. The Steelers wanted to get rid of Holmes and his baggage as quickly as possible, and as we all know from Spirit Air, baggage is no longer free. Unless you follow every single player in the NFL, you tend to forget which ones get busted for drugs, or drunk driving, or domestic violence, or disorderly conduct. Sorry to say, but these rap sheets seem so redundant for too many NFL players over the past years that it all seems a blur to old-timers like me who remember the day when your favorite players sold cars or insurance during the off-season, or even worked as substitute teachers (just remember, Ahmad Rashad taught math, and Vince Papale taught English).
Apparently this drinking glass toss by Holmes was the last straw with the Steelers? No... the last straw may be what was IN the glass, or accompanying the beverage, since Holmes is facing a 4-game suspension for substance violation, and somehow I don't think the straw we're talking about is the one that stirred his drink. So, the Steelers decided enough was enough of whatever enough there was, and now he's OURS?! Hey, er, um, thanks?
Okay, so the reality facing us Jets fans is that our team has obtained a pro-bowl caliber receiver on the cheap for the last 12 games of the 2010 season. If Holmes keeps his nose clean (in more ways than one, dare we ask?) and plays up to his potential, we now have a very potent passing attack with QB Mark Sanchez, RBs Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson, TE Dustin Keller, and WRs Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery, and Holmes. And, let's not forget WR Brad Smith and a healthy Leon Washington.
Hey, this is great. ESPN Radio's Jason Smith, a rabid Jets fan, has already tweeted his "Jets to the Super Bowl" vision, and I'd be hard-pressed not to agree, but as SNY's Chris Carlin, the New York Daily News' Rich Cimini, ESPN's Skip Bayless, Mike Greenberg, and Rachel Nichols, among others, have already noted, this trade has a little dark cloud as well.
Call me crazy, but with all the "characters" head coach Rex Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum are trying to blend together for a super bowl push, I had a brief flashback to the movie "The Bad News Bears". I'm not talking about a collection of inept kids at baseball here, but what was on the back of their uniforms. Do you remember the late Walter Mathau got a place called Chico's Bail Bonds to sponsor the team so the kids could have uniforms? THIS was my first reaction to the Holmes trade and Jets fans planning their super bowl parties... The Jets uniforms will be sponsored by every bail bond place in New Jersey!
My second reaction was if Holmes and his baggage was okay for the Jets, imagine how bad Brandon Marshall's baggage must really be for the Jets to decline trade talks with Denver!
My third reaction, and I admit that ESPN's Skip Bayless was the first to publicly say it, if the Steelers were that willing to get rid of Holmes, imagine how they're looking for a way to get rid of QB Ben Roethlisberger! As Skip Bayless, Rachel Nichols, and Adam Schefter have already presented, the Holmes trade was a message from Steelers management to their entire team, especially Roethlisberger, that off-field nonsense would no longer be tolerated and either walk right or pack up. The Steelers have always been a proud and conservative franchise. Their founder, the late Art Rooney Sr., had a strong relationship with Pittsburgh's Catholic community, and must be spinning in his grave faster and faster with each news flash involving his beloved team's players. Every person or organization has a breaking point, and the Steelers finally reached theirs.
But the Steelers discard is now our new offensive weapon. Some folks are already wondering if our Jets are slowly becoming the east coast version of the old Oakland Raiders, those men of "Pride and Poise", "Commitment to Excellence", that merry band of misfits and marauders who played by their own rules, took no prisoners, and won often. But even bad boys get old and being bad boys doesn't sustain league dominance as we sadly see on the other coast. And sometimes bad boys lack discipline and composure, and sabotage the grand visions of head coaches and GMs who think they can tame the savages enough to win it all. Besides, can any of you envision Woody Johnson wearing white pants and a black leather jacket like Al Davis?!
As much as I'd love to see our Jets win another super bowl (heck, just make it back first), I don't want to see parole officers sharing the stage with everyone hoisting the Lombardi trophy in February. Not a picture I'd like to cherish, if you know what I mean.
So, Santonio Holmes, welcome to the New York Metropolitan area, and good luck as our Jets' new addition. I hope you'll contribute well on and off the field during your stay. Oh, and try not to complain too much about that tight leash coaches and management will have on you... it's a lot more comfortable than cuffs and an orange jumpsuit.
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