OT- Santonio Holmes traded to Jets
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/04/11/steelers-ship-santonio-…
Wow, didn't see this coming at all. So a buckeye pairs up with a wolverine at the receiver position. Also, a hawkeye as the probable starting running back. Interesting off-season for the Jets, could they be the favorites to win the AFC this year?
A buckeye at center too (Nick Mangold).
but they have David Harris!
Oh wait, they don't brag about him, do they?
April 12th, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
And a Boilermaker at TE. It's too bad that there's no speed in the Big Ten, which is why it's so inferior to the SEC in football.
April 12th, 2010 at 11:21 AM ^
Best case scenario (as far as I'm concerned) is Holmes forces the defense to play honest coverage, allowing Braylon the freedom to dominate the way he did at Michigan and in 2007.
Given the way Braylon has teased us in the past, I'd love to see him finally assert himself as one of the top WRs in the NFL.
I am so excited for this NFL season! Obviously the defense will have a good chance to dominate again with the return of Pro Bowler Kris Jenkins and the addition of Cromartie. As long as Sanchez plays a safe game (and his O-line continues the stellar play), the running game powered by Greene, Washington and Tomlinson should be a force! They needed a speed guy in the receiving corps and got that with Holmes. I can't see any glaring weaknesses so I am looking for their first outright AFC East title in years, hopefully a return to the AFC championship game and we'll see if they can solve Peyton :/
Not to be a hater, but I'm not buying this move for Holmes or NY. They got good value, but something tells me this is a fuse waiting to be lit. A player with problems, going to a city know for causing/exacerbating them...?
There's countless stories of players being traded to NY teams and not being able to handle the pressure/nightlife of the city. If you don't believe me, just ask Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph, Eddie Curry, Randy Johnson, Plaxico, Pavel Bure, Mo Vaugh, and a host of others.
Sure, some of them pan out, but I'm not sure if this team has a strong enough veteran presence to keep everyone in check. I suppose it'll be up to some of the new guys.
Oh yeah, and I'd Still take Michigan's own Tommy Brady and his pats to win the AFC East/
This may be true, but all the Jets did was give up a fifth round pick. I posted this in the other thread, but I am liking the Cromartie/Holmes move for one big (literally/figuratively) reason: Rex Ryan. If he coaches anything like his dad, he's not going to put up with bullshit. I think an environment as such allows them to easier handle problem-children because Ryan and co. won't put up with their BS for long and will send them packing. It's a win/win for the Jets IMO. If it doesn't pan out, they lost a pick that MIGHT provide a marginal level starter. If it does, they all of a sudden have a dangerous 1/2 combo of Braylon/Holmes at little to no cost.
I love that the Jets/Ravens have been the only defenses in the past few years to line up in the 46 defense in definite running situations. Rex didn't fall too far from the tree, and while I dislike most things NY... I'm a Rex Ryan fan
also, it's great to see David Harris succeeding under a defensive mind in the NFL
April 12th, 2010 at 10:30 AM ^
I dont think that Eddie Curry or Pavel Bure qualify for "not being able to handle the pressure/nightlife of the city." Curry, more than anything, was just completely out of shape and terrible. Bure, on the other hand, was just always injured, which led to him retiring. Also, IIRC, Plaxico was a very very big reason for why the Giants won the Superbowl and for why they struggled after he went to jail.
April 12th, 2010 at 11:08 AM ^
I typically will agree with this statement, but there are better examples than some of the ones you mentioned (mainly the Knicks examples anyway). Stephon is from Brooklyn, and he really didn't get along with D'Antoni. And the Knicks have been plain garbage over the last several seasons.
In my opinion, the Jets were already the favorite in the East. This move definately puts them in consideration for the best team in the AFC/NFL period. They have a lights out defense, and now more weapons on offense with a quarterback that grew more and more comfortable by the day during last season. They have set themselves up to only have to draft for depth. I am envious as a Lions fan, and wish the Lions could get on this level!!!
it appears that Santonio has "blazed" a path out of Pittsburgh.
Off last year, and with their youth, you would have to consider them the nominal favorites. Miami could contend with a few of our guys leading the way.
April 12th, 2010 at 11:19 PM ^
I grew up a Jets fan but I'd root for Miami with Chad Henne behind the center. I think my allegiance now belongs to my favorite Mochigan players.
So is Tressel a redneck hick who recruits nothing but thugs because Holmes is having a lot of behavior issues, including run-ins with the law, after his college career?
April 12th, 2010 at 11:15 PM ^
Redneck hick? Not with that sweater vest he ain't.
I'm glad to see that questionable character is becoming more of a liability in the NFL. If the players are being paid millions of dollars a year, the least they can do is stay out of trouble. I don't blame the Steelers for sending Holmes on his way. They've got enough to deal with in the allegations against Roethlisberger that seem to pop up every so often.
With the obvious difference that Roethlisberger hasn't ever faced any charges. Roetherlisberger's "issues" have been just allegations, whereas Holmes has actually faced formal charges.
April 12th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^
He has faced no actual charges. But after so many "issues", it's getting harder to believe that there is absolutely nothing to them.
It's naive to look at it that way, because I could easily say that he's actually more vulnerable because of the perception that is created when one only makes an accusation against somebody. Another accuser could come forward a few years from now and people would be led to believe he was automatically guilty solely because somebody has accused him in the past.
Good point. If I were him, I think I'd avoid nightclubs for awhile, though.
April 12th, 2010 at 11:08 AM ^
Wow just wow. I can't believe this trade went down, but it's a decent trade for both sides. The Jets get a good football player who can stretch the field. The Steelers get rid of a headache, and don't have to pay a good not great receiver 10 million bucks a year.
April 12th, 2010 at 11:20 AM ^
This has more to do with finances than with character.
Other than Hines Ward, the Steelers have let every other WR they've had go.
Getting rid of Ernie Mills was supposed to kill the franchise. Than it was Yancy Thigpen. Then Charles Johnson and Troy Edwards. Then Plaxico. Then Randle El. Then Nate Washington.
With his deal up after this season, the Steelers, even without character issues, were not going to resign him to top market dollar. They let other teams over pay for that. Time and time again.
Did some of the character issues speed this up? Yes. Surely. But, the Steelers got more in return for Holmes than any of those above dudes, all of whom walked as unrestricted free agents.
Ward is still there consistently producing 80 catches a year. heath miller caught 75 balls. Mike Wallace went for 20 yards a pop his last season at Ole Miss and then went for 19.5 a pop on 39 catches as a rookie last year. They got Randle-El back, and he's had three years in a row of 50+ catches playing for a horrible offense in Washington.
The Steelers will not skip a beat with this move.
April 12th, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^
Yeh I think the fact they had Mike Wallace who at this point has a similar skillset to Holmes, but is less of a character issue was the reason they made the deal. Still, as a Bills fan seeing the Jets pick up Cromartie, Holmes without giving up anything major is scary, especially when the Bills haven't done much at all.
April 12th, 2010 at 12:00 PM ^
I wouldnt be too fond of the trade if I were a Pats, Fins or Bills fan
I mean, as a Steeler fan I am disappointed a bit as I like Santonio. Its nice to have a pair of Super Bowl MVPs at the WR position.
But, the production they got out of Wallace last year drove this trade. If he has a typical rookie year that most mid round WRs would have, they probably stick it out with Holmes for his last year. But 40 catches. 19.5 yards per catch. As he worked his way up the depth chart? That's not a bad rookie year
But, he seems to be a legit weapon. And between he and Randle El they're probably paying less in salary now between those two combined than with one Santionio
Steelers economics. Its been working for 20 years. This trade does not worry this life long Steeler fan.
April 12th, 2010 at 12:29 PM ^
As a Steelers fan, your posts here are right on the money. The only place that I'd disagree with you is that I'm happy with this move, not disappointed.
April 12th, 2010 at 12:52 PM ^
Gotta agree with both of you. The Rooney's have run the organization like this for years.. and it's continued to work for them because they find the right guys. Yeah, it sucks to lose a talented player who has played very well, but I think we'll be fine. Like to see what Mike Wallace can do as well.
Sweet, didnt know you were a Steeler fan. Sorry for not noticing! JC, you a Steeler fan too?
Its really both emotions. I'm always disappointed when we lose a really talented guy, regardless of situation. I mean we want our team to be stacked, right? So, thats where I'm coming from there. And, the SB season was just so special and he was a big part of it. So, its a disappointing end.
But, I'm more than happy. I mean, there is an 98 percent chance this would become into a terrible locker room situation with him being a free agent after the season and all. Not to mention, if they waited and shopped him around, who the hell wants espn 24/7 in Latrobe on the 'did santonio get traded today' beat when they're trying to train for the season.
Even if you get clobbered vis a vis a value, just get it over with and move on. And, well, we'll see if they were clobbered. Good luck avoiding that third positive in NYC.
They will be fine. Back in business if Troy is healthy.
The Black and Gold nation is everywhere! :)
April 12th, 2010 at 12:05 PM ^
As a Jets fan I'm really happy with this trade. The biggest bonus, imhe, is that it allows us to create all sorts of mismatches, taking pressure off of Sanchez and keeping teams honest so that we can still run heavily.
This allows us to use Cotchery as a slot most of the time (he will flourish there), and can also allow us to put Braylon in the slot from time to time. With his size and blocking, that will be dangerous.
I've heard rumors that the deal also informally includes Leon Washington being signed by Pitt (he's a RFA). If that's the case the deal makes more sense for Pittsburgh.
April 12th, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
I really hope the part about Leon isn't true. I don't know why the jets would do that, when Leon's big play capability was something the Jets were really missing last season after he broke his leg. On the other hand, there is no reason to have 3 capable RBs and WR was one of the biggest weaknesses on the team. I would really prefer they keep Leon, but wouldn't be too disappointed if he does go.
I love Leon both personally and for what he brings to the team (i.e., big play capability on any given touch), but there's now bad blood between him and the Jets, mostly because of his agent. The Jets don't want to give up too much because his leg injury was really bad and may affect said big play ability, and they have two other starting RBs. I think they've offered a lot, but the agent, Alvin Keels, is known for being a douchebag (even relative to other agents) and wants too much.
April 12th, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^
At least the Steelers have hardware doing it the Steelers way. Philly: once you hit the magic age its time for you to go. I can't wait for those fans to turn on Kolb, poor kid.