Santonio Holmes To The Jets

by Brandon on Apr 12, 2010 7:00 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

Wow. WR Santonio Holmes is shipped off to the Jets for only a 5th round pick. Just looking at his performance on the field, the Steelers gave the Jets a gift. He was ranked as the 10th best receiver in 2009 by Football Outsiders, which is higher than either WR Donald Driver or WR Greg Jennings.

Of course, Holmes comes with a lot of baggage. He's had a history of violence, and that was before the alleged assault or the likely 4 game suspension for substance abuse he's had this offseason. It's interesting to watch two different philosophies in action. The Steelers will take anything to get him away from their team, and out of the locker room. Meanwhile the Jets are willing to take on the problems that comes with his talent. It would appear that most teams are like the Steelers, or else there's no way he'd be traded for as little as a 5th round pick.

From the comments at Behind The Steel Curtain:

I don’t think he’s the fall guy I think he’s an idiot and trading him was probably the right thing. I just don’t see why, unless they’re convinced he’s going to be facing an 8+ game suspension or worse, they would sell so low.

I mean a 5th rounder is virtually getting nothing for him. Couldn’t we have at least gotten a 5th rounder and some no name fullback like Cleveland?

And Gang Green Nation:

What Were The Steelers Thinking???

They couldve gotten more for Holmes. If the Jets dont go back to the AFC title game with this team, they arent ever winning another SB

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I just ran into this...

and I can’t believe the STEAL the jets got. While Holmes has a bit of headcase in him, a 5th rounder is the kind of deal you give when the guy has continually done something stupid. I don’t think that is the case. The steelers offense just took a HUGE hit this year. I think they are due for another step in the wrong direction now.

by TrevorR on Apr 12, 2010 7:58 AM CDT reply actions

Holmes

He’s had ALOT of off the field problems!!! And is getting suspended for 4 games… In the last year of his contract and Steelers weren’t paying him big $$$ w/ all his issues!!! Jets get a top WR, but for only 12 games at best and may lose him to FA next year!!!

NFL teams and expecially the Steelers, w/ the Roethlesberger situation, weren’t going to pay him to stay and be a continual problem!!! Which is what he has been!!!

by Strohman on Apr 12, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Regardless. A fifth round pick has what, a 93 percent failure rate. So they are giving up an almost guaranteed bust for a guy who will likely be a top 12-16 WR who will be coupled with a good young QB, and another pretty good WR in Edwards…not to mention a nice Oline and running backs. This team is poised to be the team to beat in the AFC right now. Why would Holmes NOT resign in a situation like that?

Even if he misses half the season, who cares. They gave nothing up to get him really…I guess the only cost is his contract.

by TrevorR on Apr 12, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

issues

You don’t seem to understand!!! The NFL in general and the Steelers in particular are fed up w/ this type of behavior. And if Holmes has any kind of off field issue in the next few years he’ll get a 1 year suspension, which seems pretty likely considering he’s had about 4 issues so far!!! Plus the Steelers are sending a message to the team and Roethlesberger that more off field issues won’t be tolerated!!! He too is likely to be suspended, either by the NFL or at the least by the Steelers!

A clearer message can’t be sent than to trade Holmes for whatever you can get… you can bet Ben got that message, not to mention the team!!!

by Strohman on Apr 12, 2010 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions

!!!

Did you forget to take your meds this morning? Settle down dude. First, one exclamation point emphasizes a point just fine, okay!!!! :-)

I get the point. Just change the fact that a 5th is nothing. People are going to make stupid decisions, these guys aren’t going to lock themselves into a room all night. They should cause they are targets out there but they won’t. Doesn’t matter what happens. As long as there are teams like the Raiders and Bengals who seem to enjoy giving rif raf 3rd and 4th chances, these guys will keep doing what they are doing. If the Steelers really wanted to send the message, they would CUT him and force him to find a new contract. From Holmes perspective, he upgraded. He’s now on a better team and he still has his contract. The suspension is going to hurt him though…

by TrevorR on Apr 12, 2010 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions

5th round pick,

WoW!

The season of Oz is upon us, be afraid.

by OznCoop on Apr 12, 2010 8:09 AM CDT reply actions

Stunned but not totally suprized

The Steelers might be one of the few organizations that believes in character more than than Pack. I also have been hearing that the fan base has not been happy with them because of Ben’s indiscretions and Santonio’s mistakes off the field, so this is something to appease them I’m guessing.

My other gut reaction is that Santonio is “paying” for Ben’s mistakes.

Oh well, just be glad they sent him in the AFC and not the NFC!

by PackApologist on Apr 12, 2010 8:13 AM CDT reply actions

Holy shit! I can’t really believe this one. A 5th round pick? I mean, really? Holmes has really started to come into his own these past couple seasons. Anybody else think the Jets are now the SB favorites? Between Edwards, Holmes, Cotcherry, and Keller the Jets now have one of the better WR corps in the league. Add to that, a pretty good young Qb, a good Rb tandem, and arguably the best OL in football, and they’re looking to be awfully good. Oh, and then they have that Revis guy, who is going to be playing alongside Antonio Cromartie! On paper, the Jets have made some really good moves this offseason.

by packallday555 on Apr 12, 2010 9:49 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah but...

Holmes is in a contract year and I guess he is going to be suspended by the league for four games. So the Jets basically gave up a 5th round pick for 12 games plus whatever they do in the playoffs. Still not a bad trade, but not quite as great as it sounds at first blush.

by PackApologist on Apr 12, 2010 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions

I suppose your right. Still seems like a terrible deal for the Steelers though.

by packallday555 on Apr 12, 2010 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Holmes

They were going to release him outright if they didn’t get anything for him!

by Strohman on Apr 12, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions

And

Those four games that he is being suspended for is a substance abuse violation, that’s not any games for throwing the glass at the lady that he’s been in the headlines for lately. So it could be less than 12 games.

by PackApologist on Apr 12, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions

The four games you are all speaking of right now are merely speculation. He might get less. He might end up with four games for all of it…he might end up with none at all. You never know…

by TrevorR on Apr 12, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Nope

Its not speculation any more… It pretty much been confirmed that Holmes will be suspended. Its believed to be 4 games but hasn’t been announced. And it could be more based on the throwing the glass….

And any other off field issue might get him a full year!!!

by Strohman on Apr 12, 2010 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah NOW its not speculation…

by TrevorR on Apr 12, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions

New reports are that it wasn’t Holmes that threw the glass:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;ylt=Auxe.0YjQPguES_hL0XZ21DubYF?slug=ap-steelers-holmes

by TrevorR on Apr 12, 2010 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Assumptions all over…
1. He isn’t suspended yet. We don’t know how long it will be or if it will happen for sure!
2. You are making an assumption tht Holmes wouldn’t want to come back next year…why wouldn’t he though. The Jets are set up to a powerhouse for a LONG time. They might be the next patriots of the 2010 decade. Everyone is young on that team.

Its still a 5th round pick…he could be suspended for half the season and its a GREAT trade. The steelers will likely get a special teamer out of that pick…if they are lucky.

by TrevorR on Apr 12, 2010 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

According to ESPN he has been suspended.

by Yankees10 on Apr 12, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

The contract isn't an assumption

The Jets are either renting him or they are going to have to pay him. That is not an assumption. I can also tell you that with the offseason that is being had out in Pitt, they were not going to keep him let alone pay him what he would rightly demand for his onfield performance.

Now, the Jets may extend him, but I think that’s stupid to do this year. From the reports I’ve heard, mind it’s PFT, but Schefter is also reporting the suspension as well, but it looks like four games. He can still appeal, but more and more outlets are reporting four games. Anyways, for a guy one strike away from a year suspension, has an outstanding assault charge, and is looking at a four game suspension, well I would at least get my 12 games before ponying up big bucks.

by PackApologist on Apr 12, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh I understand that. You are right, they definitely shouldn’t be giving him an immediate deal…that would be dumb. Later on the in season they might want to though.

Regarding the suspension, they are all just reports, but nothing has been announced yet. Schefter has been wrong before. He probably isn’t but just stating that at this point its still speculation.

by TrevorR on Apr 12, 2010 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Also don't forget

The Jets will also have to pay Edwards after this season. So this year they may rock at WR, but how much do they want to invest in that area?

by PackApologist on Apr 12, 2010 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Jets got a steal

5th round. Come on.

by Yankees10 on Apr 12, 2010 11:08 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I think it was a message to the other players, specifically Big Ben

I think it also shows that there are a few things that league won’t put up with and assaulting a woman is high on that list.

At least we aren't the Raiders?

by Generzal Zod on Apr 12, 2010 2:07 PM CDT reply actions

AS it should be…good for the NFL.

by TrevorR on Apr 12, 2010 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

It's probably as simple as

They knew they were never going to resign him. He knew they weren’t going to resign him. The rest of the league knew it too. And he’s probably not the kind of guy that you can trust to ride out the string with any type of professionallism…..um, to say the least. I’m guessing you’re going to have to be able to credibly be able to dangle the carrot of potentially signing him to a deal to coax a few months of good behavior out of him. Pittsburgh couldn’t do that anymore, the bridges are torched. The Jets are hoping they can.

One other thought – I don’t think GM’s generally value receivers near as high as us fans do. You see what they go for generally and I am usually surprised at how low the return is. One notable exception is Javon Walker! He got us a 2nd rounder, which is really remarkable in hindsight. Heck, Moss only got Oakland a 4th rounder. Score one for Ted on that one.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Big Ben now. He’s torched his reputation in blinding speed, hasn’t he? I remember reading about how much of a character guy he was maybe 2 or 3 years ago. Don’t think anybody will be saying that anymore.

by STLPackFan on Apr 12, 2010 6:58 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah we did get a nice deal on Javon…though keep in mind that most were questioning if Moss was done with when he was traded which is why, even with the low pick requested, only 2 teams were interested. But yeah, its a good point, WRs aren’t worth a ton in trades…either are RBs these days.

by TrevorR on Apr 13, 2010 7:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Items to consider

I think the trade maybe alright, possibly even favoring Pittsburgh. Some of these have been said, but some haven’t, I’ll try to be concise to get them in across.

1) Because the Jets didn’t get a deal done ahead of time they could be only renting Santonio.
2) Because he’s suspended he could be getting rented for 12 games, tops.
3) Santonio will be subject to increased random testing because of the more recent failed test.
4) If Santonio fails one of the random tests he will be suspended for the entire year
5) The Steelers maybe able to leverage some discipline from the remaining roster because of this move.

by globalpack on Apr 12, 2010 11:57 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah all good points.
I still think the value seems low despite all of that but I am sure they got as much as they could. HOpefully for their sake it sends a message to their players…that would make the trade worthwhile. They should have sent him to a bad team though, then maybe Holmes might have gotten the message too!

by TrevorR on Apr 13, 2010 7:43 AM CDT up reply actions