Dumping santonio: Excuses, excuses
DUMPING SANTONIO: EXCUSES, EXCUSES
It's been awhile since Santonio Holmes was traded to the Jets for a 5th round draft choice, ostensibly for being a bonehead. Ordinarily, I wouldn't devote the words, two months later, to a fait accompli, but with this, arguably the worst personnel move in Steelers history, the defense of the move grows becomes progressively outrageous. Here's the most popular excuses, in no particular order:
*Receiver is a position of strength:
Oh, really? Let's examine that...but if true, does there exist some limitation on how strong one's receiving corps can be. But let's go inside that "position of strength:"
-Hines Ward: Hines is a Steeler for the ages, but his ability to gain separation from coverage, particularly as he grows older (now 34) should be more and more of a concern. Hines functions best when paired with another guy who's more dangerous, who draws the strongest coverage. Is that man...
-Mike Wallace?: The argument is that Santonio's absence will allow Wallace to shine after a stellar rookie season. Let's hope so, though one must speculate that Wallace's success on deep routes, in some measure, was due to the resources allocated to cover Santonio on the intermediate routes. Wallace now may draw the tougher matchups. No more Josh Bells for Mike Wallace. You remember Josh Bell? He was one-on-one with Wallace for the rookie's most memorable catch of the year, the 19-yard TD against Green Bay with no time remaining. Bell hadn't seen an NFL field until the previous week last season, didn't suit up until Week 14!! No more Josh Bells for Mike Wallace.
-Antwaan Randle El: Please? Randle El's return to Pittsburgh has been trumpeted as though he's Douglas MacArthur. Randle El wasn't all that during his first stint in Black & Gold, and he was five years younger at the time. No, Randle El is your equivalent of the utility infielder who's a damn good base stealer. He's okay as a receiver, had been a dangerous return man, and is valuable for gadgets, like his touchdown pass to Hines in Super Bowl XL. He is not, I repeat not, an equal replacement for a receiver the caliber of Santonio Holmes.
-Emmanuel Sanders: I know the 3rd round draft choice brings enormous potential to the Steelers. We'll see, but common sense dictates that one is unable to assume that the presence of an untested rookie will ease the loss of Holmes.
-Arnaz Battle: Who?
*Bryant McFadden was the eventual trade for Holmes:
Get real!! While I guess it's true that BMac was fetched with the box of trinkets obtained from the Jets, and the trading of a compensatory pick would have been disallowed, I'm not buying for a minute that the defensive back's return to Pittsburgh hinged on Holmes being dealt.
*Holmes was a short-timer twice over. He's facing a four-game suspension and would have surely left via free agency at season's end:
So what!! If the Steelers are indeed a Super Bowl contender, then it's well worth having a receiver of Holmes' considerable skills for the regular season's final twelve games and an anticipated Super Bowl run. No one really knows what happens in free agency, but regardless of Holmes’ eventual landing spot, having him available for the bulk of season and playoffs for a team expecting to make a run certainly exceeds the value of a #5 pick.
*He dropped the potential Super Bowl winning pass before he caught it:
This argument is reminiscent of failed presidential candidate, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, saying “I voted for that bill before I voted against it,” and more specious at that. I’ve heard this retort increasingly when the irrefutable fact is raised of Holmes having been integral to the Steelers sixth Super Bowl victory. Let’s keep in mind, on the game-winning drive, Holmes accounted for 77 yards on four catches. Only the first play could be described as routine. His 3rd down catch, in traffic, at the 39, was a fine grab. His next catch showcased his place as perhaps the finest open field runner in Steelers history, a skill honed by a boyhood of chasing rabbits in the muck of Belle Glade, Florida. And his touchdown-winning grab was one for the ages. As fine a throw as Roethlisberger made for the winning score, Holmes’ catch was even better, simply because he had absolutely zero margin for error. A hint of a bobble, or a right foot lifted a millisecond too soon and Steeler Nation would have been looking at 3rd & goal, and potentially overtime. Harken back to the last Steeler in that spot. Andre Hasting, in Super Bowl XXX, had a clean drop leading off the Steelers final drive, which had some similarity to Super Bowl XLIII, down 3 points, games final minutes. Hastings’ response? He stared at the replay on the Jumbotron on his way back to the huddle, ran the wrong route on the next play, and Neil O’Donnell’s pass was picked, once again, by Larry Brown. Steelers lose. Holmes, consistent with his proclamation of “That’s how you be great!” following the eventual touchdown ruling, did what the great ones do. He had a very short memory, shook off his drop, and made the catch of his life on the very next play.
*Holmes was a bad actor, not worth the trouble:
There are rumors about his unpopularity within the locker room. We’ve not much information in that regard. We do know that he was twice-arrested between the time he was drafted and his initial encampment at Latrobe. It’s obviously that he likes his weed, as verified by his arrest by the Pittsburgh gendarmes for having blunts in his car in October ’08 as well as his “Wake & Bake” tweets. And yes, there’s the matter of his upcoming suspension. We know he has a further nose for trouble by the off-season allegation that he threw a drink in a woman’s face. We also know though, that that chick exceeds even Andrea McNulty as a whack-job, having a propensity for violence to complement her general instability.
But not worth the trouble?
-He finds the endzone come playoff time with more consistency than he finds trouble, batting a thousand in that regard. He’s scored in all four of his playoff appearances, those scores coming on a punt return of 67 yards, and pass receptions of 37, 65 and 6 yards on arguably the most important catch in Super Bowl history.
-He came back with a vengeance after his one-game exile in ’08, making big catches in victories against San Diego and Dallas, scoring against New England, making the catch in Baltimore to beat the Ravens, on a play where he again had no margin for error in the regular season’s most important game, and then had a monster playoff run.
So…Worst Personnel Move in Steelers History?
Possibly, given the information available at the time of the respective moves. Here’s the other contendors:
*Cutting Johnny Unitas:
Duly noted as a Steeler faux paus, but Unitas was a relatively unheralded 9th round pick from Louisville. Walt Kiesling (can anyone explain why this guy’s in the Hall of Fame) cut him loose.
Note: For those of you expecting to see the Steelers parting ways with former #1 choice Len Dawson in this list, forget it. Dawson threw exactly 17 passes in three seasons with the Steelers, then 28 more in two years with the Browns. It was not until the fledgling AFL offered Dawson an opportunity that he righted his career.
*Trading Buddy Dial for nothing:
Steelers at least thought they were getting one of the country’s top offensive linemen in Scott Appleton when they traded the prolific receiver to Dallas for the rights to the Texas All American. When Appleton signed with the AFL’s Oilers, Steelers were left with a big bag of nothing.
*Trading Roy Jefferson for Willie Richardson: Chuck Noll dealt the malcontent wide receiver prior to his second season as head coach. Richardson never played for the Steelers. Lord Jeff earned a Super Bowl ring with the Colts that year, and went onto more productive seasons with the Redskins. This move has some similarities to the Holmes deal, the telling difference being that the Steelers were coming off a 1-13 season, not a year removed from a Super Bowl championship, as is this Black & Gold addition.
*Non-selection of Dan Marino: Terry Bradshaw had 14 years in, and the 1980 #1 choice Mark Malone was clearly not in Marino’s class. There were drug rumors, but Marino was a Pittsburgh kid, and a year earlier when Pitt teammate Sal Sunseri signed with the Steelers, Marino said to Pittsburgh writer Jim O’Brien, “Sal’s so lucky, signing with the Steelers. I wish I could play for the Steelers.” Steelers blew it. How the course of history could have been changed.
And now, we have the Steelers dealing their best receiver, former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes to the Jets for the equivalent of a bucket of mud, basically for being a numbskull. Bad, bad move, perhaps exceeded only by leaving Marino on the draft board in ’83.
Click here to comment on this article.
It's been awhile since Santonio Holmes was traded to the Jets for a 5th round draft choice, ostensibly for being a bonehead. Ordinarily, I wouldn't devote the words, two months later, to a fait accompli, but with this, arguably the worst personnel move in Steelers history, the defense of the move grows becomes progressively outrageous. Here's the most popular excuses, in no particular order:
*Receiver is a position of strength:
Oh, really? Let's examine that...but if true, does there exist some limitation on how strong one's receiving corps can be. But let's go inside that "position of strength:"
-Hines Ward: Hines is a Steeler for the ages, but his ability to gain separation from coverage, particularly as he grows older (now 34) should be more and more of a concern. Hines functions best when paired with another guy who's more dangerous, who draws the strongest coverage. Is that man...
-Mike Wallace?: The argument is that Santonio's absence will allow Wallace to shine after a stellar rookie season. Let's hope so, though one must speculate that Wallace's success on deep routes, in some measure, was due to the resources allocated to cover Santonio on the intermediate routes. Wallace now may draw the tougher matchups. No more Josh Bells for Mike Wallace. You remember Josh Bell? He was one-on-one with Wallace for the rookie's most memorable catch of the year, the 19-yard TD against Green Bay with no time remaining. Bell hadn't seen an NFL field until the previous week last season, didn't suit up until Week 14!! No more Josh Bells for Mike Wallace.
-Antwaan Randle El: Please? Randle El's return to Pittsburgh has been trumpeted as though he's Douglas MacArthur. Randle El wasn't all that during his first stint in Black & Gold, and he was five years younger at the time. No, Randle El is your equivalent of the utility infielder who's a damn good base stealer. He's okay as a receiver, had been a dangerous return man, and is valuable for gadgets, like his touchdown pass to Hines in Super Bowl XL. He is not, I repeat not, an equal replacement for a receiver the caliber of Santonio Holmes.
-Emmanuel Sanders: I know the 3rd round draft choice brings enormous potential to the Steelers. We'll see, but common sense dictates that one is unable to assume that the presence of an untested rookie will ease the loss of Holmes.
-Arnaz Battle: Who?
*Bryant McFadden was the eventual trade for Holmes:
Get real!! While I guess it's true that BMac was fetched with the box of trinkets obtained from the Jets, and the trading of a compensatory pick would have been disallowed, I'm not buying for a minute that the defensive back's return to Pittsburgh hinged on Holmes being dealt.
*Holmes was a short-timer twice over. He's facing a four-game suspension and would have surely left via free agency at season's end:
So what!! If the Steelers are indeed a Super Bowl contender, then it's well worth having a receiver of Holmes' considerable skills for the regular season's final twelve games and an anticipated Super Bowl run. No one really knows what happens in free agency, but regardless of Holmes’ eventual landing spot, having him available for the bulk of season and playoffs for a team expecting to make a run certainly exceeds the value of a #5 pick.
*He dropped the potential Super Bowl winning pass before he caught it:
This argument is reminiscent of failed presidential candidate, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, saying “I voted for that bill before I voted against it,” and more specious at that. I’ve heard this retort increasingly when the irrefutable fact is raised of Holmes having been integral to the Steelers sixth Super Bowl victory. Let’s keep in mind, on the game-winning drive, Holmes accounted for 77 yards on four catches. Only the first play could be described as routine. His 3rd down catch, in traffic, at the 39, was a fine grab. His next catch showcased his place as perhaps the finest open field runner in Steelers history, a skill honed by a boyhood of chasing rabbits in the muck of Belle Glade, Florida. And his touchdown-winning grab was one for the ages. As fine a throw as Roethlisberger made for the winning score, Holmes’ catch was even better, simply because he had absolutely zero margin for error. A hint of a bobble, or a right foot lifted a millisecond too soon and Steeler Nation would have been looking at 3rd & goal, and potentially overtime. Harken back to the last Steeler in that spot. Andre Hasting, in Super Bowl XXX, had a clean drop leading off the Steelers final drive, which had some similarity to Super Bowl XLIII, down 3 points, games final minutes. Hastings’ response? He stared at the replay on the Jumbotron on his way back to the huddle, ran the wrong route on the next play, and Neil O’Donnell’s pass was picked, once again, by Larry Brown. Steelers lose. Holmes, consistent with his proclamation of “That’s how you be great!” following the eventual touchdown ruling, did what the great ones do. He had a very short memory, shook off his drop, and made the catch of his life on the very next play.
*Holmes was a bad actor, not worth the trouble:
There are rumors about his unpopularity within the locker room. We’ve not much information in that regard. We do know that he was twice-arrested between the time he was drafted and his initial encampment at Latrobe. It’s obviously that he likes his weed, as verified by his arrest by the Pittsburgh gendarmes for having blunts in his car in October ’08 as well as his “Wake & Bake” tweets. And yes, there’s the matter of his upcoming suspension. We know he has a further nose for trouble by the off-season allegation that he threw a drink in a woman’s face. We also know though, that that chick exceeds even Andrea McNulty as a whack-job, having a propensity for violence to complement her general instability.
But not worth the trouble?
-He finds the endzone come playoff time with more consistency than he finds trouble, batting a thousand in that regard. He’s scored in all four of his playoff appearances, those scores coming on a punt return of 67 yards, and pass receptions of 37, 65 and 6 yards on arguably the most important catch in Super Bowl history.
-He came back with a vengeance after his one-game exile in ’08, making big catches in victories against San Diego and Dallas, scoring against New England, making the catch in Baltimore to beat the Ravens, on a play where he again had no margin for error in the regular season’s most important game, and then had a monster playoff run.
So…Worst Personnel Move in Steelers History?
Possibly, given the information available at the time of the respective moves. Here’s the other contendors:
*Cutting Johnny Unitas:
Duly noted as a Steeler faux paus, but Unitas was a relatively unheralded 9th round pick from Louisville. Walt Kiesling (can anyone explain why this guy’s in the Hall of Fame) cut him loose.
Note: For those of you expecting to see the Steelers parting ways with former #1 choice Len Dawson in this list, forget it. Dawson threw exactly 17 passes in three seasons with the Steelers, then 28 more in two years with the Browns. It was not until the fledgling AFL offered Dawson an opportunity that he righted his career.
*Trading Buddy Dial for nothing:
Steelers at least thought they were getting one of the country’s top offensive linemen in Scott Appleton when they traded the prolific receiver to Dallas for the rights to the Texas All American. When Appleton signed with the AFL’s Oilers, Steelers were left with a big bag of nothing.
*Trading Roy Jefferson for Willie Richardson: Chuck Noll dealt the malcontent wide receiver prior to his second season as head coach. Richardson never played for the Steelers. Lord Jeff earned a Super Bowl ring with the Colts that year, and went onto more productive seasons with the Redskins. This move has some similarities to the Holmes deal, the telling difference being that the Steelers were coming off a 1-13 season, not a year removed from a Super Bowl championship, as is this Black & Gold addition.
*Non-selection of Dan Marino: Terry Bradshaw had 14 years in, and the 1980 #1 choice Mark Malone was clearly not in Marino’s class. There were drug rumors, but Marino was a Pittsburgh kid, and a year earlier when Pitt teammate Sal Sunseri signed with the Steelers, Marino said to Pittsburgh writer Jim O’Brien, “Sal’s so lucky, signing with the Steelers. I wish I could play for the Steelers.” Steelers blew it. How the course of history could have been changed.
And now, we have the Steelers dealing their best receiver, former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes to the Jets for the equivalent of a bucket of mud, basically for being a numbskull. Bad, bad move, perhaps exceeded only by leaving Marino on the draft board in ’83.
Click here to comment on this article.
