Steelers trade Santonio Holmes
The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded wide receiver Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets for a 5th round draft choice in the upcoming NFL Draft.
According to ProFootballTalk.com, Holmes is facing a 4-game suspension under the NFL’s substance abuse policy. It has not yet been announced what the nature of the violation is. Holmes could have failed a drug test, or he could have missed a scheduled drug test.
The NFL’s rules require that a player who has multiple infractions of the drug policy must receive a 4-game suspension. So Holmes has apparently failed drug tests in the past.
WR Santonio Holmes
Because of the plethora of off-field problems that have been plaguing the Pittsburgh Steelers, it looks like the Rooney family felt that it was necessary to send a very loud message to both the Steelers players, and the Pittsburgh Steelers fans.
Holmes had already been in trouble this off-season for allegedly throwing a glass at a woman in an Orlando night club. In 2008, Holmes was suspended for one game by the Steelers for being cited for marijuana possession. In 2006, he was charged and arrested for domestic violence in Ohio, but the charge was eventually dropped. Holmes also had several legal problems while in college.
As if those infractions were not enough, Holmes recently “tweeted” on his Twitter account that he was going to “wake and bake”, a slang term for smoking marijuana upon getting out of bed.
Reports have it that the Steelers were growing tired of Holmes’ behavior and had no intention of signing him to a new contract when his contract expired at the end of the 2010 season. But this latest infraction was the last straw, and the team felt the need to get rid of him immediately.
The unfortunate part of the trade is that the Steelers will only receive a 5th round draft pick for Holmes. Holmes was a first round draft pick in 2006, as well as a former Super Bowl MVP. There are probably several teams that need a #1 wide receiver and would have offered more for Holmes. But apparently, the Steelers felt that getting rid of him immediately was more important than maximizing the value that they got back from the trade.
The trade happened so quickly that Holmes and his agent only learned about the trade late Sunday night just like everyone else did. His agent, Joel Segal, was not given an opportunity to negotiate a trade with any other teams.
Apparently, the Rooney family felt the need to make a very loud statement. Message received.
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I hope that all details have not been reported and that we got more than a 5th round pick for former 1st rounder. On top of that what kind of message does this send to the other players. Don’t act up or we’ll get rid of you unless we sign you to a $100 million contract. Now granted that may not be entirely fair to say about our QB but he is a more high profile player and should be even more careful about the actions he takes off the field. This is so upsetting I’m really having trouble calmly commenting on this subject. I’m very curious to find out what everyone else’s take is. Arrrrrgh!!
1A 5th Round Draft Pick? Seriously?!?!? What the heck? I am as valuable as a 5th round pick and I havent played ball in 22 years.
This is not a High School team where we need to send a message. This is pro football where it is about winning.
Want to send a message then tell Omar Epps, errr Tomlin, to actually do something on the sidelines other than looking like a deer in the headlights wondering what the hell just happend.
2This is a great trade and will send a great message to everyone. The Steelers will find a replacement for Holmes – there are a lot of players out there who have what it takes to play – they just need a chance – and the Steelers are the best at finding those players who dont cause problems – Big Ben came out of no where to lead the Steelers to 2 Super Bowls and the Steelers will find another guy just like him with out the off field baggage.
If these guys are acting like fools off the field I can guarantee you they were a problem on the field and in the locker room. A team doesnt need these types around no matter who they are – its a shame because they are so talented but in the long run they bring more bad then good – I hope they both change their ways but for now the Steelers dont need them.
3If I were Big Ben I would consider this a shot over the bow. He better get it. So do the Steelers draft Golden Tate in the 1st round? Do they draft the kid that visited last week Arrelious Benn?
4This is a bad move and if you wanted to play the race card… its another Black wide reciever that traded..while the white quarterback gets to run thru the field as he pleases..if not then, its another dumbass move that in some sort of way is to make the team better????? lets just say this.. the pledge of aligance says…(and Justice For All)… Make it justice for all and not just for a few….
5This is definitely a good message and In no way similar to Bens case I feel like most of us have been in Bens shoes out at a club or bar girl comes on to u and next thing u know ur faced with a moral decision take advantage or not. Most of us make the right choice , Ben didn’t. Santonio has had a ton of chances and has been CONVICTED hopefully golden tate is available. Go Steelers
6Talent wise, this is probably a bad move. At some point you got to sit back and think, “Do you want to sacrifice you’re image for a couple W’s?” I’m sure if Ben was ever convicted of a crime there would be some drastic moves made. Technically Ben hasn’t done anything wrong, I’m not going even try to judge his character as a man. I bet the Steelers organization gained respect in some minds out of this move, now if only our franchise guy would come to his senses.
7This is a laugher. The best part is the toadies at the post-gazette claiming that the locker room is all cheers that Holmes is gone. Nice cover up try by Bouchette. I wonder if he does Tomlin’s laundry.
I’m thinking the Steelers intentionally didn’t even work hard to push the trade – they didn’t want much for him, because that way the league would think he had no value and their were other issues. It also serves to paint one of the newly top teams in the AFC in a poor light.
In their continued comedy to save face the Steelers will now suspend Ben for 1 game. The Steelers need to quit it with the high and mighty card and realize that they league is full of turds and every team will have their issues. It just so happens (unluckily) that with the Steelers it has been their star players (don’t forget Harrison’s issues).
8I cant believe that we traded Holmes for only a 5th round pick. He hasnt even reached his prime. Glad we resigned Jeff Reed though. He will save our image now that his charges have been dropped.
9Wow! Great comments by the crew. You have expressed my frustration as well. While we support the action, the lack of business sense associated with this trade is just stupid. I don’t buy that that is all we could get. Wait until the draft, people get hungry. We certainly could have done better for our team. BTW, who is doing the trades for the Steelers these days…someone from the Pirate front office?
10What a great opportunity for Limas Sweed to rebound and seize the moment. Wouldn’t that be great! Wish the young man luck! We want you to SUCCEED SWEED!
11John #21 – I know that people hate hearing me say this, but I have not given up on Limas. He has great physical tools. He just has to get the part between his ears together. But once he does that, I think he’ll be alright.
People seem to forget that Nate Washington used to drop the ball all the time. He was terrible. He was fast and could get separation, but then he’d drop the ball. It wasn’t until his 3rd season that he finally put it all together. Well, this is going to be Limas’ third season, and hopefully he’ll figure it all out too.
12Re: Sweed discussion – the staff gave up on him far too quickly, and that only served to knock his own confidence further. They were pretty much done with him after he dropped the long TD pass when wide open. He’ll have to have one of the greatest camps + preseasons of any player ever to have a shot at making the team. Perhaps they’ll shop him for a 7th round pick on draft day.
It’s amazing how many times James Farrior got badly abused last season, yet no one ever once questioned his ability/longevity as a starter, or thought to at least pull him on 3rd and long. Meanwhile, Limas Sweed drops one pass and his Steeler’s career is over.
13TO,
Overall, that’s a pretty poor comparison. One has done absolutely nothing in the NFL and has choked when he’s had chances. The other has had numerous steller years and had one off year. And I don’t know what you’ve been reading but many people were questioning whether age has caught up with Farrior.
The bottom line is that there is no evidence anyone has given up on Sweed…yet. With Holmes gone, he is currently #5 on the depth chart and should make the team. If he wants to be more than that he’s going to have to show it on the field. That begins by beating out Grisham for the #5 spot. Given the physical disparity between the 2 that should be easy and if Sweed can’t do that then he probably doesn’t belong in the NFL. I don’t want to go overboard with the Rudy comparison, but if Sweed had Grisham’s heart he’d be looking at a breakout year this year.
The true gauge as to what the Steelers think about Sweed will be determined by the draft. If they pick up a WR before the 4th round, then they either had someone really talented drop to them or they are ready to give up on him. Pittsburgh rarely carries more than 5 WR and Ward, Wallace, Randel El, and Battle are essentially guaranteed spots. The last spot is Sweed’s to lose…unless they draft a WR in rounds 3 or above in which case it is essentially already lost.
14hunh? I’m not talking about people on message boards – they don’t choose whether to pull Farrior on 3rd downs – coaches do that. And you state exactly the problem – because he has had so many good years that he is now allowed to perform at a subpar level without question? That’s ridiculous.
There is no evidence they gave up on him? Who were you watching last season Stevie? How many plays was Sweed in for? A few dozen? A handful after game 6 or 7? Sweed is done. He clearly upset the brass with his few drops, so now he is done.
Not that it matters all that much outside of a WR injury given how little the Steelers utilize the 4th WR.
15I’m not sure you are talking about the Steelers coaches either. After all they brought Foote back with a 3-yr contract. This allows them to spell Farrior with Timmons. Now, if they don’t do that, you have a point.
On Sweed, you basically defeat your own arguement. Given that the Steelers rarely go 4 wide, who exactly was he suppossed to be replacing in order to get playing time? Ward, Holmes, Wallace? Has he ever shown any reason why he should be played ahead of them? And, of course, going 4-wide for the Steelers means taking Miller off the field – which isn’t too smart either.
16Valid point on Sweed/4th WR. Although even very early in the season when he was supposedly battling Wallace for the 3rd WR job, he got far fewer snaps. I firmly believe they have been very very hesitant with him since his first drop, if not before.
17GRISHAM DOESNT BELONG ON THE ROSTER OR THE PRACTICE SQUAD ON ANY NFL TEAM. HE HAD A CRITICAL DROP PASS IN WEEK 16 AGAINST THE RAVENS. HEART MEANS NOTHING IN THIS LEAGUE IF YOU DONT HAVE THE TALENT TO GO ALONG WITH IT. THE COACHING STAFF AND FAIR WEATHER FANS ALIKE GAVE UP ON SWEED WAY TO SOON. I HOPE HE DOES WELL THIS SEASON. IF NOT FOR THE STEELERS THEN ANOTHER TEAM (NOT IN THE AFC).
18TO,
It’s really hard say how the coaches view Sweed. We don’t get to see what goes on in practice. I recall from training camp that Wallace impressed a lot of people early on and perhaps he jumped Sweed at that point. As I said before, we will get an idea of Sweed’s future with the Steelers during the draft. If they draft a WR in the 2nd or 3rd round, I don’t see how Sweed makes the team. Otherwise, he has a pretty good chance of having one more year to prove himself.
Rodney,
Take a deep breathe. First, no one is giving up on Sweed. We have some people who are still high on Sweed (TO, Donald, John#21) and some, such as myself, who can’t help but notice that he’s done nothing in the past 2 years and ended last year on IR with a mystery illness. I’d be estatic if Sweed put it all together but, given the evidence so far, I am not counting on it.
As far as Grisham, I’m sure some people said the same thing about Wes Welker at one time. If its too early to give up on Sweed despite repeated drops in limited playing time, it’s a bit too early to banish Grisham to the netherworld for one drop.
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