New Jets WR Holmes Suspended First Four Games of 2010

New Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes, acquired from the Steelers for a fifth round pick in the upcoming draft late Sunday night, has been suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell for the first four games of the 2010 NFL season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Although the substance in question wasn’t named by the league, he was deactivated by the Steelers in 2008 for a marijuana charge.

Marijuana has been a major presence in his life. In addition to the NFL's positive drug tests, he was charged with possession in 2008. 

Holmes, who told the media at one point that he likes to "wake and bake," has had his fair share of league issues off the field.

Holmes was involved in a domestic violence incident in 2006. He was accused last month of throwing a glass at a woman, cutting her above the eye at a club in Orlando, Fla. An investigation is ongoing. A witness accepted responsibility, but a lawsuit against Holmes is pending.

Asked if he would continue to use marijuana or illegal substances, Holmes responded generally.
“Given a second opportunity I understand where my position lies,” Holmes said. “To go back down the same road and make the same mistakes won’t be accepted around here.”

Numerous times, Holmes said he would be accountable for what he does now and in the past, and admitted he had made mistakes. If a player is having a hard time staying out of the police blotter in a city like Pittsburgh, imagine what he can accomplish in New York.

But Tannenbaum pointed to the fact that he is a “dynamic playmaker,” and that the lure of being able to harness his speed and pass-catching ability made him a worthwhile risk.

Tannenbaum said that the Jets became aware of the possibility of getting Holmes on Saturday night, and that he, Ryan and Jets owner Woody Johnson had some very “robust” debates about whether or not to go for Holmes.

In the end, Tannenbaum said that Ryan was impressed by what Holmes did to the Baltimore defense, and that Ryan is able to coach players from a variety of backgrounds.

"He has a very unique ability to connect to a lot of different types of people," Tannenbaum said.
There is no question that this changes the dynamic of the locker room. A steady leader like Thomas Jones signed with Kansas City, and the vocal Jay Feely will kick for the Cardinals. Replacing those personalities will be difficult, but Tannenbaum said other players will fill the void.

“Each year every team’s identity takes it’s own,” Tannenbaum said. “I think each team forms its own personality.”

Despite the suspension, Holmes will be able to practice with the team during training camp. He said it would be “totally awkward” starting out with a new team, but he was looking forward to a new beginning while he’s still young enough to take advantage of it.

“I definitely have a lot of work from the start to get to learn this system,” Holmes said. “I definitely want to come in and be one of the leaders on the field and off the field. My words won’t be spoken very much around here but my actions def show my gratitude for this team.”

Holmes also admitted he must earn the Jets' trust in the locker room.

"I definitely have to be accountable for my actions now," Holmes said. "I need to get a hold of all the players, spend some time with these guys, show them what type of work ethic that I have, always on time to the meetings, front and center, establishing a great relationship with all the players on and off the field so those guys can understand who I am and where I came from.

"I don't think I need to dig myself out of any hole. These guys are opening their arms to me right now. All I have to do is walk into them." 

The risk to acquire Holmes was not a great one, but the reward could be endless once this suspension ends. A fifth round pick for a former Super Bowl MVP is outstanding value and he is still young at 26.

Once he returns, he will most likely immediately become the number one receiver and when Braylon Edwards is your number two receiver and Jerricho Cotchery is your number three receiver, you're doing pretty damn well for yourself.

He will have the opportunity to form chemistry with Mark Sanchez during training camp and during the preseason games, which will bode well for him when he returns for the team's week five game.

I think the risk is going to be worth the reward, but let's just hope Holmes can stay out of trouble like Edwards has done thus far while with the Jets. This is an excellent move, what say you?