Santonio Holmes Becoming On-Field Embarrassment for the New York Jets

Dec 22, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) catches a pass while being hit by Cleveland Browns cornerback Leon McFadden (29) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

This one is a little difficult for me, because my thoughts on this player have changed. When they brought him in here, I loved Santonio Holmes. In 2010, he became quite the reliable weapon for Mark Sanchez, especially down the stretch of games. Remember all of the big catches he made that season? The catch in the corner of the end zone against New England in the playoffs will be forever embedded in my memory.

Off the field, he is not the “thug” that a lot of people make him out to be. I saw his concern at his “Third and Long Foundation” event, when a young man broke his leg, and he quickly offered to take care of his medical expenses. I personally escorted him to an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair, whom Santonio spent time with, because the man wanted to meet him. Santonio really isn’t a bad guy.

But on the field, there is no place for Santonio Holmes with the New York Jets anymore. It’s become worse than bad. It has become embarrassing.

First of all, there is the attitude. Talk about his mouth before the game against the Carolina Panthers. Sure, he was likely telling the truth about the Panthers, talking about the secondary being the weakest part of the team. But what purpose does talking about it serve? It gets the other team mad, that’s what it does. When you give a team bulletin board material, more often than not, they perform better than they are. They play above their abilities because they are angry, and want to take it out on that player, and that team.

But Tone is arrogant about his own abilities, so he doesn’t think about this.

Watch his demeanor during the game. He can talk about how he loves it here all he wants. He can be a help on the practice field. But that isn’t enough. To be a leader, you need to lead IN GAME as well. You are working with a young quarterback, how about talking to him on the sideline about what you are seeing? How about talking to your fellow receivers? Since he came back from injury, you don’t see that. He is off by himself. He doesn’t create a semblance of “team”, between himself and the others. He creates a space, as if he is better than the rest of them.

But his performance tells us quite a bit different.

Especially since his return to the lineup in week 11, Santonio Holmes has been BAD. Specifically, he has caught a whopping 10 passes for 172 yards, and no touchdowns. He hasn’t posted a game with more than 71 yards receiving since his return. Are these the stats of a number one receiver, worthy of all of the money he makes?

No, it’s barely the stats of a third or fourth wide receiver.

And when he DOES make a catch, no matter how insignificant, it always is punctuated with more attitude. An example was this past Sunday against the Browns. Holmes only caught two passes for 20 yards, but one happened to go for a first down. When that happens, he always HAS to signal first down with the ball, and drop the ball as if he was dropping the mic like a rapper. We get it Tone, you did your job on one play. Now go back to the huddle and do it again. Don’t make it as for your ten yard hitch route is the greatest play since “the Catch”.

Santonio doesn’t get it, because embarrassing himself and his team are more important to him.

And that is why he must be off the team in 2014. Not only because of the money he makes. Because of the embarrassment he has become.