Jericho Cotchery was the #1 WR on our depth chart 12 months ago. In six full seasons (3 as a starter) he has 4,000 yards and 16 TD's. Our newest recruit Santonio Holmes has only been in the league for 4 seasons. He has 3800 yards and 20TD's, including over 1,200 yards and 79 receptions last year. He also had a few nice catches in the final drive of the biggest game of the year, including a toe tapping, circus catch TD to win the game and the Superbowl MVP.
Statistics aren't everything. I love Cotch-diesel, and I have a feeling he may end up with some huge numbers in 2010... but Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes are simply more dynamic because of their elite speed. Cotchery might make his first pro-bowl because of the talent that he is surrounded with this year. The idea of Edwards and Holmes out wide with Keller and Cotchery in the slots, and Washington, Tomlinson or Greene in the backfield, is mind boggling.
We now have four first round picks on our O-line, two first rounders at WR, a first round TE, another former first rounder (and future hall-of-famer) in the backfield, and the #5 overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft behind center. I guess you can tell I am thrilled with the trade this past week which landed us Holmes for the price of a 5th round draft pick.
Holmes has had a few off the field issues that have been blown out of proportion. The Steelers have started to believe their own press. Apparently they are the premiere franchise in all of pro sports. If a young player strays a little he needs to be taught a lesson and run out of town. However, that only seems to apply if he is black. Their 6'5", 100 million dollar, white QB can crash motorcycles and sexually assault women, but somehow he hasn't had to throw in his terrible towel yet.
Frankly, I hope they trade Roethlisberger, or suspend him for a large chunk of games. Without Holmes and Big Ben that Offense will be useless. Their high character WR Hines Ward had better have a 1400 yard, 100 reception season left in his old body,and Rashad Mendenhall better start playing like a 1st round pick, or they are looking at a 5 win season and a second straight year with no playoffs in Pittsburgh. I am curious how high and mighty the Steeler nation will feel when they have a run of drafting in the top 5 for a few seasons.
Before big Ben and Holmes came to town the Steelers hadn't won the Superbowl in over 20 years. I think that organization and their fans are a bit spoiled. This game is about winning, and players like Holmes and Roethlisberger who can execute perfectly with the whole season on the line and win the Superbowl in the dramatic fashion that they did the year before last don't grow on trees. Here's a highlight reel of the amazing game winning catch the punctuated a 76 yard drive in which Holmes stole Fitzgeralds Superbowl MVP award:
The Holmes trade is a huge misstep by 'the greatest team in the history of sports' and a total win for the NY Jets. Holmes won't play in the first 4 games of the 2010 season. Why? Because he likes to smoke weed. There is no way around it. He will pull it together and take advantage of this new opportunity here under the bright lights of the big city. If he ends up becoming another Ricky Williams and chooses pot over the NFL, he cost us a 5th round pick.
I would guess that approximately 10% of 5th round draft picks end up becoming productive starters in the NFL. At least 90% end up as busts. Thats what we gave up... a '10% chance' for a proven player who can make big plays on the biggest stage, and can also put up elite numbers during the grind of the regular season. Even if he flops we can't lose in this trade.
The Miami Dolphins... on the other hand, have rolled the preverbal dice on Brandon Marshall. They gave up 2 second round picks and 50 million dollars (with 25 million guaranteed) on a guy who can completely take over a game and dominate, almost single handedly. Thats a fact when talking about Marshall. Another fact is that he is very young and has had the bare minimum of injuries in his short career. Here's one final fact... with all of these accolades the team that drafted him couldn't ship him out of town fast enough. It's easy to watch the highlight reals and look at the stats... it's what you don't see, what happens behind the scenes that makes the real difference.
Holmes was dumped because the Steelers were trying to score some points with their fans by deflecting some of the negative attention Big Ben has brought upon their team. The Steelers players were vocal about their dissatisfaction with losing their teammate. Not one Bronco has said a word about Marshall being missed. The Broncos traded Marshall because he is a cancer.
Mr. T has completely out foxed his former mentor Bill Parcells. Tannenbaum has obviously developed a phenomenal relationship with other teams around the league. The sweetheart trades with Cleveland last season and this gift with Santonio are perfect examples of low risk high reward wheeling and dealing. At least 20 other teams could have used a player like Holmes more than the Jets and any of them would have probably been able to pay the same price or higher. We got him because Mr. T always has his ear to the ground.
He has made his fair share of mistakes during the past four seasons, but I have to give respect where respect is due. Marshall may do great things in south Florida, and I do love his playing style. He plays the game with no fear and it's hard not to like him when he is making those jaw dropping plays. But, just like I said when the Titans let Hanesworth walk last year... you have to ask the question WHY?
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