After going through a few off-season dilemmas, both this year and last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally said ‘enough.’ That’s at least the message it looks like they’re sending after dealing Santonio Holmes to the New York Jets.
Holmes, the former Super Bowl hero/MVP, was in a bit of trouble for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and will be suspended for the first four games of this season. But really, does make him worth only a fifth-round draft pick? I would gladly take a receiver as skilled as Holmes for that little of a cost.
This move sets the Steelers behind the eight-ball in terms of offence; the team’s best receiver is Hines Ward, not exactly a young buck and next in line is Limas Sweed, a former first-round pick that might be more remembered for faking an injury after a huge drop in a big game.
Now, how far behind Holmes is Big Ben? If the team had no problem basically cutting loose such a key player, why wouldn’t they into the possibility of dealing Roethlisberger, who has now twice been accused of crimes of a sexual nature.
Sure, he has gotten off on both occasions, but with those two alleged transgressions and his motorcycle accident four summers ago, there looks to be a troubling trend of behavior and who is to say there won’t be a next time?
If I were the Pittsburgh Steelers, I might be taking a long hard look at a QB in this year’s draft. Tim Tebow, anyone?