Santonio Trade Is Ridiculous!

Reports are circulating, including one from ESPN, that wide receiver Santonio Holmes has been traded to the New York Jets for a 5th round pick in this year’s draft. If the reports are true, I find it absolutely, positively ridiculous and I am shocked. Yes, Santonio might smoke pot, yes Santonio might party a little too much, and yes, Santonio might be a complete moron judging by some of his twitter posts among other transgressions, but if the Steelers were to get rid of every guy who smokes pot, parties and is a dummy they might go 0-16 every year. If the NFL, for that matter, got rid of all guys who fit that profile I do not think the league would last very long. The reality is that Holmes can absolutely do what he is paid to do, and that is play football.

And a fifth round pick, are you serious? If Holmes were entering the NFL Draft this year he would absolutely be a first round pick, probably the first receiver taken in the draft. Even if the accusations from the Florida nightclub are true (which they sound like they are not) or the rumors of another failed drug test are true (no proof of this has been presented either) and Holmes is suspended for a portion of the season, he would still be a valuable piece to whatever team he plays for. Holmes has nearly 4,000 yards already in his four seasons in the league. He has averaged over 16 yards per catch in his career and has 20 TDs despite being taken out in the red zone on most opportunities. Did I mention he is yet to turn 26? Did I forget about his Super Bowl MVP? And the Steelers are trading him for a 5th round choice? Am I missing something here?

I guarantee you Jets fans are rejoicing right now. This trade may have just pushed them over the top as the favorite in the AFC next year. They just got a potential #1 wide receiver at best or a great #2 threat with big play potential at worst for the price of a back-up cornerback, about what teams can expect in the 5th round of the draft. Mark Sanchez probably just did a shot of Jack Daniels in a Southern California nightclub, toasting to his newest wide receiver.

If this is the Steelers’ response to the off-field transgressions of their players, it is time for a reality check. They do not hold their players to a higher standard than other teams; they do not have more integrity than other organizations; and the Rooneys care just as much about winning and making money as every other owner in the league. If the Steelers really want to hold their players to a higher standard they should trade James Harrison, Ben Roethlisberger and Jeff Reed while they are at it. Hell, they should give back the four Super Bowl trophies from the '70s as those teams were filled with illegal drug users and criminals of all sorts. Roethlisberger, Holmes, Harrison, and Reed also had a big part in winning the past two Super Bowls, so the Steelers might as well give all six Lombardi Trophies back. See what their fans say then…Please!

This is a joke of an attempt by the Steelers to once again act like they are above other organizations, and many fans will eat it up just as they have for so many years. I, for one, will not. This trade is absolutely ridiculous in my mind, and the Steelers should be ashamed of getting back a 5th round choice for the Super Bowl MVP of just two seasons ago!