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- Thread starter 3yardsandacloud
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This really chaps my ass as a Browns fan, but of course I'll route for him as long as he's not playing the Browns. Won't be buying a Santonio jersey though.
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BuckStocksHere
Semper Fi!
I should be able to get his autograph shortly now that he is coming to shittsburgh
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ScarletBlood31
Buckeye in Blacksburg
Santonio in Pittsburgh is a great situation for him. He is on a great team, and can learn from one of the best, Hines Ward (who knows a few things about being a great blocking WR )
)
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5/1
NFL rule means Holmes can't attend many early Steelers workouts
By The Associated Press
Monday, May 1, 2006
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Santonio Holmes was convinced that playing at Ohio State would accelerate his entry into the NFL, not delay it. Turns out it did a little of both.
Holmes' three productive seasons as a wide receiver at one of college football's signature schools allowed him to skip his senior season and become the Steelers' first-round draft pick.
However, Ohio State's academic schedule will require Holmes to miss three valuable weeks of NFL indoctrination, forcing him to play catch-up when training camp starts in late July.
Because of an NFL-NCAA agreement, a college player cannot take part in NFL spring workouts until his college class has graduated. Because many schools hold graduation in early May, most NFL draft picks are not affected. But Holmes needs this quarter and at least another at Ohio State to finish, so he cannot begin practicing until after the university's mid-June graduation. By then, the Steelers will have finished the 14 days of coaching sessions that follow their May 13-15 minicamp, which Holmes is permitted to attend.
"I'll probably just train back in Columbus with a bunch of my teammates before they leave," Holmes said Monday. "I'll get ready from there."
Whether the delay will hurt Holmes' chances of becoming a starter this season remains uncertain. Two years ago, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said the spring practices gave him a jump start in learning the Steelers' system and his new teammates.
Holmes has a chance to play immediately, too, as he will compete with Cedrick Wilson for the split end's job vacated when Antwaan Randle El signed with the Redskins as free agent. Either Holmes or third-round pick Willie Reid of Florida State will replace Randle El as a punt returner.
Holmes visited the Steelers' offices Monday, meeting with owner Dan Rooney, chairman Art Rooney II, director of football operations Kevin Colbert and coach Bill Cowher. But it wasn't his first trip to the Steelers' complex.
Holmes was recruited heavily by Pitt before signing with Ohio State, and he visited the practice complex the Panthers share with the Steelers. Despite Pitt's reputation for turning out star wide receivers under former coach Walt Harris -- Larry Fitzgerald and Antonio Bryant among them -- Holmes chose Ohio State because of its talent and tradition.
Or exactly the same assets the Steelers have, he said.
"We started getting some of the better athletes at wide receiver to come to Ohio State, and coach (Jim) Tressel saw that and decided to open up the offense a lot more and give us the opportunity to make more plays," Holmes said. "Hopefully, the same thing can happen here in Pittsburgh."
Holmes shares that wish with Roethlisberger, who called the wide receiver immediately after the Steelers drafted him.
"He told me he is very excited that I was picked by the Steelers and he is looking forward to working with me," Holmes said.
Holmes plans to use some of the money he will make as a first-round pick to support his mother, who went to work as usual on Monday at a corn processing plant in Belle Glade, Fla. She often worked 12 hours a day, so Holmes helped raise his three younger brothers.
The 22-year-old Holmes' expanding family now includes two sons and a daughter, all of whom are 3 or under. He hopes they will live with him once he relocates to Pittsburgh, if only so they will have the father growing up that he never did.
"My father left when I was about 2 years old," Holmes said. "I never really had a father to go out and play with me."
Holmes cleared up one mystery during his first meeting with the Steelers -- where did he get that Terrible Towel he began waving as soon as he was drafted? It was handed to him by his barber, a longtime family friend and Steelers fan who watched the draft with Holmes' family.
"It is always nice that when you make that selection of your first-round draft pick that he immediately pulls out a Terrible Towel," Rooney II said. "That was a good start."
Even if it will be a delayed start.
Meanwhile, the Steelers signed 12 undrafted rookie free agents on Monday, including Penn State defensive tackle Scott Paxson and tight end Isaac Smolko. They also signed one of Holmes' teammates, Ohio State linebacker Mike Kudla.
Also signing were safeties Mike Lorello of West Virginia, Zach Baker of East Carolina and Jamar Landrom of Tennessee State, kicker Mark Brubaker of East Stroudsburg, tight end Jonathan Dekker of Princeton, tackle Nick Hagemann of South Dakota State, guard Grayling Love of Arizona State, cornerback Anthony Madison of Alabama and defensive end Lee Vickers of North Alabama.
5/1
NFL rule means Holmes can't attend many early Steelers workouts
By The Associated Press
Monday, May 1, 2006
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Santonio Holmes was convinced that playing at Ohio State would accelerate his entry into the NFL, not delay it. Turns out it did a little of both.
Holmes' three productive seasons as a wide receiver at one of college football's signature schools allowed him to skip his senior season and become the Steelers' first-round draft pick.
However, Ohio State's academic schedule will require Holmes to miss three valuable weeks of NFL indoctrination, forcing him to play catch-up when training camp starts in late July.
Because of an NFL-NCAA agreement, a college player cannot take part in NFL spring workouts until his college class has graduated. Because many schools hold graduation in early May, most NFL draft picks are not affected. But Holmes needs this quarter and at least another at Ohio State to finish, so he cannot begin practicing until after the university's mid-June graduation. By then, the Steelers will have finished the 14 days of coaching sessions that follow their May 13-15 minicamp, which Holmes is permitted to attend.
"I'll probably just train back in Columbus with a bunch of my teammates before they leave," Holmes said Monday. "I'll get ready from there."
Whether the delay will hurt Holmes' chances of becoming a starter this season remains uncertain. Two years ago, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said the spring practices gave him a jump start in learning the Steelers' system and his new teammates.
Holmes has a chance to play immediately, too, as he will compete with Cedrick Wilson for the split end's job vacated when Antwaan Randle El signed with the Redskins as free agent. Either Holmes or third-round pick Willie Reid of Florida State will replace Randle El as a punt returner.
Holmes visited the Steelers' offices Monday, meeting with owner Dan Rooney, chairman Art Rooney II, director of football operations Kevin Colbert and coach Bill Cowher. But it wasn't his first trip to the Steelers' complex.
Holmes was recruited heavily by Pitt before signing with Ohio State, and he visited the practice complex the Panthers share with the Steelers. Despite Pitt's reputation for turning out star wide receivers under former coach Walt Harris -- Larry Fitzgerald and Antonio Bryant among them -- Holmes chose Ohio State because of its talent and tradition.
Or exactly the same assets the Steelers have, he said.
"We started getting some of the better athletes at wide receiver to come to Ohio State, and coach (Jim) Tressel saw that and decided to open up the offense a lot more and give us the opportunity to make more plays," Holmes said. "Hopefully, the same thing can happen here in Pittsburgh."
Holmes shares that wish with Roethlisberger, who called the wide receiver immediately after the Steelers drafted him.
"He told me he is very excited that I was picked by the Steelers and he is looking forward to working with me," Holmes said.
Holmes plans to use some of the money he will make as a first-round pick to support his mother, who went to work as usual on Monday at a corn processing plant in Belle Glade, Fla. She often worked 12 hours a day, so Holmes helped raise his three younger brothers.
The 22-year-old Holmes' expanding family now includes two sons and a daughter, all of whom are 3 or under. He hopes they will live with him once he relocates to Pittsburgh, if only so they will have the father growing up that he never did.
"My father left when I was about 2 years old," Holmes said. "I never really had a father to go out and play with me."
Holmes cleared up one mystery during his first meeting with the Steelers -- where did he get that Terrible Towel he began waving as soon as he was drafted? It was handed to him by his barber, a longtime family friend and Steelers fan who watched the draft with Holmes' family.
"It is always nice that when you make that selection of your first-round draft pick that he immediately pulls out a Terrible Towel," Rooney II said. "That was a good start."
Even if it will be a delayed start.
Meanwhile, the Steelers signed 12 undrafted rookie free agents on Monday, including Penn State defensive tackle Scott Paxson and tight end Isaac Smolko. They also signed one of Holmes' teammates, Ohio State linebacker Mike Kudla.
Also signing were safeties Mike Lorello of West Virginia, Zach Baker of East Carolina and Jamar Landrom of Tennessee State, kicker Mark Brubaker of East Stroudsburg, tight end Jonathan Dekker of Princeton, tackle Nick Hagemann of South Dakota State, guard Grayling Love of Arizona State, cornerback Anthony Madison of Alabama and defensive end Lee Vickers of North Alabama.
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5/1
Holmes knows all about responsibility
Monday, May 1, 2006
By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
Santonio Holmes was finally getting some rest after basking in the glow of being drafted in the first-round by the Steelers when his mother, Patricia Brown, got up and headed off to work.
While it was the best day in Holmes' football career, Brown knew that she still had to provide for the family, which includes Holmes three younger brothers.
So, instead of getting some much needed sleep after a day filled with emotion and excitement, Brown went about her normal business.
"The one thing that really hurt me about the whole situation is that the day after I got drafted she got up at 3 o'clock in the morning to work in the field," said Holmes during a press conference at the Steelers practice facility on Monday. "I really didn't appreciate it but I commend my mom on all the things she's been able to do and the way she's continued to work and support her family."
Brown works in a corn field in Belle Glade, Florida, packing corn. It's a long, tough day for her, starting in the wee hours of the morning and lasting until the afternoon. But it puts food on the table and pays the bills.
But after being selected in the draft, Holmes let her know things were going to get easier, that she didn't have to go back to the fields. She wasn't ready for that, though.
"I told her all our worries are pretty much taken care of now, financially," said Holmes. "Hopefully she is going to enjoy this moment just like I am.
"I tried, but she's not ready to accept it until the right time comes. I told her she doesn't have to worry about those things anymore."
Life will definitely be easier for Holmes and his family now. The 22-year old has taken on responsibility that men twice his age never have to. He has three children of his own and helped to raise his three younger brothers, ages 7-19, while his mom went to work. His father left when he was just two years old, and it hasn't been until recently that he has had any kind of relationship with him.
It's been his mom who has been there for him and he was always willing to accept extra responsibility to help out at home because of that.
"She's been my backbone," said Holmes. "We never really had a close relationship until I got to college. I was always afraid to talk to my mom about anything. Now I call whenever I have a problem with anything.
"She's always there for me. She's been working in the fields all her life. I had to raise my brothers by myself. She's just been a hard worker. I commend her on all the things that she was able to accomplish even though she didn't get a chance to go to college. She still went back and got her high school degree and she went off into nursing school. I'm going to continue to help her with that."
Holmes decided to enter the draft after his junior year at Ohio State, but he is keeping his education as a top priority. He plans on going back to school after next season so that he can graduate - something that is important to his mother.
"It's something that my mom has been drilling into my head since I was a little kid," said Holmes. "She's so proud of me right now for being drafted but at the same time she's telling me there's nothing more important than having my degree because if things don't go right in the NFL there's always something to fall back on. She's always told me that no one can ever take this away from me because I earned it and worked for it."
And if there is something Patricia Brown knows well, it's working hard for what you get.
5/1
Monday, May 1, 2006
By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
Santonio Holmes was finally getting some rest after basking in the glow of being drafted in the first-round by the Steelers when his mother, Patricia Brown, got up and headed off to work.
While it was the best day in Holmes' football career, Brown knew that she still had to provide for the family, which includes Holmes three younger brothers.
So, instead of getting some much needed sleep after a day filled with emotion and excitement, Brown went about her normal business.
"The one thing that really hurt me about the whole situation is that the day after I got drafted she got up at 3 o'clock in the morning to work in the field," said Holmes during a press conference at the Steelers practice facility on Monday. "I really didn't appreciate it but I commend my mom on all the things she's been able to do and the way she's continued to work and support her family."
Brown works in a corn field in Belle Glade, Florida, packing corn. It's a long, tough day for her, starting in the wee hours of the morning and lasting until the afternoon. But it puts food on the table and pays the bills.
But after being selected in the draft, Holmes let her know things were going to get easier, that she didn't have to go back to the fields. She wasn't ready for that, though.
"I told her all our worries are pretty much taken care of now, financially," said Holmes. "Hopefully she is going to enjoy this moment just like I am.
"I tried, but she's not ready to accept it until the right time comes. I told her she doesn't have to worry about those things anymore."
Life will definitely be easier for Holmes and his family now. The 22-year old has taken on responsibility that men twice his age never have to. He has three children of his own and helped to raise his three younger brothers, ages 7-19, while his mom went to work. His father left when he was just two years old, and it hasn't been until recently that he has had any kind of relationship with him.
It's been his mom who has been there for him and he was always willing to accept extra responsibility to help out at home because of that.
"She's been my backbone," said Holmes. "We never really had a close relationship until I got to college. I was always afraid to talk to my mom about anything. Now I call whenever I have a problem with anything.
"She's always there for me. She's been working in the fields all her life. I had to raise my brothers by myself. She's just been a hard worker. I commend her on all the things that she was able to accomplish even though she didn't get a chance to go to college. She still went back and got her high school degree and she went off into nursing school. I'm going to continue to help her with that."
Holmes decided to enter the draft after his junior year at Ohio State, but he is keeping his education as a top priority. He plans on going back to school after next season so that he can graduate - something that is important to his mother.
"It's something that my mom has been drilling into my head since I was a little kid," said Holmes. "She's so proud of me right now for being drafted but at the same time she's telling me there's nothing more important than having my degree because if things don't go right in the NFL there's always something to fall back on. She's always told me that no one can ever take this away from me because I earned it and worked for it."
And if there is something Patricia Brown knows well, it's working hard for what you get.
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Lucky Bucks? Ohio State earns WR U title
by Frank Coyle of NFL Draft
Now that the NFL Draft has come and gone, Rivals takes a look at a few players that will make an impact in their rookie seasons. One of the players expected to excel is ex-OSU receiver Santonio Holmes, who was tabbed by the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers with the 25th pick. Rivals.com draft analyst Frank Coyle gives a rundown on the top 10 impact rookies from this year's draft.[more]
3. Santonio Holmes - Ohio State - WR – 5-11, 205 lbs. – Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers moved up to select this playmaker. Holmes addresses a major need after the loss of veteran free agents at this position in recent years. He is a fine complement opposite Hines Ward and should compete for a starting job immediately. The Steelers have gotten their top picks into the offense quickly, and Holmes should follow that plan. His run-after-the-catch ability and sure hands should allow him to fill the slot receiver spot vacated by the departed Antwaan Randle El.
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5/2
Another weapon for the offense
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
By BOB LABRIOLA
Steelers.com
Cornerbacks and receivers are to football what cobras and mongooses are to the animal kingdom. Sworn enemies. One thrives and the other dies. So it goes every Sunday in the National Football League.
That's why it is somewhat strange that avowed Steelers fan Santonio Holmes would list his favorite player as Rod Woodson, because his new team expects him to make NFL cornerbacks hate him weekly for years to come. In his arsenal will be speed, hands as big and soft as pillows, and the kind of aggressiveness typically found at a table of eight when seven steaks come off the grill.
"Obviously, when you are talking about wide receivers in this league, you need speed and you have to be able to catch the football," said wide receivers coach Bruce Arians. "He possesses the ability to do everything: play outside, play inside and be a return man for both kickoffs and punts. He's an every-down player who is very exciting. He's a very willing blocker for his size, and we're really excited about him."
Ditto for Holmes in the excitement department, who hoped but never really believed he'd be drafted by his favorite NFL team.
"It isn't often that a player gets to play for what has been his favorite team for the past 10 or 11 years," said Holmes. "The Steelers are my favorites because of the way they played leading up to the Super Bowl in 1995. I was watching them because one of my uncles was a Steelers fan, and I decided to switch out on the Cowboys and go for the Steelers in the Super Bowl. I thought they had a better team at the time, and I have been watching all the guys who play for the Steelers."
Holmes now is one of them, and the Steelers traded their picks in rounds one, three and four of this draft to choose him because they believe he can help them win more championships.
When Antwaan Randle El left as an unrestricted free agent in March, the Steelers were left with a vacancy at wide receiver. If Holmes isn't expected to come in immediately and fill Randle El's starting role, he is expected to juice the competition come training camp and contribute once the regular season starts.
"He's coming into an offense where the primary focus is to run the football," said Arians. "So is he going to catch 100 balls? Hell no, but he should be able to break games open for us and be a big-play type of guy and draw some attention away from some other guys."
There is no such thing as a meaningful depth chart in May, but it's reasonable to assume Hines Ward and Cedrick Wilson are the starting wide receivers. That puts Holmes in a group that includes second-year pro Nate Washington, veterans Quincy Morgan, Lee Mays and Sean Morey, and No. 3 pick Willie Reid for roster spots.
One of the qualities the Steelers liked about their corps of wide receivers in 2005 was the ability of the top guys to play multiple positions. That left defenses unsure about which way to roll their coverages because they never really knew for sure which receiver might run deep. Holmes has the ability to fit in as an interchangeable part, even though he was lined up wide most of the time at Ohio State.
"He played in the slot some and has the quickness and speed and is tough enough to play inside," said Arians. "I think once he was in a bunch formation when he split Notre Dame for a touchdown. But yes, he is fine in there. We have interchangeable parts where you can't focus in on one guy in one spot. We will still be able to move guys around."
Speaking of toughness, that has come to be a characteristic of Steelers receivers, with the leader being Ward. Blocking is looked upon by most NFL receivers as a task that's beneath them, but with Ward setting the example it has become a source of pride here. Plaxico Burress blocked, Randle El blocked, Wilson learned quickly that he was expected to block.
Holmes understands, even at 5-foot-11, 189 pounds.
"You don't have to be a real big guy to be aggressive," said Arians. "Hines is not that big, and he's the most aggressive receiver in the league. Santonio is probably 10 to 15 pounds lighter than Hines, but he is strong and real wiry. It's more effort. You block with your heart. It's all about heart. I have seen the biggest, strongest guys in this league and they just never seem to get there. They're one step off that big block because they just don't want to get there. They just want to catch the ball."
Make no mistake, Holmes wants the football, but he also understands. At Ohio State, Holmes often drew the double-teams because he was a more polished receiver than Ted Ginn. Now, Holmes is the new guy, and he realizes there's only one way to make himself game-ready for the NFL.
"Over the past four years at Ohio State, we've had the best defense in the country," said Holmes. "We always had a top-five, top-10 defense every year. Going against those guys in practice really made me a better player, because I didn't think anyone else that we played against had a better defense than us. The opportunity that we got as an offense to beat our defense every week in practice made us a lot better. We run our offensive plays according to what the defense sets up and that gives them an advantage to know what we're doing. For us to complete passes and be able to run the ball as well as we did against our own defense, it also made us great receivers."
Maybe that's why Holmes has a special place in his heart for cornerbacks. Expect that to change quickly.
5/2
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
By BOB LABRIOLA
Steelers.com
Cornerbacks and receivers are to football what cobras and mongooses are to the animal kingdom. Sworn enemies. One thrives and the other dies. So it goes every Sunday in the National Football League.
That's why it is somewhat strange that avowed Steelers fan Santonio Holmes would list his favorite player as Rod Woodson, because his new team expects him to make NFL cornerbacks hate him weekly for years to come. In his arsenal will be speed, hands as big and soft as pillows, and the kind of aggressiveness typically found at a table of eight when seven steaks come off the grill.
"Obviously, when you are talking about wide receivers in this league, you need speed and you have to be able to catch the football," said wide receivers coach Bruce Arians. "He possesses the ability to do everything: play outside, play inside and be a return man for both kickoffs and punts. He's an every-down player who is very exciting. He's a very willing blocker for his size, and we're really excited about him."
Ditto for Holmes in the excitement department, who hoped but never really believed he'd be drafted by his favorite NFL team.
"It isn't often that a player gets to play for what has been his favorite team for the past 10 or 11 years," said Holmes. "The Steelers are my favorites because of the way they played leading up to the Super Bowl in 1995. I was watching them because one of my uncles was a Steelers fan, and I decided to switch out on the Cowboys and go for the Steelers in the Super Bowl. I thought they had a better team at the time, and I have been watching all the guys who play for the Steelers."
Holmes now is one of them, and the Steelers traded their picks in rounds one, three and four of this draft to choose him because they believe he can help them win more championships.
When Antwaan Randle El left as an unrestricted free agent in March, the Steelers were left with a vacancy at wide receiver. If Holmes isn't expected to come in immediately and fill Randle El's starting role, he is expected to juice the competition come training camp and contribute once the regular season starts.
"He's coming into an offense where the primary focus is to run the football," said Arians. "So is he going to catch 100 balls? Hell no, but he should be able to break games open for us and be a big-play type of guy and draw some attention away from some other guys."
There is no such thing as a meaningful depth chart in May, but it's reasonable to assume Hines Ward and Cedrick Wilson are the starting wide receivers. That puts Holmes in a group that includes second-year pro Nate Washington, veterans Quincy Morgan, Lee Mays and Sean Morey, and No. 3 pick Willie Reid for roster spots.
One of the qualities the Steelers liked about their corps of wide receivers in 2005 was the ability of the top guys to play multiple positions. That left defenses unsure about which way to roll their coverages because they never really knew for sure which receiver might run deep. Holmes has the ability to fit in as an interchangeable part, even though he was lined up wide most of the time at Ohio State.
"He played in the slot some and has the quickness and speed and is tough enough to play inside," said Arians. "I think once he was in a bunch formation when he split Notre Dame for a touchdown. But yes, he is fine in there. We have interchangeable parts where you can't focus in on one guy in one spot. We will still be able to move guys around."
Speaking of toughness, that has come to be a characteristic of Steelers receivers, with the leader being Ward. Blocking is looked upon by most NFL receivers as a task that's beneath them, but with Ward setting the example it has become a source of pride here. Plaxico Burress blocked, Randle El blocked, Wilson learned quickly that he was expected to block.
Holmes understands, even at 5-foot-11, 189 pounds.
"You don't have to be a real big guy to be aggressive," said Arians. "Hines is not that big, and he's the most aggressive receiver in the league. Santonio is probably 10 to 15 pounds lighter than Hines, but he is strong and real wiry. It's more effort. You block with your heart. It's all about heart. I have seen the biggest, strongest guys in this league and they just never seem to get there. They're one step off that big block because they just don't want to get there. They just want to catch the ball."
Make no mistake, Holmes wants the football, but he also understands. At Ohio State, Holmes often drew the double-teams because he was a more polished receiver than Ted Ginn. Now, Holmes is the new guy, and he realizes there's only one way to make himself game-ready for the NFL.
"Over the past four years at Ohio State, we've had the best defense in the country," said Holmes. "We always had a top-five, top-10 defense every year. Going against those guys in practice really made me a better player, because I didn't think anyone else that we played against had a better defense than us. The opportunity that we got as an offense to beat our defense every week in practice made us a lot better. We run our offensive plays according to what the defense sets up and that gives them an advantage to know what we're doing. For us to complete passes and be able to run the ball as well as we did against our own defense, it also made us great receivers."
Maybe that's why Holmes has a special place in his heart for cornerbacks. Expect that to change quickly.
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a few great shots of holmes from the presser...
Backup gallery (the pics eventually disappear from cbs)
^^^^ See the above link for 7 high-res pics from the presser; I didn't want to use up any more room on the thread
Backup gallery (the pics eventually disappear from cbs)
^^^^ See the above link for 7 high-res pics from the presser; I didn't want to use up any more room on the thread
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