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WR Santonio Holmes (Super Bowl XLIII MVP)

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Plain Dealer on Santonio

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Santonio Holmes is not putting himself first. Or, even, his family first. This season, he is putting Ohio State first.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Columbus - Santiono Holmes answered the call when Ohio State needed a capable second receiver last season and when it needed a big-play threat this year.

Fortunately for the Buckeyes, Holmes was not as responsive to nature's call on Saturday.

His two receptions on OSU's final drive helped position Mike Nugent for a 55-yard, last-play field goal that made the difference in a 24-21 victory over Marshall.

Holmes, however, almost was not around to contribute those catches because of a pressing matter brought on by some intravenous fluid he took to stave off cramps in the third quarter.

"I was thinking we were probably going into overtime, so I told [receivers] coach [Darrell] Hazell, Man, I gotta go,' " Holmes said of a conversation late in the fourth quarter. "He was like, Are you serious?' I was like, Yeah.'

"He's like, So you actually want to miss out on all the fun out here, we're kicking a field goal or scoring a big touchdown, just for you to go to the bathroom?'

"I was like, Well, I think I can stick it out.' So I kind of stuck around and helped make two big catches to get ourselves in field goal range."

Making key catches has been Holmes' routine since he took over at his position in the eighth game of last season when senior Drew Carter tore knee ligaments.

In the eight games since, Holmes has 43 receptions for 812 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"He is a deep threat, there is no question about it," N.C. State coach Chuck Amato said of Holmes. "He is a tough receiver. . . . He is gonna take the ball away from you. You might cover him and you might not. He is going to take the ball. He is going to go across the middle. He is one of those type of kids."

Holmes' 10 catches for 224 yards and two scores Saturday against Marshall gave him the second-most receiving yards in a game by an OSU player, trailing only Terry Glenn's 253 yards at Pittsburgh in 1995.

It also marked the third time in four games Holmes has caught two touchdown passes.

That is something he tried to do Saturday after a pregame telephone conversation with his girlfriend at home in Belle Glade, Fla., Nicole King. She and Holmes have a 2-year-old son, Santonio III, and a 4-month-old son, Nicori.

"She told me to go out and score two touchdowns for them and a make a few catches for her," Holmes said. "That kind of inspired me."

Holmes took care of those obligations early, catching 80- and 47-yard touchdown passes from Justin Zwick in the first quarter. He had seven catches for 199 yards by halftime.

Then the cramps hit and began tightening his muscles, which became evident when Holmes had to be helped off the field after fielding a punt early in the third quarter.

"I told them I needed as much treatment as possible, to get me back out there as soon as possible," Holmes said.

That eagerness to get on the field was with Holmes from the start of his OSU career.

"Every year since he's been here, he's taken the same approach," said safety Nate Salley, who has known Holmes since their high school days in Florida. "He felt like he was one of the best guys out here. Last year, he felt like he was the best guy out here, and then he finally got a chance to show what he could do.

"This year, he's our guy at wide receiver, which I think he's been ready for since day one."

Holmes was, but OSU wasn't, redshirting him as a freshman and playing Carter ahead of him until the injury changed the playing order at their position.

"Santonio was always ready, and when the opportunity came, he took advantage of it," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "I don't know if it was a light going on or, OK, it's my time.' "

Holmes' realization of his importance to the Buckeyes took hold this summer, when he bypassed trips home to see his children and girlfriend in order to dedicate himself to conditioning workouts in hopes of a big payoff this season.

"I called them up and told them, Hey, I won't be coming home [but] maybe only once this summer because I'm trying to stay focused on football; I'm trying to become the best receiver at Ohio State," Holmes said. " just wanted an opportunity to get away and just enjoy football and put my family second for a change."

Even with two children to support, and eligible for the NFL draft after this season, Holmes maintains he will return to OSU next year for his junior season.

"I've talked to my parents about it," he said. "We've settled it down to staying another year and get everything out of it, as much as possible."
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I hope he's telling the truth and doesn't let the $$$$ get in the way. On the bright side he doesn't fit the NFL mold for WR, which is going to hurt his draft stock. Playing in college this year and next would only help him. He can probably graduate after next year too.
 
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exhawg said:
I hope he's telling the truth and doesn't let the $$$$ get in the way. On the bright side he doesn't fit the NFL mold for WR, which is going to hurt his draft stock. Playing in college this year and next would only help him. He can probably graduate after next year too.
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You mean like S. Moss and M. Hairison, probably 2 of the top 5 WRs in the game.
 
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Hey- At least he's thinking about staying.


We can cross that Bridge when we come to it... If he's projected in Round 1 (not saying he should or shouldn't be, I just said 'if') then you can't blame the guy...
 
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I know this topic has been beaten to death but if you can get 1st round money, take it and run. The family obligations only make it that much clearer.

As a fan of OSU I want all kids to stay all 4 years. As a soon to be middle aged parent I just couldn't, in good conciensce, tell a kid like Santonio it's in his best interest to stay. It's not.

If he works himself into a sure 1st rounder this year then he has to go. Don't take the risk of an injury or wait another year to start giving your kids the financial resources they need to have the kind of life we all want for our kids. Once you have children, they become the first priority for the rest of your life. Staying around for a last hurrah at OSU would be fun and all but its not whats best for them.

All that being said, the key is obviously 1st round money. If he isn't a sure fire 1st rounder then stay because the money really isn't all that from 2 on down.
 
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Noone could blame Santonio for leaving early given his family situation.

And I don't ever remember Chris Gamble saying that he would stay. His high school coach made a statement like, "his mother won't let him leave without his degree," or something along those lines. It seemed like Chris Gamble couldn't wait to leave. He didn't even get off the Fiesta Bowl field before he declared for the draft.

Santonio himself saying that he's not leaving is a little different. I wouldn't get my hopes up, however.
 
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As I watch the Fieista Bowl over and over again, i kept thinking how special this kid was gonna be. And wondered If zwick and him could match up like CK and Jenkins did so many times in 2002. Then as I watched the 1st TD thrown against Marshall and Holmes on the receiving end of it, I thought to myself that this game was going to be a blowout. But it wasn't and i kind of wondered if there was a letdown on our part. Our Directv took a hit and i did not get to see the results. But this post sort of filled me in on every thing that i missed. Lets pray to God that this young man can stay healthy for along while. I sure think he is special and i have seen so many wideouts for Ohio State, but he does stick out. Something similar to Carter when he played for Earle Bruce. I know Carter was bigger but Santonio seems to have alittle more speed.
 
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AnnArborBuck said:
You mean like S. Moss and M. Hairison, probably 2 of the top 5 WRs in the game.
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Point taken on Santonio not being too small to be a quality NFL receiver but I hardly think Santana Moss is one of the top 5 receivers in the game. Not with guys like Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Harrison, Hines Ward, and Torry Holt in the NFL, just to name a few. He's probably not even among the top 10 or 15 receivers.

This has nothing to do with the fact Santana Moss is from the U either. :tongue2:
 
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BuckNutty said:
Point taken on Santonio not being too small to be a quality NFL receiver but I hardly think Santana Moss is one of the top 5 receivers in the game. Not with guys like Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Harrison, Hines Ward, and Torry Holt in the NFL, just to name a few. He's probably not even among the top 10 or 15 receivers.

This has nothing to do with the fact Santana Moss is from the U either. :tongue2:
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Point taken about Moss and I would probably say he is in the top 10. Torry Hold happens to be another player in similar size to Holmes. Hines Ward isn't especially large either, although he is one fierce run blocker. :biggrin:
 
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AnnArborBuck said:
You mean like S. Moss and M. Hairison, probably 2 of the top 5 WRs in the game.
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Ok reread my post. "Playing in college this year and next would only help him." Both of the players you mentioned were seniors when they went to the NFL and were drafted in the first round. That's why I think it would be good for him to stay at OSU for another year. They love 6'3"+ receivers in the NFL so the shorter receivers have to do more to prove themselves in college. You really need to get out of Ann Arbor.
 
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