-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
- Thread starter 3yardsandacloud
- Start date
elliemae
steeler-buckeye fan
I agree with you on the Pittsburgh reporters,they are really not into O.S.U.!
They usually say on the news here when Ohio State wins,they will mention first the losing team,well today m******n lost in a normal tone, then in a low tone to Ohio State! Sometimes you won't even hear that they won,unreal!!! One year a guy from the Post Gazette wrote an article on "the Game" and said he would rather watch 4 hours of in infomercials!!!!:crazy: :teeth: :2004:
totally cheesed me off!So I sent a 2 page letter with my husband doing plenty of editing! I never got a return & I kept replying back.. Never heard from him,I have the article & the rough draft of my letter!
Their loss, our gain! "Go Bucks"!
Upvote
0
Link
Steelers can't wait to see Holmes in lineup - once he learns how
ALAN ROBINSON
Associated Press
LATROBE, Pa. - He sat out a practice because of a sore hamstring. He was introduced to the NFL by being tackled - and hard - by cornerback Bryant McFadden during a supposedly non-contact practice.
He also dropped a couple of passes and several punts during a sloppy Pittsburgh Steelers practice that didn't please coach Bill Cowher.
A bad opening week of camp for first-round draft pick Santonio Holmes, the former Ohio State star receiver who couldn't seem to keep himself out of trouble after being drafted in April?
Not at all.
There were missteps and missed plays, and some incorrect pass routes that were quickly corrected by Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, who has become Holmes' training camp mentor. But the Steelers weren't disappointed with Holmes, who figures to play an important role this season now that former starting receiver Antwaan Randle El is with the Redskins.
Since the Steelers began practicing July 30, Holmes has repeatedly flashed the speed that helped him catch 53 passes for 977 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Buckeyes last season. Several times, he beat the cornerback covering him off the line of scrimmage, leading to a wide-open catch or an obvious pass interference.
And a few hours after that practice in which he repeatedly dropped the ball, Holmes made two excellent catches during an evening scrimmage - one with three defenders near him and another near the end-zone pylon that was just short of a touchdown.
"I was very pleased," offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said of Holmes' first week. "He was what we thought he would be as far as having good hands, explosive speed and a good route runner."
That's the side of Holmes the Steelers want to keep seeing.
There was good news for Holmes off the field, as the Memorial Day weekend disorderly conduct charge filed against him in Miami was dropped. He doesn't know if he must attend an Aug. 15 trial in Columbus, Ohio, on a domestic violence charge brought against him by the mother of one of his three children, but his lawyers are attempting to have the case dropped.
That's the side of Holmes the Steelers never want to see again, and they have warned him that any repeated off-field incidents could lead to disciplinary action, fines or suspensions.
"I'm a young guy stepping into a great deal of things," he said. "I'm just looking forward to having a great career. I don't feel like I have to prove to anybody. I just have to get out there and show the organization that I want to play football and that's the only thing I'm here for."
It appears Holmes will press the more experienced Cedrick Wilson for playing time as the season approaches. The Steelers play their first preseason game Saturday at Arizona, and Holmes expects to play considerably, and line up to catch punts.
Of course, it will help once he learns how to line up. Several times last week, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had to motion to Holmes where to line up or to switch from one side of the field to the other.
"Right now, I'm asking a lot of questions and they're helping out a whole lot," Holmes said.
Because his college class had not yet graduated, Holmes was not permitted by NCAA rules to attend a series of coaching sessions the Steelers held following their May minicamp. His absence put Holmes behind the other rookies in learning the offense, including third-round pick Willie Reid, another receiver.
"He's got a long way to go from a mental standpoint, understanding where to line up, and as he grows in the offense we'll be able to do more things with him," Whisenhunt said of Holmes.
Cowher said Holmes, like most rookies, is a work in progress.
"The more they're running routes and doing things on a repetitive basis, they'll be able to do it faster and be able to do it without thinking," Cowher said. "A lot of these guys are still thinking out there and when you're thinking, you're a step slow. Obviously, we're trying to expedite this process and when we do that, we'll be able to assess the skills he has."
Steelers can't wait to see Holmes in lineup - once he learns how
ALAN ROBINSON
Associated Press
LATROBE, Pa. - He sat out a practice because of a sore hamstring. He was introduced to the NFL by being tackled - and hard - by cornerback Bryant McFadden during a supposedly non-contact practice.
He also dropped a couple of passes and several punts during a sloppy Pittsburgh Steelers practice that didn't please coach Bill Cowher.
A bad opening week of camp for first-round draft pick Santonio Holmes, the former Ohio State star receiver who couldn't seem to keep himself out of trouble after being drafted in April?
Not at all.
There were missteps and missed plays, and some incorrect pass routes that were quickly corrected by Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, who has become Holmes' training camp mentor. But the Steelers weren't disappointed with Holmes, who figures to play an important role this season now that former starting receiver Antwaan Randle El is with the Redskins.
Since the Steelers began practicing July 30, Holmes has repeatedly flashed the speed that helped him catch 53 passes for 977 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Buckeyes last season. Several times, he beat the cornerback covering him off the line of scrimmage, leading to a wide-open catch or an obvious pass interference.
And a few hours after that practice in which he repeatedly dropped the ball, Holmes made two excellent catches during an evening scrimmage - one with three defenders near him and another near the end-zone pylon that was just short of a touchdown.
"I was very pleased," offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said of Holmes' first week. "He was what we thought he would be as far as having good hands, explosive speed and a good route runner."
That's the side of Holmes the Steelers want to keep seeing.
There was good news for Holmes off the field, as the Memorial Day weekend disorderly conduct charge filed against him in Miami was dropped. He doesn't know if he must attend an Aug. 15 trial in Columbus, Ohio, on a domestic violence charge brought against him by the mother of one of his three children, but his lawyers are attempting to have the case dropped.
That's the side of Holmes the Steelers never want to see again, and they have warned him that any repeated off-field incidents could lead to disciplinary action, fines or suspensions.
"I'm a young guy stepping into a great deal of things," he said. "I'm just looking forward to having a great career. I don't feel like I have to prove to anybody. I just have to get out there and show the organization that I want to play football and that's the only thing I'm here for."
It appears Holmes will press the more experienced Cedrick Wilson for playing time as the season approaches. The Steelers play their first preseason game Saturday at Arizona, and Holmes expects to play considerably, and line up to catch punts.
Of course, it will help once he learns how to line up. Several times last week, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had to motion to Holmes where to line up or to switch from one side of the field to the other.
"Right now, I'm asking a lot of questions and they're helping out a whole lot," Holmes said.
Because his college class had not yet graduated, Holmes was not permitted by NCAA rules to attend a series of coaching sessions the Steelers held following their May minicamp. His absence put Holmes behind the other rookies in learning the offense, including third-round pick Willie Reid, another receiver.
"He's got a long way to go from a mental standpoint, understanding where to line up, and as he grows in the offense we'll be able to do more things with him," Whisenhunt said of Holmes.
Cowher said Holmes, like most rookies, is a work in progress.
"The more they're running routes and doing things on a repetitive basis, they'll be able to do it faster and be able to do it without thinking," Cowher said. "A lot of these guys are still thinking out there and when you're thinking, you're a step slow. Obviously, we're trying to expedite this process and when we do that, we'll be able to assess the skills he has."
Upvote
0
Link
[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]8/8/2006 [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]
javascript:WinOpen('print.asp?ArticleID=25185&SectionID=7&SubSectionID=21','560','400','10','5');
[/FONT][FONT=CENTURY, SANS SERIF]Steelers eager to unwrap gift[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]F. Dale Lolley[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]Staff writer[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]LATROBE -- Kevin Spencer is like a kid on the night before Christmas. He knows he's going to get some new toys and he can't wait to play with them.
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]
The only difference is that Spencer has spent the past few months looking at his toys. Saturday night in Arizona, when the Steelers open their preseason schedule, Pittsburgh's special teams coach will finally get to play with them.
With the free agent defection of Antwaan Randle El to Washington during the offseason, Spencer's return units -- specifically punt return -- took a major hit. Randle El was the only player in the NFL last season to return two punts for touchdowns.
The draft brought in rookies Santonio Holmes and Willie Reid, giving Spencer what he hopes is enough talent to replace Randle El, who averaged 9.5 yards per return and scored four touchdowns in four seasons as a punt returner.
"I'm not anxious because that has a negative connotation, I'm excited to get a chance to see what these kids can do," said Spencer. "We really have some neat kids and I have some veterans who also have done it. � You're just excited to see what they do when the bright lights come on.
"That's when you find out about guys, who can do it and who can't."
The Steelers have been working with Holmes, their first-round pick, and Reid, a third-rounder, in addition to veterans Cedrick Wilson and Ricardo Colclough in training camp at Saint Vincent College.
Wilson returned punts early in his NFL career with San Francisco and Colclough did so at times in his previous two seasons with the Steelers.
But it is Holmes and, more specifically, Reid who are expected to handle the bulk of the duties this season.
"It's a chance for me to get out there and contribute early," said Reid, an electrifying punt returner at Florida State who averaged 15.4 yards per attempt and scored three touchdowns in 2005.
"It's something that I feel like I'm pretty good at and I like doing it. Hopefully, I can win that job and help this team out in that way."
He'll have plenty of competition.
Holmes averaged 10.1 yards per return last season at Ohio State, while Wilson, the veteran of the group, has averaged 7.4 yards on 13 career punt returns. Colclough, who has struggled fielding punts in this camp, is likely a last resort.
Reid is the early frontrunner, though, to win the job, with Holmes still very much in the picture.
"I really feel good about him," said Spencer. "He's very coachable. He's got the bright eyes and everything is 'Yes coach.' He wants to do extra. All the kids are like that. Cedrick Wilson has been in this league for several years and I told him today that it's really good when the young kids see him doing this stuff."
Even the veterans have noticed Reid and Holmes.
"You can see the guys who are naturals at it," said punter Chris Gardocki. "They field the ball so fluidly. Both of those young guys, you can tell they really field the ball well. They have no problems back there."
On game days, however, Spencer is never sure who he's going to have available because the Steelers must make eight players inactive. So he's getting as many players ready to handle the position as possible.
"In a game, coach may tell me that this guy is done, so I'm working everybody," said Spencer. "I'm trying to keep extra guys out individually. If we do anything, we need to take care of the football. Anything else is a bonus. I feel good about the way we're going about it."
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]8/8/2006 [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]
javascript:WinOpen('print.asp?ArticleID=25185&SectionID=7&SubSectionID=21','560','400','10','5');
[/FONT][FONT=CENTURY, SANS SERIF]Steelers eager to unwrap gift[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]F. Dale Lolley[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]Staff writer[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]LATROBE -- Kevin Spencer is like a kid on the night before Christmas. He knows he's going to get some new toys and he can't wait to play with them.
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, Times, Serif]
The only difference is that Spencer has spent the past few months looking at his toys. Saturday night in Arizona, when the Steelers open their preseason schedule, Pittsburgh's special teams coach will finally get to play with them.
With the free agent defection of Antwaan Randle El to Washington during the offseason, Spencer's return units -- specifically punt return -- took a major hit. Randle El was the only player in the NFL last season to return two punts for touchdowns.
The draft brought in rookies Santonio Holmes and Willie Reid, giving Spencer what he hopes is enough talent to replace Randle El, who averaged 9.5 yards per return and scored four touchdowns in four seasons as a punt returner.
"I'm not anxious because that has a negative connotation, I'm excited to get a chance to see what these kids can do," said Spencer. "We really have some neat kids and I have some veterans who also have done it. � You're just excited to see what they do when the bright lights come on.
"That's when you find out about guys, who can do it and who can't."
The Steelers have been working with Holmes, their first-round pick, and Reid, a third-rounder, in addition to veterans Cedrick Wilson and Ricardo Colclough in training camp at Saint Vincent College.
Wilson returned punts early in his NFL career with San Francisco and Colclough did so at times in his previous two seasons with the Steelers.
But it is Holmes and, more specifically, Reid who are expected to handle the bulk of the duties this season.
"It's a chance for me to get out there and contribute early," said Reid, an electrifying punt returner at Florida State who averaged 15.4 yards per attempt and scored three touchdowns in 2005.
"It's something that I feel like I'm pretty good at and I like doing it. Hopefully, I can win that job and help this team out in that way."
He'll have plenty of competition.
Holmes averaged 10.1 yards per return last season at Ohio State, while Wilson, the veteran of the group, has averaged 7.4 yards on 13 career punt returns. Colclough, who has struggled fielding punts in this camp, is likely a last resort.
Reid is the early frontrunner, though, to win the job, with Holmes still very much in the picture.
"I really feel good about him," said Spencer. "He's very coachable. He's got the bright eyes and everything is 'Yes coach.' He wants to do extra. All the kids are like that. Cedrick Wilson has been in this league for several years and I told him today that it's really good when the young kids see him doing this stuff."
Even the veterans have noticed Reid and Holmes.
"You can see the guys who are naturals at it," said punter Chris Gardocki. "They field the ball so fluidly. Both of those young guys, you can tell they really field the ball well. They have no problems back there."
On game days, however, Spencer is never sure who he's going to have available because the Steelers must make eight players inactive. So he's getting as many players ready to handle the position as possible.
"In a game, coach may tell me that this guy is done, so I'm working everybody," said Spencer. "I'm trying to keep extra guys out individually. If we do anything, we need to take care of the football. Anything else is a bonus. I feel good about the way we're going about it."
[/FONT]
Upvote
0
AJHawkfan
Wanna make $14 the hard way?
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06221/712084-66.stm
Steelers' Holmes eager for shot to defuse controversies
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Before he caught a pass with the Steelers, Santonio Holmes already had caused a stir with his new team. But the buzz came from what Holmes, their No. 1 draft choice, did off the field, not on it, much to the Steelers' dismay.
Now, though, Holmes has a chance to make a different kind of noise, the kind for which the Steelers traded up seven spots to make him the 25th overall selection in the NFL draft.
Holmes gets a shot to help ease some of his off-field problems when he plays in the Steelers' first preseason game Saturday in Arizona, an opportunity to gain some attention for something other than the legal problems he has encountered since Memorial Day weekend.
"I'm very excited about it," Holmes said. "I'm looking forward to it."
And so are the Steelers.
The coaches finally get a chance to see what Holmes can add to an offense that, by the end of last season, was the most proficient and explosive in the National Football League. So far, they've liked what they've seen of their 5-foot-11, 190-pound receiver in training camp.
"I see a lot of natural things that are very exciting," offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said. "You see explosion, good discipline in his routes. I think you can see that, regardless if they're making mistakes or not. We put him in some situations where he's had to make some decisions, and he's done a good job with that."
Holmes, the top receiver selected in the draft, needs to do something on the field to divert some of the attention he has received for arrests in Miami Beach, Fla., and Columbus, Ohio, in a 25-day span.
Especially because he has a jury-trial hearing at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus on charges of domestic violence and abuse against Lashae Boone, who is the mother of his third child. The case will be heard before Judge Michael Brandt.
It is not known if Holmes will be present for the hearing. Holmes has referred all questions about the case to Sam Shamansky, his Columbus-based attorney.
"I don't know the answer to that yet," Shamansky said. "It's still up in the air." He said he will know later in the week whether Holmes will attend.
Last week, Holmes had a disorderly conduct charge, stemming from a May 27 incident in the South Beach section of Miami Beach, dropped in exchange for a $250 donation to the Police Officers Assistance Trust Fund.
It only has added to the tough transition a rookie has to make to the NFL, Holmes said.
"Camp is hard, and that's what it's supposed to do -- toughen you mentally and also physically," Holmes said yesterday after lunch at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. "It's pretty much a learning process of being a rookie. You got to take in so much at one time, but, once the season starts, everything will bear down and become a lot easier.
"I'm doing very well. The coaches are satisfied with my performance. I think I feel comfortable with the way everything is going. But I still have a lot of learning to do."
Indeed, Holmes has flashed the speed and skills that tantalized the Steelers on draft day, caused them to trade up with the New York Giants to get a shot at the former Ohio State receiver.
Right now, in the base package, Holmes is running behind Cedrick Wilson, the starter at split end, and veteran Quincy Morgan. But the Steelers want to use Holmes in some of their three- and four-wide receiver packages to take advantage of his deep speed. When they do, Wilson and Hines Ward will rotate between the slot and flanker position and Holmes will be used as the split end, or X receiver -- the position designed for big plays.
Holmes, though, has been getting some good tutelage. Ward stays after practice almost every day and works with the rookie receiver, sometimes pretending to a defensive back and showing Holmes how to use his arms to protect the ball. After meetings, Ward will go over the playbook with Holmes.
"He's a good kid," Ward said. "He started off a little rocky with his off-the-field stuff, but he wants to have a clean slate. He's really a great kid who wants to get better.
"Once the preseason comes around and the games start, we're week to week, we don't stop playing. Now, he can just focus on football. Now, it's just concentration more on the team rather than his off-the-field actions."
(Gerry Dulac can be reached at [email protected] or 412-263-1466. )
Steelers' Holmes eager for shot to defuse controversies
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Before he caught a pass with the Steelers, Santonio Holmes already had caused a stir with his new team. But the buzz came from what Holmes, their No. 1 draft choice, did off the field, not on it, much to the Steelers' dismay.
Now, though, Holmes has a chance to make a different kind of noise, the kind for which the Steelers traded up seven spots to make him the 25th overall selection in the NFL draft.
Holmes gets a shot to help ease some of his off-field problems when he plays in the Steelers' first preseason game Saturday in Arizona, an opportunity to gain some attention for something other than the legal problems he has encountered since Memorial Day weekend.
"I'm very excited about it," Holmes said. "I'm looking forward to it."
And so are the Steelers.
The coaches finally get a chance to see what Holmes can add to an offense that, by the end of last season, was the most proficient and explosive in the National Football League. So far, they've liked what they've seen of their 5-foot-11, 190-pound receiver in training camp.
"I see a lot of natural things that are very exciting," offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said. "You see explosion, good discipline in his routes. I think you can see that, regardless if they're making mistakes or not. We put him in some situations where he's had to make some decisions, and he's done a good job with that."
Holmes, the top receiver selected in the draft, needs to do something on the field to divert some of the attention he has received for arrests in Miami Beach, Fla., and Columbus, Ohio, in a 25-day span.
Especially because he has a jury-trial hearing at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus on charges of domestic violence and abuse against Lashae Boone, who is the mother of his third child. The case will be heard before Judge Michael Brandt.
It is not known if Holmes will be present for the hearing. Holmes has referred all questions about the case to Sam Shamansky, his Columbus-based attorney.
"I don't know the answer to that yet," Shamansky said. "It's still up in the air." He said he will know later in the week whether Holmes will attend.
Last week, Holmes had a disorderly conduct charge, stemming from a May 27 incident in the South Beach section of Miami Beach, dropped in exchange for a $250 donation to the Police Officers Assistance Trust Fund.
It only has added to the tough transition a rookie has to make to the NFL, Holmes said.
"Camp is hard, and that's what it's supposed to do -- toughen you mentally and also physically," Holmes said yesterday after lunch at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. "It's pretty much a learning process of being a rookie. You got to take in so much at one time, but, once the season starts, everything will bear down and become a lot easier.
"I'm doing very well. The coaches are satisfied with my performance. I think I feel comfortable with the way everything is going. But I still have a lot of learning to do."
Indeed, Holmes has flashed the speed and skills that tantalized the Steelers on draft day, caused them to trade up with the New York Giants to get a shot at the former Ohio State receiver.
Right now, in the base package, Holmes is running behind Cedrick Wilson, the starter at split end, and veteran Quincy Morgan. But the Steelers want to use Holmes in some of their three- and four-wide receiver packages to take advantage of his deep speed. When they do, Wilson and Hines Ward will rotate between the slot and flanker position and Holmes will be used as the split end, or X receiver -- the position designed for big plays.
Holmes, though, has been getting some good tutelage. Ward stays after practice almost every day and works with the rookie receiver, sometimes pretending to a defensive back and showing Holmes how to use his arms to protect the ball. After meetings, Ward will go over the playbook with Holmes.
"He's a good kid," Ward said. "He started off a little rocky with his off-the-field stuff, but he wants to have a clean slate. He's really a great kid who wants to get better.
"Once the preseason comes around and the games start, we're week to week, we don't stop playing. Now, he can just focus on football. Now, it's just concentration more on the team rather than his off-the-field actions."
(Gerry Dulac can be reached at [email protected] or 412-263-1466. )
Upvote
0
Link
Holmes at training camp as Clarett heads to jail
By Gene Wojciechowski
ESPN.com
Archive
LATROBE, Pa. -- Sure, Santonio Holmes had heard the news. Who hadn't? His former Ohio State teammate and, yes, his friend, Maurice Clarett once again was in handcuffs, in a courtroom, and most definitely in trouble.
"The first thing that ran through my mind when I heard about it is, I don't know what got into this guy." Santonio Holmes
This time Clarett is charged with carrying concealed weapons after police found four loaded guns in his vehicle. Of course, Clarett made them work for it. There was a highway car chase that didn't end until his tires were punctured. They tasered him, but the man was wearing a bulletproof vest. A bulletproof vest. They finally had to use pepper spray to subdue him, and even then he kept trying to squirm for extra yardage in the back of the squad car.
Yeah, that sounds like Clarett -- always tough to bring down with one defender.
Holmes heard the news here at the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp on the campus of Saint Vincent College, where Benedictine priests in robed attire stand on the sidelines during 7-on-7 drills. Meanwhile, back in Columbus, Ohio, Clarett is behind bars, his future, if you can call it that, in stark contrast to the possibilities available to the millionaire Holmes, who was the Steelers' first-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.
"The first thing that ran through my mind when I heard about it is, I don't know what got into this guy," said the rookie wide receiver after Wednesday evening's practice. "He's a changed man. At first, he had goals set to be a running back in the NFL. Now I don't know where he's going to go."
How about prison? There's the concealed weapons charge, a traffic violation and the likelihood of additional federal charges being filed as early as Thursday. Those will make his pending aggravated robbery case look small time.
What now seems like decades ago, a younger, more carefree Clarett led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2002. He was a true freshman, and in that same Ohio State class was a wide receiver from Belle Glade, Fla. -- Holmes.
Holmes redshirted that year, while Clarett became a national star. His Buckeyes career, so to speak, would essentially last one brilliant and bizarre season. Before long, he was gone. You know most of the details. Everybody does.
"I don't know what happened to him, what got into him," said Holmes. "I just know that's not the Maurice Clarett that I knew. And I know the fans know that's not the Maurice Clarett that played football at Ohio State."
Clarett would have been a senior last season. He could have been part of one of the great Ohio State NFL draft classes. Holmes was chosen with the No. 25 pick. Clarett could have ... should have been there, too.
"No doubt," said Holmes, when asked if Clarett had NFL-level talent.
But that was then. The thought of Clarett playing football again is so preposterously small that it's not even worth discussing. Football? Clarett's next uniform could be something in the prison jumpsuit variety. And it could be that way for a very long, long time.
Maybe that's why Holmes sounded like someone who couldn't fully comprehend how far Clarett had fallen. He remembers the engaging Clarett, the playful Clarett, the smiling Clarett. That's the Clarett he roots for. This other Clarett isn't familiar to him.
"I just just know he's not that type of person everybody is portraying him to be," Holmes said.
It isn't a portrayal. It's fact. Clarett's rap sheet is longer than a corn stalk. If he hasn't hit rock bottom, he can see it from his jail cell.
As Holmes walked slowly off the field Wednesday night (he had an ice wrap on one leg), fans began calling his name. They wanted autographs. They always want autographs.
Holmes limped over to the ropes separating the Steelers fans from one of the practice fields and began signing. About 30 yards away, someone held up an Ohio State jersey.
Ah, yes, there are Buckeyes everywhere, including a troubled and disgraced one in Columbus. Needless to say, the OSU fans weren't holding up Clarett's old number, the one that used to be for sale in Columbus supermarkets and souvenir shops.
Strange how this worked out. Then again, there is nothing ordinary about the life and troubled times of Maurice Clarett.
Holmes at training camp as Clarett heads to jail
By Gene Wojciechowski
ESPN.com
Archive
LATROBE, Pa. -- Sure, Santonio Holmes had heard the news. Who hadn't? His former Ohio State teammate and, yes, his friend, Maurice Clarett once again was in handcuffs, in a courtroom, and most definitely in trouble.
This time Clarett is charged with carrying concealed weapons after police found four loaded guns in his vehicle. Of course, Clarett made them work for it. There was a highway car chase that didn't end until his tires were punctured. They tasered him, but the man was wearing a bulletproof vest. A bulletproof vest. They finally had to use pepper spray to subdue him, and even then he kept trying to squirm for extra yardage in the back of the squad car.
Yeah, that sounds like Clarett -- always tough to bring down with one defender.
Holmes heard the news here at the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp on the campus of Saint Vincent College, where Benedictine priests in robed attire stand on the sidelines during 7-on-7 drills. Meanwhile, back in Columbus, Ohio, Clarett is behind bars, his future, if you can call it that, in stark contrast to the possibilities available to the millionaire Holmes, who was the Steelers' first-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft.
"The first thing that ran through my mind when I heard about it is, I don't know what got into this guy," said the rookie wide receiver after Wednesday evening's practice. "He's a changed man. At first, he had goals set to be a running back in the NFL. Now I don't know where he's going to go."
How about prison? There's the concealed weapons charge, a traffic violation and the likelihood of additional federal charges being filed as early as Thursday. Those will make his pending aggravated robbery case look small time.
What now seems like decades ago, a younger, more carefree Clarett led the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2002. He was a true freshman, and in that same Ohio State class was a wide receiver from Belle Glade, Fla. -- Holmes.
Holmes redshirted that year, while Clarett became a national star. His Buckeyes career, so to speak, would essentially last one brilliant and bizarre season. Before long, he was gone. You know most of the details. Everybody does.
"I don't know what happened to him, what got into him," said Holmes. "I just know that's not the Maurice Clarett that I knew. And I know the fans know that's not the Maurice Clarett that played football at Ohio State."
Clarett would have been a senior last season. He could have been part of one of the great Ohio State NFL draft classes. Holmes was chosen with the No. 25 pick. Clarett could have ... should have been there, too.
"No doubt," said Holmes, when asked if Clarett had NFL-level talent.
But that was then. The thought of Clarett playing football again is so preposterously small that it's not even worth discussing. Football? Clarett's next uniform could be something in the prison jumpsuit variety. And it could be that way for a very long, long time.
Maybe that's why Holmes sounded like someone who couldn't fully comprehend how far Clarett had fallen. He remembers the engaging Clarett, the playful Clarett, the smiling Clarett. That's the Clarett he roots for. This other Clarett isn't familiar to him.
"I just just know he's not that type of person everybody is portraying him to be," Holmes said.
It isn't a portrayal. It's fact. Clarett's rap sheet is longer than a corn stalk. If he hasn't hit rock bottom, he can see it from his jail cell.
As Holmes walked slowly off the field Wednesday night (he had an ice wrap on one leg), fans began calling his name. They wanted autographs. They always want autographs.
Holmes limped over to the ropes separating the Steelers fans from one of the practice fields and began signing. About 30 yards away, someone held up an Ohio State jersey.
Ah, yes, there are Buckeyes everywhere, including a troubled and disgraced one in Columbus. Needless to say, the OSU fans weren't holding up Clarett's old number, the one that used to be for sale in Columbus supermarkets and souvenir shops.
Strange how this worked out. Then again, there is nothing ordinary about the life and troubled times of Maurice Clarett.
Upvote
0
AJHawkfan
Wanna make $14 the hard way?
Santonio Holmes' domestic violence trial postponed
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-steelers-holmes&prov=ap&type=lgns
August 11, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The domestic violence trial for Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Santonio Holmes has been moved to Aug. 24.
Holmes is charged with assaulting LaShae Boone, mother of one of this three children, in June.
His trial originally was scheduled for next Tuesday, but Holmes' attorney asked the court to postpone it because of a scheduling conflict. A judge in Franklin County, Ohio, changed the date to Aug. 24, the day before the Steelers' third exhibition game.
Holmes' attorney, Sam Shamansky, said it was not clear whether Holmes will have to be in court for the trial. He is trying to get the case dismissed because Boone told authorities at a preliminary hearing last month that she no longer wants to pursue the criminal charge.
Prosecutors in Columbus did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.
Updated on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 10:47 am EDT
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-steelers-holmes&prov=ap&type=lgns
August 11, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The domestic violence trial for Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver Santonio Holmes has been moved to Aug. 24.
Holmes is charged with assaulting LaShae Boone, mother of one of this three children, in June.
His trial originally was scheduled for next Tuesday, but Holmes' attorney asked the court to postpone it because of a scheduling conflict. A judge in Franklin County, Ohio, changed the date to Aug. 24, the day before the Steelers' third exhibition game.
Holmes' attorney, Sam Shamansky, said it was not clear whether Holmes will have to be in court for the trial. He is trying to get the case dismissed because Boone told authorities at a preliminary hearing last month that she no longer wants to pursue the criminal charge.
Prosecutors in Columbus did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.
Updated on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 10:47 am EDT
Upvote
0
OSUsushichic
Fired up! Ready to go!
Holmes's stats tonight vs. Arizona:
RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD
--------------------------------------
S HOLMES 4 32 8.0 11 0
RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD
--------------------------------------
S HOLMES 4 32 8.0 11 0
Upvote
0
OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Link
8/13/06
8/13/06
Steelers Notebook: Holmes, Reid earn good grades in their debuts
Sunday, August 13, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Peter Diana, Post-Gazette
Santonio Holmes picks up yardage after one of his four receptions yesterday vs. the Cardinals in his pro debut.
Click photo for larger image.
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- As they hoped back in April when they drafted them, two rookies led the Steelers' receivers in a 21-13 loss to Arizona yesterday.
Santonio Holmes and Willie Reid, the team's first-round and third-round draft picks, each caught four passes among the 19 receptions by the Steelers.
None went for big yardage, totaling 62 between them, but coach Bill Cowher gave them a good grade in their first test.
"I thought they did some good things. I think both those kids will get better and better. I was pleased from the sideline watching it. I think Santonio made some nice catches in the first half. I'm very pleased with it."
One third-down pass, a slant from Shane Boyd deep into Cardinals territory, slipped off the outstretched hands of Holmes and was intercepted by linebacker Gerald Hayes.
Cowher said it was a bad pass. Holmes said it was high, though he should have caught it.
"It was very exciting, getting an opportunity to step on this playing level, the NFL," Holmes said. "I have a couple things I need to adjust, but overall I feel I had a pretty good day."
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Captain Hindsight
The Hero of the Modern Age
It's going to take me some time to realize that it's actually Santonio, and not Kordell Stewart wearing a black and gold number ten.
Upvote
0