Lost in all the hoopla surrounding the Tim Tebow trade and the “who will be the quarterback?” discussion in New York is Santonio Holmes. As the 2011 season progressed, the Jets big-money receiver grew increasingly unhappy with his lack of touches. If Rex Ryan and new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano plan to incorporate the wildcat this season and give Tebow 20 snaps per game, that could mean even less looks for Santonio. At the moment, he is reportedly not concerned about it.
“He didn’t really care (about the Tebow trade),” a player who trains with Holmes told the NY Daily News. “Tone’ just wants the ball.”
After his workout on Thursday, Holmes would not comment on the issues he had with the Jets offense last season. A certain Valentine’s Day box of chocolates seemed to indicate that him and Mark Sanchez have sorted out their differences, and that’s where Santonio is leaving it. His personal coach Tom Shaw, however, did shed some light on what Holmes expects heading into next season.
“He wants Sanchez to be successful,” Shaw said. “He’s never told me that this guy sucks. The one thing about Sanchez is that he doesn’t want to make mistakes. And that’s what Santonio says. Ben Roethlisberger would just let the ball go. He doesn’t care if (Holmes) is triple covered. If Ben thought Santonio could make a play for him, he’s shooting it in there. The more experience Sanchez gets, the more chances he’ll take. Then you’ll start seeing more balls to Santonio.”
If Sanchez falters and Tebow gets more opportunities, it would be tough to imagine him and Holmes coexisting. Tebow is not a passer, and I doubt he’s going to become one over the course of the offseason. The Jets don’t plan to use him as one, anyway. Unless Tebow’s presence opens things up for Sanchez and Santonio to connect down the field, I can’t see how the trade will be beneficial for Holmes.
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