WR Santonio Holmes (Super Bowl XLIII MVP)

[iambrutus]

it will be interesting to see how much PT he gets on saturday.

[osugrad21]

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.

[AJHawkfan]

Santonio Holmes' domestic violence trial postponed

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=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

[OSUsushichic]

Holmes's stats tonight vs. Arizona:

RECEIVING NO YDS AVG LG TD
--------------------------------------
S HOLMES 4 32 8.0 11 0

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Link

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."

[Buckin' A]

I just can't get use to Holmes wearing #10. Everytime I see the number in a Steelers jersey, I keep looking for a mushroom face under the helmet.

[BuckNutty]

Deep ball to Holmes thrills fans

By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, August 16, 2006


No. 1 pick Santonio Holmes didn't get any playing time with Ben Roethlisberger in the preseason opener at Arizona, but the wide receiver and the quarterback continued getting to know one another on the field Tuesday afternoon at St. Vincent College.
The two hooked up in a one-on-one receivers/defensive backs drill and produced what might have been the play of the day in a practice characterized by head coach Bill Cowher as "a step in the right direction" for the Steelers.

The drill is weighted in favor of the receiver (no rush on the quarterback), and Holmes took full advantage, executing a double-move on cornerback Ricardo Colclough and hauling in a long TD pass from Roethlisberger. Fans surrounding the field responded with "oohs" and "ahs."

Roethlisberger proved to be an equal-opportunity provider of touchdown passes, connecting with wide receivers Cedrick Wilson, Lee Mays and Quincy Morgan on subsequent scoring plays in the drill.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_466195.html

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally Posted by Bucknut319

I just can't get use to Holmes wearing #10. Everytime I see the number in a Steelers jersey, I keep looking for a mushroom face under the helmet.

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.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Link

8/17/06

CATCHING ON

Rookie wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Willie Reid made the most spectacular plays at Monday's practice.

Holmes, the Steelers' first-round draft pick, made a leaping grab of a deep sideline pass thrown by backup quarterback Charlie Batch. Holmes later made a nifty grab on a pass thrown by Ben Roethlisberger.

Reid, a third-round pick, also made a sensational catch of a Roethlisberger pass.

"Those guys, once they get more comfortable in this offense, the more they can be productive out there. That will only expedite the process," Cowher said. "Their routes need to be crisper. But you can see flashes of ability both those kids have."

[OSUsushichic]

Tough night for Santonio

Steelers first-round draft pick Santonio Holmes also stood out, though mostly for the wrong reasons. After Holmes apparently ran the wrong pass route on a Batch-thrown interception after the Steelers had driven to the Vikings' 27 in the second quarter, players and coaches alike -- led by Roethlisberger -- gathered around to show him what he did wrong.

Later, Holmes was certain he made a catch along the Steelers sideline, but was ruled to be juggling the ball. Holmes seemed surprised at the call, and coach Bill Cowher challenged it, but it was upheld.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20060819023

[7 45 33 48]

The catch that Santonio bobbled was tipped before it go to him so I really don't think that drop is that big of deal. Santonio does have some serious competition for that 3rd WR spot because Nate Washington looked great tonight and has looked great the entire camp.

[ScriptOhio]

Holmes still adjusting

Rookie Santonio Holmes won't soon start unless there are more injuries to wide receivers. He is fourth or fifth on the depth chart, not because he had a poor training camp, but because Ward, Cedrick Wilson and Washington are ahead of him.
He could make spot contributions to the Steelers, but he is not expected to make any big ones as a receiver this season. It's a long way from the 2000 season, when first-round pick Plaxico Burress opened his rookie training camp as the starting split end.
"It was very tough mentally," Holmes said of his first pro camp. "My body took a beating at the start, but toward the end, I started to work a little harder, started to relax a lot more because I learned the system more."
His goals are more mundane than widespread.
"Personally, my goal right now is to get in my playbook as much as possible, stop making the small mistakes I find myself noticing -- at the snap of the ball or right after the play is over. That's my main goal."
He believes missing most of the Steelers' spring drills because of an NFL policy that he could not join them until his Ohio State classes were over, hurt him this summer.
"It put me behind a lot, because that's a lot I could have learned, and coming into camp, I probably wouldn't have had all these mistakes I've had. But at the same time, I learned a great deal in camp and was able to catch onto the system real fast."
He made a few dazzling catches, one in his first practice, yet his quickest contributions likely will come as a punt-returner. He and fellow rookie receiver Willie Reid dropped into a two-deep punt-return formation last week, and Cowher might continue such a deployment. "We did that at Ohio State," Holmes said. "You don't really see that in the NFL, but a lot of guys in college do it."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06237/716260-66.stm

[CleveBucks]

He and fellow rookie receiver Willie Reid dropped into a two-deep punt-return formation last week, and Cowher might continue such a deployment. "We did that at Ohio State," Holmes said. "You don't really see that in the NFL, but a lot of guys in college do it."

Cowher taking a page out of OSU's playbook?

[BuckNutty]

Steelers' Holmes gaining coach's favor


By Joe Rutter
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 29, 2006


First-round draft pick Santonio Holmes had almost nothing to show for his third preseason game with the Steelers.
Almost nothing, except the admiration of his coach.

Bill Cowher liked the progress Holmes made in the Steelers' 16-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, even if those contributions were negligible on the stat sheet.

"He has gotten better and better," Cowher said Monday, emphasizing his words. "He really has. I thought the other night he really did a lot of good things. I'm very encouraged by where he's at."

That proclamation came three days after Holmes caught one pass, for a 1-yard loss, against the Eagles.

With the Steelers facing third-and-4 near midfield to open the second quarter, Ben Roethlisberger hit the rookie receiver in the left flat, but Holmes quickly was brought to the ground by Brian Dawkins.

The only other times Holmes handled the ball were on two kickoff returns, where he averaged a pedestrian 20.5 yards.

Cowher, though, saw some intangibles about Holmes that reinforced why the Steelers traded up seven picks to draft the former Ohio State wide receiver with the 25th overall selection.

"Just being around him and his demeanor on game day, I really like it," Cowher said. "I think he's going to be fine."

Specifically, Cowher was referencing Holmes' competitive instincts and toughness.

"(The game) is not too big for him. He likes it, and he'll accept whatever role he's been given," Cowher said. "I can see the comfort he's getting within this offense. The kid missed all of the coaching sessions, came into camp and fought through some things, and I liked that."

Through three exhibition games, Holmes has six catches for 42 yards. He also has returned five kickoffs and one punt.

Against the Eagles, Holmes worked with the first-team offense as a third receiver. But Nate Washington is expected to fill that role once No. 1 receiver Hines Ward returns from a hamstring injury.

That could leave Holmes scrambling for playing time come Sept. 7 against the Miami Dolphins.

"Right now, I'm being patient," Holmes said. "I'm waiting for coach to call my number."

Cowher doesn't sound like he's afraid to dial it up. Holmes scored some points with his coach by shaking off a minor hamstring injury during the first week of camp.

"A couple of days out there I'm sure a little birdie inside him was probably saying to shut it down," Cowher said. "But he kept working through it. I respect that."

Holmes hasn't missed a practice since. That could change Wednesday, when Holmes is scheduled to stand trial in Columbus, Ohio, on domestic violence charges stemming from his June 19 arrest. Defense attorney Sam Shamansky has been trying to get the case dismissed.

Holmes hasn't talked publicly about the case, but he admitted yesterday he's taking steps toward putting his problems behind him.

"I've learned a great deal," he said. "I look at all the little mistakes I've been making on and off the field, and I feel I've been able to correct them the past two weeks and move forward. I haven't had many complaints from the coaches, not about running the wrong routes or not making the right blocks. Things have been going pretty good."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Santonio statsA look at how Steelers' first-round draft pick Santonio Holmes has fared in the exhibition season:

Receiving: 6 catches, 42 yards

Punt returns: 1 for 12 yards

Kickoff returns: 5 for 105 yards

Joe Rutter can be reached at jrutter@tribweb.com.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_468208.html

[osugrad21]

Link

Steelers Notebook: Holmes to appear in court today

Wednesday, August 30, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Peter Diana, Post-Gazette
Santonio Holmes will miss practice today as he attends a court hearing in Columbus, Ohio.
Click photo for larger image.

Related article

Blog 'N' Gold

Santonio Holmes, the Steelers' No. 1 pick, will miss practice today because he will be in Columbus, Ohio, for a jury-trial hearing on charges of domestic violence and abuse against the mother of his third child. Holmes will attend a 10 a.m. hearing before Judge Michael Brandt in Franklin County Municipal Court. Regardless of developments, he is expected to return for the final preseason game tomorrow night against the Carolina Panthers at Heinz Field.
"I can't imagine that being a problem," said Sam Shamansky, Holmes' Columbus-based attorney.
Holmes, who played at Ohio State, was arrested June 19 and charged with domestic violence and abuse -- first-degree misdemeanors -- against Lashae Boone of Columbus, the mother of his third child.
"We're hoping the prosecutor drops the charges and we'll go from there," Shamansky said.