09-12-2009, 07:56 AM
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Head Coach
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Quote:
Steelers' Holmes shines under NFL spotlight
Saturday, September 12, 2009
By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Titans in the second quarter Thursday at Heinz Field.
View all related imagesA Michael Vick No. 7 Philadelphia Eagles jersey did what the Tennessee Titans' defense couldn't do Thursday night.
It covered Santonio Holmes.
We can spend the weekend debating the merits of Holmes' postgame attire and his showy public support of the NFL's most notorious dog-killing felon, but this point is inarguable: The Steelers' young wide receiver has turned into a star.
Seriously, Vick might want to be trendy and start wearing Holmes' No. 10 jersey.
"Santonio is a different player," teammate Hines Ward said this week. "The light has come on for him."
Certainly, the bright lights are shining on Holmes these days. I'm talking about the brightest lights that the NFL has to offer.
They zeroed in on Holmes in Super Bowl XLIII in February when he made a spectacular catch for the winning touchdown in a 27-23 victory against the Arizona Cardinals. That 6-yard reception with 35 seconds to go, along with his eight other catches for 125 yards that night, earned him membership in one of the most exclusive clubs in sports -- the Super Bowl MVP club. He became just the 38th member.
"I don't think there's any question that game made him a better, more confident player," Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said.
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Read more: Steelers' Holmes shines under NFL spotlight
Quote:
Published: September 12, 2009
Holmes picks up right where he left off
BY JIM WEXELL
For The Tribune-Democrat
PITTSBURGH ? Last week, a few days before the opener, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians publicly pondered San*tonio Holmes?s sore back and wondered whether it would lead to ?a slow September? for last year?s Super Bowl MVP.
Holmes laughed late Thursday night after the Steelers had beaten the Tennessee Titans, 13-10. He knew that missing a couple of preseason games wouldn?t slow down the momentum his career had picked up last postseason.
?Preseason is for the birds,? Holmes said. ?I honestly thought to myself I was ready to play ball. I was here an hour and a half earlier than normal, got ready, got my body right, and I was ready to go.?
And he picked up right where he left off. Exactly.
In the opener against the Titans, Holmes caught nine passes for 131 yards and a touchdown.
In the Super Bowl against the Cardinals, Holmes caught nine passes for 131 yards and a touchdown.
Exactly.
?Really?? asked a wide-eyed Holmes. ?Wow. That?s sweet.?
Yes, it was another MVP performance. Holmes led a wild passing game that counted two 100-yard receivers, eight catches from the tight end, a big catch by a rookie that set up the winning score, and of course a quarterback who ? ho hum ? recorded the 18th come-from-behind (fourth quarter or overtime) victory of his still young career.
But the Steelers only scored one touchdown. It came from Holmes.
?It was a beautifully designed play,? Holmes said of his 34-yard catch between two Tennessee safeties late in the first half. ?I had a smile on my face when the ball was let out of his hand because I saw how wide open I was. I was excited to get behind those guys.
?I put a good move on them, pumped them, got them going to the outside, and when I saw (Chris Hope) jump the (Hines Ward) in route, I knew I was going over the top of those guys.?
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The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA - Holmes picks up right where he left off
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