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ScarletBlood31
Buckeye in Blacksburg
I doubt anyone (yes, even the Philly Boo Birds) would boo Santonio. Right now we are desperate for a big-time, explosive, level-headed WR, and Holmes would fulfill the calling.
But hey, McNabb was booed when he was drafted, but i think everyone's over that one now........
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AirForceBuck
No mercy
Holmes refuses to let bad wheel sideline him
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
When a race car driver thinks he has a bad wheel, he knows the best thing to do is head for the pits. But when Ohio State receiver Santonio Holmes suffered a sprained foot in August with the season looming, he wasn’t about to pull into the pits.
"I just sucked it up," the junior said.
He played on it for 11 games, leading the Fiesta Bowlbound, fourthranked Buckeyes in catches (48), yards receiving (853), touchdown catches (10) and spectacular plays while earning first-team All-Big Ten honors.
He played like it didn’t hurt, which, he said, was an act.
"There were a lot of times that I stepped on the field right before the games started, just hurting, in a lot of pain," Holmes said. "But once the adrenaline starts pushing through your body, you just forget about it for a while until something happens to it.
"There have been times when I just didn’t even want to play in the game. But being around these guys, the coaching staff, the strength staff, they’ve been working us hard, and they molded us into some great guys."
Comparing his efforts to last season, the only area in which the injury seemed to compromise Holmes’ ability was on takeoff routes. Known for his burst in running down deep balls, he didn’t seem to have that gear this year.
Yet Holmes said that from his perspective, he was playing at only about 65 precent throughout the season.
"As far as running my routes, as far as blocking and having my leverage down pat, it really hurt me a lot, it really hurt me a lot by not having that strength in my foot to give 110 percent," he said. "But I tried."
He did more than that, teammate and fellow receiver Anthony Gonzalez said.
"He is a very tough player," Gonzalez said. "It’s one of those things where you can’t really appreciate his toughness until you throw on the film and watch him blocking in games.
"But he gets probably three or four pancake blocks every game where he just obliterates somebody. It’s kind of funny to watch. He won the Jack Tatum hit of the week one time, and that’s certainly rare" for a receiver.
Holmes said he was pushed to give his all by receivers coach Darrell Hazell.
"It was having a guy like coach Hazell around telling me, ‘Man, you ain’t hurt. There’s nothing wrong with you. Get out there and practice,’ " Holmes said. "Sometimes I’d tell him, ‘Coach, I don’t think I can go today, I’m hurtin’,’ and he’ll walk away from me. That just showed he cared a lot about me and wanted me to become tough."
So Holmes "sucked it up." He didn’t discuss his pain with the media. In a season that might have been his last as a collegian — Holmes has made no secret that he’s considering a leap to the NFL — he showed yet another side of his game.
"Mental toughness," Holmes said. "All the things I have been showing on the field what I could do, my ability to make plays, catch the ball, break tackles, make moves, score touchdown — my mental toughness alone is what sets me aside from a lot of guys."
It’s also the way he wants to end the season, when the Buckeyes take on Notre Dame in the Fiesta.
"I’m giving my all, not even really worrying about my foot right now," Holmes said. "It’s been bothering me since camp, and it still is. But I just go out every day and go through practice knowing we have things to do right now, which is more important than having a foot injury."
<!--PHOTOS-->
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
When a race car driver thinks he has a bad wheel, he knows the best thing to do is head for the pits. But when Ohio State receiver Santonio Holmes suffered a sprained foot in August with the season looming, he wasn’t about to pull into the pits.
"I just sucked it up," the junior said.
He played on it for 11 games, leading the Fiesta Bowlbound, fourthranked Buckeyes in catches (48), yards receiving (853), touchdown catches (10) and spectacular plays while earning first-team All-Big Ten honors.
He played like it didn’t hurt, which, he said, was an act.
"There were a lot of times that I stepped on the field right before the games started, just hurting, in a lot of pain," Holmes said. "But once the adrenaline starts pushing through your body, you just forget about it for a while until something happens to it.
"There have been times when I just didn’t even want to play in the game. But being around these guys, the coaching staff, the strength staff, they’ve been working us hard, and they molded us into some great guys."
Comparing his efforts to last season, the only area in which the injury seemed to compromise Holmes’ ability was on takeoff routes. Known for his burst in running down deep balls, he didn’t seem to have that gear this year.
Yet Holmes said that from his perspective, he was playing at only about 65 precent throughout the season.
"As far as running my routes, as far as blocking and having my leverage down pat, it really hurt me a lot, it really hurt me a lot by not having that strength in my foot to give 110 percent," he said. "But I tried."
He did more than that, teammate and fellow receiver Anthony Gonzalez said.
"He is a very tough player," Gonzalez said. "It’s one of those things where you can’t really appreciate his toughness until you throw on the film and watch him blocking in games.
"But he gets probably three or four pancake blocks every game where he just obliterates somebody. It’s kind of funny to watch. He won the Jack Tatum hit of the week one time, and that’s certainly rare" for a receiver.
Holmes said he was pushed to give his all by receivers coach Darrell Hazell.
"It was having a guy like coach Hazell around telling me, ‘Man, you ain’t hurt. There’s nothing wrong with you. Get out there and practice,’ " Holmes said. "Sometimes I’d tell him, ‘Coach, I don’t think I can go today, I’m hurtin’,’ and he’ll walk away from me. That just showed he cared a lot about me and wanted me to become tough."
So Holmes "sucked it up." He didn’t discuss his pain with the media. In a season that might have been his last as a collegian — Holmes has made no secret that he’s considering a leap to the NFL — he showed yet another side of his game.
"Mental toughness," Holmes said. "All the things I have been showing on the field what I could do, my ability to make plays, catch the ball, break tackles, make moves, score touchdown — my mental toughness alone is what sets me aside from a lot of guys."
It’s also the way he wants to end the season, when the Buckeyes take on Notre Dame in the Fiesta.
"I’m giving my all, not even really worrying about my foot right now," Holmes said. "It’s been bothering me since camp, and it still is. But I just go out every day and go through practice knowing we have things to do right now, which is more important than having a foot injury."
<!--PHOTOS-->
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more of the same rumblings:
http://the-ozone.net/football/2005/Notredame/underclassmen.htm
http://the-ozone.net/football/2005/Notredame/underclassmen.htm
Santonio Holmes: Holmes redshirted his freshman year, so has actually completed four years at Ohio State. His exit at the end of the season would not exactly be an "early out", but he would be leaving with one year of eligibility remaining. Unlike Whitner and Youboty, Holmes did not apply with the NFL for a draft evaluation.Holmes probably has the biggest financial need of the three players in question. He has several children whom he supports, and he is probably the most likely to leave. His teammates talk about his participation in the upcoming bowl game as if it definitely will be his last game as a Buckeye. Perhaps the biggest hint came from Donte Whitner who, when evaluating OSU receivers, said the following.
"Gonzalez is a guy that a lot of people don't think he's as good as he is, but next year he'll really shine with probably Santonio being gone."It looks like a pretty good bet that Holmes won't be back, but Holmes himself is hedging that statement. According to Holmes, going in the first round is a make-or-break proposition for coming out."I want to see where I'm projected. I want to be a first-round pick," said Holmes.Since he has not applied for an evaluation, Holmes will rely on other means of determining his draft status, but insists that being a first-rounder is a prerequisite for his entry to the NFL next year."That's why I came here, to become a first-round draft pick. Knowing the history of all the receivers that would have been here and I want to be a part of that," he said.Holmes also said that getting his degree is also a priority and will enter into his decision."It's important for me to finish my education here at Ohio State. I'm almost there (his degree), so I'm not going to let it slip away just like that. I have about 40 or 45 hours to go," he said.
It's a pretty good bet that Holmes will be a first-round pick, and given his financial need, he is likely going to be in the NFL next season. About the only thing to prevent that would be something to move him down in the draft. We don't see that as a likely scenario.
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Buckeye513
Stable Genius
He doesn't need to. Alot of mock drafts have him going in the first round anyway, he doesn't need to NFL to tell him that.
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barlow1802
Troy Has Legs
It can be taken as he's not interested in leaving.. or it can be taken as im going no matter what.. or it can be taken as he has other methods of determing
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BloowdBuck
Employee of tha munf
He knows he's definitely going and not going to waste people's time... unlike some people
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You can apply with the NFL to see where their experts think you will be going in the draft. I don't know what the process is, but it's usually helpful for guys who will be going after the first round.Oneshot said:
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I guarantee you that between now and the Fiesta Bowl post game extravaganza that some feces-brained moron with a microphone is going to say something about how "Buckeye fans are crazy, they're all over Santonio Holmes for leaving early". Then most other talking (empty) heads will pick up the mantra and it will become a drum-beat. They'll have everyone outside of Buckeye Nation thinking that Santonio is hated by our fans.
This thread is proof that nothing could be further from the truth. Every person who has commented has been supportive of Santonio leaving. Every person who has commented has said "more power to him for putting his family first". Every person here loves Santonio Holmes and always will.
The truth of this will not stop some too-lazy-to-find-out-if-it's-actually-true member of the media from spewing the opposite message over the airwaves. I hope I'm wrong; but I have seldom underestimated the capricious laziness of today's media.
This thread is proof that nothing could be further from the truth. Every person who has commented has been supportive of Santonio leaving. Every person who has commented has said "more power to him for putting his family first". Every person here loves Santonio Holmes and always will.
The truth of this will not stop some too-lazy-to-find-out-if-it's-actually-true member of the media from spewing the opposite message over the airwaves. I hope I'm wrong; but I have seldom underestimated the capricious laziness of today's media.
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[extreme sarcasm]Well, you wouldn't want a "journalist" to actually waste 15-30 minutes of his life to ensure the accuracy of his 5-second sound byte, would you?[/extreme sarcasm]
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
link
12/23/05
Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">OSU juniors feeling a draft
Holmes, Whitner take different approaches in looking at their chances to leave early for NFL
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
<!-- begin body-content -->COLUMBUS - Donte Whitner might have a sheaf of papers to help him decide whether to forgo his senior season at Ohio State. Santonio Holmes will rely more on a gut feeling.
They are the Buckeyes most likely to declare for the NFL Draft after the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2 against Notre Dame. To be draft-eligible, paperwork must be filed with the NFL office by Jan. 15.
Whitner, a strong safety, and cornerback Ashton Youboty sought an opinion from the NFL's scouting advisory committee, but Youboty hasn't received a first-round evaluation from Internet analysts.
OSU coach Jim Tressel said others also asked for a projection. In a column on ESPN.com, Todd McShay of Scouts Inc. listed Holmes, a wide receiver, in his should-go category and put Whitner and Youboty among those who should stay.
``Sometimes we've had guys get draft status reports back that have motivated them,'' Tressel said. ``All of a sudden you see a downshift in the work ethic. The truth is always good.''
Speculation centers on Holmes. After the final home game against Northwestern, fans in the South Stands chanted ``One More Year'' at Holmes as he prepared to sing Carmen Ohio with his teammates.
A redshirt on the 2002 national championship team, Holmes has two young sons who will factor into his decision. The Belle Glade, Fla., native has 135 receptions (OSU's fifth all-time) for 2,171 yards (sixth all-time) and 24 touchdowns (third all-time) in three years at split end. He also excels at blocking and as a kick returner. He played all year on a sprained left foot hurt in preseason camp.
Whitner, a hard-hitter from Cleveland Glenville who is completing his first full season at strong safety, finished 2005 with 64 tackles (third on the team), nine for losses, four sacks, two interceptions (a team-high) and three pass breakups.
The two could not be approaching their decision more differently.
Whitner said the paperwork he receives on his draft status likely will be the determining factor.
``If it's not what I like, I'm coming back,'' Whitner said. ``If it's something I like, I'll make the decision to go.''
The only thing that could complicate his process is a second-round projection.
``I don't know,'' Whitner said of that scenario. ``I'd have to talk to coach Tressel. His thing is if you're not a first-round pick come back and try to improve your draft stock. I'll sit down with him and my family and make the best decision for both of us.''
In that instance, Whitner said he would weigh the pros and cons.
``If I come back there's a possibility of being a captain, the possibility of winning a national championship, that's one reason Mike Doss came back,'' Whitner said. ``We're not going to have a lot of guys back on defense, but I could be the leader of the defense next year and help a lot of the young guys.''
Senior Tyler Everett is miffed Whitner wasn't a semifinalist for the 2005 Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation's top defensive back. Michael Huff of Texas was the winner.
``If they say he's a first-rounder or early second, I would say go,'' Everett said of Whitner's choice. ``If it's late in the draft, just stick around.''
Holmes is taking a less intense approach. He said he didn't file any papers with the NFL. McShay said Holmes could battle Arizona State's Derek Hagan to be the top receiver taken, but Holmes said he hasn't looked at any draft boards all season.
``How I feel, I'll probably just go with it,'' Holmes said. ``Just feeling comfortable with being ready to make that next step. Having to deal with a lot of family issues outside of football. Put all that in the evaluation and go from there.''
Holmes said he's not feeling any pressure.
``No one is helping me make this decision,'' he said. ``Nobody is telling me whether I should go or stay, whether I'll be this pick or that pick.''
Holmes said he needs 40 to 45 hours to complete his degree in family resource management.
He said following in the footsteps of OSU receivers Cris Carter, Terry Glenn, Joey Galloway and David Boston always has been his goal.
``That's why I came here, to become a first-round draft pick,'' Holmes said. ``I want to be in the top 10. Knowing the history of all the receivers who have made a legacy here and in the NFL, I wanted to be a part of that.''
Even if Holmes doesn't look like a top 10 pick, Tressel might tell him he should go.
``We always talk about the team concept, but never at the expense of one's individual goals and dreams,'' Tressel said. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
12/23/05
Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">OSU juniors feeling a draft
Holmes, Whitner take different approaches in looking at their chances to leave early for NFL
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
<!-- begin body-content -->COLUMBUS - Donte Whitner might have a sheaf of papers to help him decide whether to forgo his senior season at Ohio State. Santonio Holmes will rely more on a gut feeling.
They are the Buckeyes most likely to declare for the NFL Draft after the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2 against Notre Dame. To be draft-eligible, paperwork must be filed with the NFL office by Jan. 15.
Whitner, a strong safety, and cornerback Ashton Youboty sought an opinion from the NFL's scouting advisory committee, but Youboty hasn't received a first-round evaluation from Internet analysts.
OSU coach Jim Tressel said others also asked for a projection. In a column on ESPN.com, Todd McShay of Scouts Inc. listed Holmes, a wide receiver, in his should-go category and put Whitner and Youboty among those who should stay.
``Sometimes we've had guys get draft status reports back that have motivated them,'' Tressel said. ``All of a sudden you see a downshift in the work ethic. The truth is always good.''
Speculation centers on Holmes. After the final home game against Northwestern, fans in the South Stands chanted ``One More Year'' at Holmes as he prepared to sing Carmen Ohio with his teammates.
A redshirt on the 2002 national championship team, Holmes has two young sons who will factor into his decision. The Belle Glade, Fla., native has 135 receptions (OSU's fifth all-time) for 2,171 yards (sixth all-time) and 24 touchdowns (third all-time) in three years at split end. He also excels at blocking and as a kick returner. He played all year on a sprained left foot hurt in preseason camp.
Whitner, a hard-hitter from Cleveland Glenville who is completing his first full season at strong safety, finished 2005 with 64 tackles (third on the team), nine for losses, four sacks, two interceptions (a team-high) and three pass breakups.
The two could not be approaching their decision more differently.
Whitner said the paperwork he receives on his draft status likely will be the determining factor.
``If it's not what I like, I'm coming back,'' Whitner said. ``If it's something I like, I'll make the decision to go.''
The only thing that could complicate his process is a second-round projection.
``I don't know,'' Whitner said of that scenario. ``I'd have to talk to coach Tressel. His thing is if you're not a first-round pick come back and try to improve your draft stock. I'll sit down with him and my family and make the best decision for both of us.''
In that instance, Whitner said he would weigh the pros and cons.
``If I come back there's a possibility of being a captain, the possibility of winning a national championship, that's one reason Mike Doss came back,'' Whitner said. ``We're not going to have a lot of guys back on defense, but I could be the leader of the defense next year and help a lot of the young guys.''
Senior Tyler Everett is miffed Whitner wasn't a semifinalist for the 2005 Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation's top defensive back. Michael Huff of Texas was the winner.
``If they say he's a first-rounder or early second, I would say go,'' Everett said of Whitner's choice. ``If it's late in the draft, just stick around.''
Holmes is taking a less intense approach. He said he didn't file any papers with the NFL. McShay said Holmes could battle Arizona State's Derek Hagan to be the top receiver taken, but Holmes said he hasn't looked at any draft boards all season.
``How I feel, I'll probably just go with it,'' Holmes said. ``Just feeling comfortable with being ready to make that next step. Having to deal with a lot of family issues outside of football. Put all that in the evaluation and go from there.''
Holmes said he's not feeling any pressure.
``No one is helping me make this decision,'' he said. ``Nobody is telling me whether I should go or stay, whether I'll be this pick or that pick.''
Holmes said he needs 40 to 45 hours to complete his degree in family resource management.
He said following in the footsteps of OSU receivers Cris Carter, Terry Glenn, Joey Galloway and David Boston always has been his goal.
``That's why I came here, to become a first-round draft pick,'' Holmes said. ``I want to be in the top 10. Knowing the history of all the receivers who have made a legacy here and in the NFL, I wanted to be a part of that.''
Even if Holmes doesn't look like a top 10 pick, Tressel might tell him he should go.
``We always talk about the team concept, but never at the expense of one's individual goals and dreams,'' Tressel said. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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