GBMelBlount
08-16-2008, 11:15 AM
Holmes has the look of an NFL star
It's beginning to look as if the torch is being passed from Hines Ward to Santonio Holmes as the Steelers' No. 1 receiver.
Actually, you could probably say that it's more like 1 and 1-A.
In two preseason games, Holmes has caught three passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns in limited action.
Thursday night's touchdown catch in the Steelers' 24-21 loss to Buffalo in Toronto was pure beauty.
Holmes lined up wide left and took off from the line of scrimmage like he was shot from a gun. Cornerback Ashton Youboty never had a chance.
Ben Roethlisberger lofted the pass perfectly into the back of the end zone and Holmes ran under it, making the catch before the safety could come over and knock it away.
It's the kind of play that Holmes makes on a regular basis and a reason why he's seen as a top breakout candidate, not just for the Steelers, but in the entire NFL.
For wide receivers, their third season is a critical one. It's the season when everything finally comes together. They understand the offense. They understand what the defense is doing. And they finally have a nice rapport with the quarterback.
Terrell Owens, Rod Smith, Santana Moss, Braylon Edwards and Steve Smith are just a few of the receivers who have seen their production jump dramatically in their third NFL season.
"Hines is still our go-to guy," said Holmes, the first receiver taken in the 2006 draft. "We need those first downs. We need those small catches across the middle. We need a big-game play from Hines. He's still going to be there for us. I'm used more so as a deep threat. But, at the same time, I think my opportunity will come to become the leader of the team."
It could come as early as this season - not that Holmes hasn't been good in his first two years.
After catching 49 passes for 824 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie despite making just four starts, he had 52 receptions for 942 yards and eight scores in 2007. His 18.2 yards per catch led all NFL receivers who had 25 or more catches.
And Holmes did that in 2007 despite missing three games with hamstring problems.
This season, Holmes wants to be more than just a deep threat. The Steelers are likely to oblige.
They've already begun moving Holmes around to keep defenses from focusing on him. That should continue to get Holmes one-on-one coverage, a battle he's going to win more often than not.
"We're starting to be interchangeable, and it's only going to help our offense grow," said Ward.
It has to be a scary prospect for opposing defenses.
The Steelers are still a run-first offense. But with Ward and Holmes, they have a pair of starting receivers who must be accounted for, particularly with Roethlisberger chucking them the ball.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/08-16-Lolley-Steelers-column
F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com
It's beginning to look as if the torch is being passed from Hines Ward to Santonio Holmes as the Steelers' No. 1 receiver.
Actually, you could probably say that it's more like 1 and 1-A.
In two preseason games, Holmes has caught three passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns in limited action.
Thursday night's touchdown catch in the Steelers' 24-21 loss to Buffalo in Toronto was pure beauty.
Holmes lined up wide left and took off from the line of scrimmage like he was shot from a gun. Cornerback Ashton Youboty never had a chance.
Ben Roethlisberger lofted the pass perfectly into the back of the end zone and Holmes ran under it, making the catch before the safety could come over and knock it away.
It's the kind of play that Holmes makes on a regular basis and a reason why he's seen as a top breakout candidate, not just for the Steelers, but in the entire NFL.
For wide receivers, their third season is a critical one. It's the season when everything finally comes together. They understand the offense. They understand what the defense is doing. And they finally have a nice rapport with the quarterback.
Terrell Owens, Rod Smith, Santana Moss, Braylon Edwards and Steve Smith are just a few of the receivers who have seen their production jump dramatically in their third NFL season.
"Hines is still our go-to guy," said Holmes, the first receiver taken in the 2006 draft. "We need those first downs. We need those small catches across the middle. We need a big-game play from Hines. He's still going to be there for us. I'm used more so as a deep threat. But, at the same time, I think my opportunity will come to become the leader of the team."
It could come as early as this season - not that Holmes hasn't been good in his first two years.
After catching 49 passes for 824 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie despite making just four starts, he had 52 receptions for 942 yards and eight scores in 2007. His 18.2 yards per catch led all NFL receivers who had 25 or more catches.
And Holmes did that in 2007 despite missing three games with hamstring problems.
This season, Holmes wants to be more than just a deep threat. The Steelers are likely to oblige.
They've already begun moving Holmes around to keep defenses from focusing on him. That should continue to get Holmes one-on-one coverage, a battle he's going to win more often than not.
"We're starting to be interchangeable, and it's only going to help our offense grow," said Ward.
It has to be a scary prospect for opposing defenses.
The Steelers are still a run-first offense. But with Ward and Holmes, they have a pair of starting receivers who must be accounted for, particularly with Roethlisberger chucking them the ball.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/08-16-Lolley-Steelers-column
F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com