Every fan base in football gets certain emotional attachments to players and in Pittsburgh, this is almost an illness with some guys.
The most recent example is the love affair some fans are having with the thought of bringing back wide receiver Santonio Holmes. The former New York Jet and Chicago Bear is currently a free agent and there is growing sentiment among many Steelers’ fans that maybe the team will bring him back.
My question is why? Are you hoping this happens for sentimental reasons or do you really believe he can help the team?
ESPN Steelers’ Blogger Scott Brown was asked about this yesterday in his mailbag segment and he nailed it. “I understand that this time of year generates nostalgia for Holmes because his game-winning touchdown catch in Super Bowl XLIII is replayed over and over. But it’s time for Steelers fans to move past Holmes. I think the organization did that a long time ago.”
Holmes will be 31 in March and has seen his productivity drop off significantly in recent years. Much of that was due to persistently nagging injuries which make it even more likely that Holmes doesn’t return.
Since 2010, Holmes receptions have dropped and the numbers bear that out as his totals of 52, 51, 20, 23 and eight receptions illustrate. If Holmes were a special teams player then perhaps his return would have a little more of a chance but that’s not the case.
It’s fine to remember and reminisce about Holmes but bringing him back doesn’t make a whole lot of sense from a playing standpoint or a financial one for that matter.
In this case, Steelers’ fans need to think with their heads and not with their hearts.
Quote courtesy Scott Brown, ESPN.
1 comment
I agree…the only way I could see them bringing him back is if injuries hit our WR corp next season and he happens to be available. With AB, Wheaton, and Bryant, that’s a starting 3 anybody can be happy with. Wouldn’t mind a veteran backup to throw into the mix as an extra body though at some point; just not Holmes.