Santonio Holmes News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

February 8

New York Post

"It looks like Santonio Holmes will indeed be a Jet in 2012. Holmes, whose season ended with a benching in Miami, is guaranteed $7.5 million of his $11 million 2013 salary if he still is on the Jets' roster this morning. That means the Jets owe the wide receiver $15.25 million of guaranteed money, a number that means he won't be going anywhere. The Jets have said publicly since the season ended they would keep Holmes, but it still seemed like something the team had to consider after the way Holmes' 2011 season went. Holmes fought with quarterback Mark Sanchez at the end of the year then had no catches in the season finale against the Dolphins. Former offensive coordinator Brian"

Rex: Sanchez, Holmes to work on rebuilding chemistry

February 4

New York Post

"The rebuilding of the relationship between Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes may begin with a weekend retreat. Jets coach Rex Ryan told The Post last night he has spoken with both players and Holmes told him he'd like to get away for a weekend with Sanchez as the two try to fix their chemistry. "It seemed like that was what Santonio was talking about," said Ryan, who is at the Super Bowl to make some promotional appearances. "I don't know if he's reached out to Mark yet and done anything but that is what I believe to be true." A month after the 8-8 season ended in disaster in Miami for the Jets, Ryan said he feels like everything will be better in 2012. The"

Jets owner Woody Johnson concerned about Mark Sanchez-Santonio Holmes rift

January 20

New York Daily News

"Three weeks after the Jets missed the playoffs for the first time under Rex Ryan, owner Woody Johnson addressed the locker-room discord that stained their season. He also discussed the organization's handling of Mark Sanchez, the young quarterback's rift with Santonio Holmes and the possibility of pursuing Peyton Manning in the offseason. After anonymous players told the Daily News that Holmes was a "cancer" and acted like "a 10-year-old" after he exchanged verbal barbs with teammates on the field in the regular season-ending loss to the Dolphins, Johnson made it clear that the mercurial wide receiver will definitely be back in 2012."

Jets owner: Holmes will be back next season

January 20

New York Post

"Woody Johnson must have flunked chemistry. The Jets owner said yesterday that wide receiver Santonio Holmes will be welcomed back to the team, and he believes Holmes and quarterback Mark Sanchez can repair their issues. "[Holmes] may be one of the best players we've ever had here," Johnson said. "You could look at his talent level and he's extraordinarily talented." Holmes may be talented, but he's also a headache. Holmes' teammates were livid at his behavior in the final game of the season in Miami when he moped around the field and former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer benched him with two minutes left."

Tomlinson: Rex's crew hurt by 'bad' locker room and Sanchez-Holmes rift

January 19

New York Post

"The Jets season has been over for nearly three weeks, yet the fallout from their 8-8 failure continues. The latest comes from respected running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who said the relationship between quarterback Mark Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes and the Jets locker room as a whole was "as bad as I've ever been around." Tomlinson, appearing on Showtime's "Inside the NFL," described the strain that existed between Sanchez and Holmes."

Jets QB says he'll 'make things work' with Holmes

January 4

New York Post

"Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez appeared on 1050 ESPN Radio on Tuesday and ducked most of the questions about wide receiver Santonio Holmes. "We've got to make things work," Sanchez said. "That's what you do as a teammate." Holmes was benched for the final minutes of the Jets' season-ending loss to the Dolphins on Sunday, and reportedly clashed with Sanchez at times during the season. Sanchez said he knows how good Holmes can be: "Anytime I get discouraged about it, I just flip on his highlight tape.""

Troublesome Holmes expected to return to Jets

January 3

New York Post

"Tone Time is not running out. Jets coach Rex Ryan said yesterday wide receiver Santonio Holmes will be back with the Jets despite his actions over the last week, including a verbal spat with quarterback Mark Sanchez, moping during Sunday's loss in Miami and fighting with teammates in the huddle during the game. "There's a lot of positive things about Santonio," Ryan said. "Are there some things that we need to get directed? Absolutely. And it's not just with him, but others as well. ... I believe Santonio will be back next year.""

Sources: Holmes, Sanchez clashed last week

January 2

ESPN.com

"Santonio Holmes' blow-up and benching occurred in the final minutes of the New York Jets' season-ending loss Sunday, but the tension had been building for days, team sources told ESPNNewYork.com. The warning signs were there last week, team sources said Monday -- Holmes and Mark Sanchez exchanged words in a quarterback/receivers meeting last week, according to a source. Sanchez, in an attempt to rally the Jets' slumping offense, addressed the unit in a meeting Wednesday and said he was planning to hold special after-hours sessions to fine-tune the game plan for the season finale against the Miami Dolphins. Holmes showed up for the meeting, but stood in the back of the room and was "pouting"

Honoring Holmes makes Rex look Tone deaf & dumb

January 2

New York Post

columnist Mark Cannizzaro

"Santonio Holmes will — from now until the moment his stay with the Jets ends badly (and it will eventually end badly) — be blamed for his selfish, boorish behavior that has completely contradicted his title as a team captain. But someone must take responsibility for enabling Holmes by handing him that captaincy, a title that has rankled many of his teammates all season. The enabler is Rex Ryan. Ryan giving Holmes the title of captain was like a father handing the keys and a bottle of booze to his 16-year-old son and telling him to "party on'' with the new sports car. Ryan, clearly trying to make the moody Holmes feel like one of his guys by naming him a captain, unwittingly poured a pint"

Holmes benched late in Jets' season-ending loss

January 2

New York Post

"The final game of the Jets' season was a fitting end to a disappointing, dysfunctional year. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes, a team captain, was benched late in the fourth quarter of the Jets' 19-17 loss yesterday to the Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium after moping for most of the game and getting into a fight in the huddle with teammates. The Jets' third consecutive loss kept them from a third-straight playoff appearance under coach Rex Ryan and dropped them to 8-8, a terrible finish to a season that began with so much hope. Mark Sanchez threw three interceptions and the defense allowed a 21-play drive, but this game will be best remembered for Holmes' disappearance. The Holmes situation has"

Source: Holmes 'quit' on Jets in loss

January 2

Newark Star-Ledger

"As the Jets' season ended here with a 19-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins today, one of the Rex Ryan-appointed captains — receiver Santonio Holmes — was on the sideline, benched and frustrated and a symbol of this team's flawed chemistry. Late in the fourth quarter, receiver Patrick Turner ran onto the field, tapped Holmes on the shoulder and told him to come out. The decision was made by offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, a person with knowledge of the decision-making process said, because he had no choice. "I looked out there, and I was wondering why he wasn't out there myself," coach Rex Ryan said. "I didn't bench Santonio. You'll have to ask him." Holmes, who signed a five-year,"

Holmes rips Giants DBs

December 22

New York Post

"Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes is coming off one of his worst games with the team. You would think that has shaken his confidence. The receiver came out firing Wednesday at the Giants secondary and reporters. "They've given up big plays," Holmes said of the Giants. "They're poor-tackling guys. We know plays can be made over their head. We've just got to be willing to take advantage of them and make them count.""

Ryan offers support in Holmes flap

December 20

New York Post

"Jets coach Rex Ryan said he has Santonio Holmes' back after the wide receiver committed a bone-headed penalty in Sunday's loss to the Eagles. Holmes drew a taunting penalty after scoring a touchdown to cut the Eagles lead to 28-9. He put his foot on the football and flapped his arms like a bird. Ryan said Holmes apologized for his actions. "I'll say this about Santonio and every other player on this team, they have my 100 percent support," Ryan said on a conference call. "We're in this thing together. "Are we perfect? No, none of us are perfect. I'm just saying that, obviously, you wish that thing never happened. I don't think it will happen again, but again, I have his back, he has mine"

Holmes' antics leading Jets down wrong path

December 19

New York Post

columnist George Willis

"His teammates call Santonio Holmes "Tone," a nickname that was appropriate last night because the Jets wide receiver set the tone for one of the Jets worst performances of the season. Sure there was plenty of blame to go around for the 45-19 debacle Gag Green authored against the Eagles at the Linc. The defense couldn't stop quarterback Michael Vick or running back LeSean McCoy when it counted and the offensive line couldn't protect Mark Sanchez. But it was Holmes who put the Jets in an early hole by handing the Eagles their first 14 points and then embarrassing himself by drawing a taunting flag for a touchdown celebration when his team was fighting to get back in the game. Holmes wears a"

WR did job perfectly on winning catch

November 28

New York Post

"The Jets had flubbed their previous drive, which ended when Santonio Holmes cut left and Mark Sanchez's pass went right on a third-and-2. Oops. But the defense held the Bills to a three-and-out, giving the Jets another shot, still trailing by three points. So the offense got together. "We were pretty much out of breath, we didn't have much to say to each other," Holmes said. Actions say so much more, anyway. Holmes ultimately had the last say, hauling in a 16-yard touchdown throw from Sanchez, who scrambled out of the shotgun to make the pass. Holmes' catch, with 1:01 left, helped the Jets save their season with a 28-24 victory over the Bills at MetLife Stadium. Holmes, typically clutch,"

NY Jets' Santonio Holmes downplays low number of catches

November 3

New York Daily News

"Santonio Holmes toed the company line on Wednesday, focusing on the Jets' two-game winning streak rather than his head-scratching statistics - just 22 receptions. The team's most dynamic playmaker denied a report that he wasn't thrilled with how he's been utilized in the first two months of the season. Last week, Pro Football Talk reported that Holmes was "thoroughly dissatisfied with his role in the offense." "Never heard that one. Next question," Holmes said of the report. "I didn't talk to anybody about it. Never heard about it." The Jets signed the 27-year-old Holmes to a five-year, $45 million deal in the offseason with the intention of opening up their offense. However, Mark Sanchez"

Jets' Holmes: We're winning, that's it

November 3

New York Post

"Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes did not exactly shoot down an Internet report he is unhappy with his role in the team's offense. Holmes was asked Wednesday about last week's report on ProFootballTalk.com that said he continues to be unhappy. "Never heard that one," Holmes said. "Next question. I didn't talk to anybody about it, never heard about it." Then asked if he is happy with his role, he said, "We're here winning ballgames right now." And that was the end of the interview."

Holmes goes from gripes to grabs

October 18

New York Post

"Santonio Holmes, utilizing his team captaincy as a platform, has had a lot to say of late. Following the Jets' loss in Baltimore three weeks ago, he criticized the offensive line for not giving Mark Sanchez enough time to get the ball down the field. He did it again early last week, spurring Jets veteran right guard Brandon Moore to lash out at him Friday, saying calling out his teammates in public is not the way a captain is supposed to operate. Fortunately for Moore and the Jets, Holmes played like a team captain last night, catching three passes for 63 yards, including the game-clinching touchdown, a 38-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter that capped a 24-6 win over the Dolphins."

Jets lineman says Holmes' comments 'disrespectful'

October 15

New York Post

"Brandon Moore is the longest-tenured offensive player on the Jets and one of the most respected players on the team. He's also one of the most introspective and understated players in the locker room. He's the E.F. Hutton of the Jets. When he talks, people listen. That made Moore's caustic response yesterday to the recent stream of criticisms coming from Jets wide receiver and team captain Santonio Holmes all the more powerful. "It's disrespectful," Moore told The Post. "Guys work hard. To put your teammates out to dry, guys you work with every day so on Sundays you can have a productive day, it's disappointing. That's not really being a leader. That's not being a captain. "But"

Jets, Mark Sanchez struggle to get air-attack off ground, Santonio Holmes points at O-line

October 14

New York Daily News

"The play was so strange and surreal that you couldn't help but hit the rewind button a few times. For all the talk about the Jets' stagnant offense, an innocuous four-yard completion to Jeremy Kerley midway through the third quarter of last week's loss to the Patriots was a microcosm of a pedestrian unit. On third and 6, Gang Green went with a five-receiver, empty-backfield look. All five wideouts ran a route short of the first-down marker before Mark Sanchez, sensing pressure, quickly fired a pass to Kerley. It was a three-man rush. Losers of three in a row, the Jets are at a crossroads entering Monday night's divisional showdown with the Dolphins. A week after failing to exploit the"

Holmes says Jets' line keeps passing game grounded

October 14

New York Post

"Anyone who thought the trade of Derrick Mason would suddenly muzzle the complaints coming out of the Jets locker room should think again. Two days after Mason was shipped to Houston, fellow wide receiver Santonio Holmes was back at it, criticizing the Jets offensive line for not giving quarterback Mark Sanchez enough time to throw deep passes.. "I may be criticized again for saying it but I think it starts up front," Holmes said Thursday. "The big guys know it. They give Mark enough time to sit in the pocket and complete passes I think everything changes. The routes that are being run are short routes, 'Hey, let's get the ball out of Mark's hands quick. Let's move the ball down the field"

Jets' Brian Schottenheimer's plan questioned by Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes, Mason: source

October 9

New York Daily News

"Four weeks into a season with Super Bowl expectations, the locker-room complaints have grown louder in light of the Jets' offensive struggles. The Daily News has learned that wide receivers Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason have individually gone to Rex Ryan in the past few weeks to question offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's system. Gang Green, losers of two straight entering today's game against the Patriots, ranks near the bottom of the league in total offense (25th) and rushing offense (30th). Despite the fact that the Jets have been pass-heavy during the first month - they've thrown it 62% of the time - the receivers clearly aren't happy with the offense."

Jets Sanchez, Holmes seem at odds over comments

October 6

New York Post

"Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes have been unable to get on the same page on the field, and now the Jets teammates sound like they are at odds off of it. Sanchez said the team spoke about not going public with criticisms of each other after Holmes ripped the offensive line and Sanchez after Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Ravens. "Moving forward, that won't happen," Sanchez said Wednesday. "We've talked about it. Those individual improvements and stuff that happens on a personal level. … That kind of stuff doesn't go past this locker room.""

Santonio Holmes says Mark Sanchez, Gang Green offensive line must improve

October 4

New York Daily News

"Targeted 12 times, wideout Santonio Holmes saw three balls reach his hands. He hauled them in for gains totaling 33 yards, the longest going for 22. One pass intended for him was thrown into the flat as he swung out wide, but defensive back Lardarius Webb stepped in front and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. "Too late," Holmes said. "Can't throw it out too late. He made a great play on it.""

Namath rips Holmes, GM, O-line

October 4

New York Post

"oe Namath took aim at the Jets again yesterday, but this time he ripped Santonio Holmes, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and the offensive line instead of coach Rex Ryan. Namath took issue with Holmes' postgame comments after the 34-17 loss to the Ravens when the wide receiver criticized the offensive line and quarterback Mark Sanchez. Holmes said Sunday: "It starts up front with the big guys. They've got to do a better job of protecting Mark, and Mark has to do a better job of making reads and getting the ball to where he needs to, so his playmakers can make plays.""

Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes relish chance to do more than catch the ball

September 30

Newark Star-Ledger

"A few years back, as the Ravens played the Giants, then-Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan watched closely as a run play unfolded and moved toward him. One of Ryan's favorite players — cornerback Samari Rolle — was dismantled by a crushing block, strewn in front of Ryan along the Baltimore sideline. Standing over Rolle was Plaxico Burress, at the time a Giant. Ryan barked in defense of his own guy, but at the same time found out all he needed to know about Burress as run-blocker."

Burress, Holmes, NY Jets receivers could feast on Oakland Raiders secondary

September 22

New York Daily News

"Raiders' owner Al Davis' Commitment to Excellence has been more like a Commitment to the Past, filled with archaic philosophies that haven't yielded very many positive results for the better part of a decade. When the Jets make the cross-country trip to Oakland this weekend, Mark Sanchez & Co. will have an opportunity to take advantage of an in-your-face, relatively simplistic defensive scheme that was exposed last week. Gang Green will face a defense that gave up 35 second-half points in an epic meltdown to the Bills. Jets' wide receivers, who were held to only four catches for 49 yards in a blowout win over the Jaguars last Sunday, could feast on an Oakland scheme that predominantly"

Santonio Holmes feels fine, says Jets' offense is 'on the rise' after win

September 20

Newark Star-Ledger

"Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes said he made the decision to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday morning, and that he feels fine today. He had been listed as questionable with injuries to his knee and quad. "I think I played every snap but about 20, but that was by choice," he said. "I didn't want to overdo it, I felt like I was in good enough shape to play, I wasn't hurt too bad to where I couldn't play.""

Jets add RB Joe McKnight, S Eric Smith and WR Santonio Holmes to injury report

September 16

Newark Star-Ledger

"Rex Ryan said that three Jets came out of today's practice with some minor injuries, though it's nothing that will keep anyone out for an extended period of time. Santonio Holmes (knee, quad) was limited and Eric Smith (ankle) missed a few plays at the end of practice. Joe McKnight dislocated his pinky finger while fielding a punt, but did not miss any time. McKnight said the trainer simply popped it back in. Holmes said of his injury: "Nothing to be worried about. Game day is on Sunday, not today. I took it easy today.""

Jets' Flight Crew of Holmes, Burress, Mason poised to improve aerial attack

September 7

New York Daily News

"To cornerbacks covering Jets wideout Santonio Holmes, the toughest thing to detect is the direction he will go next. "Most guys have a tip that gives it away," Jets safety Eric Smith says. "His body is like a poker face. Then boom, he's gone." The subtle ways of Holmes have always allowed him to slip through opposing secondaries, but now he has an additional level of protection. In joining forces with Plaxico Burress, a deer-legged deep threat, and Derrick Mason, a creative receiver operating out of the slot, Holmes maintains that he will be able to go undetected for longer periods of time during his routes. It will be up to quarterback Mark Sanchez and offensive coordinator Brian"

Giants' Tuck, Jets' Holmes have words over ownership of newly named MetLife stadium

August 25

New York Daily News

"The new stadium at the Meadowlands may finally have a name, but that won't stop the Jets and Giants from fighting about who gets to call it home. That old battle was reignited Wednesday, when Justin Tuck and Santonio Holmes traded barbs between East Rutherford and Florham Park, N.J. It began with an innocent question to Tuck about what he thought of MetLife buying the naming rights to what was previously called New Meadowlands Stadium. "I'm glad MetLife came forward as a sponsor," said Tuck, the Giants' defensive end, "but to me it'll always be Giants Stadium." Countered Holmes: "It's the Meadowlands. It's the home of the New York Jets. That's all I have to say about that." Oh, chances"

Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes take captaincy seriously, Rex says Jets teammates will follow

August 19

New York Daily News

"As rain fell on Florham Park, N.J. shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday, Jets wideout Santonio Holmes and quarterback Mark Sanchez , fresh off a preseason loss to the Houston Texans and a late flight home, debated staying up or going to sleep. Holmes, who played minimally, opted to delay his NyQuil dose to lift weights at the team facility with Sanchez, who napped on the plane, and rookie Greg McElroy , the game's workhorse who attempted 39 passes. For an hour, they tore through repetitions and ran extra sprints. "I think he's grown," Rex Ryan said of Sanchez. "I can promise you Tone would not have been (lifting early) last year." For Sanchez and Holmes, fused together by the Jets' $50"

Sanchez has plenty of weapons in receiving corps with Burress, Holmes

August 18

New York Daily News

"There was no bomb to No. 17 from Mark Sanchez Wednesday. No shades of Plaxico Burress hauling in a touchdown pass over Ellis Hobbs. Just one "regular five-yard hitch route" - Burress' words - during an 11-on-11 drill, in which the Jets wideout easily made a catch after shaking cornerback Antonio Cromartie. "I ran a few of those in my day," Burress joked after practice in Florham Park, his first action since spraining his left ankle the first day of training camp. Rex Ryan got a glimpse of his 2011 receiving corps together on the same field for the first time and immediately roared a Rex-ism: he dubbed Burress, Santonio Holmes and veteran Derrick Mason "scary." While Ryan said he would have"

Santonio Holmes 'surprised' by captain's nod; Nick Mangold won't travel to Houston

August 14

Newark Star-Ledger

"The Jets' Santonio Holmes made good on his new captain's promotion, staying late after practice to run sprints with Derrick Mason and load up footballs for him on the jug machine. Just a year after what Rex Ryan called "a rental season" Holmes said he was surprised when his coach pulled him aside and told him he'd be one of the Jets wearing a "C" stitched on his uniform. "(Ryan) told me he wanted me to be one of the guys to lead from the front and I told him, I said 'Coach, I'll take that responsibility anytime.' "And he said 'Nah, I don't want you to just lead from the front, I want you to be one of my guys, I'm going to put one of those captain's C's on your chest.' And it took me by"

Santonio Holmes named one of five Jets captains, feels like he's found a home on Rex Ryan's squad Santonio Holmes named one of five Jets captains, feels like he's found a home on Rex Ryan's squad

August 14

New York Daily News

"Santonio Holmes is now a Jet for life. At least, that is how Rex Ryan wants him to feel. If the reported $50 million deal did not make Holmes feel at home in green and white, Ryan gave the controversial wide receiver some more stake in the team. Of the five captains named Saturday, Holmes was the only one who was not originally drafted by the Jets. He was also, perhaps, the most surprising pick. "It's unexpected," Holmes said Saturday after the Jets' last practice before heading to Houston for Monday's preseason opener. "Coming from where I came from, tryouts pretty much for one year, being here, everything worked out in my favor." Ryan had already named Mark Sanchez a captain for the"

Jets looking for leadership from Santonio Holmes, others with so many departures

August 6

Newark Star-Ledger

"Santonio Holmes hears the words from Jets coach Rex Ryan almost every day. The coach wants his receiver's voice to carry a little louder than it did last year. He needs younger players to see Holmes do things the right way, all the time. "He's constantly grabbing me and pulling me to the side, telling me, 'Tone, I just need you to lead by example. Show these young guys how to do it, show them what they need to do,'" Holmes said. As training camp moves into its second week, so does the search for new leaders, new voices behind closed doors. There's a case to be made that every year of the Ryan era has spawned a new crisis in leadership for the Jets. In 2009, the team parted ways with"

Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes, Ahmad Bradshaw, Mathias Kiwanuka wait on ratification of NFL CBA

August 4

New York Daily News

"Jets coach Rex Ryan may have to wait longer than expected to see star wideouts Plaxico Burress and Santonio Holmes run routes with quarterback Mark Sanchez's offense. Holmes and Burress, both of whom signed free-agent contracts with the Jets, have been sidelined along with eight teammates who either inked contracts or restructured their deals with the team since the lockout was lifted on July 25. They will not be allowed to practice Thursday unless the players ratify the new collective bargaining agreement. "It's up to the players," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. "When they ratify the agreement, the league year will start and those with new contracts can begin practicing." Zak DeOssie,"

Santonio Holmes, Plaxico Burress will beging practicing Thursday

August 2

Bergen Record

"For a few minutes Monday morning, Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress were conducting interviews simultaneously, leaving reporters with the same question opposing defenders soon will have. Which one do you cover? "I don't think he's lost any confidence," Holmes said of Burress, "in how to play football." Quarterback Mark Sanchez also believes in Burress, who is returning to the NFL after a two-season hiatus caused by his legal problems and prison sentence."

Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes share Big 10 roots, talk strategy to open New York Jets camp

August 2

New York Daily News

"When Plaxico Burress, a 33-year-old veteran of nine NFL seasons, looks in the mirror each morning, he sees Benjamin Button, the fictional character who gets younger over time. "I would say that when I step on this field Thursday or Friday, I'll look 25," said Burress, who has not played an NFL game since November 2008. "I feel that good physically." Burress, who turns 34 on Aug. 12, began his tenure as a Jet Monday. Unable to participate in practice or the morning walkthrough due to NFL rules restricting new signees from partaking in on-field activities until Thursday, Burress looked on with fellow free agent Santonio Holmes. The two dissected plays, discussed terminology and plotted the"

Plaxico Burress' recruitment to Jets keyed by Santonio Holmes

August 1

Newark Star-Ledger

"The black bracelet around Santonio Holmes' right arm reads: "Free Plex AKA Black" on one side and on the other "Go Getter's Pain." It was a tribute to his friend that he wore the day that the troubled wide receiver went to prison back in 2009 and one he's kept it on ever since. Burress got one sent to him in the correctional facility. He showed it to Rex Ryan the day after Holmes' deal was signed, when Ryan asked Holmes what kind of person Burress was. Excited, Holmes took the opportunity to do some recruiting. "From the first time coach Rex and (GM Mike) Tannenbaum sat in the office and they asked me what do I think about this guy, the first thing I did was show them my bracelet and"

Holmes stays, but Jets still holding breath

July 28

New York Post

columnist Mark Cannizzaro

"Santonio Holmes enjoyed one of the two greatest days of his football life yesterday. Presumably, his best day was the magical Super Bowl MVP performance in 2009 when he made that acrobatic game-winning touchdown catch to help the Steelers beat the Cardinals. That moment ultimately set the course for what occurred yesterday when Holmes hit the financial jackpot he always has dreamed about. The Jets aggressively targeted Holmes as their top priority (they really had little choice) and yesterday dropped some $50 million over five years on him with $24 million guaranteed. About an hour after Holmes agreed to terms with the Jets, he posted on his Twitter account a photo of himself, wearing"

Jets hope to add Asomugha, agree to deal with Holmes

July 28

New York Post

"The Jets landed their No. 1 free agent priority yesterday, but that may just be an appetizer. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes and the Jets agreed on a five-year deal, worth close to $50 million with $24 million guaranteed, according to a source. The deal cannot be finalized until tomorrow night when free agents are permitted to sign. Now, the Jets have their sights set on cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. What was once considered a fantasy is getting closer and closer to a reality. The Jets have strong interest in teaming Asomugha with Darrelle Revis to form the greatest cornerback tandem the NFL has seen, a source said. The NFL Network reported the Jets and the 49ers are the leading suitors for"

Jets, Holmes agree to five-year deal

July 27

New York Post

"The Jets took care of their top priority quickly, coming to terms with wide receiver Santonio Holmes on a five-year deal Wednesday morning, according to a source. It took the Jets just about 24 hours from the time free agency began to bring back their top receiver and provide QB Mark Sanchez with a premiere target for the next several years. The 27-year-old had 52 catches for 746 yards and six touchdowns despite missing four games due to a suspension in his first year with the Jets."

Sources: Jets, Santonio Holmes agree

July 27

ESPN.com

"The New York Jets addressed the No. 1 item on their free-agent list, coming to terms Wednesday morning with wide receiver Santonio Holmes, according to a league source. The deal is for five years, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. By rule, Holmes isn't permitted to sign the contract until Friday. Holmes' deal, believed to be in the $10 million-a-year range, is so big that it probably means they can't afford to re-sign Braylon Edwards, another high-profile free agent. Edwards is coming off a strong season, but the Jets prioritized Holmes because of his speed and game-changing ability. "It was such a luxury to have both of them last year," quarterback Mark Sanchez said Tuesday."

Jets aim to lock up Holmes

July 27

New York Post

"The Jets' front office wasted no time beginning its pursuit of free- agent wide receiver Santonio Holmes, and the team may get an assist from quarterback Mark Sanchez. The Jets were the first team to talk with Holmes' agent, Joel Segal, yesterday morning, and made the wide receiver an offer later in the day, according to a source. Holmes is one of the top free agents on the market and is going to command big money. Sanchez said he is willing to restructure his contract to give the Jets cap space to pursue Holmes and other free agents. "My agent's already talked to me about it," Sanchez said. "Whatever we need to do to win, it's on. I think our whole team feels that way. If [Darrelle]"

Can Redskins compete with Jets for Holmes?

July 26

Washington Post

"One of the top receivers on the free agent market, Santonio Holmes has been linked to the Redskins, who are in need of help at the wideout position. But if you listen to his agent Joel Segal, you have to ask yourself just how much sense would it make for Holmes to choose the Redskins when he already has a good thing going with the Jets, who are expected to try hard to re-sign him. Appearing on ESPN on Monday evening, Segal described Holmes as an elite playmaker, and said he expects him to be paid handsomely. "I think Santonio is special," Segal said of Holmes, who last season recorded 52 catches, 746 yards, six touchdowns. "I think that it's rare to have a playmaker with that Super Bowl"

Retaining Holmes, Cromartie is top priority

July 26

New York Post

"The Jets have another 47 days before their season opens against the Cowboys on Sept. 11. The team's first wins and losses could come this week, though. With the NFL lockout over, it's time for the Jets front office to do their thing. General manager Mike Tannenbaum and his staff will begin negotiating with free agents and draft picks today, hoping to piece together a puzzle that results in the Super Bowl championship coach Rex Ryan has talked about since the day he got the job. Tannenbaum faces plenty of challenges. Start with the Jets' own free agents. Receiver Santonio Holmes and cornerback Antonio Cromartie were key pieces of the 2010 Jets who will command big bucks on the open market."

Likely bidding war for Santonio Holmes between Jets and Skins

July 26

New York Daily News

columnist Gary Myers

"The Jets play the Redskins in Washington on Dec. 4. There's a very good chance Santonio Holmes will be playing in that game. But for which team? Bringing back Holmes, the top wide receiver playmaker on the market, as an unrestricted free agent is the Jets' No. 1 priority. Sources say the Redskins have also made Holmes their No. 1 priority. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder's wallet often doesn't have a conscience - he actually gave Albert Haynesworth $41 million guaranteed two years ago - so Woody Johnson must be prepared for a battle of the checkbooks. Remember how the Jets and Skins fought over Laveranues Coles in 2003? That one got nasty. Holmes is a better player than Coles, so if Snyder"

NFL free agency rush likely to include Jets bidding war with Redskins for Holmes

July 25

New York Daily News

"The Jets play the Redskins in Washington on Dec. 4. There's a very good chance Santonio Holmes will be playing in that game. But for which team? Bringing back Holmes, the top wide receiver playmaker on the market, as an unrestricted free agent is the Jets' No. 1 priority. Sources say the Redskins have also made Holmes their No. 1 priority. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder's wallet often doesn't have a conscience - he actually gave Albert Haynesworth $41 million guaranteed two years ago - so Woody Johnson must be prepared for a battle of the checkbooks. Remember how the Jets and Skins fought over Laveranues Coles in 2003? That one got nasty. Holmes is a better player than Coles, so if Snyder"