Santonio Holmes to be Suspended for Four Weeks

In a story first reported by ProFootballTalk.com, and later confirmed by Adam Schefter, Santonio Holmes will be suspended for the first four weeks of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

The details are sketchy at this point, but the Steelers must have known that the move was inevitable. It would explain why they traded him for next-to-nothing (a fifth-round pick in 2010). There is talk that the deal isn’t all that bad for the Steelers considering they were contemplating releasing the receiver or simply letting him walk in free agency next year.

It’s a low-risk move for the Jets because, even though he’s out for the first four weeks, they have two other receivers in Jerricho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards who are more than capable of helping Mark Sanchez win some games.

Then, when Holmes returns, the Jets are looking at one of the best receiving corps in the AFC.

And the compensation they gave to the Steelers was minimal, as well.

It shows that Rex Ryan believes he can control Holmes’ off-the-field issues and make him even more productive on the field than he was last season when he went over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.

The Jets must be careful, however, and make sure Holmes stays out of trouble, or this four-game suspension could easily turn into a year-long suspension.