Bears Blitz

Published by Matt Fitzgerald on August 16, 2014
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Updates from Tuesday, Aug. 19

Field Yates of ESPN reported on Santonio Holmes‘ contract with Chicago:

Original Text

Santonio Holmes lingered on the free-agent market through the beginning of training camp as arguably the best wide receiver available. Off-field antics likely prevented him from signing with an NFL team until Saturday, when the Chicago Bears took a flier and signed him to a contract.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on the matter:

Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reported the corresponding roster move:

The Bears had expressed interest and worked the 30-year-old out recently:

Another team rumored to be interested was the receiver-thin Cleveland Browns, who have been in limbo awaiting the suspension decision for All-Pro wideout Josh Gordon, via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport:

But longtime Browns beat writer Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland suggested Holmes wasn’t on Cleveland’s radar due to his aforementioned character issues:

Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News published this back in March 10, 2014, when the New York Jets released Holmes:

[Holmes] privately and publicly squabbled with teammates and coaches through the years. His debut season with the Jets in 2010 included a string of game-winning plays that prompted Ryan to coin the phrase “Tone Time” to reflect his penchant for delivering in the clutch. Those celebratory moments, however, gave way to petulance and selfishness that stained his remaining years.

Jets coach Rex Ryan couldn’t deny that Holmes, who made the game-winning catch to help the Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII, elevated his play when the stakes were highest.

“I’ve always admired his knack for making the clutch play,” said Ryan of the Super Bowl XLIII MVP, per Mehta. “He’s a tremendous competitor who wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.”

Somewhat surprisingly, Holmes’ only season of over 1,000 yards receiving came in 2009, when he notched 1,248 yards on 79 receptions and five touchdowns. That was his final season in Pittsburgh, and the eight-year pro wasn’t able to come close to the 1,000-yard mark in his four years with the Jets.

Although there have been plenty of explosive plays—he averages 15.7 yards per catch for his career—Holmes’ production hasn’t been consistent enough to warrant his often negative attitude.

The 2006 first-round pick (No. 25 overall) out of Ohio State finds himself in a nice spot in Chicago.

With Jay Cutler under center and Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery at wide receiver, not to mention the dynamic Matt Forte at running back, the Bears offense should be explosive.

Holmes will be looking to build off two disappointing seasons. Combined, he played 15 games and caught 43 passes for 728 yards and two touchdowns in 2012 and 2013.

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