Color me doubtful: Update

Now you can just color me stunned.

In this new context, i.e. cutting Santonio Holmes versus getting something, the deal with the New York Jets looks terrific; and (as alluded to in Ed Bouchette's piece for the Post-Gazette) places the signing and re-signing of wide receivers during the offseason in an entirely different context. Additionally, one can only wonder if wide receiver is now part of the mix for the Steelers' draft strategy.

One last thing: Limas Sweed is the luckiest guy on the face of the earth.

Original Post
I love the work that Pro Football Talk does (not to mention John Clayton of ESPN who reportedly confirmed the story), and a trade of Santanio Holmes is hardly beyond the realms of possibility, but a fifth-round pick for a first-round talent? Yes, the Steelers could be trying to send a message ~ i.e. that nobody is untouchable ~ to their quarterback but why in the world would the Rooney family (for a move like this is no "football move") simply dump such a talented player in the street?

Dealing Mr. Holmes is one thing, but discounting his value so steeply would just be bad business.

John Clayton's Mini-Preview

With a column titled "Never to Early to Look Ahead to 2007 Season," John Clayton once again shows why he's one of our favorite football writers. For Steelers fans here's his brief take on what lies ahead for our favorite team (emphasis added)

"New head coach Mike Tomlin needs to maintain what Bill Cowher built for years. The job won't be all that easy. He kept Dick LeBeau around to help with the 3-4 defense, but Tomlin may try to turn the Steelers into a hybrid 3-4 and 4-3, with the 3-4 being the base. Bruce Arians takes over as offensive coordinator. He wants to spread the field with four receivers, something Ben Roethlisberger likes, although Roethlisberger first has to buy into the change from Ken Whisenhunt to Arians. He also has to adjust to Ken Anderson as the quarterbacks coach. The Steelers need to find a big back to complement Willie Parker. T.J. Duckett could be that back at the right price. The Steelers have a tough assignment in replacing center Jeff Hartings, who retired. Tomlin also has to decide whether he likes vocal Joey Porter at outside linebacker. Cowher left Tomlin a playoff-caliber team. The Steelers have nine free agents who are all backups. It's up to Tomlin to get Pittsburgh back into the playoffs."