If the Jets were hoping the Derrick Mason trade would send a message to the team about quelling dissention, Santonio Holmes did not get it. He said the following yesterday to Cimini.
"I may be criticized again for saying it, but it starts up front," Holmes said Thursday. "The big guys know it. If they give Mark enough time to sit in the pocket and complete passes, I think everything changes."
First of all, he is wrong. The protection was pretty good in New England. The play calls never tested New England deep. The quarterback can have all the time in the world. If the receivers are not sent long on their routes, pushing the ball down the field is not going to happen.
Second of all, it is very poor form for a team captain to point a finger in the press about his teammates like this. It is also not the first time it happened this year with Holmes.