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Defiant Santonio Holmes Rips Giants' Porous Secondary

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Santonio Holmes expects the Jets to have a big day against the Giants' secondary.

The Jets wide receiver, adding to a week of trash talk, didn't hesitate Wednesday when he was asked to assess the guys he'll be lining up against Saturday.

"They've given up big plays," he said. "They're poor tackling guys. We know plays can be made over their heads. We've just got to be willing to take advantage of them and make them count."

In other words, Holmes doesn't think much of the Giants' defensive backs.

"They depend on their front four to get in and get pressure on the quarterback," Holmes said. "A smart enough defender knows that he has a few seconds in his play clock that the ball should be released and if not, he's depending on his guys to take care of business and I think those guys just fall victim to a lot of that at times."

Holmes has yet to record a 100-yard receiving game this season. Maybe that's bound to change this week?

The Giants are ranked 29th in the NFL against the pass, but cornerback Corey Webster is actually having a pretty solid season with a team-leading five interceptions.

"I can't wait to see him come Saturday," Holmes said. "I hope he's ready to bring his 'A' game."

But, does he agree that Webster is playing well?

"I could care less," a defiant Holmes said.

Holmes had a rough game in the 45-19 loss at Philadelphia last Sunday with two turnovers that led to scores and a touchdown celebration that resulted in a taunting penalty when he stepped on the ball in the back of the end zone and flapped his arms like an eagle.

Both coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said they've talked to Holmes, who acknowledged that he made a mistake. Not that it means he's particularly eager to get back on the field to put that overall performance behind him.

"Nope," Holmes said. "I've been in this league six years. I make plays every Sunday."

He got particularly testy when he was asked if Ryan or Schottenheimer yelled at him on the sideline after his ill-advised celebration.

"Did you see that on the sideline?" Holmes asked. "Did you see anything between any of us?"

When told that Schottenheimer appeared angry, Holmes snapped back: "Did you see him yell at me? Did you see him say anything to me on the sideline?"

Holmes then acknowledged that he and Ryan "have each other's back," and then added that he and Schottenheimer have a "great" relationship.

"I can't complain about anything with our relationship," Holmes said, "but our relationship is offensive coordinator-wide receiver."

Added Schottenheimer: "He knew what he did was not right. You always have to just communicate. We have a relationship that we can do that."

Teammate Plaxico Burress had no doubts that Holmes would be back to his playmaking self against the Giants.

"He'll be the best player on the field this week," Burress said. "That's the type of player he is, and that's what I expect from him and what he expects from himself."

Will Holmes back up the talk on Saturday? Sound off below...

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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