Tomlinson: Jets' Run-First Offense Could Set Holmes Off
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Thought to be the root of many of the Jets' personnel problems in 2011, Santonio Holmes has said and done all the right things this offseason.
Retired running back LaDainian Tomlinson had a firsthand look at last season's rift between Holmes and quarterback Mark Sanchez. He said recently if the wide receiver doesn't get his catches in the Jets' run-heavy offense, it could be more of the same in 2012.
"Santonio was brought there to be the No. 1 receiver and catch a lot of balls through the passing game. And if you are a team that's not going to throw the ball very much, that's going to make for an unhappy receiver, right?" Tomlinson told Rich Eisen of the NFL Network in the host's weekly podcast.
"So, if Week 6 they haven't thrown the ball more than 15 times a game and Santonio is not getting his catches, you may hear some things," he added. "Him speaking out, him saying things that may rub some teammates the wrong way."
After last year's 8-8 finish, Tomlinson described New York's locker room turmoil as the worst he'd ever seen. The future Hall of Famer said hopefully Holmes can move on from his "previous mistakes."
"I hope Santonio learned from last year," Tomlinson said. "And that's all you can really do."
Tomlinson also gave his take on "Wildcat quarterback" -- er, backup -- Tim Tebow.
"I think Tebow is the Wildcat," said Tomlinson. "He's their Wildcat quarterback.... That's how they will play it: Mark's our quarterback, Tebow will be our Wildcat quarterback."
Tebow will surely get his share of snaps this upcoming season, plays Tomlinson believes will come early on in games.
"I think Tebow will definitely be a part of that first 15 plays, because he's a guy you're going to have to get on the field. He makes plays," he said. "Coaches always want to get the guys that make plays on the field. And so he's going to be a part of that first 15. Mark just has to understand that this is a role that Tebow plays, every single game, he's going to get his plays."
Do you smell more trouble with Holmes? Be heard in the comments below...
