Santonio Holmes Voices Displeasure With Jets Offense
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) - Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes said the team is heading into its game against the Dolphins with "a feeling of desperation."
The Jets (2-3) have lost three straight on the road and have a game against the winless Miami Dolphins (0-4) on Monday night. Holmes, who has this year emerged as an outspoken captain, again publicly highlighted his concerns with the unit, including its scoring output, the play of the offensive line and the lack of deep balls.
"I may be criticized again for saying it, but I think it starts up front, and the big guys know it," Holmes said. "If they give Mark [Sanchez] enough time to sit in the pocket and complete passes, I think everything changes. The routes that are being ran are short routes, 'Hey, let's get the ball out of Mark's hands quick, let's move the ball down the field, let's go from there.'
"But if you can't protect the quarterback for four or five seconds, then there's no point of dropping back 7 yards to throw a football when we don't have enough time. So we pretty much have to roll with the way our offense is right now."
Holmes also said "I can complain all day" about the linemen protecting the quarterback, but did reference the nuances of the position that can be difficult.
WFAN's Boomer Esiason took issue with Holmes' comments, stating bluntly that "Santonio Holmes should just shut his mouth publicly."
Listen: Boomer sounds off on Holmes
"The last thing you need is somebody like this spouting his mouth off before a huge game Monday night."
Holmes was asked if this might be the game where New York might throw a few deep against Miami's 31st-ranked pass defense.
"Obviously, it doesn't make a difference on our team because New England was ranked what in pass defense, and what did we do against those guys?" he said, referring to the Patriots being ranked last entering last Sunday. "So, it really doesn't matter what defenses are ranked. It's according to how well guys play on the field at that time."
The Jets have only 15 pass plays of 20 or more yards, tying them for 18th in the league. They also have just one of 40 or more yards, tied for last, and that was a 74-yard catch by LaDainian Tomlinson — who turned a short pass into a huge gain.
"We have to honestly run with the plays that are being called," Holmes said.
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