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Santonio Holmes is the fall guy

So long, Santonio Holmes. Thanks for winning the Pittsburgh Steelers a Super Bowl.

I'm not even sure he got that kinds of sendoff after the Steelers traded their Super Bowl MVP to the New York Jets late Sunday night for a fifth-round draft pick.

Yeah, a fifth-round pick.

It seems like a low price to pay to acquire a gifted athlete, but a checkered past can do things like that.

Holmes is facing a lawsuit from a woman who claims he threw a glass at her. Holmes denies it and a witness has claimed responsibility. In 2008, Holmes was arrested for possession of marijuana, and he was involved in a domestic violence incident in 2006; the misdemeanor charges were dismissed.

That can be overlooked by some teams -- but not the Pittsburgh Steelers. Especially when your franchise QB has problems of his own.

Who's easier to replace: the QB or the WR?

That answer's easy. The receiver can be replaced. Holmes is expendable.

Could the Steelers have gotten better than a fifth-rounder? Maybe.

But when you want to send a message --  to the fans and your quarterback -- you make the move now.

In addition, Holmes has just one year remaining on his deal, and Newsday and the New York Times reported that Holmes could face a four-game suspension this season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

If that ends up being true, it would explain the low compensation.

I was stunned by the trade, but I won't miss Holmes, even if it means missing the playoffs.

I just hope the QB gets the message.
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