So Plaxico Burress has his first of many three-touchdown games, Shonn Greene is starting to run once again like the guy whom Antonio Cromartie was afraid to try to tackle in January 2010, Rex Ryan has rediscovered his big-talking tendencies, and everything is right with the Jets, correct?
Not correct.
Winning the last two games has applied a film of waxy deodorant to a team that has a long way to go to fulfill its annual boast of winning a Super Bowl. The biggest problem, in our assessment and as we understand it, is that receiver Santonio Holmes remains thoroughly dissatisfied with his role in the offense.
The man who received a big-money contract to remain with the team caught only two passes for 24 yards, bringing his seven-game total to a measly 311 yards on 24 receptions, with three touchdowns. He was grumbling privately about his role before reports emerged of Holmes, Burress, and exiled receiver Derrick Mason complaining to Ryan about offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Holmes also has complained publicly -- twice -- about the offensive line.
The question now is whether Holmes will pop off again in the wake of Sunday’s game. There’s a good chance he won’t; he’d come off as short-sighted given that the Jets won on Sunday, and as petty in light of Plaxico’s three-touchdown day.
But Holmes isn’t happy, and Holmes hasn’t been happy. Finding a way to make him happy could be the biggest challenge this team currently faces.
