Santonio Holmes Frustrated With Amount of Playing Time

Sep 8, 2013; East Rutherford, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Faytok/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets receiver, and No. 1 offensive weapon, Santonio Holmes has a problem—and I’m not talking about his recovery form a Lisfranc injury he suffered last September. No, I’m talking about his prima donna ways.

At first, the wide receiver seemed to be playing mind games with the Jets organization; playing mind games with the team’s fans and the media, making them guess when he would return from his injury; even when it was clear that he was able to move around, make cuts and run on his foot. Now, two days after lining up for the Jets for the first time in nearly a year, he said he was frustrated for playing a limited amount of snaps.

"“I honestly didn’t focus on it but I kind of got frustrated with myself for coming out of the game a few times but that was because of the respect the coaches and trainers had talked about that I had to understand that they were going to play me accordingly”"

The receiver only played 44 snaps and had one reception for 13 yards in the Jets’ victory over the Bucs, but the receiver believed he could’ve played more. “It’s football season. It’s go time. It’s no point of holding anything back now but I have to respect the decision the trainers and the coaching staff have made,” said Holmes. He also said that he “survived” when asked how his foot felt after the game on Sunday.

What’s that about?

Dec. 11, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) and New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) celebrate after a touchdown is scored during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Are Holmes’ prima donna ways back? This same attitude is the reason why he was no longer wanted in Pittsburgh. This is the same attitude that got him kicked out of the offensive huddle in the Jets’ 2011 season finale against the Miami Dolphins; this is the same attitude that led him to talk trash about Mark Sanchez, saying that his starting quarterback was affected by the Tim Tebow acquisition, or more recently hinting that he might not play at all this season because of his injury.

Yes, the trade-off is the talent and explosiveness the receiver brings to the Jets, but this is the same receiver that fought one of his offensive lineman because of his bad attitude (read: Wayne Hunter).

Can the team rely on this receiver for one more year?

The Jets need Holmes this season, and they especially need him this Thursday against the New England Patriots, and the receiver knows that. Holmes is very well aware of the Jets’ current state at the wide receiver position, and knows he can have things his way—and, unfortunately, there’s a good possibility the receiver takes advantage of this—so will he complain if he gets more playing time on Thursday, or will he accept the bigger role?

Holmes “survived” his first game back. What if the Jets played him more snaps? Can he survive another with Thursday night’s game against the Patriots just a day away?