New York Jets’ owner wants Santonio Holmes, believes he can coexist with Sanchez – NFL News Update
New York Jets’ owner, Woody Johnson said that Santonio Holmes will be coming back to the team this year, calling him one of the “best players” Jets ever had.
The owner preferred to downplay the rift between the quarterback, Mark Sanchez, and Holmes, while talking to the team’s writers in the first major interview after the team was eliminated from the playoffs, following an 8-8 ending.
The owner felt that both Sanchez and Holmes could coexist, though he admitted that the difference between the two was a source of concern at the moment, but felt that it could be removed.
"Absolutely I'm concerned, but I'm confident that it can be [removed]," he said.
Johnson noted that both Sanchez and Holmes had won many games and while Holmes helped the quarterback at getting better, so was the case with Sanchez who would support Holmes in the games.
"I have a high degree of confidence knowing Santonio. I know him pretty well and Mark and the team will get back on the right page. I really believe that." Johnson said.
News of a standoff between the two had appeared on the media towards the end of the season and Holmes was even benched in the season’s finale game for having had a verbal brawl with teammates.
However, the Jets’ running back, LaDainian Tomlinson had pointed out that the rift inside the locker room was going on since week three or four and had termed the difference between Holmes and Sanchez to be a serious one.
Tomlinson had then blamed the coach Rex Ryan and the general manger for creating such a situation.
However, Tomlinson’s contract with the Jets is over and apart from him contemplating a retirement, he also seems intent on joining another team. Tomlinson had already stated his desire to be in a winning team and that could possibly
have him opt for the San Diego Chargers, his former team.
So with his future with the Jets uncertain, it could be possible that his say in this matter would not be of much a concern.
Earlier, though backup quarterback Greg McElroy had referred to the presence of “selfish” people in the locker room which he said had a “corrupt mindset”.
Ryan had admitted that there were problems out there and said that he would be around the team more in the future to avoid such happenings.
Johnson played cool on the tension that existed in the locker room saying he had heard what Tomlinson had to say about it but pointed out that there would be “arguments” and “altercations” when there are 53 individuals out there
"I didn't feel a toxicity in the locker room. Would you love to have total harmony? Maybe. But maybe it's good to have a little bit of disharmony also." Johnson said.
Johnson knows that a big amount has been invested in both the players, so he would surely not like to lose any of them.
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