Steelers sign Holmes

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- First-round draft pick Santonio Holmes reached terms Friday on a five-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a deal that apparently does not include added contract language protecting them against additional off-field problems.
By reaching terms with Holmes minutes before coach Bill Cowher held his first full-squad meeting of camp, the Steelers locked up their last remaining unsigned player. Earlier in the day, they signed third-round pick Willie Reid, the former Florida State receiver.
Holmes, a former Ohio State wide receiver, has been arrested twice since being the No. 25 pick in the April draft. He faces an Aug. 15 trial on an assault charge involving a woman in Columbus, Ohio, who is the mother of one of his three children. He also pleaded innocent to disorderly conduct charges brought Memorial Day weekend in Miami.
Team is protected
Despite Holmes' off-field problems, which clearly agitated Cowher and cast doubt on whether Holmes has the maturity and focus to be a productive NFL player, Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said the team is protected enough by the standard player's contract.
Holmes is aware that he faces sanctions by the NFL, including a possible suspension, should any more incidents occur, Colbert said.
"Our opinion of him hasn't changed," Colbert said. "We still feel good about the kid, and he has done all the right things since the incidents. He set himself back with a couple of incidents.
"Now, it's up to him to take the next step. We're comfortable he will take all of the necessary corrective steps on and off the field."
Ward's views
Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward said he worked out with Holmes all week in Pittsburgh before camp and doesn't believe the Steelers drafted a troubled player.
"I don't make much out of it. It doesn't bother me," Ward said of Holmes' two arrests. "He's here now, and we can't worry about what he did, only [about] his growth and maturity once he's around all the veteran guys who know what it takes. He's eager to learn and he's always asking questions."
The Steelers have talked frequently about Holmes' legal problems, Colbert said, and were pushing to get him into camp on time as a result.
"Whenever there is negative attention, however you get it, you always want to see something positive," Colbert said. "We wanted to make sure Santonio was here on time. He wants to be good, and he will have his opportunity here. It was important for him to be here, to not get off on the wrong foot."
Holmes has some catching up to do when the Steelers begin camp today with their annual running tests.
He missed all of the post-draft coaching sessions, except for a three-day minicamp, because of an NFL-NCAA agreement that bars players from practicing with their new NFL teams until their college classes have graduated. Ohio State's class did not graduate until mid-June.
Biggest challenge
Asked what Holmes' biggest challenge will be in camp, Ward said, "Learning the plays. The coaches aren't going to put him in if he's not ready."
Holmes is expected to compete with Reid and veteran Cedrick Wilson to replace former starter Antwaan Randle El, who signed with the Redskins as a free agent.
"When you take a player in the first round, expectations are higher," Colbert said. "He's no different than anybody else."
The 5-foot-11, 189-pound Holmes was the first receiver drafted on the first round, after the Steelers traded up seven spots with the Giants to get him. Holmes made 140 catches for 2,295 yards, a 16.4 average and 25 touchdowns in three seasons at Ohio State.
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