New York Jets Acquire WR Santonio Holmes: Bold Move or Business as Usual?

Saturday night the New York Jets' front office made one of the boldest moves of the NFL off-season.

Not only did the powers that be trade a fifth-round draft pick in a steal of a deal to Pittsburgh for wide receiver Santonio Holmes, but they also adopted one of the recent Pittsburgh "problem children."

Holmes may be best known for his Super Bowl XLIII performance, but not lately.

In the 27-23 victory over Larry Fitzgerald, Kurt Warner and the rest of underdog Arizona Cardinals, Holmes caught one of the most memorable passes in the history of Super Sunday.

He tip-toed along the back of the endzone late in the fourth quarter and caught the game-winner from Big Ben Roethlisberger.

That was then, and this is now—or so the saying goes.

Nowadays, Holmes has been (in)famous for his off-field antics.

Holmes is no stranger when it comes to disagreements with Johnny Law. His most recent legal troubles stem from an allegation that he threw a cup at a woman's face, cutting her above the brow, in an Orlando nightclub.

Although a statement from a witness claimed that Holmes was not the perpetrator, the woman still pursued charges.

Fortunately for Holmes, this recent finger-pointing has been brushed under the rug and deemed as just another case of extortion.

However, Holmes hasn't been as lucky in the past.

In 2006, the former Ohio State star was arrested twice in a span of less than a month. Holmes was picked up on charges of assault and domestic abuse. To put it lightly, the guy has had his fair share of legal woes.

Are the Jets gambling by taking the troubled five-year veteran? Or does Rex Ryan and company see beyond his indiscretions and see one of the most dynamic wide outs in the NFL?

Holmes came off his best year statistically in 2009. He racked up over 1,200 yards receiving on 79 catches, and had five touchdowns. The former Buckeye standout averaged over 15 yards per catch and ranked amongst the NFL's elite at his position.

In an era where bad behavior seems to be the norm or at least publicized to the nth degree, what are Jets fans supposed to think?

Not only is Holmes going to their organization with a spotty past, but he's bringing his four-game suspension with him.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell advised him that he would be sitting out for one-fourth of the 2010 season due to his recent violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

One's mode of operation seldom changes, but it can be modified. Holmes is known as one of the hardest working wide receivers in the league.

If he is able to control his erratic behavior, he could be the missing piece to a New York Jets Super Bowl run.