Santonio Holmes is OUT of the AFC North

Baltimore Ravens fans must be rejoicing today with the news that former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes has been traded to the New York Jets for a 5th round draft pick in the 2010 draft. Holmes has been suspended for the first four games of 2010 for violating the league's substance abuse policy

Holmes, the former Super Bowl MVP, has had multiple off-field incidents since being drafted by the Steelers in the first round of the 2006 draft, and the Steeler brass has had enough. The team is already dealing with the embarrassing off-field problems that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is having, and one of them had to go. Unfortunately for Holmes, he doesn't make as much as the star quarterback.

Holmes has been a thorn in the Ravens side for the past few seasons. He has scored touchdowns in seven of the eight games he has played against them including a 65 yard touchdown in the 2008 AFC Championship game. It's easy to say that Holmes has given the Ravens secondary their biggest problems over the last four seasons.

The Steelers will now go into the season with Antwan Randle El, Hines Ward, Arnaz Battle, and most likely a wide receiver from this year's draft. However, without Holmes running routes, the Steelers do not scare the Ravens as they had the last few seasons. Holmes is quick, fast, and makes big catches at crucial times. The Steelers will certainly miss him on the field.

The Ravens will not.