A bittersweet day for fans of the Black and Gold

On the same day that it is announced that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will not be charged with sexual assault in Georgia, the Steelers have traded their speedy deep threat wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

It was announced yesterday that Holmes will be suspended for the first four games of the season for violation of the National Football League's substance abuse policy. This means he has either failed or missed a test before.

In 2008 he was stopped for a traffic violation and the police smelled the odor of burnt marijuana in his automobile and he showed them the rolled up marijuana filled blunts he had with him. He had a talk with head coach Mike Tomlin and Steelers owner Dan Rooney, and was suspended for the game against the New York Giants.

This latest drug related problem has violated the trust of Mike Tomlin and the ownership of the Steelers. The Steelers don't deal with drug users and/or sellers. He was given a chance to clean his act up, and he failed. So they shipped him off to the New York Jets for a fifth round pick.

That may not seem like much for one of the better receivers in the NFL, who was a first round draft pick, and is a Super Bowl MVP. But the Steelers weren't going to get much for a receiver who is going to be suspended for the first fourth of the season and is one more slip-up with the substance abuse policy for a very lengthy suspension.....and also only has one more season left on his current contract.

It has been rumored that the Steelers were going to let him walk after this season anyhow. Doing that, they'd get nothing in return. They instead took this opportunity to get at least something for Holmes.

Another thing is that some people may look at this as a double standard that the Steelers are setting. Twice in one year the Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (who is white) has been accused on sexual assault. He has not been suspended and they are not going to cut him or trade him. Holmes has been in legal hot water multiple times since being drafted by the Steelers, and now he is being traded.

The Holmes trade has nothing to do with past legal troubles but instead with his drug problem(s). He violated the trust of the team by failing (or failed to show up for) the drug test.

Roethlisberger still has to deal with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell this week and may face a suspension from him. Art Rooney might suspended him or fine him. He could be forced into counseling by the NFL or the Steelers. With alcohol being involved with this latest incident, he could be put into the NFL's substance abuse program.

Ben Roethlisberger also is dealing with a civil suit in Nevada, being accused of sexual assault, but he does not face criminal charges in Nevada.

Luckily the Steelers still have Hines Ward (the toughest wide receiver in the NFL). Mike Wallace, last year's rookie sensation who will replace Holmes' ability to stretch the field with his speed. Pro Bowl tight end Heath Miller is one of the best pass catching tight ends in the league. There is also former second round pick Limas Sweed. He has been labeled a bust and if not for the Holmes trade would have possibly been cut in training camp. This is his chance to show that he can play in the NFL.

So there is some depth at wide receiver, the Steelers don't have to spend a first round pick on the position. But this does mean they will have to find a receiver in the draft, possibly in the second round.