Don't Get Too Excited Over Santonio

Well, not only is fantasy football long over, but, sadly, now too is the NFL season. However, that sure doesn't mean us diehards have nothing left to do but wait for next season. Nope, now more than ever, it's time to fine-tune those skills that got you a fantasy football trophy, or brought you darn near close to one. Yes, let your opponents settle into comfort, while you do your homework all offseason.

A bit drastic? Quite possibly, but during the slow stretch (a.k.a. the waiting game) we'll be here to give you little tidbits to take to heart and make note of for next season. The first order of business is evaluating the players who "elevated" their games in the NFL playoffs. Year in and year out, there are always guys who breakout in a way you could dream of, had it been the regular "fantasy" football season.

However, every single year we also get overly excited about certain guys and allow ourselves to put too much faith in a hot stretch. See: Eli Manning. Of course, there is always that one player who was already a stud, but became otherworldly during the postseason. See: Larry Fitzgerald. For me, this year's "it" guy that will be gawked at too much next preseason is none other than Santonio Holmes.

Let me explain.

I'm hardly saying Holmes is going to be a bust next year. What I'm saying is to keep things in perspective. Holmes was on everybody's breakout radar this past season. Um, it never really happened. Sure, he busted out in a big, big way when the Steelers needed him most. And there's no reason to think he won't have more games like that next season.

My advice is simply to play it safe with Holmes. And that means do NOT draft him too early thinking you've got a fantasy stud on your hands. I think Holmes will certainly hold significant fantasy value, but he will not be in the upper echelon of stud receivers. He may very well never reach that plateau.

If you take into account the way the Steelers offense is designed, they simply aren't a team that will ever rely too heavily on one guy in the passing game. Plus, I fully expect the Steelers to revamp that offensive line this offseason and look to get Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker more involved. No, the Steelers aren't ever going to abandon the grind-it-out game completely.

Holmes may very well pass Hines Ward as Big Ben's number one option, but he just ain't in the same breath as the upper-tier receivers. He'd be an ideal fit as a WR2, which usually means that would land him in the fourth or fifth round. Your call, your gamble ... just don't let one game persuade your ultimate decision. Let somebody else grab him as their No. 1 WR and be disappointed.

Super Bowl XLIII Top Images

With 35 seconds left to play in the fourth quarter, Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes hauled in the defining catch of the Super Bowl. Holmes, who once sold drugs on a street corner in south Florida, led Pittsburgh to its record sixth Super Bowl title with a win over the Cardinals. Click through to see more great images from Super Bowl XLIII.

Matt Cashore, US Presswire

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the field prior to the start of the NFL's Super Bowl XLIII football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals in Tampa, Florida, February 1, 2009.

Steve Nesius, Reuters

LaMarr Woodley #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after he sacked quarterback Kurt Warner #13 of the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Chris McGrath, Getty Images

Arizona Cardinals tight end Ben Patrick, right, catches a touchdown pass against Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Larry Foote during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla.

Chris O'Meara, AP

Anquan Boldin #81 of the Arizona Cardinals gets upended against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Chris Graythen, Getty Images

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes (10) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals safety Aaron Francisco (47) during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla.

Mark Humphrey, AP

Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James (32) tries to break a tackle by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Tyrone Carter during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla.

Charlie Riedel, AP

James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs back an interception for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Al Bello, Getty Images

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison (92) and his teammate Ryan Clark celebrate Harrison's 100-yard touchdown interception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, in Tampa, Fla.

Charlie Riedel, AP

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rolls out of the pocket against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Jamie Squire, Getty Images