Apparently, the Pittsburgh Steelers were starting to lose a little face, so they figured it was time to draw the line — and wide receiver Santonio Holmes crossed it.

Holmes, the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII who had perhaps the greatest catch in postseason history, was traded to the New York Jets for a fifth-round draft choice Sunday.

Holmes has been in the league for only four seasons and was coming off his best year, but it seems the Steelers grew weary of his off-the-field problems.

While it was bad enough he is involved in a situation in which a woman alleges he hit her in the face with a drinking glass, the Steelers learned the NFL was going to suspend Holmes for the first four games of the 2010 season for violating the substance abuse policy.

Ouch.

It's been reported that another man stepped forward to say he threw the glass, but apparently the Steelers didn't want to deal with Holmes anymore. If you're a distraction for the Steelers, you're gone — unless you're a $100 million quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger.

On Monday, the quarterback learned that the district attorney in Milledgeville, Ga., decided he did not have enough evidence to pursue a case against the Roethlisberger.

The quarterback avoided what could have been a serious career-killer. Despite helping to win two Super Bowls, the only reason the Steelers haven't washed their hands of him is that he has never been charged.

Roethlisberger could be fined or suspended by the league for his conduct if they chose. The Steelers could do the same to send a clear message.

The Pittsburgh organization has shown throughout time they won't stand for shenanigans. With brushes with the law by Cedric Wilson, James Harrison and Jeff Reed over the past two seasons, the Steelers' image has taken a hit, and don't think other teams aren't enjoying it.

When the Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl, the national media kept holding the team to a higher standards than the rest of the league as the organization othershould strive to be.come

Well, I'm sure a few owners, general managers and coaches are pleased while fan bases throughout the country revel in the Steelers' recent woes.

The Steelers have built a product that is well received and a good example of how to run a company, plain and simple.

That's why the Steelers sent a message with Holmes: "We'll be all right without you. Good luck at your new place of employment. New York is a great spot to step out of line."

Now, if a egotistical quarterback is looking to get out of line again, maybe a change of scenery will do some good.

I hear St. Louis and Detroit are lovely this time of year.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.