Steelers.com will be bringing you the Ask the Steelers feature throughout the summer. Fans submitted the questions that were asked. Please understand that we receive an incredible number of questions for each player, with many of the questions being similar, and not all of the questions can be answered. We selected as many as possible, and took your questions to the current subject to get your answers.

SANTONIO HOLMES – PART 1

Dave Martin from Hartville, OH: Welcome to the Steel City.  Which of the two characteristics is of greater value from you:  Your physical capabilities or your desire to be great and why? 
Santonio Holmes: Probably my physical characteristics are greatest to me for the simple fact that I am living for the moment and not the things that I can do later. I will let the fans be the judge of what type of person I am in the long run. The legacy that I will probably leave behind can be judged by the fans.

Rian Weber from Denver, CO: First off, welcome to the team, I think you're going to be a great addition.  If you could list your top goals for this upcoming season what would they be?

Santonio Holmes: My top goal for the upcoming season is to become a starter for the Steelers. I want to catch as many passes that Big Ben or Charlie (Batch) can throw to me throughout the year. I want to also be a part of the team, have my presence felt on the field and make as big an impact on the organization as possible.

Dale Kegley from Wichita KS: What is the biggest difference between the NFL level compared to the college level? 
Santonio Holmes: The speed of the game. The players and the mentality that they have are also different. The way the game is run is different. It is more of an organizational thing. You have to be challenged every day to be a part of the organization. When you are in college you can go with the flow. Things can change in college and you can be okay. 

Bobby Oler from Montgomery Village, MD: What is it about the Steelers makes them your favorite team? Is it their history, their coaches and players, their organization, etc? 

Santonio Holmes: The chemistry of the team and the way that Coach Cowher has brought the organization up and continues to do the things he has done over the years. Everyone loves him. It took him a while to win his first Super Bowl, but he had a shot early in his coaching career with the Steelers. With Mr. Rooney and everyone believing in Coach Cowher and keeping him around, that also drew me to the team. Plus the way the guys play week in and week out.

Jim Hinkle from Riverton, WY: What was the first thought that went through your head the instant that you heard that the Steelers had selected you in the draft? 

Santonio Holmes: I'm about to play for my favorite team is probably the first thing that ran through my mind. All of my worries and frustrations and my dreams have come true.

Michael Hollaran from Dover, DE: Was it an honor to have the team trade up in the first round to select you?

Santonio Holmes:  It's an honor to have any team to trade up to pick anybody and for the Steelers to choose me it's truly an honor to be a part of this organization. 

Thomas D. Potter from La Pine, OR: Are you going to be able to remain the kind of person that you are now with all the fame, and attention you are going to receive as a receiver for the Black & Gold?

Santonio Holmes: Just knowing that I am doing something I love to do, but I am not doing just to get ahead in life by playing football and receiving this attention. I am doing something I love to do and I won't take one day of playing in the NFL for granted. I am going to live every day like it's my last one.

Lance Matiste from Poland, OH: How do you think playing for Coach Tressel at Ohio State prepared you to play for Coach Cowher at the professional level?

Santonio Holmes: The way Coach Cowher keeps the team together and the chemistry he provides for the team and the love he has for the players is great. Everyone in the city loves him. You couldn't ask for anything more. People don't want him to leave no matter what happens with the team and the organization.

Steve Fall from Mantua, OH:  Does it put added pressure on you when you hear people consider you as the "replacement" of Antwaan Randle El?
Santonio Holmes: No, not at all. I don't want to be considered as a replacement. I want to be looked at as a guy they chose because they have a lot of faith that I am capable of doing some things that Antwaan Randle El did for this organization, but not as a replacement. Instead I want to be another stepping stone to help the team get back to where they were and that is Super Bowl champs.

From Mary Bennett from Sarasota, FL:  Is there any more pressure coming to a Super Bowl Champion with the expectations on the team so high?
Santonio Holmes: No, not at all. I think I got drafted because I was needed and my potential set me aside from other receivers.