"Less than 10 percent chance" Houshmandzadeh returns to Cincy

by JasonB on Feb 17, 2009 12:29 PM EST

After yesterday's news that the Bengals would not put the franchise tag on the WR, T.J. Houshmandzadeh talked about his plans with the Cincy Enquirer.

When asked about his chances of returning to the team and signing a new deal, Houshmandzadeh gave it less than a 10 percent chance. The Bengals had contacted his agent, Kennard McGuire, but there wasn’t any contract talk.

Houshmandzadeh also said that he hoped to have a deal done within the first 48 hours of free agency starting.

In other Bengals' WR news... TJ also thinks Chad Ocho Cinco could be on his way out.

“He doesn’t want to be there and if he doesn’t want to be there, let him go,” Houshmandzadeh said.

If the Bengals lose Housh and Ocho Cinco in the same offseason, the next guy wanting out might very well be Carson Palmer.

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I figured itd be around 1%. There was no chance. He would make way more in FA.

by andyb on Feb 17, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions

Agreed.

I’m worried that if the Birds don’t sign him, the Redskins or the Cowboys or the Giants will. Those are three teams in need of a playmaker and although the entire NFC East is deep in the WR department, the teams are always looking to improve.

I think Dallas will release T.O. in order to make room for a more team-orientated player like T.J. Should that happen, I think the Eagles will regret not getting T.J. before he becomes a Cowboy.

The Giants minus Plaxico will certainly try to snap up T.J. and the Redskins are always looking to add playmakers so you can bet that they will make an offer to T.J.

by cybourgeoisie on Feb 17, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

Let's think more deeply about this...

…okay, so when he leaves, what type of contract is he looking at? I’m not smart enough to figure this out (based on what other past FAs with similar production have gotten) so what do you guys think?

by ajay on Feb 17, 2009 2:19 PM EST reply actions

well generaly

older players go for long term contracts so they can ensure a job and a spot to settle their families down.

by NickPampani on Feb 17, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

Contract

Based on last year’s premiere free agent wide receiver, Bernard Berrian, Houshmandzadeh could be seeing somewhere in the neighborhood of four to five years at around $8 million per season with between $15-$20 in guaranteed money.

And I take exception to the fact that anyone is calling this guy a “playmaker” when for the past two seasons he’s had the worst yards per catch among starting wide receivers in the NFL. He’s a possession receiver, worse things could happen than seeing him fall into the hands of one of our rivals.

by Kulp on Feb 17, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

berrian and TJ are two completely different situation.

Berrian is young and is on the up trend while tj is 32 and his career has conciably peeked. TJ is more of a risk because of his age and daminishing performanc. i would expect 5 years 25-35 million. less incentive heavy. he doesnt need to prove as much as berrian but there is more of a chance berrian wouldn bring more to a team. i say 6 years 45 max.

by NickPampani on Feb 17, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

Berrian/Housh

I see what you’re saying, and I took that into consideration when I arrived at those figures, but you have to consider the fact that Houshmandzadeh is a proven commodity and recent Pro Bowler while Berrian is a one-trick pony who had one decent year before cashing in. The only thing the two really have in common is they were both considered the top of their class in free agency, and generally the prices increase from year to year.

Anyway, your higher end numbers aren’t far off from what I’m suggesting. 5/$35 is still $7 per season, and I can’t see him coming up short of that $15 guaranteed unless it’s a shorter deal.

by Kulp on Feb 17, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

Randy Moss

I’d look at that contract from last year as a good guide. The first 3 years of Housh’s contract will be near this.

In the end, common sense won out over dollars and cents. Randy Moss wanted to be with the Patriots and the Patriots wanted Randy Moss, so the sides agreed to extend their mutually-beneficial marriage yesterday, settling on a three-year, $27 million deal that included a $12 million signing bonus as part of a total of $15 million in guarantees.

He’ll get more years and a bigger sounding number, but I think it’ll be close to the Moss deal as far as the first three years(which is probably all he’ll get.)

Bleeding Green Nation - Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Feb 17, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

Why do people consistently put down the value of a goto, clutch, possession guy. TJ is a proven move the chains guy… why would we not want that on our team. That combined with the speed of Djax and Curtis and the up and coming play of Avant would be just nasty. We wouldnt need the big name WR we would have an outstanding cast of different players.

by IgglesFanDeployd on Feb 17, 2009 3:29 PM EST reply actions

As much as I'd like TJ

32 year old WRs aren’t a really good long term investment. I’d be more interested in Boldin simply for the age issue, but yeah, if the numbers work, TJ for a year sounds good to me, especially if they can get Pettigrew.

by JGCarraway on Feb 17, 2009 4:06 PM EST reply actions

Pettigrew is my sexy pick this year. i would love to get him lets use one of our first rounders to get him if we dont trade for boldin

by NickPampani on Feb 17, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

Cant wait til FA is over

so we can stop haering about how we should sign all these WRs

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Feb 17, 2009 5:34 PM EST reply actions

Caint Wait till FA starts

so we can actualy see what happens

by NickPampani on Feb 17, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

that too

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!

by Joe_D on Feb 17, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

it’s an extremely exciting time of the year

"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel

by foos05 on Feb 17, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

i dont care if we dont sign him as long as the giants, cowboys, or redskins dont pull the trigger. It may make sense to throw big money at him though. There are no other big name FA’s likely to be out there besides maybe peppers. Carolina is trying to resign gross before the TAG period is over and if they cant, they’ll probably use it on him. I dont see us grabbing peppers in that case either. And i agree with NickP, pettigrew would be awesome. He looks like a playmaker who can actually BLOCK! Pettigrew and wells in the first round would make me cream my pants. Neither would start but both would instantly contribute.

by andyb on Feb 17, 2009 8:52 PM EST reply actions

Peppers is out

Peppers only wants to play in a 3-4 defense…

by PoppiDamus on Feb 17, 2009 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

that is false he said he believes he can be more productive in a 3-4 he never said that is all he will play for.

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Feb 18, 2009 8:42 AM EST up reply actions

He's not coming here

His agent called playing in a 3-4 “a preference” which doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t play anywhere else but I find it very hard to believe he would be interested…

Why would you go spend top dollar on a player if they already have a preference to be in a different system?

by PoppiDamus on Feb 18, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions

There is speculation that he only said this to distance himself from the Panthers, I mean for a man who doesn’t like the 4-3 system he did have 14.5 sacks this year.

I think it’s because he is seeing OLBs like Ware, Harrison, and Porter put up insane sack numbers and he feels he is better and it’s the system.

There is also concern that he might not be able to handle all of the duties of an OLB in a 3-4 system. I mean at 6’7" 280 lbs he would have to be easily the largest OLB in the league. There is no question as to whether he can rush the passer but can he cover? the Panthers used him in coverage a little but not enough for a simpleton like me to be able to evaluate.

Personally I think he will cost to much to add anyway but to say he will only play for a 3-4 is wrong. He will play for whatever team offers him the most money … you can take that to the bank.

"I need to do a better job of putting players in the right position to perennially come up short of expectations"

by Whodie126 on Feb 18, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

Seriously besides TJ, Peppers, Gross who else is hitting the market that the Eagles would go after? Suggs, Lewis, and Scott are free but we know the front office believes in the “young LB core” and with Jordaan stepping up last year I think that is even more so now. There are some veteran CBs out there as well but does anyone think thats a position that we need to upgrade? Samuel, Brown, and hopefully resign Hanson and ill be happy with that core group. Besides that the biggest FA out there in my opinion is Dawkins. If we resign him everything else would be bonus. The hype on TJ is just because he is the only skill position FA there that makes any sense on our team. Duece McAllister and Fred Taylor?? No thanks. WR is always the sexy pick in Philly but this especially so because oh the other players out there. Do I think we NEED TJ? No, I have alot of faith in Jackson, Curtis, and Avant. But I would not be mad if we got him. Like another person said earlier… as long as he doesnt goto the skins, giants, or cowboys and burn us twice a year than I could really care less but he still is a good player.

by IgglesFanDeployd on Feb 17, 2009 11:59 PM EST reply actions