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Home > Blogs > Big C's NFL Blitz > Archives > 2009 > February > 12 > Entry
Bengals should pay Houshmandzadeh
I don’t quite understand why the Cincinnati Bengals are so hesitant to sign wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh to a lucrative contract.
Houshmandzadeh has proven to be one of the Bengals’ lone bright spots — on and off the field. You would think that an organization notorious for making bonehead decisions would see this as a no-brainer in keeping a positive productive player around.
Houshmandzadeh has been a role model for the franchise and I feel he has earned the right to receive a new deal based on performance alone. I find it funny that other NFL teams think more of Houshmandzadeh and his ability than the Bengals. If he hits the open market when free agency begins, trust me, he won’t be out there long.
Look at it this way: Had Houshmandzadeh been a first- or second-round pick, this matter wouldn’t be a discussion because a deal would get done. The Bengals essentially received first-round talent in the seventh round and the player should be rewarded as such. The player agrees.
“I guarantee you if I were a first, second or third-round draft pick I would have a deal already,” Houshmandzadeh said during a 20-minute conversation Tuesday night. “I would’ve had a deal just before the season or right when the season got under way, but it’s that stigma and it stays with you. Instead of them saying we made a mistake in where he got drafted, they’ll always say he overachieved. No, I’m not overachieving. You guys just don’t know what you’re doing when you evaluate.”
Houshmandzadeh makes a very good point in terms of the team’s evaluating practice. The team has a long list of draft day blunders.
Now, I’m not suggesting that the team overpay for the player, but I do believe that the two sides could come to some sort of happy medium. I say: Pay the player what he’s worth and begin addressing bigger issues. Without looking at the numbers I say the contract bidding starts at 4-years $30 million with a hefty signing bonus for the likes of Houshmandzadeh.
Bottom line is Houshmandzadeh should retire a Bengal.
If the organization thinks that the team’s offense would be better without Houshmandzadeh then they’re kidding themselves. If memory serves me correctly, I believe the Bengals finished the 2008 season dead last in offense with T.J. maintaining his consistency.
Although the receiver will be turning 32 this year, he’s showing no signs of slowing down and could still be a force on offense. Houshmandzadeh has caught more than 90 passes in each of the past three seasons, including 92 last season. He’s averaged 1,042 yards over the past three years and totaled 25 touchdowns.
There are some teams and players in the league who believe that 32-years-old is not old for a receiver. Just ask New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss who turns 32 February 13. Happy Birthday, Randy!
Bengals fans could be looking at another case where the team develops a player and lets him walk, only to prosper elsewhere. A perfect example is wide receiver Kevin Walter, who is now putting up some respectable numbers for the Houston Texans.
Lastly, if the Bengals are considering the franchise tag for Houshmandzadeh, why not just pay him?
Teams have until Feb. 19 to use the tag.
Hear more of my interview with T.J….
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Comments
By JB
February 13, 2009 5:07 AM | Link to this
Yes, sign TJ-the most consistent receiver the Bengals have had the past 5 years. One of the given reasons for releasing Willie Anderson and others at the begining of the past season was to free-up money to sign key players this next season. It is tiring to see players released and then go on to start for other teams better than the Bungles.
By joe
February 13, 2009 6:58 AM | Link to this
Houshmandzadeh is an average receiver. The Bengals media has made him a star. And 1000 yards receiving for sixteen games is not all that good.
By Greg
February 13, 2009 7:16 AM | Link to this
Average? Joe - put down the pipe. The media hardly notices TJ with knuckle head Chad’s antics. I think they need to get rid of Chad and keep TJ.
By VietVet
February 13, 2009 7:16 AM | Link to this
Naw- let the Housher go. He doesn’t want to play for this loser. Let him enjoy his football career with a competitive team. No one should be subjected to the disease we call the Brown Plague for any length of time. It could be fatal. Trade him and give him some hope for success. That would apply to anyone with any football skills.
By Tim
February 13, 2009 7:53 AM | Link to this
Wow! I am really glad to see that the Dayton Daily News is on top of the Houshmandzadeh situation in Cincinnati. I was really getting tired of going to the Cincinnati Enquirer to read what those schmucks had to say about the Bengals. I love my hometown paper! Message to Mike Brown: Pay T.J. the money he deserves for sticking with such a crappy organization. The Bengals are known for doing bad business so it wouldn’t surprise me if T.J. was out of there. At lease he’d be free from the Bengals’ drama.
By Ben
February 13, 2009 8:33 AM | Link to this
T.J. is one of the most consistent WR in the NFL. I am not saying he is a superstar, but when it is 3rd and 10 you can count on him to make the catch. He doesnt have blazing speed but he is always in the right place ready to make the play we need. Keep T.J. and do not say anything about the Bengals not being a competitive team. If you asked anyone in 2007 if the Cardinals would be in the Superbowl they would have laughed and said yeah right. Anything can happen and if we are going to go anytime soon, we need to have T.J.
By Yardbird
February 13, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this
A commentator from 1410 said last night that TJ was not a #1 receiver type because he was a perceived threat. Therefore he should not be franchised tagged. While I guess the Bengals #1 receiver is Chad Johnson who will only try to catch a football going out of bounds or in the end zone. I guess Heinz Ward is not the Steelers #1 Receiver either.
By Yardbird
February 13, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this
Not a Perceived Threat; Sorry guys
By BYE BYE
February 13, 2009 9:20 AM | Link to this
bYE bYE Get any and every lineman you can on both sides of the ball and everything else falls into place. Plus TJ is turning into a baby anyway.
By Jim
February 13, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this
I still scratch my head and say “Why would any player want to play for the Cincinnati Bengals ownership”? The coaching staff will be puppets of ownership. The players are merely pawns and will not end their careers without the regret of wasted years of regret. I am sad to say as a fan, I am tired of regretting my years of hoping for an ownership who cares about anyone other than themselves. TJ, you deserve the best. Go out and get the best offer. You have given your best and are getting slapped in the face with this sad organization.
By Sammy
February 13, 2009 10:06 AM | Link to this
Jim, I couldn’t agree with you more. The Bengals organization is horrible and they are trying to shortchange the one player that gave his all despite the poor season. No matter how you slice it, the Bengals just flat out SUCK! I would love to see T.J. in Cleveland with Braylon Edwards and K2.
By Sammyisatool
February 13, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this
He’d fit great with those crybabies Braylon and K2 since neither of them want to be in Cle., so all 3 can whine all season. And TJ did give everything all season especially in the minicamp he missed and the last game of the season he sat out so he didn’t get injured. Bye TJ.
By Mike M.
February 13, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
TJ where were you the first 2yrs you were with the Bengals where is your loyality now! How many volintary mini camps have you came to? You are not worth $10,000,000 and I see how self centered you really are.
By Drew
February 13, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this
Look TJ. Did give the Bengals good years, and He did not go to voluntary minicamps. These are things of the past. Bottom line is he has not said i want to be in Cincy, and like him or not you can’t blame him. The last three or four years have been a waste. Anytime you have the offense the Bengals had, with a defense that just needed up graded 3 years ago and you fail to do what it takes to complete the necessities need than it is a failure by the coaching staff, draft scouts, and most of all ownership. The bottom line is the Bengals had a team 4 years ago that was close to being a contender, bad drafts and no accountability for those who screwed up is not going to get it done. Things are only going to get worse, Palmer is not getting younger, and soon the offense will be as miserable as the defense. Hate to say it, but things don’t look good for the bengals, bar some drastic changes.
By theshawn
February 13, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this
Let him go, he’s done his time in the bungal prison. He deserves better. I say let him go and maybe Jerry Jones will sign him after letting TO go. cha ching!
By O
February 13, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this
I’m laughing at the fact that all some of these “fans” have to gripe about are the VOLUNTARY minicamps he missed. Show me how that screwed up his or the Bengals season and I’ll buy it. Other than that … he needs to get some kind of reward for his performance with the organization. Go ahead and let him walk if you will, Bungles, he’ll make you look really dumb when he lands with the Eagles (or even a salary cap strapped contender like the Ravens, Steelers, or even the Colts).
By Jon Martin
February 13, 2009 1:25 PM | Link to this
Even when the Bengals do have a little cash to spend they squander it on mediocre players like Antwan Odom. Give me a freakin’ break! Yeah, the Tennessee Titans really missed his productivity this year. So do you really think they would spend it on a great player like T.J.? Heck, no! It would be too easy. T.J., just pray that you get the hell out of the city that loves to hate! You truly deserve much better. However, I do want you out of the AFC North division. Unfortunately, I’m a diehard fan of the pathetic Cincinnati Bengals peewee football team.
By rene
February 13, 2009 1:36 PM | Link to this
I like TJ,and he’s one of the few bright spots on the Bungles roster.That being said, they should let him go so that he can play for a team that is really an nfl organization from the top right down to the waterboy.
By WITTY
February 13, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
HE IS SELFISH LIKE 85, BUT NOT AS HONEST ABOUT IT. THE MAIN REASON THEY WILL TAG HIM IS THE EXTRA PICKS YOU GET WHEN THEY DONT MATCH.\ LAST YEAR HE AND 85 LAZIED AROUND AND FAINED INJURYS ALL FOUR PRESEASON GAMES , THE RESULT = THEY HAD NO TIMING AT ALL AND GOT PALMER KILLLED. THEY BOTH HAD BALLS HITTING THEM IN THE NUMBERS AND ALLIGATOR ARMING OTHERS, AS WELL AS MAKING THE WRONG READS AND RUNNING THE WRONG DOUBLE MOVES ALL FROM THINKING THEY ARE SO DAMN GOOD THEY DONT HAVE TO PRACTICE.
By Jon Martin
February 13, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this
One more thing before I go. What is up with the guys on the Dayton Daily News sports page? I was just looking at some of the mug shots, and I do mean mug shots, of these guys and boy do some of them have faces that only a mother could love. On top of that you have a guy they call Chick, Big C and some Boss Hog lookin’ dude, Sean McClellan, who instead of Dawging the Browns looks like he just ate the damn Browns. You should see how big the joker’s melon is. Guys, get some new photos. Is Glamour Shots still in business?
By Thomas B
February 13, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this
I think TJ should leave if they dont want to pay him. He has been the most underappreciated receiver the Bengals have. Would love to see him in a Steeler uniform at least he would get a chance to win a SuperBowl since the Bengals have no respect for their players especially key ones. Just ask Rudy!!!!
By Tomisalsoatool
February 13, 2009 4:48 PM | Link to this
Let me ask Rudi since he did so well for those 0-16 lions and was quickly replaced by the rookie RB they drafted. Rudi was the most overrated RB in the NFL.
By Cooper
February 14, 2009 5:37 AM | Link to this
Let’s see give TJ what he’s worth…Ok he’s a good possession receiver, will be 32 (comparing him to Randy Moss is crazy) when the season starts, team leader, has a huge ego and doesn’t participate in off season camps with the team..and he will cost $9.88 million if franchised but wants $9 million per year in order to sign contract. I don’t think so.. I would rather let another team have him. I like TJ but the Bengals have far too many needs than to tie up alot of money up in the receivers. Many of the good QB’s around the league do not have great or even good receivers. Look at Brady, he’s won Super Bowls (before Moss) with less talent at receiver and when those receivers left or tried to leave what happen. I agree with someone else, who was TJ before Palmer? and if the Bengals are so bad at evaluating the draft why did they draft TJ in the first place? What about the 31 other teams, where were they when TJ was such a talent to be drafted in the 1st or 2nd?? Can you name the Saints receivers? how many of them were 1st tier free agents or 1st round picks (ok, Meachem, but he hasn’t play much)? Brees was a few yards short of the passing record and lead the league in the previous year with TD passes and they too didn’t have a running game. You have to think logic in this situation and not with hearts…with Palmer back, I think Caldwell will make you say Twho..
By MANVAN32
February 18, 2009 7:01 AM | Link to this
bengals make me laugh