Is T.J. Houshmandzadeh Sour?

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 28, 2008 1:29 PM EDT in Analysis

Did anyone get the sense that T.J. Houshmandzadeh is also sour about the team drafting three wide receivers?

"Those two guys have made the team; that's no debate," Houshmandzadeh said. "Everyone else is fighting for a job. Me and Chad (Johnson)—if he's there—included. They drafted those guys high and they expect them to play."

Perhaps he's being diplomatic about leaving Cincinnati after this contract season.

"Maybe if there were talks, I would. But I'm not worried about it. I'm not thinking about it. I've got one year left. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't."

"The competition will be good. Simpson and Caldwell have made the team and it's going to come down to three or four others."

Nice. T.J. is including himself of those three or four that will be fighting for job at wide receiver.

Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski doesn't think there's a message sent to T.J. as Houshmandzadeh might interpret.

"We went from a very strong and deep group to a group that we were able to replenish with these guys," offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. "I don't think it's necessarily a message to T.J. [Houshmandzadeh] or any of these guys. We needed depth at that position."

Alright, so maybe it's nothing.

Poll

Is T.J. being a little sour?

Oh yea.

49 votes

Nah, not really

76 votes

125 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

TJ

We have to be pretty worried about re-signing TJ with all of the ridiculous WR contracts out there. You had mentioned franchising him in the past, which I think is a definite possibility. What stinks is that if we trade Chad, it makes it more difficult to sign TJ to an extension.

I wonder if TJ even wants an extension with all of the Chad B.S. he’s been dealing with. He seems content to perform in his last year of a contract and hit free agency.

I’m really not concerned about his absence because he did it last year and showed up in fine shape.

by mp45242 on Apr 28, 2008 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

RE: On the other hand

Do you think there stands a good chance that the team might not because to avoid a large contract, and he’s getting up there in age? Just wondering…

Blogger at CincyJungle.com

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 28, 2008 4:16 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think we can guarantee TJ

TJ is often consided the “good cop” with Chad the “bad cop”-which is a false dichotomy. Chad is more publicly vocal, but I have the impression that TJ is also a “problem.” I agree with above that TJ is in a really good position to demand a ridiculous amount of money-and he knows it. Unless the Bengals franchise him, I think he’s gone after next year.

by goffchile on Apr 28, 2008 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

It could depend

on TJ’s production this coming year. And that will depend on whether Chad is playing or not- playing here, I mean. If- and one can hope, Chad gets dealt after June 1st(or sits or otherwise is absent), TJ ends up #1 receiver and, personally, I don’t think he has the breakaway speed to excel at that spot. He, more than anyone, benefited from the opposition keying on Chad. As a 1, he’ll get the doubling up, the jams at the line, and the attention. Those gaudy numbers of this past season will pale in the subsequent, “what have you done for me lately?” negotiations. TJ needs, I mean, really needs the Butch Cassidy to his Sundance Kid.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 28, 2008 4:40 PM EDT reply actions