Houshmandzadeh playing his final season as a Bengal?

by Josh Kirkendall on Jul 11, 2008 6:32 PM EDT in Analysis

Hashmark's James Walker agrees with Dave (Stripe Hype) and I -- T.J. Houshmandzadeh will probably leave Cincinnati after the season. It's not that any of us think he should; personally, I think he's the best receiver when this team needs a first down, or red zone touchdown. Chad puts up the numbers, but Houshmandzadeh puts this team in a position to win.

Walker says that the Bengals are cheap and that T.J. will price "himself out of Cincinnati with last year's phenomenal season." While I think the former is true, it's the latter scenario that likely plays out.

Houshmandzadeh has come off successive career seasons, climbing his receptions, yards receiving, first-down receptions and touchdowns each of the past two seasons. If the Bengals and Houshmandzadeh actually come to terms for an extension, I'll be surprised, but far from upset.

However, we strongly believe that the Bengals have Stacy Andrews targeted for the team's next contract extension while Willie Anderson is close to, what we suspect, is retirement.

Also playing on their final season under contract is John Thornton, Deltha O'Neal, Shayne Graham, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Michael Myers, Jim Maxwell, Nate Lawrie, Eric Ghiaciuc, Blue Adams, Rashad Jeanty (will only be a restricted free agent), Corey Mays, Herana-Daze Jones and John Busing.

Something to consider also is those that will playing in their final season of their contract after 2009: which is every running back except Kenny Irons. Also included are both starting guards, Andrew Whitworth and Bobbie Williams. The team is actively looking to extend Whitworth and Andrews.

Poll

Do you think that T.J. Houshmandzadeh should get a contract extension?

Yes

201 votes

No

47 votes

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Comments

Tough Call

I love TJ, he’s by far my favorite Bengal. Never seems to take a play off, and like you mentioned, makes the plays that put the team in the position to win. Unfortunately, I don’t believe he’s a 1. He thrives because Chad is able to stretch the field and take pressure off of him. Teams are so afraid of Chad getting behind them for a long score, that TJ runs wild underneath. And with another year even remotely like last, TJ is going to command 1 money.

That said, the best case scenario, in my opinion, is that Caldwell, who by all accounts has terrific speed, shows that he can play the Chad role next year. Trade Chad, pay TJ, and have Caldwell as a low priced 1 while TJ plays out his final contract for the Bengals. Yeah, you end up paying TJ “1” money to continue to be a 2, but the team can’t afford both Chad and TJ, and if Caldwell can be a serviceable lead wideout, I’d rather have TJ than Chad for the next five years. Caldwell doesn’t have to be a Pro-Bowler, he just needs to stretch the field. You end up with better locker room chemistry, and potentially a winning combination at wide receiver that the team can actually afford.

by Galaxy CDS on Jul 12, 2008 10:21 AM EDT reply actions