T.J. Houshmandzadeh: WR, Cincinnati Bengals

[Kilroy 0]

Like Chad Johnson, Houshmandzadeh was a 2001 draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals out of Oregon State. Unlike Johnson however, who blossomed in the NFL in just his second season by recording more than 1100 yards receiving, Houshmandzadeh didn't have much impact with the Bengals until his fourth year in the league.

 

During that 2004 season, the former seventh round pick would start 13 games, finishing with 73 receptions for 978 yards and 4 touchdowns playing opposite Chad Johnson. He followed it with a similar outing in 2005 when he caught 78 passes for 956 yards and 7 scores. He has only gotten better since.

 

In 2006 Houshmandzadeh cracked the 1000-yard mark for the first time in his career with 1081 yards receiving. He also hauled in 9 touchdown passes from Carson Palmer among his 90 receptions. Last season he surpassed all those marks when he caught 112 passes for 1143 yards and 12 touchdowns.

 

Having increased his receptions, yardage (except for '05), and touchdown totals in each of the last 4 seasons, does Houshmanzadeh have it in him to do so again? Will his numbers even out to what he has averaged the last two years? Or does he have a significant drop-off in production following the career highs he set across the board for himself in 2007?

[CornKobb 48]

i believe he is in a contract year?

[shovelheadt 62]

He'll never match last years total in my opinion. The running game will be much better this year due to lack of injuries. They'll also have a viable 3rd WR with one of the two rookies (Simpson or Caldwell). They've also signed Ben Utecht...Palmer's first pass catching TE.

 

He's also no spring chicken.

 

Edit: TJ himself has said as much in his interviews. He doesn't expect the same number of catches this year, which he's fine with if it helps the team win.

[32383 0]

I believe he'll be steppin up! He's in a contract year and looking for that last big payday. Also, Ocho Cinco may be slowed by injury and attitude problems, so Housh should be able to take advantage of that and shine. Go 84!

[pimptastic69 0]

I believe he'll be steppin up! He's in a contract year and looking for that last big payday. Also, Ocho Cinco may be slowed by injury and attitude problems, so Housh should be able to take advantage of that and shine. Go 84!

 

Couldn't disagree more.

 

Johnson's ankle is fine, and his attitude seems to be better than it ever was. Last year, TJ basically played WR and TE at the same time and had a career year. With the addition of Utecht, TJ will fall back down to earth. 80-90 catches, 1000 yards and 8 TDs.

[DanXIII 8]

(Chad) Johnson's ankle may be fine, but (Rudi) Johnson's hamstring is already sore again.

 

I look for more inconsistency out of the Bengal's running game, more out of Ocho Cinco, and more improvement out of Housh!