Houshmanzadeh chooses Seahawks

[elcheato]

In what turned out to be a tougher decision than expected, wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh chose the Seattle Seahawks over the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday afternoon, according to multiple sources.

Though he had hoped to make his decision Sunday, Houshmanzadeh, pressured by Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer to stay in Cincinnati and the Vikings to stay around the Minneapolis area during a visit, escaped from a Minneapolis hotel Sunday night, flew to Los Angeles and took Monday morning trying to make up his mind. He weighed offers from three teams along with their quarterbacks and their teams' chances of winning.

The final decision was Seattle.

Terms of the agreement weren't available Monday afternoon.

The 31-year-old Houshmandzadeh was considered the wide receiver prize of free agency. He caught a combined 204 passes for 2,043 yards and 16 touchdowns over the past two seasons in Cincinnati. The 6-1, 189-pound receiver had a 90-catch season in 2006. He tried for the NFL receptions lead in 2007 with 112 catches and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

His departure in Cincinnati could mean Chad Johnson might have to stay in Cincinnati another season. Johnson tried to get traded from the Bengals before the 2008 season.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.

from ESPN

 

[bballer13333]

Free agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh will sign a multi-year deal with the Seahawks, according to the National Football Post.

Seattle was offering at least $2M more than both the Vikings and Bengals. The 'Hawks were also desperate for a durable wideout. Housh was a flanker in Cincinnati and that's Deion Branch's position in Seattle. Branch could now be moved to the slot or cut, as it was rumored he might be in the winter. Mar. 2 - 5:45 pm et

YEAH BABY!!! HUGE BOOST TO THE WR CORE!!!

Now we can draft other needs with our #4 pick and skip on Crabtree. Things are looking up.

 

[DC4]

Do you think they still draft Crabtree?

 

[Lake Louise]

Nice pick-up by the Seahawks. I like TJ, and he will definately help out the Seahawks in the passing game.

 

[bballer13333]

Not a chance. This was the exit strategy to get out of drafting Crabtree. Now the options are BJ Raji or the best available tackle.

 

[RipCity32]

About time the Seahawks get a legit WR lol.

 

[cruzg24]

Damn that was quick. Yea I think they focus on the best DT on the board now.

 

[bballer13333]

Dude we signed Colin Cole to give us a big run stuffer. Itd be stupid to take Raji after shelling out good money for a DT. OT should be the pick.

 

[A.E]

If you heard his interview on SportsCenter 20 minutes ago, you were bored out of your mind by it & realized that this "it just feels right" line is a bunch of crap.

Its all about the money. Seattle gave him $15 million guaranteed and went 5 years. Even my receiver-needy Vikings weren't willing to give a 5-year deal to a 32-year old WR.

 

[The Young One]

What is it with Sea and number 2 wideouts?

 

[Yankees2772]

90 receptions past 3 years... He isn't a #2 for most teams.

 

[The Young One]

90 catches and didnt even get a thousand yards.

 

[Yankees2772]

Ryan Fitzpatrick, a Harvard grad, was his QB. His offensive line consisted of career backups and busts.

 

[A.E]

90 catches and didnt even get a thousand yards.

He's been Cincinnati's #1 for the past few seasons. People have always considered Chad to be the guy...but realistically, TJ has been a way bigger possession receiver and workhorse for the Bungals.

 

[Yankees2772]

I wouldn't go that far - Chad had 1300 + yards in 4 of the prior 6 seasons, and at least 1100 in those 6.

 

[The Young One]

Like Matt Hassellback is really going to be that much better at this point in his career.

 

[Yankees2772]

You clearly have no knowledge of football...

 

[The Young One]

You entertain me. You swear you know everything. We will see this season.

 

[.GR]

Yes! Another stud out of the AFC North.

 

[Gtown81]

Why Seattle?