Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > May > 06 > Entry
Young WRs put pressure on the vets
2008 FINAL SEASON FOR T.J.?
The Cincinnati Bengals are not going to be caught short of wide receivers this spring, summer and fall.
The addition of Travis Brown on Tuesday, May 6, pushes the number of wideouts on the Bengals roster to 11.
They are veterans Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Antonio Chatman, Glenn Holt, Doug Gabriel and Marcus Maxwell; rookie draft picks Jerome Simpson (second round), Andre Caldwell (third round) and Mario Urrutia (seventh round); and non-drafted rookies Clyde Logan and Brown.
Logan (6-3, 202; Idaho State) was signed on Sunday after participating in rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
Brown (6-3, 202; New Mexico) was acquired off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks.
Brown was a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection as a junior and a senior. His 182 career receptions rank third in New Mexico school history, and his 2,196 receiving yards rank fifth.
He was signed by Seattle on April 29 and was waived on Monday, May 5.
With Johnson demanding a trade and promising to sit out the season if he isn’t moved to another club, and with Houshmandzadeh entering the final year of his contract, the Bengals have sent a message that it’s time to reload the wide receiver position.
Bengals fans should see the proverbial “handwriting on the wall.” It reads: The 2008 season will likely be Houshmandzadeh’s last in a Bengals uniform.
Houshmandzadeh, an eighth-year veteran who turns 31 on Sept. 26, is going to be seeking a monster contract extension. The club will no doubt make him a series of offers, but they’re not going to overpay for a “Thirtysomething” No. 2 receiver.
That’s why they’ve brought in so many young studs with fresh legs and promising futures.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Mistie
May 7, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
I love T.J. Houschmandzadeh. They definitely need to keep him here. He and Carson definitely have chemistry when they play football. The Bengals just need to fix the other BIG errors that they have and move forward in a positive way.By Debby Tekulve
May 7, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
If the Bengals let T J go, they will prove what I’ve been saying all along: “They’re a bunch of idiots.” He and Carson Palmer make beautiful music together on the field. They’re just plain awesome to watch. Poetry in motion. The Bengals need to take a page out of the Reds book. Young, fresh bodies don’t often promise a winning team!! Ask the Reds how it works for them. Losing season after losing season. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Instead of letting him go, perhaps they should consider hiring some more players just like him. He’s cute, personable, down-to-earth, friendly, and is an incredibly good football player. He exudes the persona of a true role model. I can count on one hand the numbers of others on the Bengals team who fit all of those criteria. We need him and more like him.By William
May 7, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
TJ is a team player who is deperately needed on the Bengals roster. If you get rid of anyone, let it be Chad. TJ should be one of the highest paid players on the roster.By Lee Ann Holly
May 7, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Absolutely! Team really needs him.By Lee Ann Holly
May 7, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Absolutely! Team really needs him.By VietVet
May 7, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
TJ seems to be one of the few on this team that has performed on the field and stayed out of trouble. He is definitely worth keeping for both reasons. One of a few class acts on this team.Doesn’t seem to have the mouth that you know who has.By Sid
May 7, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
You need a successful veteran receiver here with the “new blood” that is coming in, TJ should be that veteran and he should be rewarded by the Bengals for the work he has done with a good new contract.By Sid
May 7, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
You need a successful veteran receiver here with the “new blood” that is coming in, TJ should be that veteran and he should be rewarded by the Bengals for the work he has done with a good new contract.By Sid
May 7, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
You need a successful veteran receiver here with the “new blood” that is coming in, TJ should be that veteran and he should be rewarded by the Bengals for the work he has done with a good new contract.By simeon winkler
May 13, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
keep tj he is a verygood receiver and yards after catch is excellant.