I Hope You Like Rain, Housh-bag.
by Eric J. Thompson on Mar 2, 2009 5:25 PM CST
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PrintThanks a lot T.J.
We Vikings fans are very, very, very well-versed in getting our hopes up only to have them crushed. Today appears to be the 14,834th chapter in the Book of Vikings Letdowns. (Note: number of actual letdowns approximated)
If you're to believe the sources cited by Deadspin, then the most coveted wide receiver of the 2009 NFL free agency period is off to sip Starbucks and listen to grunge in the Great Northwest.
Here's the National Football Post story...I'm quoting it here because people are having problems loading the link due to all the hits it's receiving:
Barring any last-second problems, free agent wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh will sign a multi-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks, according to sources close to the situation.
According to the source, the Seahawks have offered close to $2 million more than the closest competitor in the race for Houshmandzadeh’s services.
An eight-year veteran out of Oregon State, Houshmandzadeh caught 92 passes for 904 yards and 4 touchdowns in 15 starts for the Bengals last season.
In addition to the Seahawks, the Vikings and Bengals were pursing Houshmandzadeh.
The contract is expected to be signed within the hour.
We really shouldn't be surprised if Houshmandzadeh took the money and ran--he's a professional athlete in 2009. It would be a bigger story if he didn't go to the team that offered him $2 million dollars more than the Vikings or Bengals. But of course like I've done plenty of times before, I thought that maybe just once, going to the team with the best chance to win would actually factor into an athlete's decision.
This isn't going to be that "just once". So have fun in Seattle T.J.--at least it isn't the trainwreck you've endured in Cincinnati your entire career thus far. I hope those extra $2 million make it worth spending the remainder of your prime on what will most likely be a rebuilding project.* And thanks for reminding us Vikings fans why we're so cynical.
Housh-bag.**
* = After all the injuries that Seattle endured last season, it's totally possible that they won't suck next year if they stay healthy. Plus, even though the Cardinals are the defending NFC champions, another 9-7 team winning the NFC West next year wouldn't shock anyone.
** = If these reports are false and Housh does come to Minnesota, this article never happened. Deal? Good.
UPDATE: ESPN is confirming it, so it's official. Five years for about $40 million, $15 million guaranteed. Devery Henderson anyone?? We'll keep you updated here as we get more.
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Damnit
So another WR gets away. Well now what? Hey I heard that Json Taylor got cut. lets get him and make it the most feared pass rush in the league.
by RileysCannibalJct on Mar 2, 2009 5:30 PM CST reply actions
wouldn't mind...
getting him for a 2 year deal worth 14-15 million. The vikes could handle that hit on the cap, and I agree, that would make the Vikings front 4 hands down the best in the league. Would rival the purple people eaters of 2009! (notice the shamless plug to my screen name?!) LOL
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Mar 2, 2009 5:33 PM CST up reply actions
I gave up hope
as soon as I heard he snuck out of the twin cities last night. O well, at least there are other great free agents to bring in instead. O wait, there aren’t. Damn. No big free agents this year folks. Cutler will be a Bronco next year. No way he is being traded, especially to Minnesota:(
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Mar 2, 2009 5:31 PM CST reply actions
Just thought I'd stop by...
cause you said with almost all certainty that the Vikes had signed Housh. It’s really too bad.
"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus
Please...
Get a viable WR of your own before you start gleefully posting over here. Berrian and Sidney Rice look like John Taylor and Jerry Rice compared to the options the Bears have.
by Eric J. Thompson on Mar 2, 2009 5:40 PM CST up reply actions
I posted cause PPE09 was baiting on WCG.
"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus
Not the point but...
we’ll see when Rosenfels fumbles, stumbles, and loses the game for you at the end of games.
"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus
It's alright
The Bears have already proven that they can’t cover our current WRs. . .they should just be happy that, as of now, they won’t be getting embarrassed further.
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by Christopher Gates on Mar 2, 2009 5:44 PM CST up reply actions
The Sage to Housh connection
was probably enough to scare him away. Plus, he’s close to home now.
Things will get better as they improve...
Coffee sucks.
To be fair though, Nate Burleson is a bust, so at least we finally stole SOMETHING of value from you guys. See you in the playoffs. Well, you guys for sure. Odd are against us…but it’s nice to see Seattle get a big name, at least…
Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.
Congratulations.
I say that with a ton of sincerity and animosity—he’ll be a great pickup for the Seahawks. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to shave my face with a rusty cheese grater.
by Eric J. Thompson on Mar 2, 2009 5:35 PM CST up reply actions
You guys are a QB away from dominating that division. Sign Kurt Warner, and you'll forget all about TJ
Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.
Burly is a bust based on his contract, I only agree to some extent
But he’s a special teams beast and is great after the catch…and I guess up to this point was our only true deep threat.
Ruskell should’ve never paid him that much money, and I think he should have his contract restructured.
PLAYOFFS?!
Well, he's not really making any money, the clauses prevent him from making the total value of the contract.
He also doesn’t get open, and is lazy in his routes. He’s a bad wide receiver by traditonal numbers or by DVOA. He’s just not a good player.
Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.
I still believe he is, but Ruskell's overreactive "You got Hutchinson? Two can play at the game BEE-YOTCH!" attitude meant way too high expectations. but I agree he and Courtney Taylor run awful routes
Let me stop now, this is a Vikings blog and I’d rather not disrupt the thread of anger.
My theory on why Andy Reid doesn't like running the football.
When Andy Reid was 6, his parents wanted him to lose some weight and always asked him to go to the park and run, Annoyed, Andy said "No I'll pass".
Congratulations but I don't think it was the right move for you guys....
I think you guys would’ve been better suited at WR taking the gamble with Crabtree rather than signing Housh. Now you can go a different direction with the 1st rounder, or still take Crabtree I guess, but I would rather have Crabtree and his young potential than Housh.
Lower Deck Tickets on 50 yard line behind Vikings bench = $119.00
Parking by the Metrodome = $25.00
Souvenir Soda = $6.50
Being there for 296 = Priceless
I started to believe
I never had my hopes up that he would be a Viking until yesterday. Dang. When I read the article that he would chose the $$ over the W’s, I thought we were dead in the water.
Does anyone else think that it is odd that he may be catching passes from another former IA State Cyclone (not Sage, but Senaca Wallace?)
I'm curious
On what exactly Housh was offered by the Vikings. I hope we get to find out.
by Eric J. Thompson on Mar 2, 2009 5:42 PM CST reply actions
Housh got
5 years 40mil 15 guarenteed from the sea-chickens. Im guessing we offer him 3 years 24mil not as much gaurenteed money.
Plus, i just heard his phone conversation on ESPN with mike greenburg. All he could talk about was hasselback and how good he is, and palmer, how fun it was playing with a good QB. Probably couldnt find a good Qb here.
by RileysCannibalJct on Mar 2, 2009 5:56 PM CST reply actions
As a Seahawks fan, we prefer to mock our team with Chicken-hawks
It’s much more fluid than Sea-chickens.
the espn interview he said he felt like Seattle was the best team, is that a joke or just a cheap shot?
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff222/LeoGetz25_2007/Peterson28-1.png
I thought he was looking for a team with a good running game. Definitely not Seattle. Oh well, we’ll have to see how he does. I can’t blame him for joining up with Hasselbeck, especially if they draft Crabtree. But defenses aren’t scared of the Seattle running game.
That's it
I was trying to figure out why Housh’s decision was so irritating. I mean, it’s the biz, we know how it works, no big deal. But it’s what he said about wanting to play for the Vikes, about looking forward to stretching the field with AP holding down the other end and the impact he could make. It really sounded like he wanted to be in Vikingland, and we bought it. Hook, line, and sinker. That’s the pisser, it feels like we were suckered into believing he wanted to be in purple and that would be a factor in his decision.
One day I’m going to have an easier time of it, remembering that every player in the NFL is just a mercenary looking for the highest bidder.
it would be refreshing
to hear an athlete come out and just say, “I got more money, more years, and I dont care about winning as much as I care about money.”
by RileysCannibalJct on Mar 2, 2009 5:59 PM CST reply actions
Hasn't the NFL taught you anything?
Any team is capable of turning it around. The Falcons made the playoffs after the Vick and etc. issues the year before. Miami made the playoffs after a 1-15 season. Both teams have rookie head coaches.
When healthy, Seattle has always been a threat in the NFC, I don’t know why everyone thinks their so bad.
Agreed
The Seahawks were destroyed by injuries last year. They lost all their starting WRs, QB, a few lineman, and then some. Being back healthy, they will be a big contender in what is considered the worst division.
Actually we lost ALL FIVE of our starting linemen by the end of the year.
Yet we still beat the Jets…with Favre…in the snow…with our backup QB…heh.
Maybe we’ll have a shot, but I’m not gonna expect anything. Sure, this time it’s likely the top 7 guys on our WR depth chart will be healthy, but I’m not ready to get optimistic yet. Plus, Walter Jones’ career may be done.
If I was a betting man, I’d bet on you guys, even with Tavaris/Frerrotte.
Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.
I dunno about always being a threat. Their division has been in shambles for a while, they’ve just been the better team more or less. They still don’t have a good running game. I’d fear the passing attack, oh yes, but they can’t just rely on that.
Eh? Sorry man, most of that is attributed to a banged up offensive line...
And Holmgren not being able to help himself when it comes to running what works. He seems hell-bent on not changing his gameplan and either needs to be balanced or pass-biased when forcing the issue isn’t working.
The running game was still decent, they finished 19th, which may not seem good but actually isn’t awful considering Seattle ran the fewest offensive plays in the league.
Not all of us have the luxury of a great running game. ;-)
My theory on why Andy Reid doesn't like running the football.
When Andy Reid was 6, his parents wanted him to lose some weight and always asked him to go to the park and run, Annoyed, Andy said "No I'll pass".
probably
the same thing they say about us, except with our running game instead of their passing game! LOL
by PurplePeopleEaters09 on Mar 2, 2009 7:22 PM CST up reply actions
Worth it???
"According to Michael Smith of ESPN, Houshmandzadeh agreed to a five-year, $40 million contract that with $15 million in guarantees. Last year, the Vikings signed wide receiver Bernard Berrian to a six-year, $42 million contract. Berrian (28) is three years younger than Houshmandzadeh. "
What is the better deal: Berrian or Housh??
I'm kinda joking on this guys (you link to my blog as I link to yours, I can't afford to troll), but I think
The REAL reason Houshmazode bolted for Seattle was he just left a sinking ship in Cincinnati, and the LAST place he would think about going is on a team that while very much talented and are the defending NFC North champions….
Was because your head coach was Brad Childress. ;-)
PLAYOFFS?!
Touché.
Although the Vikings have most of the pieces for a championship run, two of our glaring weaknesses are two of the most important pieces—coaching and QB. I’m not a huge fan of Jim Mora Jr., but I’m pretty sure I’d take him over Childress.
by Eric J. Thompson on Mar 3, 2009 9:00 AM CST up reply actions
Look, I understand you don't like Maurice Hicks.....
My theory on why Andy Reid doesn't like running the football.
When Andy Reid was 6, his parents wanted him to lose some weight and always asked him to go to the park and run, Annoyed, Andy said "No I'll pass".
Exactly.....HE IS WORTHLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey…….it does work. I feel better also.
by RileysCannibalJct on Mar 2, 2009 6:37 PM CST up reply actions
I can't believe it...
that i actually fell for the vikings ploy that they might actually get someone to improve the team.
TJ WHouseYerBitch
I believe the Ha(w)ks are, U used them to up your dollar value. Good for you, Good luck getting passes thrown to you from their 3rd string qb.
Says the man who supports a team who has had 4 different starting QBs in the last 3 seasons
Please man, don’t be bitter. I understand you’re upset that the Vikes couldn’t get the top receiver in free agency, but we don’t know what goes on behind the scenes…maybe Housh liked something that Ruskell said that your GM didn’t.
I still think the Vikes will pull off a trade to get a good receiver, maybe even great. Whether it comes from the draft or someone in the league. However, I’m not sure Sage Rosenfels solves your QB issues.
My theory on why Andy Reid doesn't like running the football.
When Andy Reid was 6, his parents wanted him to lose some weight and always asked him to go to the park and run, Annoyed, Andy said "No I'll pass".
Uncertainty
Im not bitter, im pissed!….haha
Youll be watching the playoffs from ur computer while the Vikings go 13-3 and deep into the playoffs.
If the Vikings go 13-3 I'm expecting Bill Cowher at head coach and Jay Cutler at QB
Or Adrian Peterson as an every position player.
My theory on why Andy Reid doesn't like running the football.
When Andy Reid was 6, his parents wanted him to lose some weight and always asked him to go to the park and run, Annoyed, Andy said "No I'll pass".
C'mon
Just let us make unrealistic statements and wallow in our anger that yet another difference-maker got away. Will the Vikings go 13-3? Probably not with the current team. But it’s still very early in free agency, and in the NFL you never, never know what might happen between now and kickoff.
by Eric J. Thompson on Mar 3, 2009 10:11 AM CST up reply actions
Strength of Schedule
This year looks far weaker than 2008. We lost 4 games by a td or less! with the 3rd hardest schedule.
We also won a few games by a TD or less. lol I’m not gonna lie, some of those games were flukey. The Saints game could have gone either way. Same with the first Lions game. Not to mention the second GB game. I mean, we easily could have been 7-9.
Matt Hasselbeck is a 3 time pro bowler, and only 1 year removed from the best season
of his career-, thank you very much.
yes thank you
SSreporters……..now you can go away and let us complain until the draft.
by RileysCannibalJct on Mar 2, 2009 6:52 PM CST reply actions
Better off without him...
Believe me, I never trust signing some guy who plays on the other side of a superstar, even if Ocho Cinco didn’t have the greatest year last year. Housh-bag had Ocho Cinco running routes on the other side of the field getting double coverage and had Carson Palmer throwing to him. The only place Housh(I don’t feel like typing his full name) would be any good in would maybe be Philly, but instead he chose the wide receiver infirmary and graveyard that is Seattle. He really wouldn’t have been a good fit for the Vikings, especially with our inexperienced signal callers. On that note, I really don’t like the direction the front office is taking with offensive talent. Sage Rosenfels as a startring QB? The man is and always will be a career backup for the league. That move reminds me of when the Dolphins traded a fourth round pick for another teams backup QB named AJ Feely and stunk up Miami for at least a season or 2 (I think it was that long). If the Vikings wanted a QB they shouldve looked at Leftwich(Did VERY well as a Steeler backup, and has starting experience with the Jaguars) or Garcia. Hell, there’s even rumors that McNabb wants out of Philly(I know that rumor has been out there forever) because the team wont pick up any more talent. And I’m not crazy of letting Birk go either. Still, I hope these moves work out because I still want my team to win.
Here's hoping he likes Microsoft
If he thinks this signing will keep him close to his family, he’s nuts. He lives in LA… he plays in Seattle.
As I said at VikingVigil.com (shameless plug), the only thing in common between those two cities is that they’re in the same time zone.
Money over 39% chance at a Super Bowl in the next four years.
Viking Vigil - The 2nd greatest Vikings community on the internet!
http://www.vikingvigil.com
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Houshmandzadeh Doing What's Best For Houshmandzadeh
Don’t hate on Houshmandzadeh. Houshmandzadeh is doing what’s best for Houshmandzadeh. He’s going to a team where he will be virtually guaranteed of being the #1 WR. That wouldn’t have been a lock on the Vikings. I’m not saying the $2 million didn’t enter into it, but even if the Vikings had offerred the same money as the Seahawks, I think he still would have chosen the Seahawks for the reason I just mentioned. So, people, stop acting like little brats whose mommy wouldn’t buy them their favorite toy.
Housh
Not making enough of an impact over in Seattle-land for you guys, so you come here to needle us? I’d’ve thought he’d give you plenty to yap about in your own blogs.
Here’s to hoping he makes more of a difference for you once the season starts :)
Too much fun with that name...
Douchemandzadeh smirk No thanks; we already have a Booty on the team.
Other big name free agent WRs? T.O.? Torry Holt?
Someone has to ask now…so why not me.
T.O. got released. Word is Torry Holt will soon be on the market too. What do you experts think of either of these guys in purple?
Go Hawks!
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