Gotta love TJ
February 16th, 2009 | Bengals
I just read Geoff Hobson’s piece on TJ Houshmandzadeh(I love typing that name). It is a great interview. Not because of anything earth shattering, but you can tell TJ is jumping for joy. He knows he is about to get the deal that he wanted and he is throwing parting shots on his way out of town. TJ isn’t being disrespectful or anything, he just loves being honest. He is one guy who doesn’t sugar coat anything. He is going to say what he feels. Here are some of the quotes that I found interesting form TJ
In reference to Shayne Graham getting tagged instead of Cedric Benson or Chris Crocker: “That’s not to take anything from what Shayne does, but those other guys are on the field more.” TJ is saying those guys should have been tagged.
“99.2 percent chance that he will be elsewhere next year.”
“If you think that Shayne is one of the top 5 kickers out there, then pay him like that.”
“I didn’t go to the last two off season workouts because I was underpaid”
“If they trad Chad then the Bengals are going to be like the rest of the teams in the AFC North. Great defense, no mistakes on offense, and have a $100 million dollar QB hand off.(no passing game) ouch!
Now I don’t think Tj means any harm by those statements. He would rather be in Cincinnati. I can almost guarantee that. But he feels that the team doesn’t value him like other top WR’s, so he is upset. The Bengals have to do what they feel is right for the team as well. In the end, I think it will all work out best for everyone. TJ will get his money. The Bengals will get more players with the money that they aren’t paying TJ. And a new era will begin in Cincinnati. Like I said before, I think this team has changed. Marvin Lewis is going to try to go with a more cohesive team even if it is not more talented. I still think the Bengals are going to the playoffs in 2009.
17 Responses to Gotta love TJ
Billy
February 17th, 2009 at 9:42 am
John,
What do they do with the money now? What is a priority in your mind. Love the blog.
Trotskey
February 17th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Let me guess: you thought the Bengals were going to the playoffs in 2008 too…and 2007, etc., etc., etc.
BearcatsFan
February 17th, 2009 at 10:41 am
John, love the blog. Good call on tagging Grahm! I think you hit the nail on the head here. It will be best for everyone if TJ leaves. He needs to prove to himself and others how good he is, and I think no matter how well he does here, it will never bring him the recognition he is looking for (For what its worth, I think he’ll only find it within himself). But really this seems like luck of the draw, Caldwell developed faster than Simpson, and Chad has still got a contract left to finish. The situation couldn’t have forced the Bengals hand more. I wish TJ the best, though I feel that he must be warned that the geographic solution doesn’t change anything, that quote about not coming to offseason workouts, come on, thats some five year old type stuff.
admin
February 17th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Hey Trotskey, good morning to you too. As a matter of fact, I thought we would win every game we played. I refuse to live in the past as a sports fan. My favorite team growing up was the Eagles. I always thought every year was the year when we had Randall Cunningham. So my point to you is…..if you are a fan, look at your upcoming team. not what they did in 2006, 2007, 2008. I know it is tough watching this team lose but if you are going to be a fan, let this current team prove you wrong. Let’s see what moves the Bengals make in FA and the draft, then we you make a prediction. I’m making mine now. I believe Marvin will get the team right this year. I’m telling you, losing as bad as we lost last year will do more good than any of those 8-8 years did. Now, if the Bengals don’t make good moves this offseason, I will share in your sarcasm. But I think they will.
admin
February 17th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Billy, as far as what they do with the money, I have no idea. I’m guessing that they will address a few issues in FA. They could go any number of ways. Pass Rusher, Corner, Safety, OL. I think WR,OL,LB will be hit in draft.
Junior
February 17th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Hey John, I’m thinking it’s the best move for the Bengals. But it sounds like TJ is a lil disappointed that they are just letting him hit the market. I mean why not just be happy..do you rally think there are suitors wainting with a check for $9 mill per? I believe if Palmer is heathy and the OLine can protect him that Caldwell should benefit…with that speed, turf, and ability to make people miss he should get alot of yac…
Dreilly
February 17th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
John,
I agree with Chip ludwig that this is the most logical and best financial decision was to tag Graham. TJ has been on record stating that he wouldn’t be at off season workouts if he was tagged, so their was not going to be a happy ending unless he got paid long term. I would just like to know if they are actively trying to resign Cedric Benson with the money saved by not spending on TJ. I am not comfortable with any one player on the current roster or looking towards the draft to carry the load if we lose Cedric. He is more pivitol in my eyes and maybe one of the young WRs we drafted last year can step up for us.
dan
February 17th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
john,
are the chances good that the bengals will be able to sign benson and crocker? these guys both will be great deals……..
i hope they are capable of signing either a center or olineman so that we can concentrate on defense during this draft. a rb and wr are needed, but you can find gems later in the draft.
also, do you think simpson will produce this year? wr’s usually take 2 – 3 yrs to develop
Doc
February 17th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
“I didn’t go to the last two off season workouts because I was underpaid”
If I hear this one more time from an athlete who is under a contract he SIGNED I’m going to puke. Just do your job and do everything you can do to get better. I guess the fans and the rest of the team should be let down because he feels he is underpaid. During TJ’s first year or two he didn’t mind collecting a paycheck for all of those games he didn’t do much. Maybe they should just go to a pay for performance structure and then everyone who produces will get what they deserve and those who don’t perform will get what we feel they deserve.
andy
February 17th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
JT will you be back next season and have you had any talks with the team? As far as chad and TJ, it’s hard to feel sorry for them when so many people are losing their homes and 3 and 6 million per year is not enough for them!!!!
Chris Lee
February 18th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Do you think there is even a small chance that T.J. gets resigned? I feel the team can succeed with an upgraded o-line, a healthy Carson, a qualty run game (all goals that are very much in reach) and no T.J. but it would be nice if T.J. came back too.
Also, regarding signing, GET AHOLD OF MIKE BROWN AND TELL HIM TO GET ON IT WITH RESIGNING BENSOIN, CROCKER, AND BJOHNSON!!!
Homer Saunders
February 18th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I hope the Bengals sign TJ.If TJ thinks he is better than the team,then that,to me,means he is not a team player.If he goes to another team he’s going to find out he is not as good as he thinks he is.He won’t have Carson Palmer throwing to him.
George Herron
February 18th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I am of the camp that thinks the Bengals could have used the tag better elsewhere. I like Shayne and love what he does in the community, he is a positive roll model, but he is a kicker and kickers are replaceable, even top 5 kickers.
TJ might be too expensive to tag, but they NEED to work out a deal with him, his honesty and frankness are refreshing and his competitiveness is key.
They could tag Benson, Crocker or even Andrews again. The O-line is a mess even with Andrews. And to be successful in the AFC North you need a good O-line. If not for the running game, then to protect one of the most valuable resources, Carson.
The running game is similarly a mess. Benson would give stability and the last 3-4 games showed that he was comfortable in the offense and with a full camp under his belt he might be able to flash some of that talent that got him taken number 4 over all in the draft.
Cody Muennich
February 18th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
John,
how do you think Pat Simms will do this season. I see tremendous size and strength, but I do see sometimes lack of intensity. Also, in your prespective, how is Jason Shirley coming along? Once again I see great size and strength but he has been known for the lack on intensity on the field. I would like to see you on the team next year playing and even being a mentor and an instructor for these young DTs
Cody Muennich
February 18th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Also, Caldwell is going suprise a lot of people this season with his ability to run after the catch.
Jeremy
February 19th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
John,
Great to see a Bengals player stand up and say what we are all hoping…playoffs in 2009 would be great! (and the past is the past – let it die) As for offseason moves, I’d like your opinion on a couple things…#1 – I love the way our defense is coming together – with some of the younger guys we are building a nice base for the future. Now we have a chance to get what EVERY stellar defense has, a top tier middle linebacker! Taking nothing away from Dhani (he did a good job last year) – dont you think it would be wise to draft a playmaker like Maulaluga? I think we could even get a couple extra picks by trading down to 10-12 in the first round where we should still easily get him…#2 – I am a big proponent of building your OL and DL…nothing works w/o good line play…with this being said, I still believe that the center is our weakest link on the OL…if we could get a quality C in FA or the draft (2nd or 3rd round), we would see much better line play in my opinion as the blitz calls and line shifts would be better. We have plenty of other talent on the line that can be used in multiple positions rather than “wasting” a top 10 pick on another OT…#3 – my take on the WR situation…trade CJ and resign TJ…I would be much happier with TJ making millions and racking up 100 catches per year at 10 a clip rather than the possibility of CJ breaking one for 6 once every 10 games…whats your take? (sorry to be so long winded, but Geoff Hobson wont answer any questionsthat might actually test his knowledge – thats MY opinion haha)
admin
February 19th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Lots of stuff to respond to. TJ is as good as gone. If the Bengals were going to resign him, they would have signed him or tagged him. Keep chad. You have an elite player and have paid him a bulk of his contract already. Building the lines is always the way to go. Trading down is harder than you think. U can’t go into the draft thinking that way. What you want to do is act like you want that pick or there is a guy u really want, that way teams will want your spot. The only time you trade down is if you have about five guys rated the same and you can use all of them and your a sure that u will get that guy when you trade down. So you really have to do your homework. Perfect example, the Pats had the 7th pick last year. People thought they were going to take Sedrick Ellis or Keith Rivers. The Saints wanted Ellis traded picks with them. The Pats in turn took LB Jarod Mayo who is the guy they originally wanted. They got extra picks and the guy they targeted.
There will be a new center in the mix this spring. But don’t forget about Kyle Cook. A young center on the roster right now. My darkhorse.