Pass-grabbers may not be gone

[Ox]

Pass-grabbers may not be gone

Lewis hopeful Houshmandzadeh, Ocho Cinco will remain Bengals

By Joe Reedy • jreedy@enquirer.com • February 21, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS - Marvin Lewis is still hopeful the Bengals will re-sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

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In an interview with local reporters at the NFL's scouting combine Friday, the Bengals coach said he talked to Houshmandzadeh, a free agent wide receiver, on Thursday and that there would be enough room under the team's salary cap to have both him and Chad Ocho Cinco on the roster this season.

Ocho Cinco is under contract with the Bengals through 2010 and the team has an option for 2011, but he has been the subject of trade talk.

On Monday, after the team announced that kicker Shayne Graham had been given the Bengals' franchise tag, Houshmandzadeh said his chances of being with another team this season were "greater than 90 percent." The free-agent signing period begins Feb. 27.

"With franchising Shayne, it solidifies that spot, and now we can go out and compete for T.J., (offensive tackle) Stacy (Andrews), and other free agents down the line," Lewis said. "The other side of the T.J. thing is he's in a situation of being tentative. Hopefully we can get him signed to a long-term contract that will allow him to go back and be the committed guy he had been in prior years."

Lewis said he values Houshmandzadeh for his contributions both on the field and in the locker room.

"T.J. means so much to me and this football team," Lewis said. "He's a big part of my extension downstairs, and even though half the time I'm chewing his butt about something, he understands where the envelope stops and when it's time to go back to being a good leader. He has a great disposition where he can reach everyone in the locker room, and he has an air of respect inside the locker room."

Asked whether he could imagine having neither Houshmandzadeh nor Ocho Cinco on the roster, Lewis said: "I don't think that scenario would exist."

If the Bengals reach a deal with Houshmandzadeh, who has caught 90 or more passes each of the past three seasons, Lewis is hopeful of having the wide receiver in Cincinnati for offseason workouts, which he has skipped the past two years.

"That was the biggest turnaround in our club in '03, '04, '05 - the commitment of our players to be there and be on the same page with each other," Lewis said.

Lewis said he also has talked to Ocho Cinco and expects him to be at offseason workouts next month even though his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has hinted his client has feelings of discontent. Last season, Ocho Cinco had 53 receptions for 540 yards and four touchdowns, his lowest production since 2002, his second NFL season.

"I don't get into Chad's moods and so forth," Lewis said. "I do know he wants to have a better and more productive, healthy season than he did last year and get back to the guy he was in '03, '04, '05, and make big plays and really be our bell cow, be a leader for us in every single way."

The Bengals aren't faring well in trying to re-sign some of their other important free agents.

Lewis said running back Cedric Benson's agent, Eugene Parker, will have his client test the waters in free agency. He also said the situation between the Bengals and Andrews, who have been trying to negotiate a multi-season deal for the past three years, has not changed.

As for the NFL Draft, to be held April 25-26, the Bengals will select sixth, their highest first-round pick since taking Carson Palmer first in 2003. Lewis and his staff are hoping to find someone who can immediately contribute.

"You want to pick a guy who can help us for a number of years and make an impact early in his career. All of our first-round picks have done that," Lewis said. "The most important thing you want is to have something he can do and be successful at as a rookie.

"That's the thing for all draft picks. You pick them for a certain reason. You have to provide them that avenue."

BENGALS TO TENDER JEANTY: The Bengals are expected to offer restricted free agent linebacker Rashad Jeanty a tender worth $1.545 million. That move would mean if another team were to sign Jeanty, that team would have to give up a second-round draft pick.

Jeanty, who is entering his fourth NFL season, started 15 games last season and finished fourth on the Bengals with 97 tackles.

Jeanty also was the team's recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, which is voted on by teammates and honors players who "demonstrate commitment to the values of sportsmanship and courage."

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2009022.../902210411/1066

[Clackwoods]

Pass-grabbers may not be gone

Lewis hopeful Houshmandzadeh, Ocho Cinco will remain Bengals

By Joe Reedy • jreedy@enquirer.com • February 21, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS - Marvin Lewis is still hopeful the Bengals will re-sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Advertisement

In an interview with local reporters at the NFL's scouting combine Friday, the Bengals coach said he talked to Houshmandzadeh, a free agent wide receiver, on Thursday and that there would be enough room under the team's salary cap to have both him and Chad Ocho Cinco on the roster this season.

Ocho Cinco is under contract with the Bengals through 2010 and the team has an option for 2011, but he has been the subject of trade talk.

On Monday, after the team announced that kicker Shayne Graham had been given the Bengals' franchise tag, Houshmandzadeh said his chances of being with another team this season were "greater than 90 percent." The free-agent signing period begins Feb. 27.

"With franchising Shayne, it solidifies that spot, and now we can go out and compete for T.J., (offensive tackle) Stacy (Andrews), and other free agents down the line," Lewis said. "The other side of the T.J. thing is he's in a situation of being tentative. Hopefully we can get him signed to a long-term contract that will allow him to go back and be the committed guy he had been in prior years."

Lewis said he values Houshmandzadeh for his contributions both on the field and in the locker room.

"T.J. means so much to me and this football team," Lewis said. "He's a big part of my extension downstairs, and even though half the time I'm chewing his butt about something, he understands where the envelope stops and when it's time to go back to being a good leader. He has a great disposition where he can reach everyone in the locker room, and he has an air of respect inside the locker room."

Asked whether he could imagine having neither Houshmandzadeh nor Ocho Cinco on the roster, Lewis said: "I don't think that scenario would exist."

If the Bengals reach a deal with Houshmandzadeh, who has caught 90 or more passes each of the past three seasons, Lewis is hopeful of having the wide receiver in Cincinnati for offseason workouts, which he has skipped the past two years.

"That was the biggest turnaround in our club in '03, '04, '05 - the commitment of our players to be there and be on the same page with each other," Lewis said.

Lewis said he also has talked to Ocho Cinco and expects him to be at offseason workouts next month even though his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has hinted his client has feelings of discontent. Last season, Ocho Cinco had 53 receptions for 540 yards and four touchdowns, his lowest production since 2002, his second NFL season.

"I don't get into Chad's moods and so forth," Lewis said. "I do know he wants to have a better and more productive, healthy season than he did last year and get back to the guy he was in '03, '04, '05, and make big plays and really be our bell cow, be a leader for us in every single way."

The Bengals aren't faring well in trying to re-sign some of their other important free agents.

Lewis said running back Cedric Benson's agent, Eugene Parker, will have his client test the waters in free agency. He also said the situation between the Bengals and Andrews, who have been trying to negotiate a multi-season deal for the past three years, has not changed.

As for the NFL Draft, to be held April 25-26, the Bengals will select sixth, their highest first-round pick since taking Carson Palmer first in 2003. Lewis and his staff are hoping to find someone who can immediately contribute.

"You want to pick a guy who can help us for a number of years and make an impact early in his career. All of our first-round picks have done that," Lewis said. "The most important thing you want is to have something he can do and be successful at as a rookie.

"That's the thing for all draft picks. You pick them for a certain reason. You have to provide them that avenue."

BENGALS TO TENDER JEANTY: The Bengals are expected to offer restricted free agent linebacker Rashad Jeanty a tender worth $1.545 million. That move would mean if another team were to sign Jeanty, that team would have to give up a second-round draft pick.

Jeanty, who is entering his fourth NFL season, started 15 games last season and finished fourth on the Bengals with 97 tackles.

Jeanty also was the team's recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, which is voted on by teammates and honors players who "demonstrate commitment to the values of sportsmanship and courage."

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2009022.../902210411/1066

Next.....Let TJ walk, he won't be a Bengal next year. He might even be helping TJ out as a favor by throwing the Bengals into the competition which will get him more money. If they really wanted him they would tell everyone they didn't and let some team lowball him and then sweep in and sign him.

[volcom69]

My main concern now is they are going to wait to see what TJ does and miss out on other free agents or some of there own. So if TJ does leave i hope he leaves within the first couple hours that way they arnt waiting around to see what happens. If they wait its going to be another sucky free agency because they will let the best ones get away.

[Clackwoods]

My main concern now is they are going to wait to see what TJ does and miss out on other free agents or some of there own. So if TJ does leave i hope he leaves within the first couple hours that way they arnt waiting around to see what happens. If they wait its going to be another sucky free agency because they will let the best ones get away.

Speaking of FA's, it is not looking good for us getting Jason Brown, he wants Offensive guard money:

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles...sports22309.txt

Hello Saturday

[volcom69]

It was reported that the bengals are interested in Saturday, so i guess will see. Yea i dont see them spending the money on Brown. The ravens still have a chance to sign him or Scott. Should be interesting, but im wondering how active the Bengals will actully be.

[ArmyBengal]

At this point, I would rather see at least one of either Chad or TJ gone. It's just time to end the circus already and you have to start somewhere. My only hate for TJ comes from the past few years of going on and on about how he trained elsewhere during OTA's to be by his family and then comes out this year and says, "Well, I stayed away because I was unhappy with my contract all those years".

Well F*CK you to TJ !!!

[HairOnFire]

At this point, I would rather see at least one of either Chad or TJ gone. It's just time to end the circus already and you have to start somewhere.

Ignoring the TJ rant that followed, I agree.

I'd love to have TJ back, but moving on without him has plenty of merit....not the least of which relates to reducing Chad's influence in the lockeroom.

[HAPPYJAQ]

At this point, I would rather see at least one of either Chad or TJ gone. It's just time to end the circus already and you have to start somewhere.

Ignoring the TJ rant that followed, I agree.

I'd love to have TJ back, but moving on without him has plenty of merit....not the least of which relates to reducing Chad's influence in the lockeroom.

The rant is merited.

He's said some things in the media recently that would've been Carl Pickens Clause worthy 10 seasons ago. I hope that both he and the Bengals realize that he reached his career pinnacle (as far as production) in Cincinnati and that he is not nearly as good as he thinks he is.

Bring on Andre, Chris, Jerome and Ben. Some combination of the 4 should be able to replace T.J.'s production, minus the holding, illegal procedure/false start and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

[sparky151]

Marvin may be hopeful but I'll take TJ's 99.2% statement as mre likely. TJ isn't a cancer and is a good football player. He will go to another team and the Bengals will try to develop their young receivers. Life goes on.

[Bearcat1975]

Amazing, the TJ haters here...

[ArmyBengal]

Amazing, the TJ haters here...

Once again, my only hate stems from his comments about the reasons for him not attending OTA's. Call me silly, but I'm not partial to people with little integrity and no I don't care he's a football player. Outside of that, I have the utmost respect for TJ as a player and will simply restate that I just believe it's time to move on in one way or another...

If there are people that believe 10 million for TJ was best approach to rebuilding the offense, fair enough, I'll simply disagree.

Oh yeah, I still hate Chad more so there's that...

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Bring on Andre, Chris, Jerome and Ben. Some combination of the 4 should be able to replace T.J.'s production, minus the holding, illegal procedure/false start and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

No way in hell. He's averaged 95 catches and 1000 yards for the last 3 years. He's also about the only player we have on offense who isn't a complete p*ssy. If you think those guys are replacing what TJ brings I want a few ounces of what you got.

[Clackwoods]

Bring on Andre, Chris, Jerome and Ben. Some combination of the 4 should be able to replace T.J.'s production, minus the holding, illegal procedure/false start and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

No way in hell. He's averaged 95 catches and 1000 yards for the last 3 years. He's also about the only player we have on offense who isn't a complete p*ssy. If you think those guys are replacing what TJ brings I want a few ounces of what you got.

I don't think they will be able to fill in completely for him, but we can use his 10 million on someone else and they will fill in just fine. I don't really hate TJ, but I am glad to see him go because he is to old to resign for the money he wants. I wish we would have traded him mid-season. I will certainly miss his underneath ability.

[COB]

Is Marvin Lewis deaf? How many ways does TJ need to spell it out? He's not interested in coming back here. And short of taking a giant public crap on the organization, I think he's made that pretty clear. I guess this is proof that Marvin is not a quitter. But it's hard to envision a scenario in which TJ agrees to come back.

[Thurmanation]

I don't think anyone can really hate on TJ. He's been getting paid peanuts compared to what he should be getting, and now that its time for his payday he wants what he deserves. No matter where he goes Tj is and will always be a great football player

[Pidge]

Pay Jason Brown guard money if that's what it takes. Bye bye TJ already. Let's just close the book on that chapter and buhbye Benson I guess.

[derekshank]

TJ has not said nearly the kinds of things that Chad has said in the past year. He has not said the Bengals aren't trying to win. He has merely indicated that he disagrees with the way the Bengals go about building a team. If you disagree with him fine. If you think he shouldn't have said them publicly, that's also fine. But let's not compare him to Carl Pickens or Corey Dillon who openly trashed the organization in attempts to be traded or released... ala Chad.

[agreen_112]

I agree, at this point I'd like to see TJ go.. It will save us money to fill another hole like C, OT, LB, or Corner. Our WR's will do good with a healthy #9.

[membengal]

I still like TJ. I don't know why his comments have drawn the venom that they have. He is seeking one last payday, and will go to the highest bidder. I have no issues with that. I also have no issues with the Bengals deciding that price is too steep for a 32-year-old receiver, even one as tough as TJ. Hopefully the $10 million they don't spend on Housh will be spent to help the team elsewhere.

[ArmyBengal]

Once again, I'm not partial to liars. It has NOTHING to do with what he brought to this team or what his value is. I do think he wants more than he's worth, but that doesn't bring the hate from me, it's just the business. In regards to him being paid less than his worth, he needs to discuss that with his agent and the Bengals, it has nothing to do with the fans or the media.

There are things about the Army that I absolutely despise, but when I retire I wouldn't dream of doing an interview with a local paper about all the things that pissed me off while I was in service.

[Bearcat1975]

There are things about the Army that I absolutely despise, but when I retire I wouldn't dream of doing an interview with a local paper about all the things that pissed me off while I was in service.

If the Army was run by Mike Brown you might...

[HAPPYJAQ]

I remember people talking about this when Carl Pickens and Darnay Scott left and all we had were Peter Warrick, some cocky 2nd year guy named Chad Johnson and an injury and fumble-prone 2nd year KR/WR named T.J. Houshmandzadeh. And that was when we had Jon Kitna playing QB.

Fast forward 7 seasons and we're in the same boat, but now we have a Franchise QB.

Chad and T.J. turned out alright during their time here and it's safe to think the others will develop just fine without them, but you never know until you actually see the younger guys play in actual NFL football games.

As long as they bring in some players to help the team (hopefully an impact guy or two) and I'm fine with letting T.J. go, even if they don't pursue him beginning Friday.

[HairOnFire]

I'm not sure why the "Marvin talkin' 3-4" thread was closed. No verbal combat. No feces throwing either. So I'm moving a piece of the rant here.

From Memphis...

"You may be right about Benson being the best option in free agency (now that Sproles is out of reach). And you may be right about the other part, whether he would return here or not. But I still bet that the dollars to get him will end up being less than a franchise tag. Whether it is Cincy or some other team."

It's not easy defending a move that all but guaranteed grossly overpaying, but here it is nutshelled. I advocated overpaying for Benson, a top FA who plays a position of great need, for the same reasons someone might argue in favor of overpaying for another teams FA talent. You have to overpay or the talent goes eleswhere without giving a backwater team like Cincy a chance to bid. And while Benson isn't an outsider...he's not really a Bengal either. He has few ties here and even fewer reasons to show any loyalty. But there's also another reason for overpaying and it comes up next.

More Memphis...

"I guess the question then is whether the Bengals should have franchised him. I would not have, but, hey, I've been wrong plenty in the past. If he ends up leaving and the team does not replace him through FA or the draft and the running game suffers again, I will def be on the wrong side of this."

If Benson moves on the Bengals WILL replace him, and probably for less money. That's a given. But again, it's only money. Saving a little cash whenever you can always makes perfect sense...unless the bigger question asks how you get better, not what makes the most financial sense. And that brings me back to why I was so willing to overpay. Because doing so not only keeps one of the highest ranked FA's in the fold but also allows the Bengals to use at least one of it's higher draft picks on another position. Thus, tagging Benson would have kept him in stripes, filled a critical need, and here's the rub......would have bought the Bengals more options on draft day.

Didn't happen though. And that's fine I guess. Let's see if the Bengals plan works out better than the one I reluctantly championed. But for me it was never a matter of paying Benson only what he could command in the free market or finding another RB for less money. It was all about keeping Benson off the market, guaranteeing a position of critical need was adequately filled, and keeping a high draft pick available for other needs. Furthermore, I actually embraced the idea of signing Benson to another 1-year "prove it" styled contract.

For all of that I was willing to overpay.

[ArmyBengal]

I'm not sure why the "Marvin talkin' 3-4" thread was closed. No verbal combat. No feces throwing either. So I'm moving a piece of the rant here.

That was my bad. I was trying to merge some things from other posts that related and didn't realize I jacked it up until later. You moved that here and that works as well. Sorry for the confusion guys !!!

[HAPPYJAQ]

I'm not sure why the "Marvin talkin' 3-4" thread was closed. No verbal combat. No feces throwing either. So I'm moving a piece of the rant here.

From Memphis...

"You may be right about Benson being the best option in free agency (now that Sproles is out of reach). And you may be right about the other part, whether he would return here or not. But I still bet that the dollars to get him will end up being less than a franchise tag. Whether it is Cincy or some other team."

It's not easy defending a move that all but guaranteed grossly overpaying, but here it is nutshelled. I advocated overpaying for Benson, a top FA who plays a position of great need, for the same reasons someone might argue in favor of overpaying for another teams FA talent. You have to overpay or the talent goes eleswhere without giving a backwater team like Cincy a chance to bid. And while Benson isn't an outsider...he's not really a Bengal either. He has few ties here and even fewer reasons to show any loyalty. But there's also another reason for overpaying and it comes up next.

More Memphis...

"I guess the question then is whether the Bengals should have franchised him. I would not have, but, hey, I've been wrong plenty in the past. If he ends up leaving and the team does not replace him through FA or the draft and the running game suffers again, I will def be on the wrong side of this."

If Benson moves on the Bengals WILL replace him, and probably for less money. That's a given. But again, it's only money. Saving a little cash whenever you can always makes perfect sense...unless the bigger question asks how you get better, not what makes the most financial sense. And that brings me back to why I was so willing to overpay. Because doing so not only keeps one of the highest ranked FA's in the fold but also allows the Bengals to use at least one of it's higher draft picks on another position. Thus, tagging Benson would have kept him in stripes, filled a critical need, and here's the rub......would have bought the Bengals more options on draft day.

Didn't happen though. And that's fine I guess. Let's see if the Bengals plan works out better than the one I reluctantly championed. But for me it was never a matter of paying Benson only what he could command in the free market or finding another RB for less money. It was all about keeping Benson off the market, guaranteeing a position of critical need was adequately filled, and keeping a high draft pick available for other needs. Furthermore, I actually embraced the idea of signing Benson to another 1-year "prove it" styled contract.

For all of that I was willing to overpay.

Very good post.

To kinda piggyback here, I do belive the Bengals should have Franchised Ced for a few reasons. At 26 and few NFL carries (I know what he did at Texas), it's like having an extra 1st or 2nd round pick in the fold. He is familiar with the offense and seemingly comfortable with the team and coaching staff and even more important, he's looked at as the backbone of the new run-oriented offense, according to what Marvin says he wants to be. Sure, you overpay but if he gets you 1200 rushing yards and 8-10 TD's, it's worth every cent.

The greater consideration is that there are no other backs available either through the draft or free agency that offer you the same type of running back skill set and package and though some may argue Wells, Andre Brown or others, those guys are considerably larger question marks than Ced.

If the Bengals don't resign Cedric Benson, I hope they trade down because we'll need to get a running back some where in the first 2 rounds.