Who do you want starting at wide receiver next season: T.J. Houshmandzadeh or Michael Crabtree?
Well, the answer may not be as simple as you may think. While players like Chris Canty may make for good depth at defensive tackle, they’re certainly not what ‘Hawks fans want starting along the defensive line. We already know John Stinchcomb will likely not be starting in Seattle next season, either.
So what would a signing of Houshmandzadeh mean for Seattle other than providing a solid number-one receiver beside Deon Branch and Nate Burleson? It may mean receiver will not be the position of choice for the number-four pick in this year’s NFL draft. Perhaps it is defensive tackle or offensive line.
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At 31 years old, turning 32 in September, Houshmandzadeh shouldn't be the long-term fix for the position, but the West Coast offense has proven to be age-proof for receivers as many have shown, including our own Bobby Engram.
While playing in the shadow of fellow Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco (hey, it is his real name now, even if the NFL won’t recognize it), Houshmandzadeh has been the more consistent of the two, becoming a great possession receiver and the best red-zone threat on the team – when he’s healthy that is.
Since becoming a full-time starter in 2004, he has managed to miss 12 starts due to injuries and seems to be consistently bothered by them even when he does play.
Haven’t we had enough with injury-prone wide receivers? And is Houshmandzadeh worth passing on a potential star wide receiver in the draft, whether that is Crabtree or someone else (Nicks, Heyward-Bey, Britt, Robiskie)?
Houshmandzadeh has cracked 1,000 yards receiving in only two seasons in the NFL. Granted he’s had to play second fiddle to Chad Johnson, but at 31 and already with an extensive injury history, it is unlikely he will see the best years of his career in the future.
Both Deion Branch and Nate Burleson have already proven themselves to be effective, big-play starters with Seattle, and it unclear how much of an upgrade Houshmandzadeh would provide.
Not quite the red-zone option Housh is,
Coles would still be an excellant fit in
Seattle's West Coast offense.
A more logical option for the ‘Hawks should be Laveranues Coles, who at the same age as Houshmandzadeh has missed a game in only two-of-nine seasons and has shown the same production.
If Seattle is looking for wide receiver help in free agency, they should be looking for veteran depth, not a big splash. There’s too much talent already on the roster and in the draft.
A Houshmandzadeh signing would likely set the Seahawks up to go offensive line or B.J. Raji (the only defensive player worth taking for Seattle at four) with their first pick. While that certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing, Seattle still wouldn’t be fixing the true problem at wide receiver, injured players.
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com.
