It's been nearly 20 years since it happened. Almost two decades of close-but-not-enough. But if T.J. Houshmandzadeh's confident prediction becomes reality, a Seattle wide receiver will finally earn a first Pro Bowl appearance since the 1980's.
"We’ll be going to the Pro Bowl as a tandem," Houshmandzadeh said, referring to Matt Hasselbeck. "I’ll put up stats I’ve never had before yards-wise because they’re allowing me to be a complete receiver."
To Continue...
WR Brian Blades was the last Seattle wideout to play in the Pro Bowl after hauling in five touchdowns for 1,063 yards.
It's hard to believe a Seahawk wide receiver was never selected to the Pro Bowl in the Holmgren era, the most successful period in Seattle history.
Many fans were outraged in 2007 when Bobby Engram put up career numbers but missed the Pro Bowl. His 94 catches and more than 1,100 yards helped lead Seattle to the playoffs as Matt Hasselbeck's go-to guy.
Darrell Jackson also had big years playing in Holmgren's West Coast offense, even accumulating 1,199 yards one season with seven touchdowns (and as many as nine in 2005).
Houshmandzadeh joins one of the most talented receiving corps in Seahawks history. He's also already been to a Pro Bowl and has the tools to get back: notoriety and skills. The notoriety comes from playing opposite one of the most talented and eccentric wide receivers in the league in Chad Ocho Cinco (he legally changed his last name, which use to be Johnson).
The ex-Bengal also received media attention for an NFL.com fantasy football commercial featuring an ill-informed general manager trying to pronounce his last name.
The skills? Well, his stat line speaks for itself. He hasn't dipped below 900 receiving yards since 2004 and once put up 12 touchdowns in his 2007 Pro Bowl year.
Related Articles
Houshmandzadeh: Red Zone Threat
Offensive Acquisitions Made to Bolster Run Game
Houshmandzadeh Definition of Tough Wide Receiver
Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
Posts
