Are The Colts Going to Sign T.J. Houshmandzadeh? [UPDATE]

by Brad Wells on Aug 12, 2011 11:18 AM EDT in 2011 Colts News

SI's Will Carroll tweeted this last night:

Why is tj houshmandzadeh in downtown Indy?

Scott Gustafson, a producer at ESPN, tweeted this:

@AdamSchefter TJ Houshmandzadeh to the Colts? All decked out in a suit tonight in the hotel like he had talks today...

This would be an interesting signing. Is it a 'bad' one? No. I'd rather the team sign Randy Moss, or, to quote someone who sent my a little blurb on twitter early this morning, 'Can Housh play safety?'

Houshmandzadeh is two years removed from a 79 catch season. From 2005-2008, he and Chad Ochocinco were one of the best WR pairs in football (Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne were the best, in my not-so-humble-but-completely-100%-correct-opinion).

Last season, Houshmandzadeh hooked up with the Ravens, and the match didn't work. He caught 30 balls and started just two games. Housh is best known last year for dropping a critical 4th-and-10 ball that would have kept the final drive alive for the Ravens against the Steelers in the playoffs. It landed in his hands, between the numbers, and he just plain dropped it. Ravens lost.

If the Colts are serious about signing Housh, it likely means that 1) Blair White is far more injured than we have been led to believe (he hasn't practiced at all in training camp with a back injury), and 2) The Colts have no faith in their WR depth outside Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, and Anthony Gonzalez.

[UPDATE] Got this tweet from Rich Smith at ALLsportsINTEL:

@StampedeBlue Im being told the Colts are close to signing Houshmandzadeh to a 1yr deal.

We'll see if this gets confirmed.

Tweet Comment 51 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Just remember

He and Peyton hooked up a lot in the Pro Bowl a few different years…

I hope we don’t sign him, but I don’t think it’s out of the question for him to be productive.

by GoHorse88 on Aug 12, 2011 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

I hope he was downtown just for the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo

PM can make any receiver efficient but his best days are 3 years behind him.

"I'm a stylin'-profilin', limo-ridin', jet-flyin', kiss-stealin,' wheelin'-dealin', son of a gun!" WOOO!
Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair

by PV Mike on Aug 12, 2011 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

He was at the Ram

by mwkoenig on Aug 12, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

To be honest

And this isn’t a knock against you BBS, but I’m just tired of all these WR rumors. “we should sign Plax. We should sign Moss. Colt’s interested in TO? Whosyourmamma?”

Like it kinda gets my hopes up bc Peyton takes nobody and turns them into somebody, so what could he do with that talent? And he’s never really had a stud, 6-4, 6-5 guy. It would be very interesting to see what he could do with a TO, Moss, or Plax. But i just don’t see it happening.

5 MVPs, 3 Superbowl Appearances, 2 Superbowl Rings

by BleedingBlueForever on Aug 12, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Reguarding Update

Insert-Foot-In-Mouth-Now

5 MVPs, 3 Superbowl Appearances, 2 Superbowl Rings

by BleedingBlueForever on Aug 12, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

but a few of those rumors

had substance to them. so……… would you prefer bbs and sb nation not to post stories until its official? Arent we all here to find the latest inside news

by gmitch23 on Aug 12, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d like the Colts to sign him.

I remember Bill Polian singing his praises a few years back. BP said something about preferring TJ over Ochocinco (which was less of a line of BS then compared to now…but still just BP talking out his backside).

Anyway, the Colts like him. He needs a job. My guess is that he is better than he played last year. He won’t cost very much. Sign him.

He’d be good insurance behind. Reggie Gonzo, Austin and Pierre.

by moocow on Aug 12, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

ewwwww. i still have hank baskett nightmares. lets hope its not that all over again

by Rossaa on Aug 12, 2011 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

Basket was a nobody who had a couple good games for the eagles. Housh was legit

5 MVPs, 3 Superbowl Appearances, 2 Superbowl Rings

by BleedingBlueForever on Aug 12, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

I think Housh could hold on to an onside kick.

by Joseph* on Aug 12, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

recced.

But he does get to play with Kendra…

by moocow on Aug 12, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Cold comfort for everyone other than him.

by Joseph* on Aug 12, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Not necessarily. Kendra is very open.

by moocow on Aug 12, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Baskett never went to Pro Bowls

Or had 1000yd+ seasons.

Housh does.

by GoHorse88 on Aug 12, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

^This

Let’s all not be silly and compare Hank Baskett is Housh. Baskett was a nice reserve WR and a good ST player, overall. Housh was, at one point, a top 5 WR in this league (top 10, definitely).

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.

by Brad Wells on Aug 12, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

But

do you see him being a willing special teams player?

by mtfearin on Aug 12, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

come on now bbs

houshmanzada was never a top 5 wr. i wouldnt even say top ten

by omahacolt on Aug 12, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=true&conference=null&statisticCategory=RECEIVING&season=2007&seasonType=REG&experience=null&tabSeq=0&qualified=true&Submit=Go

Just sayin…

by DevilsReject on Aug 12, 2011 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

nicely done.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Aug 13, 2011 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

lol

that means something

derrick anderson put up a really good year with the browns. did that make him one of the best qb’s

by omahacolt on Aug 13, 2011 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

He did that

despite being the second best WR on his team… that says ALOT about his talent.

No one discredits Wayne’s accomplishments while playing alongside Harrison, yet everyone acknowledges Waynes ability to be a #1 guy.

Housh had a lot of talent and may be in the decline now, but when he was alongside Johnson, he was part of easily the top 2-3 WR tandems in the league. He’s better than Gonzo and White by a lot, and even Collie by some, so for the Colts, that’s a significant step up.

by DevilsReject on Aug 13, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Good insurance I guess

But I’d much rather see them addressing S depth, a veteran OL or a big body at NT

by BoilerHerrm on Aug 12, 2011 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

sure, why not?

he would probably be the best #5 WR in the league, also good if somebody gets hurt

by Jamison1 on Aug 12, 2011 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

i still want randy

but i could to with housh

i don't give autographs

by muncie_in_this on Aug 12, 2011 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

fuck.

do not to

i don't give autographs

by muncie_in_this on Aug 12, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Needed

With the health history of Gonzo and now Collie I will continue to hold strong on my opinion that we need another proven WR to add to our depth.

Housh would fit this need nicely. I’m guessing the cap hit would be minimal and although Housh hasn’t been the big time reciever in the past couple of years that he once was he also wasn’t playing with Peyton Manning.

by Blue Report on Aug 12, 2011 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

I agree. I'm particular worried about Collie.

One good hit and his career could be finished.

by Ayrshire on Aug 12, 2011 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

That's true for anyone though.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 13, 2011 3:12 AM EDT up reply actions

..especially him, with his history.

by Ayrshire on Aug 13, 2011 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Makes Sense.

Always need more depth. Those guys are always getting nicked up because of how they play. Good move if it happens.

by MrBoJangles46 on Aug 12, 2011 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

Why not

It goes with the theme of low risk, high reward signings.
Housh was an effective kick/punt returner for the Bengals. Hopefully he can help on sp. teams.

by BleedBluenWhite on Aug 12, 2011 11:38 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

This is fine..

Why not be able to sub receivers in an out and keep them fresh…if you have enough good/serviceable WRs that exceed the # of good/decent opposing CBs, why not creat mismatches left and right? Also, Housh is a physical wide-receiver, might be able to help in run-blocking and creating room for those bubble-screens that seem to never work (minus the Garcon TD vs. the Fins a few years back). I like it…can’t hurt, and if it does, cut em.

"No one's gonna take me alive
The time has come to make things right
You and I must fight for our rights
You and I must fight to survive"

by Z.Pain on Aug 12, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Why the hate?

He’s not going to start over Wayne, Garcon, or Collie. I think last year showed just how important our “inside WR’s” are (Stokely, Gonzalez, Collie, Clark) – the rest of our offense struggled with Collie, Gonzo, & Clark injured.

Housh would merely be a backup/reserve player who’d be insurance if Collie gets injured. His best years are clearly behind him, but he can still be a versatile, veteran WR.

by kmbryant09 on Aug 12, 2011 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

I too would rather have Moss. But a veteran receiver is always good to have. Collie and Gonzo just have too many health issues to truly rely on them for a full season.

And it's now my sig
by Bronn on May 17, 2011 4:56 PM EDT

by Sparhawk on Aug 12, 2011 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

My guess is they could get TJ for less than Moss

TJ was good with Palmer throwing to him – to be honest he was playing with Flacco – what receivers #‘s aren’t going to decline playing with Flacco.

I think it would be good insurance..

by IT GOD on Aug 12, 2011 12:31 PM EDT reply actions

I'd rather

Get a NT or SS but there isn’t much out there, especially at NT (there’s nothing). I guess if it’s a cheap no-guarantees contract, why not.

by FatDT on Aug 12, 2011 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

Ya, a safety is more vital,

but I can’t say ‘ll ever complain about picking up a vet WR who has had some truly great seasons. Plus, I’ve always liked Housch. He just seems like a good guy and a dependable receiver.

Dallas Clark: Some tight ends catch. Some block. Clark just owns.

by Sir Sci on Aug 12, 2011 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

Seems like a very low priority

We’ve got four WRs who are at least close to Housh in ability, even if Housh gets back to the level he was at with the Bengals. We seldom go four wide, so two of them would have to go down for this to make much difference on the field. Even if that happened, the Colts could keep production at a pretty good level by playing Clark and Tamme together. It’s only when we lose three of our very solid receivers (as happened last year) that it becomes a big problem.

by ex-Viking fan on Aug 12, 2011 12:57 PM EDT reply actions

This is a very good development. Say what you will, I’d rather have a little depth at WR after last year’s wide receiver massacre. Manning needs to have five potential targets (Wayne, Garcon, Collie, Clark and Addai are the usual) on the field to keep defenses from being able to bring the kitchen sink on the pass rush. You just can’t bring six or seven when you have to cover five plus the run.

Housch would be an excellent pick up because that means we would have at least one very legit backup at each position (Tamme, TJ, Gonzo, Dammit Donald). This is a very good thing, and if TJ can play like he did for the Bengals… it won’t be a bad thing.

Playing for the Ravens is bad for your stats if you ~~are a WR~~ play offense.

-- Life is to short to take everything serious. Especially sports blogs.

by indymike on Aug 12, 2011 1:02 PM EDT reply actions

I like this

He will make an excellent backup. I mean the starters do need a break here and there.

by PeyDay18 on Aug 12, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I like this signing, if it happens...

as long as the price is right. I would much rather see a veteran OL (Trai Essex), Safety depth (Chinedum Ndukwe) or another quick LB (Lofa Tatupu). Who knows what those guys are asking though. May be through the roof until we get closer to the season.

We all thought WR depth was a strength last year. And it still came back to bite us. I think this does say a bit about Blair White’s injury as well. I personally like Housh better than Moss. Just an attitude thing.

Bleedin' Blue for as long as I can remember. Can you believe we get to be fans while our team has the greatest QB of all time?!?!?!

by emiller17 on Aug 12, 2011 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

Housh is a jerk

There are reasons to prefer him to Moss, but attitude is not one of them.

Say what you want about America, thirteen bucks still gets you a hell of a lot of mice!

by No Pity on Aug 12, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

got any evidence? TJ hask always seemed reasonable, unlike Moss

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Aug 13, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions

This guy actually boycotted Madded because he didn’t like his player rating.

Seems like dbag behaviour to me but at least he stands up for what he believes.

by Fernando Nougatieri on Aug 12, 2011 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

To be honest

This may be more of an indictment on Gonzalez than possibly White. If the Colts actually do sign him, I think you have to potentially look at him as a starter. Put him in the slot as opposed to Collie or put him on the outside instead of Garcon.

Either way, it doesn’t look promising for someone. White is apparently still eligible for the PS, so it’s possible with his injury the Colts drop him down there. That leaves an open spot and also probably pushes Gonzo down the list further.

This guy is a former Pro Bowler who Manning has thrown to a lot of the years. I think its a good thing for this team. He left a good QB in Palmer for a has been (Brokeback) and a never was (Flacco). He now gets to play with arguably the best QB in the league…a guy who gets the ball to whoever is open on a regular…

by DevilsReject on Aug 12, 2011 3:25 PM EDT reply actions

Do I really get to be the first one to do this?

Championship.

Sorry. Couldn’t resist.

by ColtsFanInTexas on Aug 12, 2011 3:31 PM EDT reply actions

Put him on the board. Houshamazoli. Got it.

by BoilerHerrm on Aug 12, 2011 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

Housh

Was a douche here in Seattle, but he was still the best wr on the team imo. I think if he gets his attitude together, which with Manning I’m sure will be quite quick, you have to think he can start outside, taking over steel hands job; if not rotate in n out with Garcon to complement Wayne. Housh is not that good in the slot. It would would be nice in theory, let Wayne be more open and get more td’s, or at worst have another good option.

by coltsftw18to87 on Aug 12, 2011 10:47 PM EDT reply actions

in what way was he douchey? I'm ignorant of such allegations.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Aug 13, 2011 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Would be a good signing

We have two receivers who are an Injury worry (actually three, White, Collie and Gonzo) and Pierre has yet to prove he is starting quality. Not only did he drop passes last year, but he struggled to get open when he was frequently in single coverage. Our starting TE is injury and concussion prone. I think WR is a position of need. If everyone is healthy and stays that way it’s a position of strength, but with three injury-prone wr, one injury prone te and one wr who has yet to prove he can play at this level, I would welcome the signing.

by Rogco on Aug 13, 2011 2:27 PM EDT reply actions