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Houshmandzadeh's talent outweighs tantrums
Palmer, Lewis say they love the seventh-round pick's passion and work ethic as he approaches team record.
> What do you think of T.J. Houshmandzadeh?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
CINCINNATI — There's a lot to like about Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
The smooth route-running., great hands and deceptive speed — just to name a few.
Extras
"He brings a lot of fire, grit and attitude," head coach Marvin Lewis said. "He works his tail off. That's what I like about him. Sometimes, we've got to control the rage a little bit. But you know he's got it in him. He's going to fight 'em to the end."
Houshmandzadeh, a seventh-round draft pick from Oregon State in 2001, is on the verge of bringing a record to the Bengals' history book.
Armed with 96 catches, he needs five more to break the club's single-season receptions mark of 100 set by Carl Pickens in 1996.
Houshmandzadeh also can become the first Bengal to claim an NFL season receptions title. His league-high 96 catches lead New England's Wes Welker (93) and Baltimore's Derrick Mason (88) with three games to go.
That's plenty of time to shatter Pickens' record ... and throw one of his famous temper tantrums.
Houshmandzadeh's latest eruption took place in a 24-10 loss at Pittsburgh on Dec. 2. He called his five-catch, 42-yard performance the worst of his career because he couldn't harness his anger at the officials for refusing to call holding on the Steelers. He got pulled from the game late.
"I love his fire, I love his intensity, I love his passion," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "Sometimes it gets the best of him. T.J. is a mature player, a veteran. I'm just glad that T.J. recognized it, realized he was wrong and will try not to do that next time."
Lewis' first season as head coach (2003) was the year Houshmandzadeh suffered a severely pulled hamstring in the preseason. The injury kept him sidelined for 14 games. But he's responded with four strong seasons of 73, 78, 90 and 96 receptions for 978, 956, 1,081 and 966 yards.
"He's had to overcome a lot," Lewis said. "He had shown enough spark for us to keep him around (in 2003) when he was injured. He's worked his tail off now to overcome some of the setbacks for him physically early in his career."
Growing up in Barstow, Calif., 120 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Houshmandzadeh's knowledge of the Bengals was limited to SportsCenter highlights.
"The Bengals weren't on TV too much," he said. "All I remember is (quarterback) Jeff Blake throwing the high ball to Pickens. I know he was one of the better receivers at the time."
Willie not retiring
Right tackle Willie Anderson insists he'll play for the Bengals again, even though a chronic foot problem and a knee injury have wiped out his season.
Anderson didn't practice on Wednesday, an indication he probably won't be ready for Saturday's game in San Francisco.
The 32-year-old lineman hasn't played since Oct. 21, when he hurt his right knee in a victory over the Jets.
Anderson revealed Wednesday that he suffered a bone bruise and a sprained ligament when Reggie Kelly's helmet accidentally hit him in the knee while making a block.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or
cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com. This story contains information from the Associated Press.
Next game
Who: Bengals (5-8) at
San Francisco 49ers (3-10)
When: 8:15 p.m. Saturday
TV: NFL Network, WLWT-TV (Ch. 5)
Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7)
Comments
By Adrian (Echo Park)
December 15, 2007 3:00 AM | Link to this
T.J. is my boy! That’s why I’m heading up to Monster Park (49ers) this weekend to watch, Houshmandzadeh go off on the 49ers secondary. Just 44 yards to go and another 1,000 yard season. I’ll be the loud Mexican-American wearing #84 at (Joe Walsh Stadium)Hope you all have Direct t.v. or the dish.
By a.clogghcrushr
December 14, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
TRYING 2 RIDE CARSON@HOUSHMANNN 2 MY OWN CHAMPIONSHIP!OH YEAH GOT THAT L.T. GUY ALSO- ITS A PT PER REC LEAGUE - HOUSH IN THE 5TH RD IS MY M.V.P.—-!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!
By 84 #1 Fan
December 13, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
I think TJ is awesome. He is my favorite Bengal. He is a great team player. He has had a great season, it is just unfortunate for him that he can’t really enjoy it, because of the losing season. If TJ leaves the Bengals, I’ll be changing my favorite team.
By joann
December 13, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this
i love the way TJ plays the game,maybe he wouldn’t have to throw temper tantrums if he had a coach who takes up for his players and some of the awful calls his players get. The bengals needs a coach with some fire,Marvin Lewis is like a zombie on the sidelines.I’ve never seem him show any emotion and question the bullcrap calls the bengals gets.
By D CAMPBELL
December 13, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
I think TJ is the best reciever on the bengals. He is willing to go over the middle to make the tough catch and take a hit . The officiating at some of the Bengals games suck , these officials think our games are not important so they donot give their best effort . Well you cannot have the patriots play the colts every weekend .
By I love the Bengals
December 13, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
I love TJ. He’s a excellent player. He brings his best at all times. The so called tantrums are nothing more than his passion for the game and a longing for some good officiating. I hope he stays with the Bengals for years to come. WHO DEY!!!!!
By By Kee
December 13, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
T.J what a great person and player. I think he is one of the best receivers in the NFL. I love his hair and I think he is very hot. He is very passionate player as well as a team player. I hope he stays with the Bengals for a very long time. He brings the heat to the game. I think he deserves more credit than what he gets. So what if he throws tantrums I’m still a big fan of his as well as the Bengals. GO T.J. WHO DEY!
By By Kee
December 13, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
T.J what a great person and player. I think he is one of the best receivers in the NFL. I love his hair and I think he is very hot. He is very passionate player as well as a team player. I hope he stays with the Bengals for a very long time. He brings the heat to the game. I think he deserves more credit than what he gets. So what if he throws tantrums I’m still a big fan of his as well as the Bengals. GO T.J. WHO DEY!
By By Kee
December 13, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
T.J what a great person and player. I think he is one of the best receivers in the NFL. I love his hair and I think he is very hot. He is very passionate player as well as a team player. I hope he stays with the Bengals for a very long time. He brings the heat to the game. I think he deserves more credit than what he gets. So what if he throws tantrums I’m still a big fan of his as well as the Bengals. GO T.J. WHO DEY!
By William
December 13, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
An awesome reciever, he is the one who should get into the hall of fame, not oucho groucho 85.
By BCRez
December 13, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
I adore TJ. He oozes talent and class. He makes watching a Bengals game fun. . even THIS season. He holds himself to a very high standard and pushes himself to the limit every game. If he is not in the Bengals’ plan for the future, I think they would lose a lot of fans.
By Amy
December 13, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
He is a wonderful player and I have been watching him for years.. if those are tantrums I would watch them anyday. There were several missed calls at the Steelers game.
I gotta agree w/you Tiffany. TJ is a very intense player and when he has an opinion about a call (or lack thereof), he is going to speak his mind. Looking for him to play in the Pro Bowl.
By preacher,franklin,ohio
December 13, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
i,am,new,englandpatriots,fan,geter,done,forjesus,god,bless,you,all.
By Lissa
December 13, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
TJ is one of the best recievers in the league. I think it is finally time he gets some of the recognition he deserves. As for temper tantrums were we watching the same game. I think Marvin should have a couple of tantrums with some of the horrible calls the Bengals get. I JUST PRAY WE CAN KEEP TJ AROUND ONCE HIS CONTRACT IS UP!!!!!
By David
December 13, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
He has the best hair in the nfl.
By Brian
December 13, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
i have been telling people i know from DAY 1 as a bengal , that T. J. was gonna be a great player . and if part of that is being a bit of a hot head at times , i’ll take it . we’ve seen WAAAAAAAY too many players go thru this team for years that , if it wasn’t for the fact that thier bodies were actually moving around , appeared to HAVE no heartbeat . houshmandzadeh has more heart in his big toe that a lot of his former teammates HAD in thier whole bodies . i’ll take the attitude ANYTIME !!!!!!!
By Brian
December 13, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
i have been telling people i know from DAY 1 as a bengal , that T. J. was gonna be a great player . and if part of that is being a bit of a hot head at times , i’ll take it . we’ve seen WAAAAAAAY too many players go thru this team for years that , if it wasn’t for the fact that thier bodies were actually moving around , appeared to HAVE no heartbeat . houshmandzadeh has more heart in his big toe that a lot of his former teammates HAD in thier whole bodies . i’ll take the attitude ANYTIME !!!!!!!
By Brian
December 13, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
i have been telling people i know from DAY 1 as a bengal , that T. J. was gonna be a great player . and if part of that is being a bit of a hot head at times , i’ll take it . we’ve seen WAAAAAAAY too many players go thru this team for years that , if it wasn’t for the fact that thier bodies were actually moving around , appeared to HAVE no heartbeat . houshmandzadeh has more heart in his big toe that a lot of his former teammates HAD in thier whole bodies . i’ll take the attitude ANYTIME !!!!!!!
By JLB
December 13, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
I think that anyone who plays with the passion that TJ does, can get frustrated with themselves and with bad calls, he’s not alone and I’m glad to see the passion, others need it, instead of playing for the glam. I’ve been saying that he is the best receiver the Bengals have for about four years. Hope we keep him around and I agree, he looks good too! Go #84
By anjala
December 13, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
He is fine!!! I know nothing about football..(lol)
By marcia keeton/ exladyvol
December 13, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
HE LOOKS SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!
By G-man
December 13, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
Houshmandzadeh throws temper tantrums? Compared to whom?! Officiating during the Steelers game was so bad that there are several refs who should be formally investigated—one in particular comes to mind. “Ocho Cinco” is the triumph of flash over substance; the core—and the HEART—of the Bengals passing offense is TJ. He doesn’t get paid enough for what he brings to the team.
By tiffany
December 13, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
He is a wonderful player and I have been watching him for years.. if those are tantrums I would watch them anyday. There were several missed calls at the Steelers game.
By Noell
December 13, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
TJ throws tantrums? Been a Bengals fan for a long time and he is one of the quietest, most reserved players they have on the squad. Great receiver who does not get the credit he deserves most of the time.
By bill
December 13, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
He may set a team record for catches but can the team win with him?
By bob
December 13, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
With his temper tantrums, I think he is a cancer!
By RB
December 13, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this
TJ is one of the best receivers the Bengals have ever had, the number of catches is impressive, the fact that most of these receptions are over the middle where most receivers hate to go because of the inevitable beating that they will take is remarkable.
By Long Time Fan
December 13, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this
T.J. brings his A game to every game. Sure hope that he is part of the Bengals future plans.
By Ralph
December 13, 2007 6:51 AM | Link to this
What a great person
By Ralph
December 13, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this
What a great person
By Ralph
December 13, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this
What a great person
By Ralph
December 13, 2007 6:50 AM | Link to this
What a great person