Where Will Housh Go? The Teams Looking at TJ Houshmandzadeh

When the Cincinnati Bengals decided to use their franchise tag, they surprised a lot of people by not using it on TJ Houshmandzadeh. Houshmandzadeh is one of the best, if not the best player on the Bengals squad. Though his production dipped in 2008, most players will lose production when their starting quarterback misses most of the season. He will be almost certainly be the top name on the free agent market at the receiver position this year and will probably get a decent contract offer.

According to stats on NFL.com, Houshmandzadeh has been in the league since 2001. He had two mediocre seasons in 2001 and 2002, and then only managed 2 catches for the Bengals in 2003 when he suffered from a severe hamstring injury. Since then, he has steadily increased his production, with the exception of this past season when the Bengals offense struggled. He still caught 92 passes for 904 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2008, but the Bengals offense was so anemic that he accounted for over 1/3 of their total receiving yards. He also had over 350 more yards than big name receiver Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson. TJ is the real deal at receiver and though he is most dominant as a second receiver, he does have the ability to play as a number 1 receiver. He also is a strong run blocker, similar to division foe Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Being the top talent in the league, TJ will be courted heavily come the start of free agency, February 27^th, 2009. What follows is a look at teams that may be interested as well as the chance that they will land Houshmandzadeh. So where will Housh go?

Washington Redskins - The Redskins have a couple of decent receivers, but they always try to build through free agency and TJ would be a great upgrade. Unfortunately they have virtually no wiggle room, so don't expect them to get Houshmandzadeh. Chance of Housh: 15%

Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens do have a couple of decent receivers, but they could use a true number 1 like Houshmandzadeh. Playing in the same division with him has given them the opportunity to see that he is a great player. Their biggest problem is that they don't have a lot of cap room compared to the number of big name free agents they need to re-sign. Chance of Housh: 20%

Cleveland Browns - The Browns do have a big name receiver in Braylon Edwards, but he has dropped far too many passes the past few seasons. Cleveland would love to grab this division foe to help bolster an offense that struggled last season. There would be a small chance of Cleveland making this move, but they have bigger needs than receiver. Chance of Housh: 25%

Detroit Lions - Where do star receivers from college go to fizzle out? Will Detroit have the same effect on a good veteran? Would Houshmandzadeh go there to $10 million a year? TJ probably wants to win soon as he is on the bad side of 30 and so he will probably want to stay away from Detroit. Chance of Housh: 25%

Oakland Raiders - The Raiders love to go after big names guys. They throw wads of money at them and often times they end up losing out. They would love to have Houshmandzadeh in silver and black, but with most of their money already tied up in the HUGE contracts they have handed out over the last two years, they won't be able to afford him. Chance of Housh: 35%

Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs struggled last year. They were very young and didn't have many superstars. With new management in place, they will be looking to revamp the roster. Dwayne Bowe was the Chiefs leading receiver and will only get better, but the Chiefs would love to use some of their cap space to add another good receiver. Chance of Housh: 45%

San Diego Chargers - The Chargers have a couple of mid-level receivers, but could really use a good number one receiver for Phillip Rivers to throw to. However, after franchising Darren Sproles and with rumors that LT won't take a pay cut, they probably can't afford the contract Houshmandzadeh would want. Being born in Southern California (according to Wikipedia), he may take a discount to get back there, but it might not be enough for the Chargers to afford. Chance of Housh: 50%

San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers would like bring in a good receiver to pair with Isaac Bruce. TJ is a great option, but with uncertainty at quarterback Houshmandzadeh would probably prefer to go somewhere else. TJ was born in Southern California, so there is a chance that he may consider the 49ers. Chance of Housh: 50%

Chicago Bears - To call the Bears receivers from last year mediocre is a stretch. With the departure of Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd becoming a free agent, the Bears need to find someone who can catch the ball for them next season. Houshmandzadeh would be a good addition to the offense, but he may not want to go to Chicago. Chance of Housh: 55%

Dallas Cowboys - The old saying goes where there is a big name free agent, there will be the Cowboys, or something like that. They have shelled out money year after year for big names and though they aren't as bad as Al Davis and the Raiders, they still are notorious for name shopping. If they part ways with TO as rumors have them doing, they would make a run at Houshmandzadeh. Chance of Housh: 60%

Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings have a good team, but their passing game was weak. The Vikings will probably be looking for a quarterback this off-season, so they may want to try for a receiver to go with him. Bernard Berrian was inconsistent in 2008, so they may bring in Houshmandzadeh to bump Berrian to a number two spot. Chance of Housh: 65%

Miami Dolphins - Bill Parcells took a Dolphins team that won a single game in 2007 and turned them into a playoff team the following year. The Dolphins had a decent offense with the Wildcat formation and steady quarterback play from Chad Pennington. Miami has a couple of young receivers, but would love to bring in a veteran like Houshmandzadeh to help bring them along. Chance of Housh: 65%

Tennessee Titans - The Titans had a very good running game last season. Was some of it due to very poor receivers? Quite possibly. The Titans could definitely use a good receiver and they have a little cap space to work with, so they may be able to lure TJ there. Chance of Housh: 65%

Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals would love to have Housh back, but they will let him test the waters in free agency. They will make him a decent offer, but Housh may want to win before his career is over and with the current state of the Bengals, it may not be a place where he can win right now. TJ will probably not give them a home town discount, but it may be hard for him to leave friend/teammate Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson. Chance of Housh: 70%

Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars had a terrible off season last year, in hindsight. The Jags haven't had a dominant receiver since Jimmy Smith retired and would love to employ Houshmandzadeh. If they can clear the cap space and aren't too gun-shy after getting burned last year, he would make a great addition to the team. Chance of Housh: 75%

Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles have only had a true number one receiver once in the last decade. Since TO left town, they have struggled to find a good go to guy. DeSean Jackson had a great rookie season and could become a number one someday, but the Eagles would love to have Houshmandzadeh line up across from him. The Eagles may not have enough cap space to afford TJ, but expect them to make a run. Chance of Housh: 75%

New York Giants - Rumors have receiver Plaxico Burress wanting out. Rumors have the Giants wanting him out. This would leave the Giants without a number one receiver and with plenty of cap space to afford TJ. If the Giants part ways with Plax, Housh may be wearing blue next season. Chance of Housh: 80%

Seattle Seahawks - To say the Seahawks receivers struggled last year would be like saying that the Lions had a less than average season. The Seahawks receivers dropped like flies. They would like to bring in a couple of new guys who solidify the position for a few years. In addition, TJ played his college ball at Oregon State, which isn't too far from Seattle. This may help to raise his interest in the Seahawks. Chance of Housh: 85%