Tale of Two Receivers: Steve Smith and TJ Houshmandzadeh
by LittleKing on Sep 3, 2010 11:07 PM EDT
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PrintWhile unlikely, the thought of the Panthers signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh is at least intriguing. To be honest I don't know much about his career other than he played with the Bengals and was Chad Ochocinco's teammate. So I went to Pro-Football-Reference.com and decided to compare his career to Steve Smith's just for kicks.
Both were drafted in 2001, although TJ is two years older. Steve Smith was draft in anticipation of returning punts and while I don't know exactly why TJ was drafted he did return punts his first few years in the league. He had a total of 12 punt returns and 10 kickoff returns in his first year and did have a better average (13.6 vs 10.7) in punt returns that year over Smith but over the next two active years Smith kept his average the same while TJ's dropped dramatically.
As a wide receiver TJ had 21 catches for 228 yards (0 TD) vs smith's 10 catches for 154 yards in 2001 (0 TD). In 2002 it was 41 receptions, 492 yards, and 1 TD for TJ compared to 54 receptions, 872 yards, and 3 TD for Smith, but TJ only started 5 games vs 14 for Smith. TJ was hurt during the 2003 season but Smith continued to improve with 88 receptions for 1110 yards and 7 TD. During their fourth year in the league the tables were turned and Smith was hurt and TJ continued to improve. He started 13 games and had 73 receptions for 978 yards and 4 TD under new QB Carson Palmer.
The next four years both receivers continued to have success.
2005 TJ - 78 Rec, 956 yards, 7 TD Smith - 103 Rec, 1563 yards, 12 TD
2006 TJ - 98 rec, 1081 yards, 9 TD Smith - 83 Rec, 1166 yards, 8 TD
2007 TJ - 112 Rec, 1143 yards, 12 TD Smith - 87 Rec, 1002 yards, 7 TD
2008 TJ - 92 Rec, 904 yards, 4 TD Smith - 78 Rec, 1421 yards, 6 TD
Another interesting bit was in 2007 Palmer was injured for most of the season in game four and then in 2008 Delhomme was injured in game three for the season. Despite the injury to their starting QB in their respective years both receivers had great stat lines.
Finally, in 2009 TJ became a Seattle Seahawk and had 79 receptions for 911 yards and 3 TD and Smith had 65 receptions for 982 yards for 7 TD. In total TJ has 586 receptions for 6693 yards for an average of 11.4 y/r and 40 TD. Smith has 574 receptions for 8330 yards for a 14.5 y/r average and 50 TD.
TJ is not a bad receiver, in fact, he's a good receiver. He's 6' 1" and 197 lbs and has decent stats. The main problem is he's 32 and is past his prime.
In looking at James' roster prediction, I would have to agree with his WR lineup of Smith, Jarrett, LaFell, Gettis, Edwards, and Martin. After reading the ESPN report regarding TJ's contract and with so many young receivers, I really wouldn't mind giving up Jarrett for Houshmandzadeh, if TJ would sign a one year deal. It would give us another proven receiver (although older) and give a year for LaFell, Gettis, and Edwards to develop into our receiving core of the future.
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TJ Hoshamazode....TJ Housh....TJ Whosyourmomma
Mark it down: Championship.
(Sorry, had to do it.)
I think he would be a good fit for the Panthers if he’s willing to take the vets minimum for one year – but I highly doubt that he will sign with us.
"The truth will set you free. But not until it is finished with you." ~ David Foster Wallace
I would give up jarrett in a heartbeat for Housh. But I seriously, SERIOUSLY doubt the Panthers even inquire about him. We should definitely make a play for him, but this FO doesn’t have the balls to do it.
A trade is a long shot just because of his salary, but if he is released, there will be teams lining up to take him, and the Panthers would have to pony up cash for him, something we never do.
Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader
Will not happen
Richardson and Furney (pardon me it has been a long day) will never get this guy. I agree with Ivan459 if he is released teams are going to pounce on him like he is the next big thing and pony up the cash which is something that Panthers are not going to do. I wouldn’t say Jarrett is a lock in my opinon I would like for us to dump Jarrett and just go with LaFell. Personally I would love to get TJ but once he is signed by another club (he is not going to be traded with his contract) the Panthers front office will have a ton of BS excuses. I can hear it now, he is not our type of receiver, to close to Smitty style of Play, cannot run block, to old and past his prime , and lastly to $$$ is the real reason. It would have been nice to have Crayton especially for a 7th rounder as I have already posted to death on this today, but TJ is a nice backup choice. It will not happ however, and honestly TJ only gets me a little more excited that Dwayne Jarrett at this point which is saying something. Still I would love to have TJ hear b/c he still has something to prove and something left in the tank. WILL NOT HAPPEN HOWEVER>
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Sep 4, 2010 12:04 AM EDT reply actions
Glad the Panthers will have a bunch of excuses they don’t need to spend the money he will surely demand..If we could sign him 1 year and real reasonable,but we know that aint happening.Richardson and Hurney Rule,they have never allowed us to watch a pitiful product,since Hurney has been here anyway.Whan I look around the league I’m happy with the bigcat,Fox,Hurney ,Meeks the TCU guy,and all this TALENT! Sweet…Panthers Rule! 11-5,maybe 12-4….We are the sleeper that’s about to SHAKE the NFC
12-4 your crazy if you think this team is going to finish 11-5 but 12-4. Sorry you will be lucky to finish 8-8 same as last season. We are going to lose games 17-14 b.c all M. Moore can do is throw to TE’s and Smitty is going to be tripled covered like he has been every year for the past 3 or 4. Excuses is what Fox and compay are all about do you not watch the post game comments ? It is what it is or another good Fox favorite you are never as good as they say you are and you are never as bad as they say you are.
No way we are making the playoffs with the offense we currently have Sorry !
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Sep 4, 2010 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Why so pessimistic Holty?
I do expect the passing game to struggle a bit early but I think we have the defense to keep us in these games. As long as ST doesn’t dig us a hole either then we can win some close, low-scoring game early until the offense gets it together. The toughest part of our schedule is December and that is month John Fox teams excel. I don’t remember his December record off the top of my head but it rocks!
You just said
Smitty is going to be tripled covered like he has been every year for the past 3 or 4.
Well the past 4 years his stats havent been bad, actually they’ve been good. What makes you think he wont have just as good of stats has he always has this year.
Last year was evidence that Moore can throw it to Smith and if Smitty wasnt injured the last two games he would have broken 1000 yards again.
"The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity." - Lewis Grizzard
by ThePanthers! on Sep 4, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
The Buffalo Game last season
THAT WAS PITFUL PRODUCT and it is wasn’t only J. Delhomme it was wonderful K. Moore as well not to mention a Kasay missed field goal inside the 20 yard line. Pitful was indeed the best way to describe it.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Sep 4, 2010 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions
TJ over Jarret, Immediate Upgrade
It won’t happen, but it should. Jarret will likely not be here next year unless he comes out and plays spectacularly, so it’s not as if signing TJ to a 1 year deal would be any different. He would immediately give us the 2nd weapon we are looking for in a WR and it would open up our game enormously. We would be come instantaneous contenders I believe.
Sadly, it’ll never happen… but it definitely should.
Housh is good....
He’s definitely not being traded/released because he lacks skill. It’s still there. Just doesn’t necessarily fit in Seattle offense and he’d just take reps from young guys like Butler and Tate.
That would be a good trade
Jarrett back to Pete Carol and T.J. going to Superbowl contenders
Armanti Edwards = Steve Smith 2.5
With Bryant and Housh (probably) on the market
It’s silly not to make an offer to one of them.
Fourth and inches is the distance between obscurity and immortality.
where's the do not want dog?
If I wasn’t posting from my phone I would post the do not want dog for bryant.
by LittleKing on Sep 4, 2010 8:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Palmer was out in the '08 season
and jake was out in the ’07 season, not vice-versa
If Houshmandzadeh gets released, we HAVE to sign this guy.
Period. Our young WR receiver corps cannot handle what’s about to happen when the regular season starts. TJ can give us not only on-field production, but could possibly help Smitty with bringing these kids along. I doubt we’d be able to pay him enough to keep him around more than a year, but we have GOT to sign this guy if he’s released. Or Smitty’s gonna looking at triple-teams all year. I know we can run the football, but all of that is dependent on our ability to stretch the field with the vertical pass. It’s not a question of “want” at this point. We have almost no depth at receiver and even less experience. Why did we cut all those high-priced vets if we’re not going to use the money we saved to turn a 8-8 football club into a playoff threat?
by The Kackalack Kid on Sep 4, 2010 10:02 AM EDT reply actions
If we could get him for a year or two at a reasonable amount I'm all for it.
But I have a feeling there a few teams out there willing to pay more than Jerry would (if they even consider it). But I think between Jerry’s thriftiness this season, other teams out bidding (i think the Vikings need a another receiver worse than we do), and I think Housh is probably looking for something longer term, I think its a long shot to happen.
Rules and Regulations of the Game: 89, Bottom Line
Right Idea wrong receiver
TJ is a fine receiver and would make a good number two. But he, much like Moose, would be a stopgap measure hoping the young guys on the roster develop by the time he’s done. The real answer to the Panthers long term receiver issues is setting at his house in Cali waiting for the Panthers to call. Vincent Jackson can be had for for a second and a third (over two years) with a $50 million 5 year contract $30 million guaranteed.
Its a steep price but offer the $30 million broken into yearly roster bonuses and half the base pay as incentives with money saving clauses if he ever holds out and you have a number one receiver that automatically makes every aspect of the offense better by just lining up. Image Jackson at the one Smith in the slot and Lefell/Edwards/Jarret at the “number 2” with our backfield no defense could stop us.
"I kinda just sling it" -Jake
Never happen
Jackson is considered to much of a social risk to bring to Carolina.
If God came down on Christmas Day
I know exactly what He'd say
He'd say "Oi!" to the punks
and "Oi!" to the skins
but "Oi!" to the world and everybody wins.
-The Vandals
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