Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh told ESPN's Bob Holtzman on Monday that there is a "90-something percent chance" that he'll leave Cincinnati via free agency.
According to Rotoworld.com, he thinks Chad Johnson will be gone too. Johnson signed an extension in 2006 that will keep him in Cincy until 2010, with a team option for 2011.
Would the Eagles be interested in either one assuming that Johnson would even be available by trade? My guess on Johnson is no. While you can attribute his poor season (13 games, 53 catches, 540 yards, 4 TD's with no play over 26 yards) to a horrendous QB situation, Houshmandzadeh still caught 92 balls with that same bad QB situation. Johnson simply didn't do much last year and the Bengals could be asking an awful lot for a guy who may have his best days behind him (granted he played with a fairly significant shoulder injury all season, but that could be an issue too).
But what about Housh? I love DeSean Jackson, but I'm not sure I see him as an elite #1 in this league. But, I do see him as an all-world #2, and that's important too. That said, to me Housh is a 1-2 tweener. He's not in the Randy Moss/Fitz/Andre Johnson category. But, he's better than a typical #2 like a Patrick Crayton (he was until Roy got there), Jericho Cotchery (if he doesn't jump ahead of Coles) or Vincent Jackson. How good could DeSean be with TJ on the other side? Kevin Curtis in his natural slot position and now Avant and Baskett are your #4 and #5? I think that's a heck of a WR situation.
I'm not sure what his asking price will be once he hits the street, but I would think the Eagles will at least kick his tires.
Would you rather have Housh signed to a relatively big deal, or give up a first and a thid for Boldin, who you will then have to sign to an even bigger deal? Would you rather give up a first and third for Johnson, who you then wouldn't have to pay anymore money? Let's play GM.
