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Former Cerritos
College All-American wide receiver T.J.
Houshmandzadeh, who spent the last eight
seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, as signed a
five-year free agent contract with the Seattle
Seahawks. Houshmandzadeh, who was an All-Pro in 2007
after leading the NFL in receptions with 112,
selected the Seahawks over the Bengals and Minnesota
Vikings.
According to
ESPN.com, Houshmandzadeh said, "I just felt it was
the best destination, it was the best team, it was
the best choice for me." The five-year deal is
reportedly to be worth more than $40 million with
more than $15 million guaranteed.
Houshmandzadeh
visited the Seahawks headquarters in Renton on
Friday, flying in from Sea-Tac airport on owner Paul
Allen’s seaplane. The plane took off from Lake
Washington at 11 a.m. en route to the airport to
pick up Houshmandzadeh and his family. After
visiting with the owner and staff, he decided that
Seattle was the place for him to continue his
career.
Considered the
wide receiver prize in this year's free agency,
Houshmandzadeh has caught at least 90 passes over
the last three years, including 92 in 2008 for 904
yards and four touchdowns. The two previous years
saw him post over 1,000 receiving yards, while he
has caught 507 passes in his career for 5,782 yards
and 37 touchdowns. In addition to his receiving
duties Houshmandzadeh also returned punted and
brought back eight for 79 yards last season.
While with the
Falcons from 1997-98, Houshmandzadeh was a two-time 1st
Team Mission Conference selection as a wide receiver and
kickoff returner, while he earned 1st Team honors as a
punt returner his freshman year. He was also a 1st team
All-J.C. Grid-Wire All-American as a kick returner and
wide receiver as a sophomore. he holds the school record
for two 100-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns, while
he also brought back an 87-yard punt for a touchdown as
a freshman. Houshmandzadeh still ranks second for most
career receiving yards (1,152), while his 65 career
reception are fourth in school history.
After player for
the Falcons, Houshmandzadeh played two seasons at Oregon
State University, while as a senior he helped spark the
Beavers to a No. 4 national ranking and a Fiesta Bowl
victory over Notre Dame. Including the Fiesta Bowl,
Houshmandzadeh caught 48 passes for 730 yards and seven
TD's that season. |
