by Michael DeLuca
At a time when the Philadelphia Eagles have achieved their biggest victory of the season and now must run the table in hopes of making the postseason, what else would we talk about than…potential offseason moves. It is appearing more and more likely that star wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh will hit the open market as a free agent this coming offseason. Would he be a good fit for the Philadelphia Eagles?
First off, let me say that I don’t think that wide receiver is among the biggest needs for the Philadelphia Eagles. Tight end is the first position that the Eagles must address during the offseason and (call me an optimist) I think they are well aware of it. I see a trade for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez being the most likely scenario. Both Houshmandzadeh and Gonzalez would be departures from the Eagles standard operating procedures in regards to veteran talent. Houshmandzadeh will be 32 year of age at the start of the 09′ regular season, Gonzalez 33.
The wide receiver position has been in a state of flux for the Eagles all season long. Rookie Desean Jackson has been the lone bright spot and even his play has been inconsistent. Veteran Kevin Curtis, who led the team with 1110 receiving yards in 2007, suffered a concussion in Sunday’s victory over the New York Giants and is questionable for the Monday Night matchup with the Cleveland Browns. Curtis had already missed the first six games of the regular season with a sport hernia. When healthy, Curtis is a reliable option, but is at his best when playing out of the slot. Reggie Brown, a former 1st round selection, has only regressed since a stellar rookie campaign. This season, Brown suffered a preaseason groin injury and has never bounced back. Brown was not even on the active roster for Sunday’s victory. Hank Baskett, Jason Avant, and Greg Lewis are nothing more than role players.
Ageism aside, TJ Houshmandzadeh would seem to be a perfect fit for the Philadelphia Eagles. Let’s start off the field. Houshmanzadeh has been a model citizen for the most dysfunctional group of hoodlums the NFL has to offer. In an era where the phrases “star wide receiver” and “prima dona” go hand in hand, Housh is an anomoly.
On the field, the man only gets better with age. Barring 2003, which saw Housh sidelined for all but two contests due to injury, he has literally improved each and every year from one season to the next. In fact, at 31 years of age, Houshmandzadeh has set the stage for his crowning achievement. Despite an injury to star quarterback Carson Palmer, Housh is on target for 110 receptions 1100 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2008! All this, with former Harvard quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick delivering him the pigskin. So, final verdict, yeah I’d said Houshmandzadeh would be a fantastic fit for the Birds in the upcoming offseason, what say you PCP Planet?
Why not just trade for Randy Moss?
Actually they tried to sign him last offseason but were unsuccessful. Also, Houshmandzadeh might be the better player at this point. He has certainly been more consitent and definately fits the Eagles mold (shut up and play) more than Moss.
This would be a great pickup. It might throw all the NFC East defesnes off balance. They couldn’t focus on Westbrook and an intermediate passing game at most. They’d have 2 legit receiver and a very good RB when healthy.
Reid and McNabb might be building the team that should have been built long ago.
I’m not sure of the Eagles would get Gonzalez. Too much would be needed, I’d go after someone like Utecht or Santi. Mabye even Kleinsasser
I htink TJH is the perfect WR for this team, though I like you seem to think that WR is not a top priority.
@Tom
Kleinsasser is a run blocking tight end, which would definately not fit into the Eagles plans with Reid as coach. I certainly wouldn’t mind bringing him in and moving him back to fullback however.
I know no one wants to hear this, but…
Plaxico is gone next year and with the money for that save on this #1 receiver, they can give is to TJ. It is as good a chance as him going to the birds as it is NY. I can dream………
That’s assuming that the Giants get away with cutting Burress without a cap hit. As it stands, if he were cut, his entire signing bonus would accelerate and it would strap the Giants cap wise.
TJ will be franchised. He’s going nowhere. Now, if you all would be interested in trading, say, your next 500 first round picks for Ocho Bozo, Bengals owner Mike Brown might be interested in talking.
@David
The Bengals cannot afford to keep both Stacy Andrews and Housh and it seems they are leaning towards Andrews. Unless, of course, they are able to trade Johnson which will probably be difficult at this point.
Do Eagles fans still want Chad Ocho Cinco ?
I sure don’t.
@Michael
They are not leaning toward Andrews. I don’t know where you’re hearing that. And even if they were, Andrews doesn’t want to stay. They have tried for the past two years to reach an agreement with him and have not been able to. Per multiple reports, he wants to leave in order to try and catch on in Philly where he can play with his brother. And you guys are welcome to him. Stacy is not bad, but he’s nothing special.
Just what the Eagles need a 2nd Andrews and even more drama….no thanks!
@ David – Shawn Andrews will not be an Eagle in 2009.
Huh? I sure hope Shawn Andrews is with the Eagles in 09, his absence has really hurt the team this year. In fact, I’m hoping he’s with the Eagles in the next week or so and helping push towards the playoffs and beyond.
Funny, 2 weeks ago you wanted them to lose.
Shawn Andrews gone?are you serious?he is our up and coming star here and with half our line bodering on retirement that would be a stupid move and to answer the Stacy Andrews and the Hush thing NFL network just said that they were leaning on Stacy more then Hush and seeing how Andy was so desperate last year to get a star wide out I can see him making a huge push much like he did Asante to bring him here