From the700level.com:
Just how desperate are Eagles fans to embrace change at the wide receiver position? Enough to accept the least productive receiver in the NFL? A large majority of supporters and experts agree the Eagles require a weaponry upgrade prior to the '09 campaign, however they once again enter the fray without a definitively viable alternative, unless you count yourself among those who feel T.J. Houshmandzadeh is the solution.
Housh appeared on
Mike Missanelli's show yesterday afternoon and gave locals the chance to get to know the premiere free agent receiver and ultimately garnered the radio host's endorsement. Immediately following the interview, they went on to characterize Housh's '08 average of 9.8 yards per catch as not bad.
Except it was the worst in the NFL among starting wide receivers.
True, he played last season with a backup QB. Unfortunately for Housh though, this was the second year in a row.
The wide receiver had nothing but positive things to say about the Eagles and the city of Philadelphia. He is favorable to playing here, is willing to accept warranted criticisms of his play on the field, and is impressed with McNabb's ability to win with the likes of Todd Pinkston and Freddie Mitchell. Join the club.
However the standards he is expected to meet are on the football field, and little in his career points to answers for the Eagles. He is a 32-year-old, 6'1" (maybe) possession receiver whose career average YPC is precisely the same as James Thrash's all-time single season low. This is the playmaker the offense has been waiting for?
Besides the distinct possibility of adding an overrated veteran to a stagnating offense, the front office must consider the financial ramifications of such a signing. Last season's top free agent WR, Bernard Berrian, received a six year deal worth $42 million, $16 guaranteed. As a blueprint for Housh's contract, it suggests $8 to $9 mil per year and at least $20 guaranteed. Do those numbers even come close to matching the estimated impact?
And finally, how much has playing across from Chad Johnson affected Houshmandzadeh? Were his best days entirely the result of more aggressive coverage across the field? Has he acquired a poor attitude while playing in a me-first, losing environment?
I'd place the odds of the Eagles signing the Bengals receiver rather low anyway. He's an older player who has done little to showcase himself as the kind of weapon that can truly alter a defense's gameplan. As far as upgrades go, it couldn't hurt to have him in the fold, but it's at least questionable just how much this addition would actually improve the passing game.
