PFT: Housh Might Not Get Contract Offer
Talk about your Debbie Downer.
PFT.com threw a bucket of cold water on free agent wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s goals for 2011.
The 11-year veteran recently said that despite two of the most disappointing seasons he’s ever had on the field in Seattle and Baltimore, he believes he will still “shock a lot of people” next season if he gets to the “right” team.
“We hate to be Debbie Downers, but Housh could have to learn how to handle something else new when the lockout ends,” wrote Gregg Rosenthal.
“It’s quite possible he doesn’t get a contract offer for next season.”
Houshmandzadeh was a seventh-round selection in 2001, and then after three years of hard work he became a starter in the Bengals’ 2004 offense. His best year came in 2007 when he caught 112 passes for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns and went to the Pro Bowl.
But things went downhill after leaving Cincinnati.
While in Seattle, Houshmandzadeh logged his fewest receptions (79) since 2005. It dropped again while in Baltimore, as he pulled in just 30 catches.
“For much of his career, he was a sticky-fingered overachiever. He was a seventh-round pick that rose to prominence largely because of route-running and football smarts,” wrote Rosenthal.
“Now he’s seen as the opposite: A cocky free agent disappointment, and quite possibly a guy that struggles to fit inside the team framework. He’s the guy who dropped the final ball in Baltimore’s season last year and he won’t be back.”
Ravens Are Best NFL Talent Evaluators
As ESPN’s John Clayton points out, some teams can get lucky with an easy schedule, a healthy roster and a fortunate playoff run.
But then you won’t hear from them the next season. Their success can’t be duplicated.
The Ravens, however, have made the playoffs three years in a row and are consistently considered Super Bowl contenders.
Clayton believes Baltimore’s longevity is sustained by the front office, which is why he gave Ravens brass his award as the best talent evaluators in the NFL.
“General Manager Ozzie Newsome is a master at filling needs in the draft and finding long-term starters,” wrote Clayton. “Newsome, a Hall of Fame tight end, knows how to put together playoff teams. He has a great scouting staff, but his specialty is running his organization like a CEO and making the right big decisions.
“Though it didn’t work out when he drafted Kyle Boller to be Brian Billick’s quarterback, Newsome gambled on Joe Flacco, who has been to the playoffs in each of his first three years and will be an elite quarterback in Baltimore for at least the next decade.”
Three other “best” awards were handed out by ESPN to the Ravens yesterday: Best rivalry in the NFL (vs. the Steelers) and the best team facility and tailgating in the AFC North.
Polamalu Like An Extra Linebacker
It’s an old debate, but at least there’s a new argument.
Jason La Canfora and Elliot Harrison debated who the best safety of the new millennium is: Troy Polamalu or Ed Reed.
Harrison argued for Polamalu, saying the strong safety is the “biggest overall playmaker from the safety position since Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott.
“I’m talking about a complete game, not just interceptions and pass deflections — but sacks, tackles for a loss and, most of all, clutch plays.”
Harrison’s case for Polamalu, however, played into La Canfora’s rationale for Reed.
“Troy Polamalu is a tremendous talent, but Ryan Clark does a bulk of the coverage in Pittsburgh,” wrote La Canfora. “Polamalu is like an extra linebacker in running situations. … Without a doubt Reed is the best safety of this era.”
And while Polamalu is a great playmaker, as Harrison pointed out, Reed can and has changed the makeup of a game in a single play.
“Reed eclipses him, by a large margin, in interceptions, turnovers caused and touchdowns. He changes the entire nature of the game and the entire way offenses approach the Ravens. This is a guy who out-wits and out-smarts Peyton Manning.”
More fans tend to agree with La Canfora, but just barely. Of 9,227 votes, 53 percent say Reed is the best safety of the Y2K era.
Simultaneous Lockouts Begin. NFL’s Winding Down?
As the NFL entered its 110th lockout day, another professional sport entered its first.
The NBA began its own lockout yesterday after it failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement with its players.
“Is this the first time 2 professional sports (NBA&NFL) will be locked out at the same time?” asked Ravens running back Ray Rice via Twitter. “I’m curious to know.”
Not quite, Ray.
According to CBSSports.com, this is the second time two leagues are simultaneously shut down. The NHL and MLB were concurrently locked out from October 1994 to mid-January 1995.
As for the progress in the NFL labor impasse, it is still believed the players and owners could come to an agreement by July 15, but there are mixed messages as to the current mood of the talks.
ESPN says the talks are moving backwards because owners are reportedly backtracking on a previous agreement that would give players 48% of league revenues. But one source told the news outlet that during negations, things are always subject to change.
The two sides wrapped up a 16-hour negotiating session after midnight this morning in Minnesota, and they will resume discussions at 8 a.m. Central Time.
Quick Hits
- Donte’ Stallworth is “eternally grateful” for how the Ravens gave him a job and a valuable second chance following his suspension and jail sentence for a driving under the influence manslaughter conviction: “Yeah, there’s mixed feelings. The organization was nothing but great to me. I appreciate the opportunity they gave me. The guys were great and the fans welcomed me. They tell me all the time they hope things work out for me and that I would come back. From the foot injury standpoint, it definitely derailed a lot of things that I was looking forward to doing.” [Carroll County Times]
- WillisMcGahee: What type of attitude should I have when the season starts. [Twitter]
- raylewis52com: "Never go to sleep with stress on your mind" [Twitter]
