On Monday, the Seahawks signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh to a five-year, $40 million deal. Great news for Seattle -- Matt Hasselbeck will finally have a legit pass-catching threat (a seldom-healthy Deion Branch doesn't count) -- but the Bengals were suddenly down to Chad Ocho Cinco in the reliable wide receiver department. (Yikes.)Apparently, the thought of starting the season with Chris Henry, Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell was enough to motivate historically cheap Bengals owner Mike Brown into action, presumably at the behest of head coach Marvin Lewis. Whatever the impetus, Cincy has a new-old Houshmandzadeh: Laveranues Coles. Via NFL.com's Adam Schefter, Coles signed a four-year, $28 million contract.
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Houshmandzadeh has been more prolific in recent seasons (three consecutive seasons of at least 90-plus receptions), but Coles isn't a bad consolation prize given the difference in contracts; he's had at least 70 catches in six of the past seven seasons.
It's not a high-profile free-agent signing, for sure, but Coles fills a huge void in the Bengals' offense. That he was relatively affordable is even better. If the offensive line can plug a few holes and get healthy, and Cedric Benson picks up where he left off last season (read: doesn't play like Chris Perry), Cincinnati may be the 2009 version of the 2008 Ravens.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-04-2009 @ 9:13PM
Redskins0492 said...
7 million a year compared to Housh's 8 million a year...? Seriously? The Bengals couldn't keep a better player for 1 million more a year? Not to mention the fact that Housh knows the offense and has a rapport with Carson Palmer
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3-07-2009 @ 12:52AM
colormecolorado said...
sadly, he probably just wanted out. can you blame him? I love the Bengals, but other than the year Van Oehofflenererer (lol) rolled on Palmer's leg, we've pretty much been mediocre to bad, in the past 17 season.
I hope Lav, who I think is an exc. receiver, will do very well, and I expect Ocho to be better this year, and Henry, too! I think we've got a decent team if they pick the right draft players.