Lil Red Machine

Since 2001, the Bengals have had one of the most productive wide receiver tandems in the NFL.  All good things eventually come to an end though.  Monday evening, veteran wideout TJ Houshmandzadeh signed a 5 year-$41 million dollar deal, $15 million of that which is guaranteed.  The most the Bengals were willing to offer was 5 years-$35 million, and $11 million guaranteed.

I don’t blame TJ for leaving.  Obviously, he needs to do what is best for him and his family.  I can’t criticize an athlete, especially a football player, going for the most cash.  Their careers are generally shorter, and large portions of contracts aren’t guaranteed.  Another reason I can’t blame him is that the Bengals continue to remain a dysfunctional mess.  He’s going to a Seattle team coming off a bad year, but has been one of the most consistent NFC teams this decade.  Apparently, Marvin Lewis has the head coaching job as long as he wants it, it seems.  Lewis is a good man, but lost that team long ago.  Mike Brown pretty much let everyone know who runs that show when he brought back Chris Henry last season, despite the fact that Lewis didn’t want him around.  In summary, they beg for Henry to come back, don’t trade the ego maniacal Chad Johnson when the Washington Redskins were willing to offer multiple draft picks, yet they are more than willing to let a solid citizen and consistent football player go.  Typical move by the Bengals.  Character in Cincinnati doesn’t count.

As it stands, the Bengals are talking to Jets wideout Laverneaus Coles.  He would be a decent replacement, but he should be replacing a Chad Johnson, and NOT a TJ Housmandadeh.