A Letter to Seattle

A Seattle blogger requested I give him and the city some perspective on what they can expect from Housh. Here is what I wrote:

While some receivers are able to get by on size or athleticism, T.J Houshmandzedah is truly a craftsman at his trade. Seahawks fans can expect from him excellent route running, a fearlessness to catch passes over the middle, and, most importantly, a pair of reliable hands. Housh won’t blow by corners on deep routes and isn’t much of a sideline receiver, but he does have a knack for pulling down ‘jump balls’ by leaping earlier than defenders, and is also very tough to bring down for a guy his size. After catching the ball, he often times takes a step backward in order to find a seam to gain additional YAC yards. His best strength might be his ability to convert those crucial third-and-medium scenarios on a fairly regular basis.

When on the field, it’s necessary for T.J. to become very angry in order to give it his best effort. This usually takes shape in the vehement trash-talking he feels comfortable engaging in with opposing defensive backs. Occasionally, he may focus his ire on the closest referee that apparently missed a penalty call, sometimes, but rarely, invoking a flag for generally disagreeable conduct toward the offending zebra.

Off the field, however, Housh willingly and honestly provides sharp, insightful commentary and analysis to whichever microphone asks for such a thing. His post-game interviews became the most accurate and most believable voice coming from the Bengal locker room within the past five or so years. His ability to teach young players the ropes – on life and on football – and line up the strays to the line of scrimmage before the snap, has prevented the Bengals offense from deteriorating even faster than it has.

Housh will arrive in Seattle with glowing reviews from the Bengal nation. While once an unpopular player in Cincinnati (due largely to many dropped passes and a knack for fumbling punt returns very early in his career), he resuscitated himself brilliantly winning the hearts of every knowledgeable, legitimate Bengals fan by being nothing more than an extremely hard worker and an honest person. We’re all sad to see him leave, but everyone here wishes him nothing but the best. Enjoy him; we sure did.

— B. Clifton Burke