Reports: Seahawks get Houshmandzadeh

[March 03, 2009]  (AP)  T.J. Houshmandzadeh and the Seattle Seahawks agreed on a five-year contract, according to media reports Monday.

Citing unidentified sources, ESPN.com, The NFL Network and the Seattle Post Intelligencer reported on their Web sites that the former Cincinnati Bengals receiver's deal is for $40 million and includes $15 million in guarantees.

His agent, Kennard McGuire, did not respond to repeated text messages, e-mails and calls to his cell phone and office on Monday.

The 31-year-old Houshmandzadeh has caught 204 passes in the last two seasons. Seattle didn't have a wide receiver catch more than Bobby Engram's 47 last season.

The Seahawks had seven injuries at the position while sliding to a 4-12 finish in 2008.

Houshmandzadeh teamed with Chad Johnson to give the Bengals one of the best receiving tandems in the NFL in 2005, when the Bengals had their only winning record in the last 18 years.

While Cincinnati's offense disintegrated in the last three years, Houshmandzadeh emerged.

A dependable possession receiver, Houshmandzadeh caught 90 passes in 2006 and tied New England's West Welker for the NFL lead with 112 catches in 2007. He made his first Pro Bowl appearance that season.

With quarterback Carson Palmer sidelined by an elbow injury and the offensive line struggling last year, the Bengals had the worst offense in the league. Houshmandzadeh was its best player, catching 92 passes with four touchdowns.

[Associated Press

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