Player Spotlight: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seattle Seahawks Options

[Jason Wood]

2009 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 120 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Player Page Link: T.J. Houshmandzadeh Player Page

Each article will include:

• Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
• Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
• FBG Projections
• Consensus Member Projections

The Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

• Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
• Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
• To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the player

Projections should include (at a minimum):

• For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
• For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
• For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

Now let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

[mlball77]

Wearing new colors this year makes TJ a tough player to forecast for 2009. However, it seems to me that he has a solid QB passing to him on a team without a proven elite WR. He will be sharing targets with the likes of Branch and Carlson, so I like the odds of TJ getting his in 09, I just don't expect huge things out of the Seattle offense in general. Hasselbeck was vocally a fan of the sure-handed, possession WR, Bobby Engram. I think he will find TJ to be a guy he can trust in the same manner, but that he is a guy that has a bit more upside.

Recs: 80
Yds: 960
TDs: 6

[Kool-Aid Larry]

I really haven't followed any Seattle football --- can somebody post up which receivers will play which positions, and what Mora's planning to do to change that offense, if anything.
Isn't the x receiver generally the one to have over there?

[mlball77]

I really haven't followed any Seattle football --- can somebody post up which receivers will play which positions, and what Mora's planning to do to change that offense, if anything.
Isn't the x receiver generally the one to have over there?

Good questions... I am unable to answer. Anyone else have the answers? SEA homers?

[domvin]

Mora has a penchant for running the ball.....at least he did in Atlanta. I suspect that Seattle will still have to air it out in quite a few games though, based on their defense, and playing the likes of Ariz (2) chi, indy, dall, MN, houston, GB....not to mention easy defenses like st louis, and SF twice

I'll say 87 catches, 1057 yards, and 9 tds

[The Man with the...]

He is the best receiver on the team catching passes from a good quarterback in Hasselbeck. He could be undervalued this season.

[rzrback77]

With TJ Housh, you are looking at a seventh round draft choice that improved in each of his first six seasons in the NFL, progressing from 21 catches to 41, to 73, to 78, to 90, and finally to 112 in 07. He used to be a bargain every year as folks said that Chad Johnson was the man and TJ was just getting catches in a possession role as Chad grabbed all the attention and coverage. But, you can't really argue with his success, especially over the last five seasons. He has finished in FBG non-ppr scoring as WR31, WR14, WR11, WR7, and WR 31.

Now he is crossing the country going to a new team for the first time since being drafted. He will be 32 in the first month of the season and he's learning to adjust to a new system, a new QB, and possibly being considered the #1 WR for the first time. Will he always draw the top CB? Will other Seahawk WRs keep hiim from being double teamed? Is Hasselbeck healthy? Lots of questions. Will all these questions allow him to fall in drafts so that he remains a value pick? His current ADP is as WR15 and 35 overall, which seems quite high. Immediately after Welker and TO, and just before Roy Williams and Santonio Holmes.

Bobby Engram was the Seahawks leading WR in 08 catching only 47 passes in 13 games, but he is gone. Their current depth chart indicates that the #2 is Burleson, with Branch as the #3. These two caught 5 passes in only one game and 30 passes in 8 games. Alas, even more questions. I think that TJ does lead the team in 09, but his targets will be decreased from the past due to tougher coverage and a further split between all the WRs and Carlson, growing in his second season.

TJ Housh 110 targets 72 catches 734 yards 10.2 ypc and 5 TDs

[laughinboy_2000]

I may be one of the VERY few here that like Houshmandzadeh this year. Why? I think he may be a bit undervalued this year. Last year with a no name QB, Housh was still able to catch 92 passes and come close to 1000 yards. Now I know the TDs were not there, but the Bengals were a mess last year. He now comes across the States to play for a pass happy Seattle Seahawks team. He's got a veteran QB in Matt Hasselbeck who loves throwing the ball down to his "possession" WRs. Just ask Bobby Engram. With Engram now gone, what better player to add than Houshmanzadeh. This guy has consistently been a top "possession" WR. He's averaged 98 receptions the last three years. I definitely see him going over 90 yet again this year. Here are some factors to consider when drafting TJ this year.

- Weak conference
- Seahawks have no running game to speak of.
- Veteran QB who loves to throw the ball to his "possession" WRs.
- Will lead the team in catches, yards, and TDs.
- Very consistent, and IMO comes with little risk if drafted in the right spot.

Now think about where he's being drafted. He's a solid WR3 this year in PPR leagues if you can get him. I'm not believing this whole "he's in a new offense" type of talk. Hass will find a way to get him the ball early and often. If you're looking for good value in the 5th round or so, roll the dice on Housh. He may not get you a lot of TDs, but the receptions and yardage will be there. Don't underestimate Housh this year.

Projections: 93 catches, 1050 yards, 6 TDs

[TheFanatic]

I may be one of the VERY few here that like Houshmandzadeh this year. Why? I think he may be a bit undervalued this year. Last year with a no name QB, Housh was still able to catch 92 passes and come close to 1000 yards. Now I know the TDs were not there, but the Bengals were a mess last year. He now comes across the States to play for a pass happy Seattle Seahawks team. He's got a veteran QB in Matt Hasselbeck who loves throwing the ball down to his "possession" WRs. Just ask Bobby Engram. With Engram now gone, what better player to add than Houshmanzadeh. This guy has consistently been a top "possession" WR. He's averaged 98 receptions the last three years. I definitely see him going over 90 yet again this year. Here are some factors to consider when drafting TJ this year.

- Weak conference
- Seahawks have no running game to speak of.
- Veteran QB who loves to throw the ball to his "possession" WRs.
- Will lead the team in catches, yards, and TDs.
- Very consistent, and IMO comes with little risk if drafted in the right spot.

Now think about where he's being drafted. He's a solid WR3 this year in PPR leagues if you can get him. I'm not believing this whole "he's in a new offense" type of talk. Hass will find a way to get him the ball early and often. If you're looking for good value in the 5th round or so, roll the dice on Housh. He may not get you a lot of TDs, but the receptions and yardage will be there. Don't underestimate Housh this year.

Projections: 93 catches, 1050 yards, 6 TDs

Some say that Mora is run happy, but that is a bit deceptive. He ran the ball a lot in Atlanta when he was the head coach in Atlanta. He had Vick, Dunn, Ducket and? Who were his WR's? Who was his QB? Of course he ran the ball.

Fast forward to this year. Who does he have to tote the rock? He has Duckett again. So what? They guy has Hasslebeck and Housh and nothing else. He will be known as a pass happy coach the next couple of years....

[zamboni]

As I’m going through my pre-season analysis, Housh is one of the more difficult guys to assess.

He’ll almost certainly get his chance to be a go-to WR after somewhat playing second fiddle to Chad Johnson (will never be Ochocinco to me) for some time.

But the question begs: can he thrive in that role?

On one hand, he’s a very solid receiver that runs terrific routes and has very good hands. Defenses will have to pay attention to Branch, Carlson and even Burleson, so he may not see a lot of double teams. And if a solid but unspectacular guy like Darrell Jackson can thrive as Hasselback’s go-to WR, one would think that Housh can as well.

On the other hand, it can be argued that Housh thrived in Cincy as the top corners rolled to Chad. Even when Chad wasn’t playing well last year, he was still a threat that demanded attention by the defense.

On balance, I’m thinking that he’ll be decent, but fail to live up to some of the lofty expectations I’m seeing around.

My prediction: 80-1050-7.

[JamesTheScot]

TJ Housh 110 targets 72 catches 734 yards 10.2 ypc and 5 TDs

I was looking at 70/750/5, so yours are pretty close.

I like Housh as a player. And I think he's clearly an asset to the 'hawks in real-world terms. But there are enough things in flux with his 2009 that I am playing his fantasy cards very tight.

He's already on a roster in my main league (an auction/contract PPR system) at a pretty good price so he's a non-issue unless I tried to go trade for him. His owner is in love with him as a WR2 so there's no chance for a deal there.

In draft leagues this year, I doubt I'll ever have a shot at him where I am comfortable with the risk. He's in that perfect "reach" situation. There's going to be "that guy" in a lot of drafts who is looking at his roster and sees a big ole hole at WR2 and sees Housh as a #1 in Seattle (with a solid track record) and convinces himself that the upside has got to be there. That guy is going to reach for him sooner than many of us who would like to grab him as our WR3.

It wouldn't floor me to see Housh crack 90/1000. But the uncertainty makes me leery of relying on him to produce that.

[luckydawg]

I would guess he's going to be Hasselback's best friend in the redzone. 85-1100-9 for me.

[zamboni]

I would guess he's going to be Hasselback's best friend in the redzone. 85-1100-9 for me.

I think Carlson will be as much of a RZ target.

[FF Newbie]

Now think about where he's being drafted. He's a solid WR3 this year in PPR leagues if you can get him.

I really don't understand why these types of comments are so common on message boards. You say that Housh is a great value as a "solid WR3," but he is being taken as a high WR2 in most leagues. I don't have a problem with your projections, but Housh has an ADP in the late 3rd round, not the 7th or 8th.

[Manster]

TJ Housh 110 targets 72 catches 734 yards 10.2 ypc and 5 TDs

I was looking at 70/750/5, so yours are pretty close.

I like Housh as a player. And I think he's clearly an asset to the 'hawks in real-world terms. But there are enough things in flux with his 2009 that I am playing his fantasy cards very tight.

He's already on a roster in my main league (an auction/contract PPR system) at a pretty good price so he's a non-issue unless I tried to go trade for him. His owner is in love with him as a WR2 so there's no chance for a deal there.

In draft leagues this year, I doubt I'll ever have a shot at him where I am comfortable with the risk. He's in that perfect "reach" situation. There's going to be "that guy" in a lot of drafts who is looking at his roster and sees a big ole hole at WR2 and sees Housh as a #1 in Seattle (with a solid track record) and convinces himself that the upside has got to be there. That guy is going to reach for him sooner than many of us who would like to grab him as our WR3.
It wouldn't floor me to see Housh crack 90/1000. But the uncertainty makes me leery of relying on him to produce that.

this is what i was thinkin. i live in the western U.S. and play with a couple Seahawks fans. while i love Housh as a player, i can almost guarantee someone is going to reach for him.

i could see Housh leading the team in receptions. maybe 80 or so, but with very few TDs. i think Carlson and JJ are the value plays for SEA.